226 The Bird 



Triceratops, an interesting transitional condition is found. 

 The front of the mouth was beak-hke and horny, while 

 farther back were the masticator}- teeth. 



Starting with the generalized beak of the Archce- 

 opteryx, which, we remember, was furnished with teeth, 

 we are almost at a loss in which direction to turn, 

 so many and so varied are the beaks of modern ]:)irds. 

 No trace of teeth, however, is to be found in the adults 

 of any of them. The bill of a crow or raven and, to a 

 lesser extent, that of his near relatives, the jay and the 

 blackbird, is perhaps in shape most like that of the 'bird 

 of old,' and is 'suited to the many purposes which the 

 varied life of these intelligent birds requires. 



The crow or the raven is an excellent example of a 

 modern bird with a remarkably generalized diet, in striking 

 contrast to those birds whose bills show them to be fitted 

 for feeding only on some strictly defined food. With 

 his strong, ample beak the crow can dig up recently 

 planted corn, or crack the hard shells of acorns; he en- 

 joys stealing the eggs and the young birds of thrushes, 

 orioles, sparrows, warblers, and quail, and I have seen 

 a crow chase, capture, and carry off a half-dozen wild Mal- 

 lard ducklings in one morning! These birds are, in ad- 

 dition, able to capture insects of all kinds, besides pick- 

 ing berries, and ducking their heads under water in quest 

 of the shrimps which live in tide-pools. In short, their 

 bill serves them well in procuring many kinds of food, 

 from earth, water, or tree; as well as in carrying great 

 quantities of sticks, which they use in the construction 

 of their nests. These birds are so skilful with their 



