344 



The Bird 



We have seen how wings guard their owners from the 

 risk of sudden surprises from enemies, and now let us 

 observe how, in a sleeping bird, the tender nostrils and 

 eyes are protected against cold and other dangers. Birds 

 do not put their heads under their wings, but behind them, 

 often using the shoulder-feathers as cover. It is inter- 



FiG. 275. — Green Heron with head l)ehind wing. 



esting to see how many birds, from all quarters of the 

 earth, have this same habit. The pelican, however, de- 

 parts from this custom and snuggles his tremendous bill 

 between the feathers in the centre of his back, and flops 

 both wings up so as completely to cover it. Even the 

 cassowary vainly tries to tuck his bill behind his absurd 

 wing. His smaller wing-coverts are mere soft, loose hair- 



