. A System of natural history : containing scientifci [sic] and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects . black, and the latter,which is composed of unwebbed feathers, is almost four inches in has a great liver, divided into two parts, and, as some authors affirm, nogall. Lapwings are found in most parts of Europe, as far northward as the winter they are met with in Persia and Egypt. Their chief food isworms; and sometimes they may be seen in flocks nearly covering the lowmarshy grounds in search of these, which they draw with great dex
. A System of natural history : containing scientifci [sic] and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects . black, and the latter,which is composed of unwebbed feathers, is almost four inches in has a great liver, divided into two parts, and, as some authors affirm, nogall. Lapwings are found in most parts of Europe, as far northward as the winter they are met with in Persia and Egypt. Their chief food isworms; and sometimes they may be seen in flocks nearly covering the lowmarshy grounds in search of these, which they draw with great dexterityfrom their jioles. When the bird meets with one of those little clusters ofpellets, or rolls of earth that are thrown out by the worms perforations, itfirst gently removes the mould from the mouth of the hole, then strikes theground at the side with its foot, and attentively waits the issue; alarmed bythe shock, the reptile emerges from its retreat, and is instantly seized. In theevening they adopt another mode. They then run along the grass, and feel withtheir feet the worms which the dampness of the atmosphere has brought These birds make a great noise with their wings in flying, and are calledpeewits, or tewits, in the north of England, from their particular cry. Theyremain there the whole year. The female lays two eggs on the dry ground,near some marsh, upon a little bed which she prepares of dry grass. Theseare olive-colored, and spotted with black. She sits about three weeks; andthe young, who are covered with a thick down, are able to run within twoor three days after they are hatched. The parent displays the fondestattachment to them, and employs innumerable interesting stratagems toavert approaching danger from them. She does not wait the arrival ofher enemies to the nest, but boldly pushes out to meet them. When shehas approached as near as she dare venture, she rises from the ground witha loud screaming voice, as if just flushed from hatching, though pr
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Keywords: ., bookauth, bookcentury1800, booksubjectanimals, booksubjectzoology
