File:Stories about birds of land and water (1874) (14750534462).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

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
uses to say a kindly word to him. The anglerknows him well, and so docs the shepherd on the lone hillside. The naturaliststops to point out a curious fact that perhaps you do not know. The dipperis a relation of the thrush, and yet he seeks his food in the water. He fishesin a small way on his own account, and it is well if he is content to do so insome retired spot like this. The owner of some stream, who is trying to preserve his trout and salmon,finds great fault with the dipper. He accuses him of devouring the eggs ofthese valuable fishes, and persecutes him to the death. Here, however, are neither trout nor salmon, and we may pause a momentand watch his proceedings. THE WATER OUSEL. He is still standing on the stone, his tail jerked up, his wings drooping,and his legs bent. Presently he plunges into the water, in the most fearlessmanner, and dives under the surface. He does not, however, dive head fore-most, like the kingfisher, but takes a gentle walk into the stream, then opens
Text Appearing After Image:
THE WATER OUSEL. his wings a little, and goes beneath the surface. When under water he makesthe most of his time, and picks up little eels or fishes, or all he can find. Andhe has been seen to fly under the water after his prey, waving his wings as ifhe were in the air; then he comes to the surface again as buoyant as a cork. I04 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. Sometimes he tumbles about under the water hi a very odd way, with hishead downwards, as if he were picking up something. He does not go very far under the water, but soon comes up again andsettles on a stone ; nor does he walk on the bottom of the stream, for he ismore of a hopping than a walking bird. His curved claws are very little usein running, but they can take hold of the slippery stones, and give him a firmfooting. He utters a note as he flies like the word chit; but, besides this,the dipper can warble a pleasant little song of his own, and that he keeps onsinging all the year round. The nest is placed in a snug place on the bank

Note About Images