File:Birds and nature (1901) (14561902959).jpg

Identifier: birdsnature9101unse (find matches)
Title: Birds and nature
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Birds Natural history
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Mumford, Publisher
Contributing Library: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
are sodistinct from other birds in their exter-nal structures and manner of flight thatthey present in every respect, exceptwhen at rest, an appearance entirely pe-culiar to themselves. They spend perhapsthe greater part of their time upon thewing, usually hovering or balancingthemselves before a flower from whichthey are procuring their sustenance ofhoney or of minute insects. At such timethe body is nearly vertical or inclined ata slight angle, the head bent nearly atright angles with the axis of the body,the wings spread nearly at right angleswith the same axis. The motion of thewings, which is always rapid, may carrythe bird in a horizontal direction or poiseit in its vertical attitude directly over aflower. In this latter position the motionof the wings is so rapid that a mere hazeappears on each side of the birds body.Mr. Gould, speaking of their flight, saysThe bird does not usually glide throughthe air with the quick, darting flight of aswallow or swift, but continues trem- 50
Text Appearing After Image:
from col. chi. acad. sciences* ANNAS HUMMINGBIRD. cowman ISOl. BV A. ¥/. UUMFMD, CHCA&O. 425 (Calypte anna). Life-^ize. ijnWERSW Of ILLINOISURBA&A ulously moving its wings while passingfrom flower to flower, or when taking amore distant flight over a high tree oracross a river. Such a dainty dress as that worn bymost of the hummingbirds deservesconstant attention. Appreciating thisthese little lovers of sunshine are veryfond of preening their beautiful feathers.While thus engaged they usually perchon a bare or dead twig in an exposed po-sition. Truly fortunate is he who is af-forded the opportunity of watching ahummingbird at this time. In this po-sition various and graceful attitudes areassumed and the colors of the plumageare most beautifully exhibited. Mr. Au-dubon tells us that when perching thehummingbirds move sidewise in pret-tily measured steps, frequently openingand closing their wings, pluming, strok-ing and arranging the whole of their ap-parel with neatness and ac

Note About Images