358 



INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY. 



the wood of such as are decayed. The point of the tongue 

 is furnished with hairs pointing backwards (Fig. 271), and 

 the tongue has a peculiar and very effectual apparatus by means 

 ^S-^HS^ of which it is launched 

 at the insect prey. The 

 tail, in conjunction with 

 the two feet, acts as a 

 tripod (Fig. 272), and 

 gives the bird the re- 

 quisite stability while 

 proceeding with its ope- 

 rations. 



A favourite bird, re- 

 markable both for its di- 

 minutive size and for its 

 large family, must not 

 be unnoticed. We allude 

 to the Wren (Troglody- 

 tes Europceus) . It comes 

 about our dwellings al- 

 most with the confi- 

 dence of the Robin, and 

 like that bird, has in its 

 favour, the potent re- 

 commendation which 

 clings to the stories 

 and lays of childhood. 

 Fig. 270. MACAW. But perhaps there is 



no individual bird what- 

 ever whose habits are so peculiar as those of the Cuckoo 

 (Cuculus canonis], and none whose cheerful note in the spring- 

 awakens more gladsome feelings. It builds no nest, but drops 



Tongue 



Fig. 271. SKULL OF WOODPECKER. 



its eggs into the nests of other birds; one only is supposed to 

 be dropped by the same Cuckoo into the same nest. The 



