File:The bird, its form and function (1906) (14568995330).jpg

Identifier: birditsformfunct07beeb (find matches)
Title: The bird, its form and function
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Beebe, William, 1877-1962
Subjects: Birds Birds
Publisher: New York : Henry Holt
Contributing Library: Internet Archive
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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Fig 277.—Trumpeter Swan preparing to attack an intruder with its wings. itself straight at ones breast and, clinging with bill andclaws, beats a tattoo with the hard bend of its wings.One is not likely to forget such a drubbing for a longtime. The wings of certain birds are armed with weaponsof offence, such as the Spur-winged Goose, Jacana, Plover,and Screamer. The Spur-winged Goose is a really danger-ous antagonist and can strike incredibly strong blows,bringing the sharp spur to bear with telling effect. These Wings 347 spurs are not claws, but correspond in structure to theordinary spurs on the legs of a rooster. The great heavy-headed and heavy-bodied hornbillsfly with great effort, and it is said upon good authoritythat when passing low overhead they make a noise likea steam-engine. Although not strictly within the prov-
Text Appearing After Image:
FiG. 278.—Spur-winged Goose. ince of this volume, mention should be made of the inten-tional use of the wings as instruments of sound,—to at-tract the females, as in our Ruffed Grouse and other birds.A little Bush Warbler of Africa has indeed never been heardto utter a note, seeming to depend upon an occasionalwhirr of wings, in lieu even of the usual call-note or chirp. 348 The Bird In the woodcock we find the vane of the three outerprimaries of the wing remarkably narrowed and stiffened;probably a direct adaptation for the production of thehigh, whistling sound which plays so important a partin its aerial courtship performance.

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