54 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



HAMMERKOP (Scopidce). 



DIAGNOSIS. A moderate-sized wader with longish deep 

 bill hooked at the tip, front toes all webbed at base, and 

 large hind-toe. 



SIZE. About as large as a crow. 



FORM. Bill rather long, deep, straight, with a hooked 

 tip ; feet with shanks of moderate length, and three 

 front toes webbed at base, hind-toe well developed ; 

 wings large, broad ; tail medium ; head large, 

 crested ; neck rather short. 



PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Brown, with portions of 

 the plumage, chiefly the tail, barred ; much like 

 that of many birds of prey. No difference according 

 to age, sex, or season. Bill and legs black. 



YOUNG. Helpless, and fed by parents. 



NEST. A very large domed structure of sticks, placed 

 on trees or rocks, and often ornamented with various 

 objects. 



EGGS. Several ; white. 



FOOD. Fish, frogs, reptiles, etc. 



GAIT. A walk. It perches freely. 



FLIGHT. Light and easy ; the neck and legs out- 

 stretched. 



NOTE. A croak or a weak metallic sound. 



HABITS AND DISPOSITION. This bird is somewhat 

 sociable, lively and playful ; it is inclined to be 

 nocturnal. 



ECONOMIC QUALITIES. It no doubt destroys vermin. 



CAPTIVITY. This bird has thriven well at the London 

 Zoological Gardens. 



DISTRIBUTION. There is only one species (Scopus 

 umbretta), found in Africa and Madagascar. 



