. A Book of ornithology, for youth. Embracing descriptions of the most interesting and remarkable birds in all countries, with particular notices of American birds . s a shade of blackish brown. Itinhabits a considerable part of South America, and in Bra-zil and Paraguay is said to be the most common bird ofprey. It builds its nest on the tops of trees, and some-times in a bushy thicket, where it forms a spacious aieryof sticks and twining branches, lined with a thick layer of HARPY EAGLE. 197 hair. In August, September or October, the female laystwo eggs much pointed at one extremity, and spo
. A Book of ornithology, for youth. Embracing descriptions of the most interesting and remarkable birds in all countries, with particular notices of American birds . s a shade of blackish brown. Itinhabits a considerable part of South America, and in Bra-zil and Paraguay is said to be the most common bird ofprey. It builds its nest on the tops of trees, and some-times in a bushy thicket, where it forms a spacious aieryof sticks and twining branches, lined with a thick layer of HARPY EAGLE. 197 hair. In August, September or October, the female laystwo eggs much pointed at one extremity, and spotted withcrimson on a ground of brownish red. These birds are by no means nice in their food. Anykind of bird, carrion or reptile is equally acceptable. Notcontent with the prey which they have themselves procured,they often feast upon that which has been taken by if a Caracara sees a Vulture devouring a piece of flesh,it will pursue him and compel him to disgorge it; and notunrrequently it will carry off the game before the eyes ofthe sportsmen. It has no fear about approaching the hab-itations of men, as it is never troubled by them. HARPY EAGLE. This noble bird is distinguished from other Eagles bythe shortness of its wings, the extreme robustness of its 18* 198 THE BEARDED GRIFFIN, OR LAMMERGEYER. legs, and the more than ordinary curvature of its beak andtalons. Its upper mandible is remarkably thick at the base,suddenly curving downwards with a strong arch toward thepoint, which is extremely sharp ; the lower mandible isstraight, short and obtuse ; the wings do not reach whenclosed beyond the middle of the tail; the legs are onlypartially feathered, and the talons are excessively powerful. The Harpy is very quarrelsome, sullen and fierce, andpreys not merely upon birds, but upon hares and other simi-lar animals. It is said to be capable of splitting a mansskull with a single blow of its beak. It lives in perfectsolitude, in the depth and darkness of the thickes
Size: 1766px × 1416px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookidbookoforni, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1832
