Organs of Nutrition 1 27 



a forward or backward direction. Along the sides of the 

 tongue are two series of fleshy teeth, in shape exactly 

 like the poison-fangs of a rattlesnake. 



Mention must be made of the unique and greatly 

 specialized tongues of Hummingbirds and Honey Creepers. 

 The outer edges of this organ are curled into two tubes, 



FIG. 100. Side view of Flamingo's tongue, forcibly lifted above mandible, shopp- 

 ing fleshy recurved teeth. 



which are more or less split and frayed near the tip, 

 forming delicate brushes efficient instruments either to 

 suck up nectar or to flick out insects from the heart of 

 corollas. 



The Crop 



From the back of the throat to the stomach extends 

 a tube, the gullet or oesophagus, through which the food 



