THE BEAK. 
27 
or swallow their food, as Woodcocks, Ducks, &c., the hard- 
ness is gradually diminished. 
A philosopher need not go further than this instrument, 
in search of a proof how well the providence of God fits the 
means to the end. 
The hooked tip and sharp overhanging edge of the 
upper mandible, in the birds of prey, act like a dissector’s 
knife, readily separating the flesh from the bones : a bill, 
hooked at the end with sharp edges, may indeed be con- 
sidered as a characteristic of all birds of prey, that is, of 
all birds living on smaller birds, or quadrupeds, or fishes. 
Instead of a hook there is a sort of tooth at the extremity 
of the beak of certain birds of this class, which adds greatly 
to its strength; and it has been observed that those pos- 
sessing it are more noble and courageous than others. 
Thus the Shrike, or Butcher 
Bird, although its usual food 
consists of beetles and insects, 
will not only bravely defend 
itself, but occasionally attack 
birds far superior in size; 
and is a perfect terror to the 
smaller species, who flutter 
round their assailant, utter- 
ing the most piercing cries, 
as if they wished to give 
notice of the intruder’s approach. The bill of the Parrot is 
also hooked, but is at the same time unfitted for the uses to 
which it is applied by the birds just mentioned, curving and 
overlapping the lower bill so, much, that if the lower bill 
only had motion, the bird could scarcely open its mouth 
sufficiently wide to receive food ; yet neither the hook nor 
the overlapping could be omitted, since it is by the beak that 
Parrots so readily climb; for which purpose it is therefore 
fitted, as well as for breaking nuts and other hard substances 
on which they feed. 
The way by which the Parrot’s beak is able to answer 
both purposes is this : the upper mandible, which in other 
