Mamma's Stories About Birds by Leathley, Mary Elizabeth Southwell Dudley, 1818-1899

MAMMA'S
STORIES ABOUT BIRDS.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "CHICKSEED WITHOUT CHICKWEED."
LONDON:
DARTON AND CO., HOLBORN HILL.
LONDON:
WILLIAM STEVENS, PRINTER, 37, BELL YARD,
TEMPLE BAR.
[v]
CONTENTS.
THE EAGLE 7
THE DUCK 17
THE QUAIL 27
THE ROBIN REDBREAST 35
THE BULLFINCH 43
THE ALBATROSS 48
THE OWL 56
THE GOOSE 64
THE MAGPIE 75
THE PHEASANT 81[vi]
THE FLAMINGO 87
THE SWAN 92
THE KESTREL 100
THE VULTURE 109
THE PARROT 117
THE LAPWING 122
[7]
MAMMA'S STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 1

MAMMA'S
STORIES ABOUT BIRDS.
THE EAGLE.
The Eagle is often called the King of Birds, and therefore it is of him that we ought to speak first. Very likely
you have often seen eagles in the Zoological Gardens, and, if so, you know what noble looking birds they are.
But they seem very sad in their prison-houses, to which no kindness can ever attach them. They are formed to
soar boldly to the top of some lonely mountain height,[8] and there dwell far from the abode of men. And to
chain them down upon a stunted branch, within reach of all who like to go and gaze upon them, seems treating
them unworthily. One can almost fancy that they show by their sullen, brooding attitude, and sparkling eyes,
how much they feel themselves degraded and out of place. I cannot tell you that the Eagle is of any real
service to man, but every one who has been out amongst the mountains, reckons it a fine sight if he can catch
a glimpse of one or more of these noble birds soaring in the air. Eagles are found in every country where there
are mountains. In Ireland, and sometimes in England and Scotland, the large golden eagle is found, and is a
very fine bird. In America there is an eagle called the Bird of Washington, which is so large that its wings
spread out from seven to ten feet. The[9] body of the bird is not so very much larger than a goose; but, as this
eagle can fly as many as 140 miles in an hour, it wants very large strong wings to bear it onwards. The North
American Indians—you have heard of them, have you not?—fine handsome looking men they are, though
copper-coloured; and in former times before Columbus first found out America, the whole of that vast
continent belonged to the Indians and had no other inhabitants;—well, these men have a great feeling of
reverence for the eagle. They admire him very much, because he is bold, active, watchful, and patient in
bearing with want. All these qualities the Indians value in men, and they say the eagle is noble above all birds
because he possesses them. But for all that they kill him, and will watch for days to get a chance of shooting
their prize. And they think his feathers the[10] very finest ornament they can wear, and on grand occasions the
chiefs deck themselves with eagles' plumes as a sign of their rank. These feathers are also used by them in
making arrows. For the feathers of the eagle do not get spoiled by wet or pressure, as those of other birds
would do, but always remain firm and strong.
Another eagle is called the Erne, White-tailed, or Sea Eagle. These birds live near the sea-shore, and feed
upon fish. Their sight is so piercing that they can mark a fish swimming far below them as they hover over the
water, and, pouncing down, will strike their strong talons into it, and steer themselves and their prey ashore by
their great outspread wings. The African Eagle is said to be very generous in his disposition, and certainly
deserves to be called kingly. Although he will not allow any large bird to dwell in peace[11] too near him, yet
he never harms the little warblers who flutter round his nest. He will let them perch in safety upon it, and if
they are attacked by any bird of prey, he is said even to fly to their protection.
The eagle is, however, himself a bird of prey, and is often found a very troublesome neighbour. Hares, rabbits,
poultry, nay, even lambs have been carried off by these powerful birds, for when excited by hunger they will
attack even those creatures which are larger than themselves. Deer and even oxen have been pounced upon by
eagles and buffeted about the head until they fell down quite helpless, but there are not many instances of this
kind. We are also told of little children who have been carried up into their nests by the old birds as food for
their young; and one very old story of the kind,[12] taken from an old book in English history, I must tell you.
"Alfred, king of the West Saxons, went out one day a hunting, and, passing by a certain wood, heard as he
supposed the cry of an infant, from the top of a tree, and forthwith diligently inquiring of the huntsmen what
that doleful sound could be, commanded one of them to climb the tree, when in the top of it was found an
eagle's nest, and lo! therein a pretty sweet-faced infant, wrapped up in a purple mantle, and upon each arm a
bracelet of gold, a clear sign that he was born of noble parents. Whereupon the king took charge of him, and
caused him to be baptized, and because he was found in a nest, he gave him the name of Nestringam, and in
MAMMA'S STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 2

