. Birds that hunt and are hunted; life histories of one hundred and seventy birds of prey, game birds and water fowls . up go the long headfeathers, leaving the neck bare and making the bird look formid-able indeed. The plumage is ruffled, the wings are extended,and if the adversary comes too near, a violent slap from the strongwing and a thrust from the very sharp beak makes him wish hiszeal for bird lore had been tempered with discretion. A littlewater spaniel was actually stabbed to death as a result of itsmasters inquisitiveness. During the day, the bittern, being extremely timid, keepswel
. Birds that hunt and are hunted; life histories of one hundred and seventy birds of prey, game birds and water fowls . up go the long headfeathers, leaving the neck bare and making the bird look formid-able indeed. The plumage is ruffled, the wings are extended,and if the adversary comes too near, a violent slap from the strongwing and a thrust from the very sharp beak makes him wish hiszeal for bird lore had been tempered with discretion. A littlewater spaniel was actually stabbed to death as a result of itsmasters inquisitiveness. During the day, the bittern, being extremely timid, keepswell hidden in the marshes; but it is not a nocturnal bird, by anymeans, however well it likes to migrate by night. To someit may appear sluggish and indolent as it stands motionless forhours, but it is simply intelligently waiting for frogs, lizards,snakes, large winged insects, meadow mice, etc., to comewithin striking distance, when, quick as thought, the prey istransfixed. A slow, meditative step also gives an impression ofindolence, but the bittern is often only treading mollusks out ofthe mud with its toes. 58. .7, f-fk- ■4Sf :A
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Keywords: ., book, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectuplandgamebirds
