Now look at the beak, and think how many things a Sparrow has to do with it.

He has no hands or paws, and so he must pick up everything he eats with his beak.

He has no teeth, and so he must bite his food with his beak.

He feeds on seeds like a Canary bird; so his beak comes to a sharp point, because seeds are small things to pick up; and it is very strong and horny, because seeds are hard to crack, to get at the kernel.

Notice, too, children, that his beak is in two halves, an upper half and a lower half; when these halves are held apart his mouth is open, so that you can see the tongue inside; and when the two halves are closed together the mouth is shut.