File:Birds of the plains (1909) (14747149134).jpg

Identifier: birdsofplains00dewa (find matches)
Title: Birds of the plains
Year: 1909 (1900s)
Authors: Dewar, Douglas, 1875- Fayrer, Frederick Durand Stirling, 1869-
Subjects: Birds -- India
Publisher: London, J. Lane New York, J. Lane company
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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ied. Directly the young bird perceived that themother had gone, it set itself most philosophically tocatch insects, which it did with all the skill of an oldbird, turning, twisting, doubling, with the elegance of anexperienced wagtail. I describe these two little incidents, not as anythingwonderful, but as examples of what is continually goingon in the world around us. The parental instinct is probably developed in somebirds more than in others, but I believe that in all casesthe affection of a bird mother for her young persistslong after they have left the nest, and for some timeafter they are fully capable of looking after them-selves. Birds are born with many instincts, but they havemuch to learn both before and after they leave the nest. 28 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS It is not until their education is complete, until the mother bird has taught them all she herself knows, until they are as strong or stronger than she, that the young birds are driven away and made to look after themselves.
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HIE INDIAN ADJUTANT. (i.EPTOPTILUS DUBIU< THE ADJUTANT BIRD THE adjutant bird (Leptoptilus dubiiis) is oneof Natures little jokes. It is a caricature ofa bird, a mixture of gravity and clownish-ness. Everything about it is calculated toexcite mirth—its weird figure, its great beak, its long,thin legs, its conspicuous pouch, its bald head, and everyattitude it strikes. The adjutant bird is a stork whichhas acquired the habits of the vulture. Forsaking toa large extent frogs and such-like delicacies, whichconstitute the normal diet of its kind, it lives chieflyupon offal. Now, most, if not all, birds which feed oncarrion have the head and neck devoid of feathers.This arrangement, if not ornamental, is very useful.The bare head and neck are, as Eha remarks, thesleeves tucked up for earnest work. The adjutantforms no exception to the rule, it wears the badge of itsprofession. But let me here give a full description ofthis truly comic bird. It stands five feet in its stockings.Its bil

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