BRITISH BIRDS. 273 



The tip of the tongue in this genus is well 

 known to be long and barbed; another peculiarity 

 of structure connected with it, does not appear to 

 have been noticed by naturalists ;* in the back part 

 of the palate is a longitudinal groove, which tapers 

 to a point outwards, and is fringed with stiff hairs 

 pointing toAvards the throat, Avith AA r hich it easily 

 and speedily detaches its food from the barbs of 

 the tongue. 



* Communicated by J- E. Bowman, Esq., Wrexham. 



VOL. I. 



2 M 



