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 



3r5u nCd.se 



Oriit 



ifa.Occ. 



Tin* 



FIG. 83. Skull of Fowl, showing orbit, brain-case, ear, lower jaw, premaxillary 

 (Pmx.), maxillary (Mx.), vomer (Vo.), lacrymal (Lc.), 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 



