25 



The Bird 



the female comes to his aid and accomplishes what he 

 has failed to do." 



The bill of a bird, besides serving in so many other 

 ways, is invaluable in preening the plumage, arranging 

 disordered feathers, drying them, and, most important 

 of all, in pressing out the oil from the gland on the lower 

 back, and with it carefully dressing all the feathers, giv- 



FIG. 194. Bill of male and female Huia Birds, showing difference of the bill 



in the two sexes. 



ing to them that brightness and gloss and also the water- 

 proof quality so surely a sign of perfect health in a 

 bird. When, after the bath of a caged bird, you see the 

 drops roll from its feathers, literally like " water off a 

 duck's back," then the good health of the bird is certain. 

 The all-important use of the bill as a needle, shuttle, 

 pick and shovel, auger, or trowel in nest-building does not 

 concern us here, nor does its function in expressing emo- 

 tion, or in taking the place of the voice or of the foot. 



