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An astute suggestion from Mark. As for
the question from Roger, "Is there a "scientific" distinction between a bill and
a beak?" I don't think there is, at least I haven't heard of one. Pure
guess; could bill and beak be derived from different languages? My point was
that Mallards (and most ducks) have a broad flat beak/bill, whereas Muscovy
Ducks have a more peaked beak/bill (as does the Musk Duck for example). It is
not a distinct difference, there are all kinds of variants, within the range. It
is curious that the name of the platypus best commemorates this feature of
ducks. Whilst the English name of the platypus means broad foot, its Latin
name Ornithoryhnchus anatinus, means "bird beak ducklike" . Lastly, it
was a Plumed Whistling-Duck that John Layton refers to below.
Philip
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