. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. AUKS, GULLS, AND PLOVERS 37 male. As is the case where this reversal occurs, the duties of incubation fall mainl)' or entirely upon the smaller and duller male. It is interesting to note, furthermore, tjiat only in the phalaropes is there a seasonal change of plumage ; in the painted snipe the same livery is worn all the year round. Many of the plovers have no seasonal change of plumage, but both male and female wear all the year round, some a more or less markedly bright-coloured live
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. AUKS, GULLS, AND PLOVERS 37 male. As is the case where this reversal occurs, the duties of incubation fall mainl)' or entirely upon the smaller and duller male. It is interesting to note, furthermore, tjiat only in the phalaropes is there a seasonal change of plumage ; in the painted snipe the same livery is worn all the year round. Many of the plovers have no seasonal change of plumage, but both male and female wear all the year round, some a more or less markedly bright-coloured liver}-, as the DOTTEKEL and Turnstones, others a more sober \'estment, as the CUREEWS and Sxil'E, for example. The SnU'E and Woodcock may be cited as especially instructive forms in this connection, showing, in regard to the beak, for instance, undoubted proof of this structural modification, the result of adaptation to the peculiar method of seeking their fjod. This beak constitutes an organ of touch of great sensitiveness, and is used as a probe, to thrust down into the soft soil in the search for hidden INDIAN BUbrAKDi Buitardt ha-vc vevj ikon tea, like many other hirdi ivhlch ivalk much on sandy soil Of the three species of snipe which occur in Britain, probably the one known as the COMMON Snipe is most familiar; but it will, perhaps, be new to some to learn that this bird ranks as a musical performer, on account of a \ery extraordinar\' " bleating" or "drumming" noise which it gives forth, especiall\' during the spring of the year —the season of courtship. We cannot describe this noise better, perhaps, than as an unusually high-pitched " hum," produced, it is '"-enerally held, by wind driven between the outer tail-feathers by the rapid vibration of the wtnc^s as the bird descends, or rather pitches, at a fearful pace, earthwards. These feathers have the shafts peculiarly thickened; and it is interesting to note that the characteris
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectzoology
