Beaks and Bills eat 
permanently bent to the right, a beautiful adaptation 
to help the bird in its search for insects, which, in the 
dry country that it inhabits, are found almost entirely 
under stones. 
As a rule, beaks are rather immovable throughout 
their length, but in the woodcock, and to a less extent 
Fic, 185.—Bill of Crook-billed Plover, for probing under stones. 
in the Dowitcher Snipe, the extremity of the upper man- 
dible can be raised some distance (Figs. 159, 160). This 
extreme sensitiveness is especially necessary, as the eyes 
of the woodcock are placed very far back on the top 
of its head, and are of little or no use in seeking food. 
What an interesting study the various beaks of land 
birds would offer, were we able to devote to them the 
