. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds . )hysical organiza-tion excels in some respects that of all other an imals. Th e y surpass all other vertebrate animals in bi-eathing ])ower or lung cai)acity, as well as in nmscular strength and activ-ity-. The tempera- Fig. ,e An-lueopteryx. u ),inl witl, teeth. Re- ture of the blood is stored IVom the Jurassic epocli. A l)out une-lilth natural , . , . , . , sr/A.; aft
. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds . )hysical organiza-tion excels in some respects that of all other an imals. Th e y surpass all other vertebrate animals in bi-eathing ])ower or lung cai)acity, as well as in nmscular strength and activ-ity-. The tempera- Fig. ,e An-lueopteryx. u ),inl witl, teeth. Re- ture of the blood is stored IVom the Jurassic epocli. A l)out une-lilth natural , . , . , . , sr/A.; after Chapiuau. higher in birds than in other animals, and llu; circulation is more rapid. Tomaintain this high temperature, rapid circulation, and greatactivity, a large amount of food is absolutcdy is the fuel without which the brightly l)urning firesof life must grow dim and die away. BirdJ^ are, therefore,fitted for their function of aerial i)olice not only by theirpowers of flight and perception, but also by their enormouscapacity for assimilating food. Wlien food is i)lentiful,birds gorge themselves, accumulating fat in ( birds frequently become so fat during the fall migra-. USEFUL BIRDS. tions that, when shot, their distended skins burst openwhen their bodies strike the ground. This accumulation offatt}^ tissue may aid to tide the birds over a season ofscarcity, but the moment they need food they must seekit far and wide, if need be, as tliey cannot live long with-out it. Birds are not always the ethereal, care-free creaturesof the poets dream. In time of plenty, the joys of flight,of sunshine, of singing, of riding swinging boughs, or toss-ing to and fro on flashing waves, are theirs to the full ;but in times of scarcity, or when rearing their helplessyoung, their daily lives are often one contiiuied strenuoushunt for food. Food, therefore, is the mainspring of thebirds existence. Love and fear alone are at times strongerthan the food cravin
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherb, booksubjectbirds
