6 MODIFICATIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 



Shrikes, and the parts in general do not differ materially from 

 those of the Thrushes and Warblers. 



In the Finches, Buntings, Icteri, and Tanagers, Fig. 105, 



these organs differ from those of the Thrushes, Warblers, Wag- 

 tails, Sylvicolse, and Wrens, chiefly in having the oesophagus 

 dilated about the middle into a kind of crop lying always on 

 the left side ; the stomach, on account of the increased thick- 

 ness of the muscular coat, is often broader than long, its mus- 

 cles are distinct, its epithelium dense, rugous, and sometimes 

 furnished with two opposite grinding surfaces ; the intestine is 

 of moderate length, and width; the cceca very small. In the 

 Chatterers, Fig. 106, which are eaters chiefly of pulpy fruits, 

 of which the seeds pass through the intestines untouched, the 

 oesophagus is much widened about the middle ; but the sto- 

 mach very small, and moderately muscular ; while the intes- 

 tine is short and of enormous width. 



