FORM AND HABIT'. THE BILL. 



33 



bl-e, wliieh Letter enables tliem to grasp objects vv^hile 

 probing. In the Avocet the bill is curved upward, and tbe 

 bird swings it from side to side, scraping the bottom in 

 its search for food. The New 

 Zealand Wrjbill has its bill 

 turned to the right for the ter- 

 minal third, and the bird uses 

 it as a crooked probe to push 

 under stones in hunting for its 

 prej. The Siberian Spoonbill ^-- ^-?^",^Ji^^/^°'- 

 Sandpiper has a most singular 



bill, which is much enlarged at the end, suggesting a 

 flat-ended forceps. The Koseate Spoon! all. an entirely 

 different bird, has a somewhat similarly shaped bill, a 

 striking instance of the occurrence of the same form in 

 families which are not closely related. 



But probably the most remarkable instance of relation 



Fio. 22. — Curved bill of female, straight bill of male Iliiia-bird. (i/, natural 



size.) 



between the form of the bill and feeding habits u fur- 

 nished by the Huia-bird of New Zealand. The male of 

 this species has a comparatively short, straight bill, while 



