BIRDS. 



A BIRD may be divided into:— 1. The HEAD. 2. NECK. 3. BODY. 4. WINGS. 



5. TAIL. 6. LEGS. 



1. The HEAD [Caput] is for the most part oval in shape, and consists of the following 

 Parts :— 



Tne Bill [Rostrum]-, of an horny texture, pierced with the nostrils, and containing the 

 tongue, is joined to the fore part of the head. The shape varying in different subjects, as 

 straight, bent downwards or upwards, and is either round, compi-essed, flattened, conic, 

 pointed, C3-lindric, angulated, cultrated, or hooked. Divided into two mandibles, which ai"e 

 generally naked, and smooth on the edges ; in some emarginated near the tip, in a few ser- 

 rated, not unfrequently covered with a naked skin or cere, and in many furnished with bristles 

 at the gape. 



Nostrils [Nares] are in the npper mandible, for the most part placed at, or near, the 

 base ; but in some few (as Toucan, and Hornbill) behind the base. The shape various ; as 

 oval, oblong, linear, arched at the top, tubular, &c. 



Cere [Cera], a thick membranous skin, diiferently coloured, covering the upper mandible 

 above at the base, chiefly in the Falcon Genus, and in this the nostrils are placed. 



Tongue [Lingua], either fleshy, cartilaginous, emarginated, having a small notch near 

 the tip, lacerated, or jagged, with the edges feathered, as in the Toucan ; ciliated or furnished 

 with bristles, entire and smooth, and often sharp-pointed. 



The Face [Capistrian] is a certain space, all round, next the base of the bill, reaching 

 as far as the eyes. 



The upper surface of the Head is divided into the Forehead [From] ; Crown [Vertex] ; 

 Hindhead [Occiput]. 



The Crest [Crista], for the most part, arises from the feathers being more or less elon- 

 gated ; and is either frontal, vertical, or occipital, so named from the place of its origin ; is 

 erect, or bending backwards or forwards. In shape compressed, or fasciculated ; in structure 

 tufted, folded, and consisting of two series of alternate feathers: 



The Eyes [Oculi], one on each side, have the eyelids moveable, and are frequently ciliated 

 on the edges; besides which is a semi-transparent skin, or nictitating membrane, capable of 

 being drawn immediately over the eye, to defend it from too much light ; most conspicuous 

 in the Owl Genus. 



