360 



GEALLATOEES, OR WADING BIEDS. 



which is met with on the shores of the Black Sea and Senegal ; 

 and finally, the Tantalus, which lives in the warm regions of both 

 the New and Old World. 



Whoever has once set eyes on the Boatbill or Savacou (Fig. 

 140) will never forget the bird, or confound it with any other. 

 What, it will be asked, is there so characteristic about it ? Nothing 



Fig. 140.— The Common Boatbill (Omcroma cochlearia, Linn.). 



else but its bill, which certainly is the most singular implement 

 one can well imagine. Fancy two long and wide spoons, with their 

 hollow sides placed one against the other, the end of the upper spoon 

 being furnished with two sharp teeth, and we shall have some 

 idea of this extraordinary storehouae, as it may be called, for the 

 proprietor can easily stuff into it provisions for a whole day. If 

 we add to this that the Savacou possesses a beautiful black crest 

 which hangs down behind its head, that it is about the size of a 



