BIRDS 



247 



Similarly the shape and structural character of the bill 

 should be noted, as related to its use, this being chiefly 

 concerned of course with the feeding habits. Note the 

 strong, hooked, and dentate bill of the birds of prey; they 



Fig. 201. — The j'elU^whammer, Coinp/cs auraUts, (Photograph by 

 W. E. Carlin; permission of G. O. Shields.) 



tear their prey. Note the long, slender, sensitive bill of 

 the sandpipers; they probe the wet sand for \vorms. Note 

 the short, weak bill and "\\'ide mouth of the night-hawk 

 and whippoorwill, and of the swifts and swallows; they 

 catch insects in this wide moutli «']iile on the wing. Note 