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mamma's Stories about Birds, by Mary Elizabeth Southwell Dudley Leathley
after time, having nobly educated him, he advanced him to the dignity of an earl."[13]
Eagles are said to be very long lived; one died at Vienna that had lived in confinement more than one hundred
years. Their cry consists of two notes, uttered in a loud sharp key. They make a flat nest, formed of loose
sticks, on the top of some solitary rock where they are not likely to be disturbed, and lay two eggs. Whilst the
young are not able to fly, they are carefully fed by the parent birds, who are then more fierce than usual, and
forage everywhere for food, carrying off fawns, lambs, hares, &c., never, if possible, touching any animal
already dead. Smith, in his history of Kerry, a county in Ireland, tells us of a poor man then living there, who
got "a comfortable subsistence for his family during a summer of famine, out of an eagle's nest, by robbing
the eaglets of the food the old ones brought." And lest he should lose this supply too soon, he was[14] clever
enough to cut the wings of the young birds when they were old enough to fly, so that the unsuspecting parents
went on feeding them much longer than usual. Mr. Dunn says he once saw, while shooting on Rona's Hill, a
pair of skua gulls chase and completely beat off a large sea eagle. The gulls struck at him several times, and at
each stroke he screamed loudly, but never offered to return the assault.
[16]
THE DUCK.
[17]
THE EAGLE. 3
THE DUCK.
There is so much that is interesting to tell you about the duck, that I scarcely know where to begin. Most of
you know something of the habits of the tame or domestic duck. But perhaps you have never noticed its
curious bill, which is constructed so as to filter, through its toothed edges, the soft mud in which these birds
love to dabble. The tongue of the duck is full of nerves, so that its sense of taste is very keen, and thus
provided the bird can find out all that is savoury to its palate in puddles, ponds, etc., and throwing away all
that is tasteless, swallow only what it likes. Try and examine the bill of the next duck that you see, and you
will discover this wonderful apparatus which I have described as[18] acting like a filter. The duck is very
capable of affection for its owners, as the following fact will show. A farmer's wife had a young duck, which
by some accident was deprived of its companions. From that moment all its love seemed to centre upon its
mistress. Wherever she went the duck followed, and that so closely, that she was in constant fear of crushing it
to death. With its age its affections seemed to strengthen, and it took up its abode in-doors, basking on the
hearth, and delighting in notice. After some time other ducks were procured, and, to induce it to mix with its
natural companions, the pet duck was driven out day by day; but there was great difficulty in weaning it from
the kind friend to whom it had attached itself. We are told also of some ducklings who grew so fond of a
great, savage house-dog, that though every one else was[19] afraid of him, they showed no fear of his terrible
bark; but, on the first approach of danger, would rush in a body to his side, and take shelter in his kennel. Wild
ducks, or mallards, are very abundant in marshy places, and are a source of great profit. They are in some
parts shot by means of a long gun which will kill at a greater distance than usual, because the duck, besides
being very watchful and timid, has a keen sense of smell and hearing. In other places they are caught by
decoys. These are thus contrived. A number of ducks, trained for the purpose, are employed to lead the wild
fowl on and on through narrow wicker channels up to a funnel net. Hemp-seed is thrown in their way, as they
advance, by the decoy-man, whose whistle is obeyed by the decoy-ducks, until the poor strangers are quite
entrapped.[20]
China is said to be a wonderful place for rearing ducks, and, indeed, all poultry, but in Canton many people
gain a good livelihood by bringing up ducks in particular. The eggs are hatched in ovens, and then the young
ones are brought up by people who buy them from the hatchers. Sometimes the heat has been too great, and
then the little ducks, even if hatched at all, soon die. The way by which those who buy them find out whether
they are likely to live, is by holding them up by their beaks. If the heat has not been too great, they will sprawl
out their little wings and feet, but if hatched too soon they hang motionless. They are fed on boiled rice, herbs,
and little fish, chopped small. When old enough to learn to swim, they are put under the care of a clever old
duck, trained to the business. A number of these ducks with their[21] broods are sent down to the river in a
sort of floating pen. In the evening a whistle, which the ducks well know, recalls them to the boat in which
they were sent out. The instant this is heard the ducks come trooping in as fast as possible, followed by their
pupils. In order to encourage them to be punctual, the first duck is rewarded with something nice, but the last
one is whipped for its laziness. And it is said to be very funny to see how the ducks will waddle, and run, and
fly over each other's backs, that they may escape the punishment which they know awaits the last straggler.
As to the use we make of ducks, it is chiefly as an article of food the English duck is prized. But in the
Northern regions, particularly in Iceland, there is a bird called the eider duck, which is much valued on
account of the soft and[22] beautiful down which grows upon its breast, and is used for pillows and
counterpanes, being wonderfully light, warm and elastic. These birds, though naturally solitary creatures,
assemble in crowds at the breeding season, and build their nests in the roofs of the houses. They tear away this
soft down as a cradle for their young. But the people rob the nests when they are finished, not only once, but
sometimes, cruelly enough, a second time. For the poor birds, finding the down gone, tear a second supply
from their loving bosoms. If the plunder be attempted more than twice, the birds are said to forsake the spot
entirely. The eider duck has a curious method of teaching her young ones to swim. A few days after they are
hatched she carries them some distance from shore on her back. Then, making a sudden dive, she leaves[23]
THE DUCK. 4
the little ones afloat and obliged to exert their own powers. Re-appearing at a little distance, she entices them
towards her, and thus they at once become good swimmers.
Before concluding, I will relate an instance of the sagacity often displayed by the tame or domestic duck. It is
told by a gentleman named Mr. Saul:—
"I have now a fine duck which was hatched under a hen, there being seven young ones produced at the time.
When these ducks were about ten days old, five of them were taken away from beneath the hen by the rats,
during the nighttime, the rats sucking them to death and leaving the body perfect. My duck, which escaped
this danger, now alarms all the other ducks and the fowls in the most extraordinary manner, as soon as rats
appear in the building in which they are confined,[24] whether it be in the night or the morning. I was
awakened by this duck about midnight, and as I feared the rats were making an attack, I got up immediately,
went to the building, and found the ducks uninjured. I then returned to bed, supposing the rats had retreated.
To my surprise, next morning, I found that two young ducks had been taken from beneath a hen and sucked to
death, at a very short distance from where the older duck was sitting. On this account, I got a young rat dog,
and kept it in the building, and when the rats approach, the duck will rouse the dog from sleep, and as soon as
the dog starts up, the duck resettles herself."
[26]
THE QUAIL.
[27]
THE DUCK. 5
THE QUAIL.
The quail is the smallest of the poultry tribe, and is a pretty little bird, something like a partridge, but not so
large. I dare say you have sometimes seen quails alive in a poulterer's shop, where they are often displayed in
long narrow cages, and are sadly crowded together. The quail is a migratory bird, except in those countries
blessed with an equable temperature, such as Italy, Portugal, etc., where it is to be found in all seasons. In
warm weather the quail visits our island, but nearly all those sold in London are brought from France, where
they are caught in hundreds by means of a quail-pipe as it is called. This is a little instrument which imitates
the cry or call of the[28] quail so successfully that the bird is deceived, and, following the note, is easily
ensnared. Africa is the head-quarters of quails in the winter, but in the summer they come in vast flocks and
take up their abode in Europe and Asia. In the Crimea and Egypt they are caught in immense numbers whilst
exhausted by their long flight. We are told in Stade's Travels in Turkey, that, "near Constantinople in the
migrating season, the sun is often nearly obscured by the prodigious flights of quails, which alight on the
coasts of the Black Sea, near the Bosphorus, and are caught by means of nets spread on high poles, planted
along the cliff, some yards from its edge, against which the birds, exhausted by their passage over the sea,
strike themselves and fall." The Arabs also catch quails by thousands in nets, when they visit Egypt, about
harvest time. The[29] observations of modern travellers have confirmed in a very interesting manner the
account given us of quails in the Bible. Do not you remember reading of the multitude of quails that were sent
by God as food for the children of Israel whilst wandering in the desert, when they grew tired of the sweet
manna God had rained upon them from heaven, and desired flesh? "They gathered the quails," we are told, in
great quantities, "and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp."—Numbers xi. 32.
This was done in order to dry them, and this method of preserving not only quails, but other flesh and fish, is
still followed by the Arabs. There is one particular island off the coast of Egypt where myriads of quails are
caught, and, being stripped of their feathers, are dried in the burning sand for about a quarter of an hour, after
which they[30] are sold for as little as a penny a pound. The crews of those vessels which in that season lie in
the adjacent harbour, have no other food allowed them. The quails, when migrating, fly so near the ground
that they are very easily knocked down and secured. The nest of the quail is very simple. It consists merely of
a few dried sticks in a wheat-field, and contains from twelve to eighteen pretty little green and brown eggs.
The quail itself is very prettily coloured with black, chestnut, yellow, and white, and the males have a black
collar round their throats. The old Romans would not eat the flesh of the quail, because it feeds on the grains
of a poisonous plant. But we moderns are not so scrupulous, and find it very delicious food. I am sorry to tell
you this little bird is so fond of fighting that there was an old proverb, "as quarrelsome as[31] quails in a
cage." And the Greeks and Romans kept quails on purpose to see them fight, as some people did formerly (I
hope not now), game-cocks. Even to this day this is the custom in India and China.
I always like to conclude with a pretty story for you if I can, but I can find nothing likely to amuse you about
the quail, except the following account of the Virginian quail, related by a gentleman residing in Canada. He
"happened to have above a hundred at one period alive, and took much pleasure in the evening, watching their
motions where they were confined. As it grew dusk, the birds formed themselves into coveys or parties of
twelve or fifteen in a circle, the heads out and tails clustered in the centre. One bird always stood guard to
each party, and remained perfectly stationary for half an hour, when, a[32] particular cluck being given,
another sentinel immediately took his place, and relieved him with as much regularity as any garrison could
boast. It became a matter of further curiosity to observe how they would meet the extra duty occasioned by the
havoc of the cook. For this also a remedy was found, and the gentleman remarked with admiration that, as
their number decreased, the period of watch was extended from a half to a whole hour, in the same form, and
with unfailing regularity."
[34]
THE QUAIL. 6
THE ROBIN REDBREAST.

