By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 163 



plishing their several ends, and that nothing can be conceived 

 more appropriate for attaining their peculiar objects. Differ 

 indeed they do in appearance from one another, various indeed are 

 their powers, but varied too is the work for which they were 

 formed. Should we provide ourselves with the same instrument if 

 we went forth to procure game, as to reap corn ? Should we arm 

 ourselves in the same manner if we wanted to catch fish and to 

 gather fruits ? The absurdity of such a thing is apparent : and 

 just so it is with the beaks of birds ; they are the tools or instru- 

 ments provided for them by the All- wise and Bountiful Creator, 

 the very best tools for their respective wants, and which have 

 often guided the mechanic to the precise form of the implement 

 best suited to his purpose. 



We shall do well first to examine the beak as peculiar to the 

 several orders and tribes. 



Now the Birds of Prey live entirely on animal food ; when they 

 have pounced on their victim on the ground, or struck down some 

 hapless bird on the wing (with the foot though, be it remembered, 

 and not at all with the beak, as it is so often erroneously supposed) 

 the beak is wanted for tearing apart and seizing piecemeal the 

 prey. To this end what can be more adapted than the strong, 

 short, hooked beak, which is one of the characteristics of this whole 

 order ; it is of nearly equal breadth and height at the base, mode- 

 rately compressed, or flattened sideways, towards the end ; and is 

 furnished with a remarkable tooth-like projection in the upper 

 mandible, the tip being curved downwards, three-cornered and 

 very sharp. With this powerful instrument the vulture can unrip 

 the carcase of the fallen and putrid animal ; the eagle and falcon 

 can tear in pieces the hare or fawn ; the osprey, the fish ; the hawk, 

 the small birds ; the owl, the mouse ; and nothing can be conceived 

 more applicable for such work. 



The Perching Bird* come next, and their habits being more 

 peaceful and quiet, and their food being of a different nature, we 

 •hall find here no oeed of the powerful hook which we have seen 

 to be so useful to the Raptorial order. And yet as the perchers 

 include an immense number of families whose habits are exceed- 



