Written by the author/illustrator of a whole series of outstanding nature books for the early grades, this book makes an excellent companion volume to her title Birds and Their Nests. In discussing 46 birds bearing the oddest of the specially adapted bills, Miss Earle keeps her presentation lively and is careful to provide a complete description of the function that the beak form makes easier. A short survey of each bird's habits is also provided. As always, the illustrations are anatomically exact and richly detailed in black and white.