File:Baby birds at home (1912) (14564744140).jpg

Identifier: babybirdsathomebb00kear (find matches)
Title: Baby birds at home
Year: 1912 (1910s)
Authors: Kearton, Richard, 1862-1928
Subjects: Birds -- Behavior Birds -- Juvenile literature
Publisher: London, New York (etc.) Cassell and company, ltd.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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rom four to sixeggs are laid, of a dirty greenish white colour,marked with brown, and grey spots. Whilst the hen is sitting on her eggs, thecock may be heard excitedly pouring forthhis song, which consists of a few sweetoft-repeated notes. Sometimes, in his wildjoy, he mounts the air from the top of afavourite bush, and fairly bubbles over withsong, as he descends again. The young are fed upon caterpillars,small beetles, and all kinds of insects, andit is a very pretty sight to watch the brood-ing female rise and stand on the edge of thenest, whilst her mate delivers his catch ofinsects to the chicks. They both appear tobe very fond of their offspring, and bestow agreat deal of care and attention upon thewee, frail creatures. The Common Whitethroat may often beseen in the fruit garden during late summer,and is accused of taking its share of thegood things growing there, but the laboureris worthy of his hire, and the gardener owesthe bird a debt for good work done earlierin the season.
Text Appearing After Image:
SPARROW HAWKS. The Sparrow Hawk THE Sparrow Hawk does not fly at anygreat height above the ground, or hoverin the air like the kestrel. It prefers to stealquietly over a hedgerow, or round the cornerof a wood, and surprise some unfortunate littlebird feeding on the ground. Its swift flight,and the remarkable ease with which it cantwist and turn in the air, give the victim buta small chance of escape in the open. Some small birds avoid it, however, bydashing into thick bushes, and remainingthere until the danger has passed. Terrifiedtitlarks have been known to take refugeinside houses, and even in railway carriagesin motion. Birds as large as the red grouse and lap-wing are sometimes slain by this fierce robberof the air, and occasionally such watchfulcreatures as the jay are caught napping by it.The male Sparrow Hawk only measuresabout a foot in length, but his mate is some D 17 18 Baby Birds at Home three inches longer, and nearly twice hisweight. This species breeds in woods. Its ne

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