BIRDS. 405 



face at which they procure their food. The number 

 of the bones in the neck is consequently very varia- 

 ble : the Swan has twenty-three, and the Sparrows 

 only nine ; and their joints are so disposed that the 



FlG. 337. SKELETON OF VULTURE. 



neck may be bent in the form of the letter S, and 

 consequently elongated or shortened in proportion as 

 the curves are diminished or increased. The trunk 

 of a bird is an admirable piece of mechanism, com- 

 bining elasticity and strength with the utmost com- 

 patible degree of lightness. He is but a bungling 

 mechanic who makes an unnecessary waste of 

 material. The triumph of mechanism is to obtain the 

 greatest possible firmness at the least cost of sub- 

 stance ; and whoever examines the chest of a bird 

 will at once acknowledge the transcendent skill 

 evinced in every part of its construction. The 



