TASTE OF PISCIVOROUS BIRDS. 159 



about the middle of the right side*. The inner 

 surface of the gizzard also is soft, smooth, and 

 spongy, particularly that portion of it which covers 

 the gastric glands, secreting a mucus not found 

 elsewhere. This was ascertained upon examining 

 the organs of a cormorant (Carbo cormoranus, 

 MEYER) suspected of having been poisoned. In this 

 bird, it is worth remarking, the solvent glands being 

 in close contact form a compact mass, and are placed 

 within the dilated portion of the gizzard ; though they 

 do riot extend all round, but form two circular portions, 

 one on the fore and another on the hind part of the 

 surface, for about half the length of the cavity. 



In the cormorant just mentioned, supposed to have 

 been poisoned, it was found that the bird had died in 

 consequence of a newt (Triton palustris, LAURENTI) 

 having been put into its mouth with the hind feet fore- 

 most, by the person who fed it ; the newt spreading 

 its legs, could neither be forced down into the gizzard, 

 nor thrown up by the mouth : the irritated gullet 

 (cesophagus) became inflamed, and the inflammation 

 extended along the inner membrane of the gizzard, 

 the contents of which were enveloped in a thick 

 mucus : the inner membrane was generally very vas- 

 cular ; but the two circular portions, where the gastric 

 glands are situated, were coated over with a thick 

 and almost solid mucus, which could not be com- 

 pletely removed, so firmly did it adhere. This ap- 

 pearance was so very extraordinary, and the orifices 

 of the gastric glands were so completely choked with 

 mucus, that it was difficult to believe the mucus had 

 not been secreted by the gastric glands and poured 

 out by their excretory ducts. This, however, was 

 ascertained not to be the case, by cutting off the ori- 

 fices and the membrane through which they open, 

 and finding the ducts themselves empty. These cir- 

 * Sir E. Home, Comp. Anat. i. 279. 

 Q3 



