1044. Why have ducks and geese square-pointed bills?
Because they not only feed by dabbling in soft and muddy soil, but they consume a considerable quantity of green food, and their square bills enable them to crop off the blades of grass.
"Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein."—Psalm lxix.
1045. Why has the spoon-bill a long expanded bill, lined internally with sharp muscular points?
Because the bird lives by suction, dipping its broad bill in search of aquatic worms, mollusks, insects and the roots of weeds. The bill forms a natural spoon, and the muscular points enable the bird to filter the mud, and to retain the nourishment which it finds.
1046. Why has the spoon-bill long legs?
Because it wades in marshy places to find its food. Its legs are therefore long, for the purpose of keeping its body out of the water, and above the smaller aquatic plants, while it searches for its prey.