The Trochilus. 
307 
from the manner in which the lower jaw and the skull are joined 
together. The belief in the absence of the tongue is even more 
readily explained. When the mouth is widely opened, no tongue is to 
be seen. This organ is not only present, but is, moreover, of large size; 
it is, however, firmly attached to the floor of the mouth, and it is 
specially adapted, from its peculiar form and structure, to assist these 
animals in the capture and swallowing of their prey.” (Leisure Time 
Studies, p. 75, 1879.) 
The tongue of the crocodile acts as a flood-gate to prevent 
water passing down the throat when the jaws are opened. 
John Leo, an African traveller, tells the story of the 
crocodile’s feathered attendant, that has been for a long 
time considered a myth. His version differs from the 
account given by Herodotus, and repeated by Aristotle, 
of this strange partnership, only in the termination. In 
the ancient tale the crocodile moves its neck as a signal 
that it is about to shut its mouth, so as to warn the 
trochilus to avoid the danger. Leo says:— 
“ As we sayled further we saw great numbers of crocodiles upon the 
bankes of the ilands in the midst of Nilus lye baking them in the 
sunne with their jawes wide open, whereinto certaine little birds about 
the bignesse of a thrush entering, came flying forth againe presently 
after. The occasion whereof was told me to be this : the crocodiles by 
reason of their continuall devouring beasts and fishes have certaine 
pieces of flesh sticking fast betweene their forked teeth, which flesh 
being putrified breedeth a kind of worme, wherewith they are cruelly 
tormented; wherefor the said birds flying about and seeing the wormes 
enter into the crocodiles jaws to satisfie their hunger thereon, but the 
crocodile perceiving himselfe freed from the wormes of his teeth offereth 
to shut his mouth, and to devour the little bird that did him so good a 
turne, but being hindred from his ungratefull attempt by a pricke 
which groweth upon the birds head, hee is constrayned to open his 
jawes and to let her depart.” ( Purchas , vol. ii. p. 847.) 
Webster makes use of this story as an illustration, and 
follows it so closely, except in the size of the bird, that it 
is not unlikely he had the passage before him at the time 
of writing :—• 
“ Flamineo. Stay, my Lord; I’ll tell you a tale. The crocodile which 
