BOAT-BI LL, the English name for the genus Cochlearius of Brisson, Cane roma of Linnaeus, Les Savacous of the French.
This genus of the family A rdeiclte (Heron-like Birds) would approach quite closely, as Cuvier observes, to the herons [ARDEA] in regard to their bill and the kind of food which it indicates, were it not for the extraordinary form of that organ, which is nevertheless, when closely observed, the bill of a heron or a bittern very much flattened out. This bill is of an oval form, longer than the head, very much depressed, and not unlike the bowls of two spoons placed one upon the other, with the rims in contact. The mandibles are strong, with sharp edges, and dilated towards the middle. The upper mandible it carinated, and hooked at its point, which has a small tooth or notch on each side of it. The lower mandible is flatter than the upper, straight, mem branous in the centre and terminated by a sharp point. The nostrils are oblique, longitudinal, and closed.
The first quill is short ; the five next are the longest. The feet are furnished with four toes, all long, and almost without membranes.
Though zoologists have described more than one species, it appears that they may be referred to the only species yet known, Cochlearius fescue of Brisson, Cancroma cochlearia of Linnaeus, Le Savacou of Buff on the differences on which Cancroma canerophaga (Linnaeus, &c.) is founded not being allowed to be specific. Leach, in his 'Zoological Miscellany,' figures and describes the common Boat-Bill under the title of Cancroma ru/garis, but assigns no reason for altering the specific name given by Linnaeus.
The common Boat-Bill is about the size of a domestic hen. In the male, the forehead and upper parts of the neck and breast are dirty white; the back and lower part of the belly rusty-reddish ' • the bill is black, and the legs and feet are brown. From the head depends a
long crest of black feathers, falling backwards. The female has the top of the head black, without the elongated crest ; the back and the belly rusty-reddish ; the wings gray; the forehead and rest of the plumage white; and the bill, legs, and feet, brown.
"This species," says Latham, in his 'Synopsis,' " for I refer all that has been treated of above to one only, inhabits Cayenne, Guyana, and Brazil, and chiefly frequents such parts as are near the water. In such places it perches on the trees which hang over the streams, and, like the kingfisher, drops down on the fish which swim beneath. It has been thought to live on crabs likewise, whence the Linnmcan name; but this is not clear, though it cannot be denied ; yet we are certain that fish is the most common, if not the only Lesson (` Manuel ') says, "The Boat-Bill perches on trees by the side of rivers, where it lives on fish, and not on crabs, as its name indicates ;" and speaks of it as inhabiting the inundated savannahs of South America, and as being especially common in Guyana.
Leach (` Zoological Miscellany') says that it inhabits Southern America, and feeds on fishes, vermes, and crustacect, in quest of which it is continually traversing the borders of the sea.
Cuvier Regne Animal ') says that it inhabits the warm and moist parts of South America, and perches on trees by the side of rivers, whence it precipitates itself on the fish which afford its ordinary nourishment.