THE SEASON WHY. 



263 



As the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in 

 the snare ; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth 

 suddenly upon them." ECCLESIASTES ix. 



objects, such as worms, insects, seeds, &c. The sharp beak, 

 therefore, serves as a fine pincers, enabling them to take hold of 

 their food conveniently. 



1042. Why have snipes and woodcocks long tapering bills ? 

 Because they live upon worms which they find in the soft mud of 



streams and marshy places ; their long bills, therefore, enable them 

 to dig down into the mud after their prey. 



1043. Why have woodcocks, snipes, c., nerves running 

 down to the extremities of their bills ? 



Because, as they dig for their prey in the soft sand and mud, 

 they cannot see the worms upon which they live. Nerves are, 

 therefore, distributed to the very point of their bills (where, in other 

 birds, nerves are entirely absent) to enable them to prehend their 

 food. 



Fig. 67. SPOONBILL. 



1044. Why have ducks and geese square-pointed bills ? 



Because they not only feed by dabbling in soft and muddy soil, 

 but they consume a considerable quantity of green food, and theif 

 square bills enable them to crop off the blades of grass. 



