File:Reptiles and birds - a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting (1883) (14565927007).jpg

Identifier: reptilesbirds00figu (find matches)
Title: Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting
Year: 1883 (1880s)
Authors: Figuier, Louis, 1819-1894 Gillmore, Parker
Subjects: Reptiles Birds
Publisher: London : Cassell & Co.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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30.—The Jabiru. hollow sides placed one against the other, the end of the upper spoonbeing furnished with two sharp teeth, and we have some idea of thisextraordinary storehouse, as it may be called, for the proprietor caneasily stuff into it provisions for a whole day. If we add to this thatthe Boatbill; possesses a beautiful black crest which hangs down be- THE HERON. 333 hind its head, that it is about the size of a fowl, also that it has shortwings, and rests its four toes firmly on the ground, we shall thenhave a pretty exact portrait of our subject. This Bird inhabits thesavannahs of Central America, frequenting the banks of rivers, where
Text Appearing After Image:
Fig. 131.-The Bcatbill it feeds on fish, molluscs, and sometimes crabs. It builds its nest inthe thick under-brush. The Herons (Ardea), which form a genus of birds of the order of Cultrirostres, have the bill long, pointed, opening widely, andvery strong; their legs are in part bare of feathers; toes long, andfurnished with long claws, not excepting the back toe, the wholelength of which rests upon the ground; the neck is long and slender.Further, the back of the head is adorned with a tuft of long feathers, 334 REPTILES AND BIRDS. which fall over its shoulders like a plume, whilst those in front, whichare narrow and pendent, resemble a kind of beard surrounding thebase of the neck. These Birds lead a semi-nocturnal life, and frequent the marginsof lakes, marshes, and rivers, where they feed on reptiles, frogs, andfish. They are generally of a shy nature, selecting for their roost themost unfrequented portions of extensive woodlands. When in pursuitof their prey, they go into the water

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