Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/181

168 The great size of the beak naturally induces the idea of great weight; and we wonder at the strength requisite for the bird to support and wield an organ so apparently heavy. The appearance, however, is deceptive; for by a beautiful provision of Creative wisdom, the horny case being thin, and the bony core being hollowed into numberless cells of various sizes and forms, with very thin walls between them, the requisite firmness of this organ is maintained, and associated with a surprising lightness.



The remaining characters of the Family may be thus briefly summed up. The nostrils are situated at the base of the beak, and are more or less rounded; the tongue is fleshy, and resembling that of the Accipitres, short and deep in the throat; the wings are rather short; the tail long, broad, and more or less rounded at the extremity, consisting of only ten feathers; the feet short, strong, and formed for walking and perching;