THE BEAK. 27 



or swallow their food, as Woodcocks, Ducks, &c., the hard- 

 ness is gradually diminished. 



A philosopher need not go further than this instrument, 

 in search of a proof how well the providence of God fits the 

 means to the end. 



The hooked tip and sharp overhanging edge of the 

 upper mandible, in the birds of prey, act like a dissector's 

 knife, readily separating the flesh from the bones : a bill, 

 hooked at the end with sharp edges, may indeed be con- 

 sidered as a characteristic of all birds of prey, that is, of 

 all birds living on smaller birds, or quadrupeds, or fishes. 

 Instead of a hook there is a sort of tooth at the extremity 

 of the beak of certain birds of this class, which adds greatly 

 to its strength ; and it has been observed that those pos- 

 sessing it are more noble and courageous than others. 

 Thus the Shrike, or Butcher 

 Bird, although its usual food 

 consists of beetles and insects, 

 will not only bravely defend 

 itself, but occasionally attack 

 birds far superior in size; 

 and is a perfect terror to the 

 smaller species, who flutter 

 round their assailant, utter- 

 ing the most piercing cries, 

 as if they wished to give 



notice of the intruder's approach. The bill of the Parrot is 

 also hooked, but is at the same time unfitted for the uses to 

 which it is applied by the birds just mentioned, curving and 

 overlapping the lower bill so much, that if the lower bill 

 only had motion, the bird could scarcely open its mouth 

 sufficiently wide to receive food ; yet neither the hook nor 

 the overlapping could be omitted, since it is by the beak that 

 Parrots so readily climb; for which purpose it is therefore 

 fitted, as well as for breaking nuts and other hard substances 

 on which they feed. 



The way by which the Parrot's beak is able to answer 

 both purposes is this : the upper mandible, which in other 



