File:Stories about birds of land and water (1874) (14564242108).jpg

Identifier: storiesaboutbird00kirb (find matches)
Title: Stories about birds of land and water
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Kirby, Mary, 1817-1893 Kirby, Elizabeth, 1823-1873
Subjects: Birds -- Juvenile literature
Publisher: Hartford (Conn.) : American Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
The laj^wing has, as you see, a beautiful crest of black feathers upon hishead. His neck and throat are a deep rich black, with a gloss of green.The sides of the head and neck are white, with a black shade under the eye.The upper parts of the body are a pale brown, with shades of blue and purple,and the under parts are pure white, while the tail is black. The lapwing is larger than the plover, and differs from it in havinga minute hind toe. Like the plovers, the lapwings migrate in the winter to thesea-side, and numbers of them leave us altogether, and return in the spring. Large downs and sheep walks, heaths, pastures, and rather wet meadowland, are the favourite haunts of the birds. At the season when their familycares begin, the moors seem alive with them. THE LAPWING. 2iy If any stranger approach they fly over his head, and tumble about ina state of excitement, uttering their loud cry without ceasing. When the little pec-wits arc old enough, both young and old assemble 1^^:^.:^,^
Text Appearing After Image:
THE LAPWING, OK. TEE-WIT. together and fly to the fields and pastures. They feed principally in thenight, and rest in the day-time. About sunset a beautiful sight is often witnessed in these spots. A cloudof birds, that have been resting all day, rise up in the air. In the flat country 214 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. of Holland, where there are millions of lapwings, this sight is seen to perfection.Thousands of birds on all sides gleam in the setting sun, and look like adense mass, almost hiding its light. The eggs of the lapwing are thought to be a delicacy, and are seen inthe London shops in great numbers in the spring.

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