Notornis, 19 (1), 26-32
Article Type: Paper
Head and neck anatomy in the wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) are described from a spirit specimen and a skeleton. In most respects, the wrybill closely resembles plovers of the genus Charadrius. Careful examination has failed to reveal any asymmetry other than that of the bill. Apart from the bill shape, and a gape situated unusually far forward, the main peculiarity of the wrybill is a bony bridge between the two ventral bars of the upper jaw, mentioned by Lowe (1931). The significance of this structure in relation to bill asymmetry is discussed. An analysis of the stomach contents of the spirit specimen is given.