BIRDS. 



309 



With pinions wider than the king of vultures, 

 And down elastic, thicker than the swan's, 

 Should leave so small a cage of ribs to mark 

 Where vigorous life had dwelt a hundred years." 



The accompanying engraving represents the skeleton of a Vul- 

 ture, with the contour of the bird drawn in outline, as it would 

 appear if clothed with flesh and feathers. The principal bones 

 are numbered in the figure, and we will refer to them seriatim, 

 as it is important to be acquainted with their appellations and 

 functions. 



The skeleton of a bird is composed of nearly the same bones 



FIG. 337. SKELETON OF VULTURE. 



FIG. 338. LEG OF A BIRD PERCHING. 



as that of a quadruped ; but their form and disposition are diffe- 

 rent. The attachment of the head to the spinal column consists 

 but of a single pivot an arrangement that allows the bird to turn 

 its head so as to look directly backwards. The neck is also very 

 moveable ; and as these animals have to collect their food with 

 their beak, the length of their neck is in proportion to the height 

 of their legs, or, in many water-birds, to the depth beneath the 



