File:Stories about birds of land and water (1874) (14747726081).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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ck leaves affording a warmshelter from the cold. Towards night the bird issues forth on silent wing, and takes the usualtrack to its feeding ground. The glades in the wood through which it passesare well known to its enemies, and are called cock-roads. At one time netsand snares were laid in its way ; but now the more usual mode of procuringit is by the gun. In Scotla:nd the fir woods form a pleasant shelter for the woodcocks inthe day-time ; but if the weather is very severe, they quit their lair in thewood during the day, and go out to feed at the sheltered places where thefrost has relaxed its hold on the ground. The bird drives his bill m the mud to a great depth, and performs THE WOODCOCK. 217 the operation of plunging and drawing back so fast that you can hardlykeep count. When he sees you he stops, draws his bill into his breast, and squatsupon the ground, and becomes quite motionless. Indeed, you can hardlydistinguish him from the ferns and withered leaves around him. \ !(hMi^
Text Appearing After Image:
THE WOODCOCK. The woodcocks begin to make their nest very early in the )-ear. At onetime it was supposed that they did not remain in England after the end ofthe winter; but latterly many of them have done so, and reared their young.The reason is supposed to be because of the increase of fir and pine planta-tions in many parts of Scotland. 2iS STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. The nest is often placed on the ground, at the foot of the Scotch fir, andis made of the leaves. There are two broods a year. The mother woodcock is very devoted to her young, and will carry it inher claws from any threatened danger. She has been seen to fly over a road,carrying her little one with her in this manner. Though some of the woodcocks remain in Britain during the summer,yet by far the greater number leave us in the spring, and return to their oldhaunts in the north of Europe. THE HERON. TilE heron, as he stands fishing for his food, is the very picture of patience.For some time he has been slowly stalking about on

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