George,

Ziswiler, V. and D.S. Farner (1972, Digestion and the Digestive System,
In "Avian Biology, Vol 2" (D.S. Farner and J.R. King, eds. pp. 343-430,
Academic Press) state "the surface of the tongue is covered with an
especially strongly cornified epithelium which has its maximum
development on the surface of the tongue directed towards the roof of the
mouth. This tongue epithelium, according to the kind of specialization
involved, may have *horny papillae*."

These were also described as "posteriorly directed horny hooks for
holding food tightly, as in the penguins," from Bartram, E. (1901,
Anatomische, histologische und embryoligische Untersuchungen uber den
Verdauungstraktus von _Eudyptes chrysocome_. Z. Naturwiss. 74, 173-236).
_Eudyptes chrysocome_ is a former name of Rockhopper Penguin, _E.
crestatus_.

Could *papillae* be the word you're looking for?

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim

> Does anyone know the scientific name of the structures on the tongues of
>Puffins (and I assume other alcids?) that enable them to hold several fish in
>their mouths, dive for more fish, and then fly off with the fish to their
>burrows to feed their young without losing any of the fish? An answer would
>be most appreciated. I have exhausted all of my "book" sources. Thanks in
>advance.