[35]
THE ROBIN REDBREAST.

Every little boy and girl well knows this pretty little bird. His bright eyes and rosy breast delight us even
before we hear his lovely song. And do you not remember that when the babes in the wood were left alone, to
die, by that cruel robber, after wandering about till they were so weary that they lay down and slept the sleep
of death, it was the Robin Redbreast who "painfully did cover them with leaves." One would think the robin
must be very fond of little boys and girls. One thing I am sure of, and that is that they love him very dearly,
that they delight in the very sound of his name, that they scatter crumbs upon the window sill for him in
winter,[36] and that they would not disturb his nest for all the world.
Robins are not very often to be seen in the summer, for they fly far into the depths of woods and lonely places
to rear their young. So amongst the chorus of sweet singers who make melody when leaves are green it is not
very common to hear the voice of the robin, though he is said to sing very constantly by the side of his mate,
whilst she sits upon her eggs or broods over her young ones. But in autumn, Robin comes nearer the abode of
man, and it is difficult then in country places to skirt a field or wander in a lane, without seeing a brisk little
bird with ruby breast perched upon the hedgerow, pouring forth a sweet and gentle song. This is the robin, and
we love his notes all the more at a time when few other birds still sing. Nay, even in the[37] winter when, the
Nightingale and many other warblers have left our shores to spend the chilly months in some warmer climate,
the robin only draws nearer to our homes, makes his abode in our gardens, pecks up the crumbs at our very
doors, nay, often finds his way into our houses, and rewards every kindness shewn to him with the same sweet
flood of song that he poured forth amidst the woods in the days of summer. Many very pretty stories are told
THE ROBIN REDBREAST. 7

of different robins who have been tamed by kindness until they seemed to lose almost all that fear of man
which is generally so striking in birds.
"The birds of heaven before us fleet."

I have heard of one who came to live almost entirely in the chamber of a sick gentleman, and grew very fond
of ground rice pudding, which[38] was a favourite invalid dish. But the out-door feeding of robins is not so
dainty in general, and I am sorry to tell you that, by those who have taken pains to watch robins, and study
their wild habits, these birds are found not only to prey on live worms, which is natural enough, but also to
spend much time and trouble to prepare the poor things for food, in a way that must be any thing but agreeable
to the victims. For the robin does not eat the whole worm, only the outer skin, and, to get rid of the inner part,
Mr. Robin takes the worm in his bill and dashes it about on a stone with great skill until he has effected his
purpose. He is also a very pugnacious bird; that is he is very fond of fighting, I am sorry to tell you, but such
is really the case. He will not allow other robins to build in the same bush with him. He never joins himself in
friendly company[39] with his fellows, and on occasion he can fight very heartily: so heartily that a lady who
writes much that is delightful, of birds, and amongst them of robins, tells the following story. She was once
sitting with a family party, when a cat rushed in with two robins in her mouth, which she had pounced upon in
the garden whilst they were engaged in such a desperate battle that they did not see their enemy at hand. One
head stuck out at each side of puss's mouth, but of course she was instantly seized and forced to let go her
prey, when both robins flew away as if not much hurt. But for all this Robin Redbreast is a very charming
little fellow, and well deserves a warm place in your regard.
Some years ago a pair of robins took up their abode in the parish church of Hampton, in Warwickshire, and
affixed their nest to the[40] church Bible as it lay on the reading desk. The vicar would not allow the birds to
be disturbed, and, therefore, provided another Bible. Another instance is related where a clerk, in Wiltshire,
found a robin's nest, containing two eggs, under the Bible on the reading desk. The bird was not disturbed, and
laid four more, which were hatched in due season. The cock-bird actually brought food in its bill and fed the
young brood during Divine service.
[42]
THE ROBIN REDBREAST. 8

