THE BEAK. 3T 





which the foregoing figure will give a better idea than any 

 description. It is found in Australia, but its habits are little 

 known. 



In the Goosander, which in other respects partakes much of 

 the nature of Ducks, these rows of tooth-like lines are harder 

 and very much resemble the teeth of a saw, extending along the 

 edge of the beak ; thus enabling it to secure even eels and fish, 

 of which it destroys great numbers, and which would, but for 

 this addition, make their escape and slip away from a surface 

 unprovided with means of holding them fast. The bill of the 

 Rhynchops, or Skimmer, which collects its food floating on the 

 surface of the waves as it swims across the ocean, is another 

 very curious instance of contrivance. In most species it will 

 be observed, that the upper part of the beak is much larger, 

 and covers the lower part ; but in this bird the contrary takes 

 place, foi the lower jaw or mandible of the beak is much larger 

 than the upper, so that the bird can use it as a sort of spoon, 

 dipping it into the water, and thus scooping up small fishes, or 

 other light floating particles, on which it feeds. How different 

 in its form is the beak of this bird from those of the Swallow 

 and Goatsucker tribe, which, feeding on the wing, adopt a 

 somewhat similar course in catching the various flying in- 

 sects on which they live ! In their case the beak is short, and 

 so weak as to be almost soft, but of vast width, proportioned 

 to the size of the body. This may be easily seen in the 

 common House Swallow, but more particularly in the Swift, 

 or large Black Swallow, and Goat-sucker, whose heads may be 

 said to be almost all composed of mouth, so wide and gaping 

 are their large short beaks j consequently when the supply of 

 insects is abundant, they have little more to do than fly with 

 open mouth, and close their beaks upon the objects which 

 cross their flight. This the Swallow does with a sharp clicking 

 jerk, which may be heard by an attentive listener on a calm 

 day at a considerable distance. 



In the Toucan, the beak forms a most prominent feature in 

 that beautiful and graceful bird ; * and were it as heavy in 

 * See p. 36. 



