BIRDS WITH QUEER BEAKS 
85 
a macaw’s beak, or do not regret their lack 
of forethought should they ever have done 
so, for not many birds can be said to possess 
such business-like instruments with which to 
nip a finger. The upper mandible of a macaw 
is boldly curved in a downward sweep, and 
has the under edge notched in a most curious 
manner, while the lower mandible is com¬ 
paratively small, and shovel-like in form. 
Like all other members of the parrot family, 
they have the unique power of being able to 
move the upper portion of the beak, this being 
rendered possible by the presence of a trans¬ 
verse hinge upon the skull. 
The scissor-bill possesses a beak that is 
remarkable for its peculiar formation, for not 
only is the lower mandible considerably longer 
than the upper, but both portions are flattened 
laterally like a knife-blade, except at the 
extreme base or gape, where they swell out 
and form a junction with the skull. The 
bird feeds entirely upon fish, skimming over 
the surface of the water with the long lower 
mandible dipped beneath the surface, and the 
upper one raised above. Should any small 
fish happen to strike against the moving 
and submerged portion, it is instantly forced 
upwards and caught in the angle formed at 
the junction of the two mandibles. 
