326 



436. The tongue in some birds becomes an instrument 

 of prehension, and is modified accordingly. The lingual bones 

 (h, Fig. 313) are prolonged backwards behind the head, and 



Fig. 309. The Sparrow. 



Fig. 310. Kingfisher. 



these prolongations give attachment to muscles (m), found 

 anteriorly to the lower jaw. When these muscles contract, 

 they pull forward the hyoid or lingual bones, and these push 



Fig. 311. The Pelican. 



the tongue out of the mouth to a considerable distance. This 

 structure is most remarkable in the woodpecker, arid in others 

 which dart the tongue rapidly at insects (Fig. 314). In the 



