[f. BOAT sb. + BILL sb.2] A genus of birds (Cancroma) belonging to the Heron tribe; esp. the species C. cochlearia of South America, so called from the shape of its bill.
1776. P. Brown, Illustr. Zool., 92. The Boat-Bill.
1836. Penny Cycl., V. 28/2. The common boat-bill is about the size of a domestic hen.
1862. Wood, Nat. Hist. Birds, 678. The very remarkable Boat-bill Heron inhabits Southern America.
