CHANNEL BILL . — -Scythrops Novce Hollandice. 
The very remarkable bird known by the name of Channel-Bill, inhabits part 
of Australia and some of the Eastern Islands. Its large and curiously-formed 
l>eak gives it so singular an aspect, that on a hasty glance it might almost be taken 
for a species of toucan or hornbill. 
It is most common in New South Wales, and is migratory in its habits, arriving 
in October and departing in June. It is a gregarious bird, being seen in little 
flocks or companies varying in number from three to eight, and sometimes living- 
in pairs. The voice of the Channel-Bill is by no means pleasing, and is exercised 
at the approach of rainy weather or the presence of a hawk. In either instance, 
the bird utters a series of vigorous yells, which are well understood by those who 
have studied its habits. 
Its food consists of the seeds of the red gum and peppermint, and it also feeds 
upon beetles, phasmidae, and other large insects of the land which it frequents. 
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