A STUDY IN BIRDS' BEAKS. 



BEAK OF CROSSBILL. 



and very compressed. The bird itself is an excellent diver, 

 and may often be seen with a row of sprats its favourite food 

 hanging from the bill, their heads being secured between the 

 mandibles ; and, taking a curved sweep 

 upwards, it bears them to its young one 

 for only one egg is laid. 



In its general habits the Guillemot 

 somewhat resembles the Puffin, and that 

 is my reason for giving an illustration of 

 the diversity which exists in the beaks of 

 the two birds. There is such a marked 



difference, that the two illustrations on being compared will I 

 hope, interest, elevate, and amuse the most indifferent observer. 

 In the next illustration on the top of the previous page we 

 have a beak built somewhat on the lines of the Curlew, and 

 yet a variance will be seen. The 

 Mamo is a lost exotic bird, whose 

 yellow plumes were used, it is 

 said, to embellish the State robes 

 of chiefs. 



The curious horned-bill of the 

 Rhinoceros Hornbill is about loin, 

 long, and of a yellowish white 

 in colour ; the upper mandible red 



at the base, the lower black. The horn on the top is varied 

 with black and white. 



One really cannot fail to be struck with this beak, and it is 

 the nearest approach to a beak which would enable a bird to 



"toss" a person, with which I am 

 acquainted. The beak without the 

 horn would be striking, but the 

 presence of this latter intensifies it 

 to a remarkable degree. 



These are most frugivorous birds. 

 They live mostly on fruit, and will 



BEAK OF CURL-CRESTED ARACARIS. SOO11 Strip a tree. Some of thoSC 



species found in Africa are said to 



also feed, on reptiles. Mr. Wallace says that the extraordinary 

 habit of the male, in plastering up the female with her egg 



BEAK OF GREAT BLACK WOODPECKER. 



