104 FACULTIES OF BIRDS. 



Palate of the Blue Macaw. 



office of both, a hard substance (of the same nature 

 with that which composes the nails, claws, and hoofs 

 of quadrupeds) cut out into proper shapes and 

 mechanically suited to the actions which are wanted. 

 The sharp edge and tempered point of the sparrow's 

 bill picks almost every kind of seed from its con- 

 cealment in the plant ; and not only so, but hulls the 

 grain, breaks and shatters the coats of the seed, in 

 order to get at the kernel. The hooked beak of 

 the hawk tribe separates the flesh from the bones of 

 the animals which it feeds upon, almost with the 

 cleanness and precision of a dissector's knife. The 

 butcher-bird transfixes its prey upon the spike of a 

 thorn whilst it picks its bones. In some birds of this 

 class we have the cross-bill, i. e. both the upper and 

 lower bill hooked, and their tips crossing. The 

 spoon-bill enables the goose to graze, to collect its 

 food from the bottom of pools, or to seek it amidst 

 the soft and liquid substances with which it is 

 mixed. The long tapering bill of the snipe and 



