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BIRD-LIFE. 
To the above we may add the fruit-eating birds, which 
scarcely require to exert themselves in a greater degree. 
Most of these pluck the berry or the fruit, which serves 
them as food, with the beak, swallowing it whole, or 
separating the nourishing particles from that which is 
useless. The Hawfinch eats the kernel of the seed; 
berry-eating birds swallow the fruit whole; Parrots 
devour the pulp of the same, cracking the stone 
also, where such is to be found. The first use the 
beak alone in feeding, and the latter the foot as well; 
both, however, pluck the fruit at their ease; while the 
Flycatchers and Trogons, whatever fruit they may 
eat, gather it on the wing. Among the insect-eating 
birds we find similar gradations of capacity in their 
several functions: the Wagtails, Redstarts, and Wrens, 
pick up insects, together with their eggs and larvae, 
from off the ground, as also from roofs of houses and the 
backs of animals. Next come the Whitethroats, Willow 
Wrens and Reed Warblers, Tomtits and Goldcrests: these 
seize their prey on the ground, from branches and leaves, 
or extract it from flowers, cracks in timber or walls, 
and also catch it on the wing. The climbing birds have 
a hard time of it, seeking their food as they do in all sorts 
of places, situated in perpendicular or horizontal positions, 
often drawing out their prey from various holes and 
lurking-places. The Hoopoe does the same on the ground; 
the Tree-creeper, Wall-creeper, Nuthatch and Woodpecker 
amid trees and ruins; and the latter have to handle their 
tools to some purpose, pecking and hammering the live¬ 
long day to earn their bread. 
All the above mentioned crafts or trades, if we may so 
term them, are exercised alike by most members of the 
Crow family. These latter also gather grain, insects, berries 
