342 



INTEOBUCTION TO ZOOLOGY. 



the wood of such as are decayed. The point of the tongue 

 is furnished with hairs pointing backwards {Fig. 271), and 

 the tongue has a pecuhar and very effectual apparatus by means 



of which it is launched 

 at the insect prey. The 

 tail, in conjunction with 

 the two feet, acts as a 

 tripod {Fig. 272), and 

 gives the bird the re- 

 quisite stability while 

 proceeding with its ope- 

 rations. 



A favourite bird, re- 

 markable both for its di- 

 minutive size and for its 

 large family, must not 

 be unnoticed. We allude 

 to the Wren {Troglody- 

 tes Eurojjceus). It comes 

 about our dwelUngs al- 

 most with the confi- 

 dence of the Eobin, and 

 like that bird, has in its 

 favour, the potent re- 

 commendation which 

 clings to the stories 

 and lays of childhood. 



But perhaps there is 

 no individual bird what- 

 ever whose habits ai'e so peculiar as those of the Cuckoo 

 (^Cuculus canorus), and none whose cheerful note in the spring 

 awakens more gladsome feehngs. It builds no nest, but di'ops 



Fig. 270.— Macaw. 



Tongue. 



Fig. 271.— Skoll of Woodpeckbe. 



its eggs into the nests of other birds ; one only is supposed to 

 be dropped by the same Cuckoo into the same nest. The 