THE BULLFINCH.
[43]
THE BULLFINCH.
Look at the bright colours of this beautiful little bird: you can scarcely find one with prettier plumage or a
sweeter note. His native song is not very remarkable, but he is so docile, and so readily taught to whistle
different airs, that he is highly valued. Bullfinches are common enough in our woods and gardens, but
gardeners are sad enemies to these little birds, declaring that they spoil trees by picking off their buds. It is,
however, now thought by intelligent persons that the only buds destroyed by the bullfinch are those infested
with insects, so that he really confers a benefit on us instead of doing mischief. Almost all the piping
bullfinches as they are called, kept in cages in[44] this country, are brought from Germany, where much care
is devoted to their instruction in the art of music. In their education the following method is pursued. "The
birds are taken from the nests of wild ones when about ten days old, and are brought up by a person who is
very kind and attentive to them, so that they very soon grow gentle and tame. As soon as they begin to whistle
their studies commence, they being then about two months' old. Formed into classes of six or so, they are kept
a little while hungry and in the dark, whilst the tune they are to learn is played over to them on a bird-organ,
which has a sort of bird-like note. Over and over again the same air is repeated, until, one by one, the birds
begin to imitate what they hear. Directly they do this, light is admitted, and they have a little food given to
them. By this means the birds[45] learn to think of the tune and their dinners at the same time, and directly
they hear the organ will begin to whistle. They are then turned over to the care of boys, whose sole business it
is to go on with their education, each boy having a separate bird placed under his charge, and he plays away
from morning to night, or as long as the birds can pay attention, during which time their first teacher, or
feeder, goes his rounds, scolding or rewarding his feathered scholars by signs and modes which he has taught
THE BULLFINCH. 9
them to understand, until they become so perfect, and the tune, whatever it may be, so imprinted on their
memory, that they will pipe it for the remainder of their lives."
Bullfinches that are perfect in their song, are worth a great deal of money. Both the male and female sing, but
the colours of the male are[46] the brightest. These birds, however, in confinement, lose their brilliancy of
hue, and, from growing duskier and duskier, sometimes become entirely black, as if putting on mourning for
their lost liberty. The same change has been observed in a bird which lost its mate to whom it had been
tenderly attached. It is principally for its power of imitation and memory that this bird is prized. His wild
notes, when loud, are not particularly sweet, but at times are very soft and plaintive.
I will conclude with a pretty and affecting little story of a piping bullfinch that once belonged to Sir William
Parsons. When young he was a great musician, and had taught his bullfinch to sing "God Save the King." On
going abroad, he committed his feathered friend to the care of his sister, with many injunctions to be watchful
of its health and happiness.[47]
On his return she told him the little bird had seemed pining away, and was then very ill. Grieved to hear this
news, Sir William went at once to the room where it was kept, and, putting his hand into the cage, called the
little creature. It knew the voice of the dear master for whom it had so pined and, opening its eyes and shaking
its disordered feathers, as if to do him honour, staggered on to his finger, piped "God Save the King," and then
fell dead.
[48]
THE ALBATROSS.
This is the largest of all sea-birds, and you are not very likely to make acquaintance with him except in a
picture. For though the albatross has been seen in our latitudes, yet the southern seas are his native home.
There he spreads his long wings and floats over the ocean like a white sea-king. The greater part of his
feathers are white, but the head and back are shaded with grey. There are many kinds of albatross, but the
great Wandering Albatross, as it is called, is the largest, and though the body is not much bigger than that of a
pelican, the wings, which are long and narrow, have been known to measure as much as fourteen feet across
when fully expanded,[51] or spread out. Must he not look a noble bird, sailing as he does calmly round and
round, far up in the air, over those southern seas? From the length of his wings, the albatross has some little
trouble in raising himself from the surface of the water, where he often floats at rest. He has to skim along half
flying and half running for some distance, until his wings are clear of the water; then he soars away, seldom
flapping his wings, but rising, sinking, and floating through the air, as if kept up by some internal power. As
he seldom is obliged to flap his wings he does not get tired of flying, and can remain on the wing for a very,
very long time, pursuing his prey, or enjoying the sailing motion through the air.
THE ALBATROSS. 10
THE ALBATROSS.
The albatross feeds on fish or on smaller sea-fowl, and is a very voracious bird; that is, he will eat a great
quantity, and devours in a greedy[52] way. His chief food consists of flying-fish, as they are called. The
flying-fish is a little like the common herring, but much prettier, for it is covered with bright blue and silver
scales, and its fins are also a brilliant azure. It does not really fly. That is, it has no wings, but it has very large
strong fins attached near its gills, by means of which it can spring out of the water and dart some distance
through the air. This fish is very nice eating, particularly good, and it is sought after very eagerly by larger
fish. And not only by fish; the water-fowl who are large enough to eat it, are always on the watch for the
flying-fish, and as the poor thing springs from the water to enjoy the bright sunshine and fresh air, or perhaps
to escape some of its under-water foes, especially the dolphin who is one of its deadliest enemies, it frequently
finds itself snapped up by the[53] albatross before it can return to its native element. The albatross loves also
to follow in the wake of ships. For any offal or garbage thrown overboard is welcome to its hungry maw, and
sailors do not often destroy this bird. When one is taken, however, they hesitate not to make such use of it as
they can; and the large web feet, when cleaned and opened, are favourite tobacco pouches. I have one by me
that was taken from a large albatross caught on the voyage from Australia. In Kamtschatka the albatross is
caught by the natives and made useful. For in the summer, flocks of these birds make their way up into the
northern latitudes, as is supposed in order to prey on the shoals of fish which migrate thither.
The albatross is caught by means of a hook baited with a fish. The "intestines are blown[54] and used as
buoys for nets, and the long hollow wing bones as tobacco pipes," but the flesh is not good to eat. The
albatross has been seen fully 1000 miles from any shore. Its power of wing must therefore be very great, but
when tired it can walk on the water with its strong webbed feet, and the sound of its tread is said to be heard at
a great distance. In the breeding season the albatross retires in company with other sea-birds, particularly the
penguin, to some rocky shore to build its nest. The penguins' and albatrosses' nests are always found in
company, but the penguin robs his neighbour in order to get the scanty materials which are necessary for his
THE ALBATROSS. 11
own nest. The male albatross takes turns with his mate in hatching the young.
A poor sailor once fell over board from a man-of-war in the Southern Indian Ocean. In an[55] instant he was
attacked by two or three albatrosses, and though the ship's boat was immediately lowered to his assistance,
nothing of him could be found but his hat, which was pierced through and through by the strong beak of the
albatross, the first blow having no doubt penetrated to his brain and killed him.
[56]
THE OWL.
This solemn looking bird is seldom to be seen by day. It is strictly a night bird. Its eyes are unable to endure
the glare of sunshine, but are formed for seeing in the dim twilight, or in the soft radiance of the moon. There
are at least eighty different species of owls. This picture resembles most nearly the Virginian Eagle Owl, an
American bird. Our common barn-door owl has no tufts on its head. Some people are foolish and cruel
enough to persecute owls, under the plea that they do mischief, destroy pigeon's eggs, etc. But this is a false
charge. On the contrary they are very actively useful creatures, and the humane naturalist, Mr. Waterton, says
that "if[59] this useful bird caught his food by day instead of hunting it by night, mankind would have ocular
demonstration of its utility in thinning the country of mice, and it would be protected and encouraged
everywhere. It would be with us what the ibis was with the Egyptians." The ibis is a bird that was found so
useful in destroying locusts and serpents in Egypt, that in olden times it was made a capital crime for any one
to destroy it. Nay, the idolatrous Egyptians went further, and not only paid divine honours to this bird,
worshipping it as a deity whilst alive, but embalmed its body after death, and preserved it in the form of a
mummy. You may see many ibis mummies in the Egyptian rooms of the British Museum. Through God's
goodness there is no danger of our going quite so far as the Egyptians even if we did do justice to the poor
abused owl,[60] and it is very much to be wished that people would learn to see its valuable qualities. There is
no doubt owls are amongst the creatures given to us by God to do us real service in keeping down the increase
of smaller animals, that would otherwise soon over-run and destroy our food. But as Mr. Waterton elsewhere
