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FORM AND HABIT; THE BILL. 33 
ble, which better enables them to grasp objects while 
probing. In the Avocet the bill is curved upward, and the 
bird swings it from side to side, scraping the bottom in 
its search for food. The New 
Zealand Wrybill 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 
prey. The Siberian Spoonbill ¥'* *1--Bil of Spocnbill Sand- 
Sandpiper has a most singular 
bill, which is much enlarged at the end, suggesting a 
flat-ended forceps. The Roseate Spoonbill, 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 
Fro. 22.—Curved bill of female, strai = of male ITuia-bird. (1/, natural 
20. 
between the form of the bill and feeding habits is fur- 
nished by the Huia-bird of New Zealand. The male of 
’ this species has a comparatively short, straight bill, while 
