408 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



consequently not so much adapted for striking as 

 for seizing and dissecting. By means of it the 

 falcon can easily strip his prey of its feathers as 

 neatly and with as little injury to the flesh as the 

 poulterer. It can also cut open the birds, divide 

 the tendons and ligaments, separate all the joints, 

 and, if pressed by hunger, can so entirely remove 

 the soft parts as not to leave an atom of eatable 

 matter on the bones. Those birds which possess 

 the tooth-like part on either side of the upper 

 beak, such as the falcon, are considered more noble 

 and courageous than others. The shrike, or 

 butcher-bird, is thus distinguished ; and it is well 

 known that this little bird does not yield in courage 

 even to the hawk, notwithstanding its small size, 

 and comparative feebleness of wing and foot. 

 The next form of bill (see the figure) is possessed 

 by voracious birds, 

 not equal in courage 

 to the former, such 

 as crows and mag- 

 pies. This bill is 

 narrow, straight, and 

 conical in shape. It 

 can inflict a severe wound by thrusting ; it can also 