says, prejudices are hard to overcome, and I suppose the poor owl will be hunted and killed, whenever he is to
be found by the ignorant, to the end of the chapter. Some idea may be formed of the rapid clearance an owl
would make of vermin from a barn, from the fact that, when he has young, he will bring a mouse to the nest
every twelve or fifteen minutes. Mr. Waterton saw his barn owl fly off with a rat he had just shot. And at
another time she plunged into the water and brought up in her claws a fish, which she carried away to her
nest.[61] The Barn Owl is white, and does not hoot, at least by many this is thought to be the case. The Brown
Owl is the hooting or screech owl, and makes a very dismal noise.
THE OWL. 12
THE OWL.
The owl can do without drinking for a very long time. Mr. White, of Selborne, says he knew a Brown Owl to
live a whole year without water. The owl swallows its prey whole when small, and afterwards brings up from
its crop the fur, bones, and other parts that cannot easily be digested, in the form of a round cake. Hawks are
said to do the same thing.
The great Virginian Owl is of an immense size, and its cry is said to be very terrible when heard in the lonely
American forests, resembling at times the last struggling scream of a person being throttled. Owls will eat raw
meat, but their favourite food consists in young mice, and they[62] may often be seen at twilight, hunting like
sporting dogs round the meadow paths for field-mice which come out at that hour, and going back every five
minutes or so to their nests, to see that all is well at home.
If by chance an owl appears in daylight, he is immediately attacked by all the smaller birds, who know their
enemy, and feel pleasure in insulting him when he cannot revenge himself. For the owl grows so confused if
he lingers abroad till the sun has risen, that he cannot find his way back to his nest, nor make head against his
pursuers, as he would soon do in the dim twilight. Bird fanciers have been known to take advantage of this
circumstance in Italy, and tying an owl to a tree in daylight, they lime all the surrounding branches. Troops of
little birds soon find out their helpless foe, and hurrying to attack[63] him with their little beaks and claws,
they perch on the limed twigs, and are taken by scores.
The Snowy Owl inhabits the north of Europe, but is sometimes seen in more southern regions. It pursues
hares, of which it is particularly fond, and often snatches fish from the water, over which it slowly sails, with a
sudden grasp of its foot. It often also accompanies sportsmen, that it may share in the sport. In winter, when
this owl is fat, the Indians esteem the Snowy owl to be good eating. Its flesh is delicately white.
THE OWL. 13
[64]
THE GOOSE.
Have you not often heard people say "as silly as a goose"? Now I am going to tell you that the goose is one of
the most sensible birds we know, and not only sensible, but very affectionate, and exceedingly useful to man.
I will tell you some stories of Mrs. Goose presently, which will show you her real character. But I must begin
with her uses. The goose is to be found in almost every country, and its flesh is very good eating; but it is
principally for its feathers and quills that it is valued here. The quills, from which our pens, and in part our
paint brushes, are made, are plucked from the pinions of the goose, and the best featherbeds and pillows are
stuffed with her[67] feathers. Geese love water and marshy places, and Lincolnshire, which is a fenny place,
is famous for breeding them. People there make it their business to keep perhaps as many as a thousand geese,
which, in the course of a year, will increase seven-fold, the geese being kept in the houses, and even
bedrooms, of their owners whilst hatching, and a person called a gozzard having the charge of them. They are
plucked, poor things, for their feathers as often as five times a year, and for their quills once. Even the young
goslings of six weeks' old are deprived of their tail feathers, in order, as it is said, to accustom them to this
cruel operation. When ready for the London market, the geese are marched slowly up from Lincolnshire to
London, in flocks of from two to nine thousand. Being slow travellers, they are on foot from three in the
morning to[68] nine in the evening, and during that time get through about nine miles.
THE GOOSE.
Amongst the Romans this bird was held sacred to Juno, their supreme heathen goddess; indeed, it appears to
have been looked upon with reverence by all ancient nations, and not longer ago than the time of the
THE GOOSE. 14
Crusades, a goose was carried as a standard from our own country by an irregular band of crusaders. Possibly
in former times the good qualities of the goose were better known than now; for the sagacity and affection of
this bird have been proved by so many well authenticated instances, that I am at a loss which to select for your
entertainment, and must try to choose those you are least likely to have met with already. As a proof of the
goose's sagacity, is the following. A goose begun to sit on six or eight eggs, when the dairy maid, thinking
she[69] could hatch a larger number, put in as many duck eggs, which could scarcely be distinguished from
the others. On visiting the nest next morning, all the duck eggs were found put out of the nest on the ground.
They were replaced, but the next morning were again found picked out and laid outside, whilst the goose
remained sitting on the whole of her own eggs. Lest she should abandon the nest altogether, she was not
troubled with the strange eggs again, but allowed to rear her own children in peace. There are a vast number
of stories told of singular and strong attachments formed by geese to people. We hear of one old gander who
used to lead his old blind mistress to church, graze in the churchyard during the service (for I ought to have
told you that geese eat grass like oxen), and then lead her home again. A goose attached itself so strongly to
its master that it forsook for[70] him the society of its fellows, followed him wherever he went, even through
the crowded streets, sat, if allowed, upon his lap, and responded with a cry of delight to every sound of his
voice. Even to other animals the goose has been known to show strong affection. There was once a goose who
had been saved by a dog from the ravenous jaws of a fox. She seemed from that time to centre all her
affection on her preserver, left the poultry yard for his side, tried to bite any one at whom she heard him bark,
and, if driven away into the field, would sit all day at the gate from which she could gaze on her friend. The
dog at last fell ill, but the faithful goose would not leave him, and would have died, for want of food, at his
side had not corn been put near the kennel. The dog died, but she would not leave the kennel, and I am sorry
to tell you that when a new dog was[71] brought, very much like the old one, as she ran to greet him, hoping it
was her old friend restored, he seized her by the neck and put an end to her faithful life. One more story I must
tell you, though I have already said so much. A game cock had cruelly attacked a goose on her nest, and even
pecked out one of her eyes. The gander took his mate's part, and fought over and over again with the enemy.
One day, during his absence, the game cock attacked the goose again, when the gander, hearing a noise, ran
up, and, seizing the cock, dragged him into the pond where he ducked him repeatedly until he had made an
end of him. In Russia, ganders are taught to fight each other, and a trained gander has been known to sell for
twenty pounds.
There is a very beautiful goose called the Egyptian Goose, or goose of the Nile. Its feathers[72] are very
handsomely marked with black, brown, green, and white. It is the goose so often represented, in old fresco
paintings of heathen temples, by the ancients. This goose is famous for its devotion to its young. The old birds
will remain with their offspring during times of most imminent danger, refusing to save themselves and leave
their young in peril.
The Canada Goose is also another prettily-marked variety of goose. And although not a native of this country,
its migratory habits often bring it to this shore.
[74]
THE GOOSE. 15
THE MAGPIE.
[75]
THE MAGPIE.
The Magpie is a very pretty and cunning bird. It is easy to teach it to speak, and it may be rendered very tame.
Where high trees abound, the magpie chooses the very highest and most difficult to climb for its nest. But
otherwise, when secure of not being injured, it will often build in low bushes round about houses. This is
particularly the case in Norway and Sweden, where an idea prevails that it is unlucky to kill them.
An interesting account is given by a gentleman of a pair of magpies that built for several successive years in a
gooseberry bush near a house in Scotland, where there were no trees for a considerable distance. In order to
secure themselves[76] from cats, &c., they brought briars and thorns in quantities all round the bush, and
pulled rough prickly sticks so closely and in such numbers in amongst the branches, that even a man would
have found the greatest difficulty in getting at their soft warm little abode within. The barrier all round was
more than a foot thick. They were kindly protected by the family to whom the garden belonged, but one day
the hen magpie was ungrateful enough to seize a little chicken, which she carried up to the top of the house to
eat; the poor little thing screamed loudly. But the hen, who can be brave enough when her young are in
danger, hearing the cry, flew to the rescue, and soon obtained possession of her chick, which she brought
safely down in her beak; nor did it utter one cry then, though I daresay mamma pinched it sadly. I think I can
find you one more pleasing[77] story of the magpie. Some boys once took a raven's nest and put it in a
waggon in a cart-shed. A magpie, whose nest they had also plundered, hearing the young birds cry, came to
them with food, and continued to supply the little ravens until they were given away by the boys.
THE MAGPIE. 16
