PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
33 
accustomed to nibble off a small portion of the vane of their long middle tail 
feathers, within a short distance of their extremity, leaving the tips barbed and 
untouched, as also the entire remainder of their plumage. The same habit was 
pointed out as existing in an Indian group of Magpies (Dendrocettce of Gould), 
which considerably resembled the Motmot in outward form, and it was suggested 
that attention and observation of the two groups, considered relatively, might 
possibly elicit the intent of so anomalous a practice. The protuberance on the 
beak of the Hornbills furnished the next subject of consideration, which was 
descanted on at some length, and attention was called to a similar appendage in 
the Ani ( Crotophaga ), a South American genus, its presence in both instances 
being accompanied by eyelashes, which is of very unusual occurrence among birds, 
and which connection argued that the protuberance was not designed for mere 
ornament, as some have supposed, but evidently for a direct object, probably to 
detach particles of dust, from which the eyelashes would seem intended to protect 
the eye. The gull-tufts of the Heron group—a tuft of peculiar unelastic cottony 
down, present in those birds—was mentioned as being a structure designed to 
protect the breast from water, these birds frequently standing with the bare part 
of their legs quite immersed, so that, when they stretch out the neek to seize a 
fish, the body was often bent very much forward, and the water would conse¬ 
quently chill the chest, were it not defended by this peculiar structure, which 
was quite impervious. Mr. Blyth discussed at considerable length the long- 
contested question of the intent of pectinated claws of birds, detailed the various 
opinions which had been brought forward on the subject, and argued that no 
animal was furnished with express means of ridding itself of its parasitic 
annoyance, however it might make use of structures designed for quite another 
purpose. He contended that the pectinated claw was for detaching fish scales or 
Beetles’ claws that had adhered to the sides and corners of the mouth. 
Mr. Vigors, M.P., congratulated the Society on the great accession of talent 
it had gained, in allusion to the interesting observations which had been made 
by Mr. Blyth. —He rejoiced that such a Society had been established, as it 
would doubtless lead to inquiries highly interesting to ornithologists.—Matters 
in themselves apparently trifling had conduced to the illustration of great and 
important results. A hundred times he found that a research after minor 
characters, which were calculated to escape the eye of common observation, 
carried out truths highly interesting.—The clump of feathers on the head of an 
Owl, the claws upon their feet, had led to serious investigations, pointing out the 
aim and end of the functions thus developed, and shewing their adaptations to 
the great objects of their Creator. The aigrette, for instance, in the modifications 
of the greater number of Owls, and the disk of the eye, are peculiarities assigned 
to them to direct them in their nocturnal researches for their prey.—He then 
VOL. III.—no. XVI. 
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