Knowledge of natural history, revfrom Reason why: natural history, giving reasons for hundreds of interesting facts in connection with zoology; and throwing light upon the peculiar habits and instincts of the various orders of the animal kingdom . t loves seclusion, and fixes, itshaunts in wild and desolate places. No temptation willbring it upon cultivated or improved lands as a permanentresident; and when the scarcity of winter forces it fromthe upland, it comes down reluctantly and stealthily, andseeks those streams and banks which are the rudest andleast frequented. 915. Even when not upon
Knowledge of natural history, revfrom Reason why: natural history, giving reasons for hundreds of interesting facts in connection with zoology; and throwing light upon the peculiar habits and instincts of the various orders of the animal kingdom . t loves seclusion, and fixes, itshaunts in wild and desolate places. No temptation willbring it upon cultivated or improved lands as a permanentresident; and when the scarcity of winter forces it fromthe upland, it comes down reluctantly and stealthily, andseeks those streams and banks which are the rudest andleast frequented. 915. Even when not upon the nest, the bittern squats among the rushes, or other tall stems,during the greater part ofthe day. The mode ofsquatting is rather peculiar,and may be understood fromthe accompanying neck, when the head isin this posture, is raised,and the point of the billdirected upwards, the bodyand legs being at the sametime in such a positionthat a violent thrust maybe given by the bill, ifnecessary; and, as the neckis powerful, and, at thesame time, readily moveablein such a manner as to se-cure the whole body fromattack, there are few birdsof prey that would ventureto descend upon the bitternin this position, even ifthey should see 284 KNOWLEDGE OF NATURAL HISTORY. Shall I, like Curtiiis, desperate in my zeal,Oer head and ears plunge for the common wealOr rob Romes ancient geese of all their glories,And cackling save the monarchy of tories?—Popb. ORDER VIII. NATATORES. 916. Why is the eighth order of birds called natatores?From nato, to swim, this being an equivalent term for swimmers or water-fowl. 917. The head of this order is the goose, and by • Linneus it wastermed anseres, or the goose family. These birds display decidedlyaquatic habits, swim with facility, and are able to pass the greater partof their lives upon the water. 918. Why are thenatatores sometimes calledby the name of palmi-pedes ? From palma, the flatfront of the hand, and pes,a foot—implying t
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1916
