Children's own library . so far from its imitative powers show-ing any decrease, the variety of domestic sounds heardabout the house is often very perplexing. The Spotted Flycatcher may be considered as thetype of the entire family. It takes its station on someelevated spot, such as the overhanging bough of a tree,a post, or a rail; and from thence watches for a pass-ing insect, on seeing which, it darts from its post,secures the insect in the air, and returns to the samespot by a short circular flight. The Shrikes, or Butcher Birds, well deserve theirname, as they live upon insects and small
Children's own library . so far from its imitative powers show-ing any decrease, the variety of domestic sounds heardabout the house is often very perplexing. The Spotted Flycatcher may be considered as thetype of the entire family. It takes its station on someelevated spot, such as the overhanging bough of a tree,a post, or a rail; and from thence watches for a pass-ing insect, on seeing which, it darts from its post,secures the insect in the air, and returns to the samespot by a short circular flight. The Shrikes, or Butcher Birds, well deserve theirname, as they live upon insects and small birds, whichthey kill, and afterward transfix with a thorn, prepara-tory to devouring them. They take their prey muchafter the same manner as the flycatchers, by darting from some place of concealment. Weaver Bird, a common name for a sub-family of thefinches, remarkable for their curious nests. Compara-tively little is known of these birds, as they are mostly-African, although a few are Asiatic ; but their remark-. WEAVER BIRDS. 138 woods natural history able nests, constructed so as to protect the eggs andyoung from snakes and monkeys, have long been objectsof curiosity. The Jay, so well known for the beautiful blue mark-ings on its wings, is rather a shy bird, preferring toreside in the thickest woods, and. seldom coming intothe open country. It is easily tamed when young, andis very amusing when domesticated. This bird pos-sesses, like several others of the same family, consider-able talents for mimicry. It has been known to imitatethe sound of a saw, the bleat of a lamb, or even theneighing of a horse with the most perfect accuracy. The Magpie is well known for its thieving and hid-ing propensities. The nest of the Magpie is built on ahigh tree and curiously defended with thorns, having asmall hole just large enough to admit the owners. The Raven is very common in Europe and mostparts of Asia and America. It lives principally oncarrion of various kinds, such as dead
Size: 1391px × 1797px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidchildrensown, bookyear1910
