File:The British bird book (1921) (14775447343).jpg

Identifier: cu31924022566420 (find matches)
Title: The British bird book
Year: 1921 (1920s)
Authors: Wood, Theodore, 1862- Pycraft, W. P., (William Plane), b. 1868 Green, Roland, 1895-
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: London : A. & C. Black
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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:
l trick, sometimes played by fisher-men, of fastening a herring to a board, and setting it adriftwhere gannets are about. The unsuspecting victim descendsas usual upon his prey, only to meet instant death by theshock of his impact with the board. Those who talk gliblyof identifying birds by their flight may point to this wonderfuldiver as a case in point. But while one may often see thegannet on the wing, it is by no means so often that one willhave the good fortune to see him dive, for he is not alwayshungry. His white body, pointed tail, and black quill-feathers would then enable the novice to name him at once.But—in his immature plumage, he would, at a little distance,appear black, and unless he were fishing, the chances ofrecognition would be by no means great. Close at hand hewould appear speckled with white. But this by the way. There are two other birds whichdive from a height on the wing. One of these is the king-fisher : the other is the tern. The term tern is here used i66
Text Appearing After Image:
Brown Owl collectively, for there are several species, but all have thishabit of diving from a height. During the summer monthsone may be quite sure of an opportunity of watching thegraceful, easy flight of at least three species. For they hauntthe sea-shore, river, and lake with equal impartiality. Thosewho are on the lookout for terns, for the first time, will easilyrecognize them. For, in the first place, they look like minia-ture gulls, but with longer and more pointed wings, andforked tails. Further, all have a characteristic black cap.They travel in small parties, as if for company, keeping nomore than a yard or two from the surface of the water, andscanning it eagerly in search of shoals of small fish, orCrustacea. As these are found one will note a quickeningof the wing-beat, and a sudden dive, like that of the gannet,with half-closed wings. And sometimes, too, the impetuswill take them completely under water. 167

Note About Images