File:Little folks in feathers and fur, and others in neither (1875) (14804032503).jpg

Identifier: littlefolksinfea00mill (find matches)
Title: Little folks in feathers and fur, and others in neither
Year: 1875 (1870s)
Authors: (Miller, Harriet (Mann) Mrs.), 1831- (from old catalog)
Subjects: Zoology
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Dustin, Gilman & co. Cincinnati, Ohio, Queen city publishing co. (etc., etc.)
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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Text Appearing Before Image:
ts the most inac-cessible rocks and gulleys, where men can hardly go. He eatsinsects, especially centipedes and such things. He sings very well,and is fond of imitating other birds, noises. 136 LITTLE FOLKS The Lyre Birds nest is as curious as anything about him. Itis built of sticks and roots and leaves, and has a roof of the samematerial. It is loosely built, and looks rough outside, but insideit is lined with soft down and feathers. The egg is about the size of a hens egg, and of a deep choco-late color spotted with purple. I read of a nest which was takenwith a young bird in. The young one was about sixteen incheshigh, and was not frightened, but would follow anyone who imitatedthe call of the mother. They fed it with worms and ants, but itdied in a few days. This bird usually carries its long tail up—as in the picture—though perhaps not quite so much spread out. He even flies orleaps into trees with it so, but when running away from hisenemies he holds it out straight behind.
Text Appearing After Image:
Here is the drollest of all. A bird without wings or tallwhose very name—Apteryx—means wingless. How wise helooks bending over the water, with that long pointed bill hangingdown. This curious fellow lives in New Zealand, but you might livethere all your days and never see one, because he only comes outat night. Perhaps it is because he feels himself to be a curiosity,and dont like to be stared at. IN FEATHERS AND FUR. 137 During the day he hides among the rocks, or tree roots, or someother snug place, and at night he comes out and prowls aroundafter his food. He digs about in the dirt and mud with that handylong bill, and eats worms and insects. He is said to attract wormsto the surface by jumping on the ground, and stamping with hisfeet, for perhaps you know, worms are curious little fellows, andany sharp jar of that kind will bring them to the door to see whatis the matter. The feathers of the Apteryx are odd too; part of the way downthey are like down, and the rest of the way m

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