In Sweden, as I said before, neither the magpie nor its eggs are ever touched, whilst Mr. Hewitson, writing of
Norway, says: "The magpie is one of the most abundant, as well as the most interesting of the Norwegian
birds; noted for its sly, cunning habits here, its altered demeanour there is the more remarkable. It is upon the
most familiar terms with the inhabitants, picking close about their doors, and sometimes walking inside their
houses. It abounds in the town of Drontheim, making its nest upon the churches and warehouses. We saw as
many as a dozen of them at[78] one time seated upon the gravestones in the churchyard. Few farm-houses are
without several of them breeding under the eaves, their nest supported by the spout. In some trees close to
houses their nests were several feet in depth, the accumulation of years of undisturbed and quiet possession."
[80]
THE PHEASANT.
[81]
THE PHEASANT.
This beautiful bird comes originally from the East, and takes its name from the river Phasis, in Colchis, Asia
Minor, whence it was first brought to Europe by the Argonauts. The pheasant is one of the most beautiful of
all fowls, and can only be rivalled by the peacock. The shifting hues upon his neck, and the brilliant scarlet
and black around his head, strike every beholder with admiration. Pheasants are very good to eat, but
sportsmen are not allowed to shoot them until the 1st of October, in order that they may have time to rear their
young. In ancient times the pheasant was held in reverence by the heathen, and it was only on the most[82]
solemn occasions that they were used as food, and then only by the emperors of Rome. There are no pheasants
in America, and, on account of their short wings and heavy bodies, they never fly from one country to
THE PHEASANT. 17
another. But they increase very rapidly in number, a single pair having been known to produce as many as 183
eggs in a season. The sportsman, however, takes care to keep their numbers within due limits. Their habit of
squatting or sitting so close to the earth, has been supposed to be an instinctive act to save themselves from
the attacks of the hawk, who is unable to master his prey, if large and strong, near the ground, where it could
offer resistance. I have met with a story of a pheasant which proves that this bird is very bold and courageous.
"A young lady walking alone a few miles from Stirling (in Scotland), observed a beautiful cock[83] pheasant
perched on a stone by the road side. Instead of showing timidity at her approach, he flew down upon her, and,
with spurs and beak, began a furious assault. Being closely pursued, and seeing no way of escape from the
enraged bird, she adopted the only alternative that was left, namely, of seizing her adversary, whom she
carried home, but soon afterwards released; on the door being opened, however, he went out without any sign
of fear, and, with a deliberate step, paced backwards and forwards in front of the house, and manifested an
inclination to join the fowls in the poultry yard. It should be remarked that the young lady, when attacked,
wore a scarlet mantle, which probably excited the irritability of the pheasant, as it is well known to do that of
the turkey-cock, and some other animals."[84]
Wild pheasants feed on grain, seed, green leaves, and insects. They have been seen as eager as country
children after the ripe blackberries in the hedges, or, later in the year, after sloes and haws. The root of the
buttercup is also a very favourite food of the pheasant, and they will eat greedily of acorns. When kept in
confinement, the young birds require very careful feeding with ants' eggs, and many other kinds of soft
provision.
[86]
THE FLAMINGO.
THE PHEASANT. 18
[87]
THE FLAMINGO.
Is not this a beautiful bird, though rather singular in its appearance? To see it in perfection we should have to
travel at least as far as Sardinia, and possibly to Africa, its native country. Observe its wonderfully long and
slender legs. They are so formed as to enable it to wade into morasses, or even rivers, in quest of food, but it
can also swim, when so disposed, being perfectly web-footed. The beak of the flamingo is not less remarkable
than its legs, and it seems puzzling, until we know the truth, how the bird can gather up its food from mud and
water, with that awkward turned-in bill. But the fact is, that the flamingo feeds very differently to other birds,
turning the[88] back of its head to the ground, and spooning up the mud or water in which it finds its
sustenance with the upper mandible. It is able to do this very easily from the unusual length of its neck, and
the beak is provided with the means of filtering the mud, as I told you that of the duck is also. But in this
instance the apparatus provided is said to act more like the whalebone sieve possessed by the whale. The
brilliant plumage of the flamingo is very beautiful. M. de la Marmora, in his "Voyage to Sardinia," speaks in
great admiration of the effect produced by a flock of flamingoes in the air. These birds are gregarious—that is,
they live in large companies, and when returning from Africa to the borders of a lake, which is one of their
favourite haunts, near Cagliari, all the inhabitants are attracted by the splendour of their appearance. Like a
triangular[89] band of fire in the air, they gradually come onwards, until within sight of the lake. Poised on the
wing for an instant, they hang motionless over the end of their weary flight; then, by a slow circular
movement, they trace a spiral descent and range themselves like a line of soldiers in battle array upon the
borders of the lake. But no one dares approach them more nearly, for the air from the lake is at this season,
though perfectly harmless to the flamingo, deadly poison to a human creature.
Taught by God, the flamingo has, however, another means of security than the malaria from the intrusion
which its brilliant colouring would be sure to draw upon it. In other respects, besides its red coat, it has been
compared to the soldier. When feeding or resting (which they do on one leg, the other drawn up close to the
body,[90] and the head under the wing), the flamingoes are drawn up in lines, and sentinels, very watchful
ones too, are placed to guard these shy and cautious birds. At the first appearance of danger, the sentinel
flamingo utters a loud cry, much resembling the sound of a trumpet, upon which the whole flock instantly
takes flight, and always in the form of a triangle.
Do not you think sitting on her eggs must be rather cramping work for the flamingo with those long legs? But
I will tell you how cleverly she contrives. Instead of building a nest on the ground, where she would find it
impossible to cower closely enough over her eggs to keep them warm, the flamingo heaps up a hill of earth so
high, that she can sit comfortably upon it with her long legs dangling, one on each side. At the top is a hollow
just large enough to hold her two[91] or three white eggs. A full-grown flamingo stands between five and six
feet high. There is another species of this bird much smaller, called the little flamingo. The Romans ate these
birds, and Heliogabalus, the profane Emperor, delighted in a dish of their tongues, which are large,
considering the size of the bird. In modern times, however, the flesh is rejected as fishy, but the feathers are
highly valued.
[92]
THE SWAN.
You are no doubt well acquainted with this beautiful bird, and have perhaps fed some of its species, by the
ornamental waters of the parks. Or perhaps, and that is far better, you have seen it sailing majestically down
the river Thames, free and unconfined, enjoying its perfect liberty. The swan has been called a royal bird,
THE FLAMINGO. 19
being formerly regarded as the exclusive property of the crown, and even now there are but few exceptions to
the rule. The royal swans, that is those belonging to the Crown, are marked in a particular manner on the bill,
and every year, on the first Monday in August, men, now called swan-hoppers (a corruption of the old term
swan-uppers,[95] because they went up the river after the swans), proceed up the Thames to mark the young
swans hatched during the year. The Dyers' Company and the Vintners' Company also own swans in the
Thames, which were granted to them in olden times. The Vintners' mark for their swans is a nick or notch on
each side of the beak, from which their swans have been called, merrily, "swans with two necks" (nicks).
Perhaps you have heard of an inn, which has a swan with two necks as a sign; now you will understand how it
came by so strange a name.
THE SWAN.
The swan builds his nest of sticks near the river side, generally amongst the reeds. If disturbed, the male bird
assumes a very warlike attitude, and will attack the intruder with great violence. The swan is a strong,
powerful bird, and I have heard of a boy whose arm was broken[96] by a blow from a swan's wing, because
he ventured too near the nest. But when not sitting, swans are harmless, gentle birds. They live to a great age,
feeding on coarse grass and water-weeds. Young swans are called cygnets, and are at first quite grey or light
brown; they do not become perfectly white until the beginning of the third year. The swan is not a native of
our island, but comes originally from the East, and is, when in a state of nature, migratory in its habits. One
species of wild swan, called the Hooper, or Whistling Swan, spends the winter in warm climates, sometimes
flying as far south as Africa, and returns in spring to Iceland, Norway, Lapland, and Siberia. This bird is
hunted eagerly by the Icelanders for its soft white down. The season chosen is the moulting time, when the
poor birds, having lost their quill feathers, are[97] unable to fly away; and with trained dogs which catch them
by the neck, and little ponies which ride them down, the swans are taken in great numbers.
THE SWAN. 20
The Black Swan is another variety, found in Australia. Formerly this bird was considered very rare, but now it
may be seen any day in one or other of the parks. Swans are very particular in not allowing their neighbours to
