THE STRUCTURE OF THE BIRD 17 



individually and in combination, and the one cannot 

 supply the place of the other. 



So much for the wings. Now we will examine Plate 

 IX., which shows heads and what is the most 

 important part of them bills. We will take the illus- 

 trations in their proper order. 



1 . The bill of the Woodcock is shaped like a turner's 

 auger, the end greatly resembling the tip of a finger. 

 With this the bird gropes for its food, and draws it out 

 of the loose earth. 



2. The bill of the Merganser has a hook at the point; 

 it is toothed at the side, and is so well adapted to its 

 purpose that no fish, however slippery, can escape. 



3. The bill of the Hawfinch is conical, thick and 

 strong, capable of cracking the hardest cherry stones. 



4. The pretty Water- Wagtail has an awl-shaped bill, 

 formed by Nature for the catching of gnats and other 

 insects. 



5. The Grey Heron has a bill which cuts like a knife. 

 Woe to the most slippery tench if once caught within 

 it! 



6. The Curlew penetrates into the mud w r ith its sickle 

 shaped, slightly curved bill, and brings out of its depths 

 the worms it feeds on. 



7. The bill of the Long-tailed Tit is but a little point 

 compared with those mentioned above, but all the same 

 it is quite suitable for the bird, for only with such a 

 tool could it pick the tiny insects out of the smallest 

 cracks in the boughs. 



8. The bill of the Goatsucker or Night-hawk is small, 

 but the opening of the mouth is comparatively gigantic : 

 it forms a yawning abyss, which, in the twilight and 

 darkness of night, engulfs unwary insects. 



C 



