BIRDS WITH QUEER BEAKS 83 
These vary very much in form in the different 
species, some of them being straight and 
dagger-like, others curved in a downward 
sweep such as that of the curlew, while the 
avocet is unique in the fact that it possesses 
a bill that curves upwards. The spoonbill is 
even more specialized than any of the fore¬ 
going, its beak being very broad throughout 
its entire length, and terminating in a flattened 
and spoon-like expansion. 
The flamingo possesses a curious form of 
beak that almost defies a verbal description, 
the front half being bent down at an abrupt 
angle to the rest. Such an unusual formation 
might at first sight appear to be an encum¬ 
brance to its owner, but when one considers 
the stature of the flamingo, and more especi¬ 
ally the length of its neck, it will readily be 
seen that the bird, when searching for its 
food as it wades amidst the shallow waters, 
must of necessity turn its head almost upside 
down when thus engaged, the bent portion 
of the beak then being poised more or less 
parallel with the surface of the ground, and 
serving as a perfectly-formed scoop. 
Yet another peculiar beak is that of the 
frigate bird, which, besides being of great 
length, is curious on account of the fact that 
both the upper and lower mandibles are of 