intrude on their domains. If a strange swan comes to that part of the river which has been already
appropriated, he is instantly pursued and compelled to return to his own family. Once two White Swans
attacked a poor Black Swan on the lake in the Regent's Park, and at last drove him ashore so exhausted that he
fell dead. The White Swans kept sailing up and down to the spot where he fell, with every feather on end,
and[98] apparently proud of their conquest. Swans are fond of their young, and the mother will often carry her
young ones to another part of the river on her back. Cygnets are good to eat, and the corporation of Norwich,
who boast this treat at their public dinners, are bound, by some old regulation, to present the Duke of Norfolk
every year with an immense cygnet pie.
The Wild Swan has a very loud call, and utters a melancholy cry when one of the flock is killed. The Wild
Swans of Hudson's Bay furnish the finest quills used for writing. Swans and their eggs are still protected by
several statutes, and to steal the latter is felony.
I will copy for you an instance in which a swan once showed that wonderful instinct with which all animals
are gifted by God. "Whilst sitting on her eggs, she was one day seen to be very[99] busy, collecting weeds,
grasses, and other materials to raise her nest. A farming man was ordered to take down half a load of haulm,
with which she most industriously elevated her nest and eggs two feet and a half. That very night there came
down a tremendous fall of rain, which flooded all the malt-kilns, and did great damage. Man made no
preparation, the bird did. Her eggs were above, and only just above, the water."
[100]
THE KESTREL.
This picture represents the kestrel, one of the smallest and most beautiful of hawks. The hawk is a bird of
prey, feeding on small birds, chickens and mice. In order to secure his prey the hawk holds himself suspended,
as it were, in the air on his wide spread wings, until he sees a favourable opportunity, and then suddenly
pounces down upon his victim. Other birds well know the predatory habits of the hawk, and when one appears
in sight they fly with loud screams of fear. Little chickens throw themselves upon their backs, if one hovers
over the poultry yard, from some instinctive notion of defending themselves with their feet, whilst all the hens
shriek[103] in concert, and prepare for a desperate defence. But though so great an enemy of young poultry, a
singular instance is recorded of a hawk, which not only sat upon the eggs of a common fowl, but even
attended with great care to the little ones when they were hatched.
THE KESTREL. 21
THE KESTREL.
Many of the different kinds of hawk were used in olden times for a sport called hawking. That is, they were
trained to fly at game and return with it to their masters. Large gay parties of ladies and gentlemen used then
to go out on horseback with their hawks for a day's sport, just as now they go for a pic-nic, or a day in the
woods. This was before guns were used. But to this day hawking is practised in China, where the emperor
goes on "sporting excursions with his grand falconer and a thousand of inferior rank; every bird having a
silver plate fastened to[104] its foot, with the name of the falconer who has the charge of it." The bird used on
these occasions is the species known as the Gos-hawk, which was always with us most highly esteemed in
falconry. These birds were carried on the wrist, bells were hung to their legs, and their heads were hooded or
covered until the moment came for letting them fly at the game. Whilst under training a string was fastened to
them that they might be "reclaimed," as it was called, at the pleasure of their owners. The person, who carried
the hawk, wore gloves to protect his hand from the sharp talons of the bird. The kestrel migrates in autumn,
going away at the same time with the larks, which are its favourite food.
The Sparrow-hawk is a larger and fiercer bird, and the one that preys most frequently on chickens. A
gentleman once missed a great many chickens[105] from his poultry yard, and, after a little careful watching,
he found the plunderer was none other than a large, hungry Sparrow-hawk. To catch the thief, he ordered a net
to be hung up in such a way that the hawk in his next visit could not fail to be entangled. The net was hung,
the thief was caught, and, in order to punish the murderer as he deserved, the gentleman gave him over to the
tender mercies of the brood hens whose families he had desolated. That he might be helpless in their hands,
his wings and talons were cut, and a cork was put on his beak. The cries and screams of the bereaved mothers
were said, by Mr. White, the charming naturalist of Selborne, to be wonderfully expressive of rage, fear, and
revenge; they flew upon him in a body, they "upbraided—they execrated—they insulted—they triumphed—in
a word they never desisted[106] from buffeting their adversary until they had torn him in a hundred pieces."
THE KESTREL. 22
The Hawk is very bold. Mr. P. John tells of one that he found calmly plucking the feathers of a large pigeon
on the drawing-room floor, having followed the poor bird through the open window into the room and there
killed it. And another actually chased a pigeon through the glass of his "drawing-room window, out at the
other end of the house through another window, not at all scared by the clattering of the broken glass."
[108]
THE VULTURE.
[109]
THE VULTURE.
This strange looking bird is also a bird of prey; but it feeds generally on dead carcases or offal. There are
several kinds of vulture. The largest of all birds of prey is the Condor, a South American species. There is also
the King Vulture, a native of the same country, called so not from its size, for it is the smallest of the race, but
from its elegant plumage. Mr. Waterton, the naturalist, relates a little story of a King Vulture, which seems to
show that, though so much smaller, this bird is regarded with some degree of reverence by the common
vultures. He says that "the carcase of a large snake, which he had killed in the forest, becoming putrid, about
twenty of the[110] common vultures came and perched in the neighbouring trees; amongst them came also the
King of the Vultures; and he observed that none of the common ones seemed inclined to begin breakfast till
his majesty had finished. When he had consumed as much snake as nature informed him would do him good,
he retired to the top of a high mora-tree, and then all the common vultures fell to, and made a hearty meal."
Mr. Waterton also observed that the day after the planter had burnt the trash in a cane-field, the King Vulture
might be seen feeding on the snakes, lizards, and frogs, which had suffered in the conflagration. Indeed the
THE VULTURE. 23
vulture is of real service in this respect, for he clears the carrion away from the hot countries he inhabits,
which would otherwise putrify and infect the air. In some places, as at Paramaribo, the value of these birds, on
this account, is so[111] fully recognized, that they are protected by law, a fine being imposed on him who kills
one.
The vulture is to be found in almost all hot countries. A traveller in Abyssinia speaks of having seen them
hovering, as a black cloud, over an army of soldiers, in numbers like the sands of the sea. After a battle they
come sweeping down to feed upon the slain. Indeed they prefer dead to living food, and must be endowed
with a wonderfully keen sense of sight or smell, the former is thought most likely, as no sooner does a beast of
burden drop in the deserts exhausted on the sands, than vultures begin to make their way towards the carcase.
Whence they come none can tell, and the only probable suggestion is that they hover at a height beyond the
ken of human eye over a passing caravan, for they are first noticed as specks in the air above, moving[112]
slowly round in circles as they descend spirally upon their prey.
These birds are most voracious, gorging themselves with as much as they can possibly contrive to swallow.
They are also very strong and difficult to kill, one of the condors having been known to walk about after it had
been strangled and hung on a tree with a lasso for several minutes, and to keep on its legs after receiving three
balls from a pistol.
The vulture is wonderfully fitted by nature for the part it has to fill as "scavenger" abroad, this being the name
they often go by. It is large and strong, so that the carcase of a horse or a buffalo is not too much for it to
attack. Its legs are strong, but not armed with sharp claws like those of birds that feed on living prey. Its wings
are long and wide, and its bones, though thick,[113] unusually light, so that the bird can remain an immense
time poised in the highest regions of the atmosphere. Its beak is strong and hooked, and remarkably well
formed for tearing or dividing, and what is still more noticeable, the head and neck which, from the disgusting
nature of its food, must often be buried in unclean carcases, are quite, or very nearly, destitute of feathers,
which, in such a situation, would be soon covered with dirt or blood, and could not be kept clean by the bird's
own bill. The smell of vultures is, as may be supposed, very offensive, and they are altogether very
disagreeable birds to have anything to do with; but they are appointed to fill a particular office in the world,
and are found invaluable in performing it.
The largest vultures are fifteen or sixteen feet from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other,[114] even when
not stretched to the utmost, and four feet from beak to tail. Its legs are as thick as a man's wrist, and its middle
claw seven inches long. They bring forth their young on the tops of inaccessible rocks, in sunny regions, more
than twelve thousand feet above the level of the sea.
The European Vulture dwells amongst the Alps, but flies as far as the mountains of Africa and Asia. It is not
so large as the condor, seldom exceeding the size of an eagle.
[116]
THE VULTURE. 24
THE COCKATOO (OR

