132 CROSSBEAKS. 



I was greatly pleased to see little parties of ring- 

 ousels (my newly- discovered migrators,) scattered, 



second is a small pyramidal-shaped muscle, arising also from the 

 septum, anterior to the other muscle, and, passing downwards 

 and backwards, is inserted upon the omoideum, both by their 

 contraction pulling the os quadratum forwards, and thus ele- 

 vating the other mandible, The depressors of the lower jaw, 

 and the elevators of the upper, therefore, act together to sepa- 

 rate the mandibles. To close the mandibles, the temporal and 

 pterygoid muscles elevate the lower jaw, assisted by slender, 

 slips, which, extending forwards to the superior maxillary bones, 

 act in concert, by bringing them down. When the lateral mo- 

 tion is required, the great pyramidal muscle on the right side, 

 pulls the extremity of the lower jaw, to which it is attached, 

 backwards, the pterygoid muscles on the left side at the same 

 time powerfully assisting, by carrying that side of the lower jaw 

 inwards." 



Mr. Yarrel next goes on to explain the uses of the tongue. 

 Their food is the seeds of the different fir cones ; and their 

 mode of operation, when proceeding to extract them, is this : 

 They first fix themselves across the cone ; then, bringing the 

 points of the maxilla from their crossed or lateral position to lie 

 immediately over each other, in this reduced compass they insi- 

 nuate their beaks between the scales, and then opening them, 

 not in the usual manner, but by drawing the inferior maxilla 

 sideways, force open the scales. Mr. Yarrel then proceeds : 

 " At this stage of the proceeding, the aid of the tongue becomes 

 necessary, and this organ is no less admirably adapted for the 

 service required. The os hyoides, or bone of the tongue, has 

 articulated to its anterior extremity an additional portion, formed 

 partly of bone, with a horny covering. In shape it is narrow, 

 about three-eighths of an inch in length, and extends down- 

 wards and forwards, the sides curved upwards, the distal ex- 

 tremity shaped like a scoop, somewhat pointed and thin on both 

 edges, the proximal extremity ending in two small processes, 

 elongated upwards and backwards above the articulation with 

 the bone of the tongue, each process having inserted upon it a 

 slender muscle extending backwards to the glottis, and attached 

 to the os hyoides, which muscles, by their contraction, extend 

 and raise the scoop-like point ; underneath the articulation of 

 this horny and grooved appendage is another small muscle, 

 which is attached at one extremity to the os hyoides, at the 

 other to the moveable piece, and, by its action, as an antagonist 



