COMPARATIVE PHRENOLOGY. 
429 
by means of maceration. Hence it is that the skull will be ultimately the best 
index for distinguishing, by much more definite means than the beak or the 
feet, the genera and species of birds. In other words, the shapes of skulls, 
indicating the form and volume of the brain within them, will enable us to decide 
on the mental qualifications of birds, because we are thus made cognizant of their 
cerebral organization. 
There is a greater difficulty in distinguishing the species of birds by a casual 
glance at their heads and plumage to the tyro in Ornithology, than when we 
compare their skulls together; yet when once the latter desideratum is obtained, 
we proceed with greater certainty : as, by the latter mode of study, we ascertain 
the cerebral condition of any marked difference in the habits or mental capacity 
of birds, and are not merely learned in names. 
The other day I visited the excellent museum of Mr. Hugh Reid, of this 
town, and I had an opportunity of examining a great number of birds. But for 
the present I will only mention the Woodpeckers. They have a well-marked 
difference of form of skull in each species, indicating some modification in their 
habits; hence, supposing I had forgotten the name of any one of them, if the 
specific term had been adopted from some mental difference, instead of the 
accidental difference of size or plumage, then the instant the skull or head was 
shown me, all the particulars would be remembered, as well as the name by 
which it was distinguished. When attention is given to things rather than words , 
and the latter are used only as conventional media of communication, and deemed 
valueless unless we know the definite meaning associated with them, then there 
will be a more philosophical mode of arranging animals. If the 
“ Mind’s the standard of the Man,” 
then also we should use the mental differences of the lower animal in distin¬ 
guishing them. 
In concluding this mere introductory paper, I would call attention to the 
following general facts :—1st, That birds of prey are broad from ear to ear, 
having a similar configuration of skull, as is observed in Carnivorous animals, 
being large in the regions of Combativeness and Destructiveness; and that it is 
possible to decide by the skull whether they are very courageous, and open 
enemies of their victims, or cunning, savage, and treacherous. 2nd, That timid 
birds (like cautious quadrupeds) have the middle part of the parietal bones broad, 
indicating a large development of Cautiousness. 3rd, That building-birds show 
more or less ingenuity in their nests in proportion to the development of Con¬ 
structiveness and the perceptive faculties: and that they present a striking 
contrast when placed in juxta-position with birds which do not build. 
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