PARROT).
[117]
THE PARROT.
Now I have to talk to you of much prettier birds, though, alas! to tell the truth, not half so useful as the
disgusting vulture of whom we have been speaking. This picture represents a cockatoo, one of the parrot tribe,
of which there are at least 250 species, including, besides this, the parrot, macaw, lory, parrakeet, etc., etc.
Parrots are all, for the most part, tropical birds, and in their native climates the most numerous of the feathered
tribes. There, amongst brilliant creepers and dazzling sunshine, the "parrots swing like blossoms on the trees."
The foot of the parrot is formed for climbing, being, as Linnæus would say, scansorial, that is, with two toes
forwards and two backwards. The[118] strong hooked beak is also used as a third foot in climbing, very much
as the long tail of a monkey helps him in flinging himself from one branch to another.
They fly often in large flocks, and are killed and eaten as food. Indeed they are so destructive to the farmer's
crops, that he kills them in self-defence. Do you know the pretty little Australian singing parrot, about as large
as a yellow hammer, green and gold coloured? Well, I was told by a gentleman that he once ate part of a
pudding which contained at least thirty of these little creatures, for each of which here one would have to pay
heavily enough, and be only too anxious to take every care of afterwards to preserve it alive.
THE PARROT. 25
The cockatoo is also found in New Holland, and is chiefly remarkable for its beautiful sulphur coloured crest.
The finest macaws come from[119] South America; they are larger than parrots, and have magnificent
plumage of blue, crimson, green and yellow. Seen in their native land in large flocks they are said to resemble
a flying rainbow. Lories are so called from their frequently repeating the word lory. The grey African Parrot is
the best speaker, for I need not tell you how closely almost all kinds of parrot can imitate the human voice.
None imitate so closely as this, the plainest in its personal appearance. It seems to take pains to learn, but
prefers being taught by children. Very many amusing stories are told of its docility and sagacity. A very clever
man tells of one that was introduced to Prince Maurice in a room in Brazil, where he was in company with
several Dutchmen. The bird immediately exclaimed in the Brazilian language, "What a company of white men
is here." Being asked,[120] "Who is that man?" (pointing to the Prince) it answered, "Some general or other."
When asked, "Where do you come from?" it replied, "From Marignan." "To whom do you belong?" "To a
Portuguese." The Prince then asked, "What do you do there?" it answered, "I look after the chickens." The
Prince, laughing, exclaimed, "You look after the chickens!" "Yes," says Poll, "I can, I know very well how to
do it," clucking at the same time like a hen calling her brood. We are told also of a parrot that learned to repeat
the Apostles' Creed quite perfectly, and on that account was bought by a cardinal for 100 crowns.
The bite of a parrot is very violent, so that unless assured they are good tempered you will do well not to
approach a strange bird too closely. The cause of this power in the beak is that, in[121] order to enable it to
climb about more easily, the upper mandible, or bone, instead of forming a continuation as it were of the skull
bone, as in other birds, is united by a membrane which enables it to raise or depress the beak at its pleasure.
This gives much greater force to its power of grasping. Parrots do not build nests nor hatch young in this
country, but they thrive abundantly, and, when well treated, show no symptoms of pining.
There are some very pretty little birds of the parrot tribe called love-birds, from their affectionate nature. They
are quite worthy of the name, as they show the utmost tenderness for each other, both in health and sickness.
[122]
THE LAPWING.
This little bird which is often called the Pewit, from its uttering frequently a cry resembling the sound of this
word, builds its nest or rather lays its eggs, for it builds no regular nest, amongst long grass or heather on open
downs. If any one goes near the nest, the watchful mother, who knows herself too weak to defend her young,
tries by all manner of artful contrivances to draw away the stranger's attention. She will hover close to his ear
screaming, or else flutter along the ground as if wounded and unable to fly. And when by this means she has
drawn aside the feet of the passer-by to some distance, she will suddenly rise in the air and return to her nest.
The eggs of[125] this bird are eagerly sought after as an article of food, so she is naturally driven to try her
utmost to secure her nest from intruders. In Scotland formerly the Lapwing was very abundant, and there
exists a curious old act of the Scotch parliament passed before England and Scotland were as friendly as they
are now, encouraging the destruction of the Lapwing "as an ungrateful bird, which came to Scotland to breed,
and then returned to England to feed the enemy." Worms are their favourite food, but being unable to pierce
the ground with their weak, short beaks they are ingenious enough to have recourse to the expedient of
tapping on the earth with their bills. The earth-worm, who is very sensitive of danger, comes up in alarm from
his quaking habitation, and is instantly pounced upon by the attentive lapwing.
THE LAPWING. 26
THE LAPWING.
[126]This bird is easily tamed, and I will conclude with an account of one kept by a clergyman, that is related
by Professor Rennie. "It lived chiefly on insects, but, as the winter drew on these failed, and necessity
compelled the poor bird to approach the house, from which it had previously remained at a distance, and a
servant, hearing its feeble cry, as if it were asking charity, opened for it the door of the back kitchen. It did not
venture far at first, but it became daily more familiar and emboldened as the cold increased, till at length it
actually entered the kitchen, though already occupied by a dog and a cat. By degrees it at length came to so
good an understanding with these animals, that it entered regularly at nightfall, and established itself at the
chimney corner, where it remained snugly beside them for the night; but as soon as the warmth of spring
returned, it preferred roosting in the garden,[127] though it resumed its place at the chimney corner the
ensuing winter. Instead of being afraid of its two old acquaintances, the dog and cat, it now treated them as
inferiors, and arrogated to itself the place which it had previously obtained by solicitation. This interesting pet
was at last choked by a bone which it had swallowed."
When its eggs are laid, the pewit will fight fiercely with any other of its species which comes too near it. Mr.
P. John saw one attack a wounded bird which came near his nest. "The pugnacious little fellow ran up to the
intruder, and, taking advantage of his weakness, jumped on him, trampling upon him, and pecking at his head,
and then dragging him along the ground as fiercely as a game-cock."
Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
THE LAPWING. 27
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Mamma's Stories About Birds by Leathley, Mary Elizabeth Southwell Dudley, 1818-1899

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MAMMA'S

STORIES ABOUT BIRDS.

MAMMA'S STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 1

MAMMA'S STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 2

THE ROBIN REDBREAST.

THE ROBIN REDBREAST.

THE ROBIN REDBREAST. 7

"The birds of heaven before us fleet."

THE ROBIN REDBREAST. 8

THE COCKATOO (OR

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