The Skull 107 
large rounded portion taking up most of the skull proper 
is, of course, the box of bone which protects the brain. 
On each side, a large cavity shows where the eyes are 
placed, and if we compare this skull with that of a cat 
or dog or with that of a human being, we will see what 
great importance eyes must be to a bird; the cavities 
for them are so much larger than in other animals. Back 
BrainCase 
Fie. 83.—Skull of Fowl, showing orbit, brain-case, ear, lower jaw, premaxillary 
(Pmez.), maxillary (Mx.), vomer (Vo.), lacrymal (Zc.), jugal (Ju.), palatine 
(Pal.), pterygoid (.Ptg), quadrate (Qd.), and supra (Sup. occ.), ex (Ex. 
occ.), and basioccipital bones. (After Parker.) 
of each eye-case we see an irregular opening, the portal 
of the ear; and in front of the brain two apertures in the 
beak open toward the organ of the nose. The prominent 
beak and wide-spreading lower jaw are chiefly concerned 
in the procuring of food. We need not bother with the 
names of all the bones, but there are some too interest- 
ing and with too strange a history to be passed by. 
Let us glance at the back of the skull for a moment. 
Here we find a large round opening through which the 
