34 THE BEAK. 



loose projections of which the annexed figure will 

 give a better idea than any description. It is found 

 in Australia, hut its habits are little known. 



In the Goosander, which in other respects par- 

 takes 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 hold- 

 ing them fast. The bill of the Rhynehops or Skim- 

 mer, 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 larger, and covers the lower part, but in this bird 

 the contrary takes place ; for 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, dip- 

 ping 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 Goat- sucker 

 tribe, which, feeding on the wing, adopt a somewhat 

 similar course in catching the various flying insects 

 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 



