Identifier: cu31924000070809 (find matches)
Title: Bird studies for home and school; sixty common birds, their habits and haunts
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: De Groat, Herman C
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Buffalo, N. Y., Herman C. De Groat
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
bird, for no other game bird has been so mercilessly huntedas this one. With dog and gun the sportsman has sought iteverywhere. It is now protected by law during most of theyear. Low, swampy woodlands are its usual home, though inautumn it frequents cornfields and pastures near woods. Herethe hunter finds it during the brief open season. When startledfrom its haunts, it rises but a few feet from the ground andflies only a short distance. After alighting it runs forwardfor a few rods, hoping to mislead the pursuer. When flushedhear her nest or young, the mother pretends lameness or abroken wing to draw the trespasser away from her possessions.. During the day the Woodcock keeps to the woods orthickets, but with the approach of night it comes out to seekfood. Now the use for the long, sharp bill is seen. Boringinto the damp ground with it, this bird finds and eats greatnumbers of earthworms. The borings or holes made inthis way are sure signs to the hunter that the bird is near. The 68
Text Appearing After Image:
bill is also used to turn the fallen leaves when searching forlurking insects. The perfect equipment of the Woodcock for obtaining itsfood excites our admiration and wonder, but after all, this isno more perfect than the equipment of any other bird. Inone it may be a lance-like tongue, in another, a vice-like gripof claws or beak, and in a third, an eye fitted for nocturnalvision. Just the right power has been given to every bird toenable it to provide for its wants and fulfill its mission in theworld. The Woodcock comes from the Southern States early inApril and remains until September. At nesting time the maleoften amuses himself at nightfall by rising in a spiral path likethe Lark high in the air and then suddenly plunging down ina zigzag course to the earth. This feat may be performed overand over again many times in an hour. At such times awhistling sound resembling a faint warble is heard. The birdhas no song. BIRD NOTES 69 MALLARD DUCK, OR WJLD DUCK Male—Head and neck glossy

Note About Images