Chapter VII: Part 7

The numerous Birds classified as Raptores, or Birds of Prey, are divided into two great families—the Owls or Nocturnal Birds of Prey, who hunt and kill their prey during the night; and the Diurnal Birds of Prey, including the Falcons, Eagles and the Vultures, who seek their food during the day.

All the different Birds belonging to this order are characterized by a strong, hooked and sharp-edged bill, strong legs covered with feathers, four toes, three in front and one behind, which are usually very flexible, and provided with strong talons. As their name indicates, they live by plunder and blood-shedding. They correspond in the class of Birds with the Carnivora among Mammals. Like them, they live on animals, either dead or living; like them, too, they possess the strength and cunning which are necessary to secure their victims.

The Birds of Prey do not possess any of the graces and power of song which characterize other races of Birds. Their only utterance consists of harsh cries or strange and plaintive sounds, and it is very seldom that their plumage is gay or attractive. Destruction is the sole object of their existence, and they are the terror of the rest of the feathered creation.

They are found over the whole surface of the globe. The larger species inhabit lofty mountains, or seek a hiding place in solitary cliffs.

THE OWL FAMILY.

The Owls represent the nocturnal Birds of Prey. They are distinguished by large staring eyes directed straight in front, and surrounded by a circle of slender and stiff feathers, which by their radiation around the face form a nearly complete disc. They have short strong bills and sharp claws for seizing their prey.

With the exception of the Barn Owl, all these nocturnal Birds of Prey lay eggs of spherical shape. They live in couples, only assembling in flocks at the time of migrating to a warmer climate. They do not build any nests but deposit their eggs in the cavities in old trunks of trees or ruined habitations. None of these Birds come out of their roosting places during the day, unless they are forced to do so.

For brief and simple classification the Owl family is usually divided into two groups—the Horned Owls and the Hornless Owls.

THE HORNED OWLS.

These are distinguished by two tufts or horns of feathers placed on each side of their head. They are sub-divided into many species. The five most important are the Great Owl, Virginian Eared Owl, the Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, and Scops-eared Owl.

The Great Owl is the most remarkable of the whole family on account of its size and strength. Its height is on an average of two feet, and it is known as the king of nocturnal Birds. Its bills and claws are of a black color, very strong and hooked. Its plumage is brown, with black spots and dark brown stripes. Its wings when extended, are not less than five feet across. This bird makes its home among the clefts of rocks on mountain sides, rarely leaving this elevated ground to descend into the plain, even when hunting. Its peculiar cry, re-echoing in the silence of the night, is a source of terror to the rest of the feathered creation. It feeds upon Rabbits, Moles, Rats and Mice, and even devours Toads, Frogs and small reptiles. This Owl is the most courageous of the family, and often fights with the Tawny Eagle. In these fierce fights, both the Owl and the Eagle are sometimes killed, as they bury their claws so deep in one another’s flesh that they cannot withdraw them.

The Great Owl is common in Switzerland and Italy and also inhabits Asia.

The Virginian Eared Owl inhabits North America. This bird is nearly the size of the Great Owl of Europe. It is distinguished from the latter by a different arrangement of the feathered projections on its head, which, instead of starting from the ears, take their rise close above the bill. This bird feeds on young poultry, which it boldly carries off from the very midst of poultry yards; to the Turkey it is especially destructive. When other food fails, it feeds on dead fish. If caught when young it is easily tamed, but as it gets mature its blood-thirsty instincts become so powerful that it proves a most expensive pet.

THE LONG-EARED OWL.

The Long-eared Owl is more sociable than most nocturnal Birds of Prey, and is often met with in the north of France and England. It is also found in Asia, Africa and America. It is not large, for it seldom exceeds fifteen inches in length; nevertheless, it is possessed of great courage, and attacks successfully Birds and Mammals of considerable size. Its appetite appears insatiable. The general color varies from pale to dark brown, marked with dark pencilings. Any nest, even that of the Squirrel, suits its fancy, in which it lays four or five white eggs. Although so blood-thirsty, it is easily tamed.

The Short-eared Owl is about a foot in height. The horns of this species are much shorter than those of the Long-eared Owl. Its length is about fifteen inches; its plumage is russet, shaded with grey and brown. It has a black bill and claws, and beautiful yellow eyes. It inhabits hollows in rocks or dead trees, and old ruined houses, and sometimes installs itself in nests left vacant by Magpies, Ravens and Buzzards.

This Owl being very fond of Mice, which form its principal food, all that is necessary to attract it to a snare is to imitate the cry of those Rodents. It also feeds on Moles, and, in cases of emergency, even on Frogs, Toads, Leverets and young Rabbits. Its nest has been found in a Rabbit hole. This Bird displays much courage in the defence of its young when it thinks them in danger, and does not even fear to attack Man. Its cry is a kind of low moaning, which it frequently utters during the night.

The Scops-eared Owl is remarkable for its small size, which does not exceed that of the Thrush; and for its horns, which are perfectly formed of a single feather. These Owls are more sociable than the others, and they are of great service to the farmers in destroying field Mice. Bats and large insects are also favorite food for these Birds, and when these are scarce, they will eat Fish, and may then be seen hovering over ponds and rivers, seizing the Fish when they come to the surface of the water.

HORNLESS OWLS.

The Hornless Owls are much like the others with the exception of their smooth round heads, without any projecting feathers to form curious ears and horns. There are many species in this group, the principal ones being the Snow Owls, the Barn or Screech Owls, the Hawk or Canada Owls, Brown or Tawny Owls, Ural Owls, Burrowing Owls, and Sparrow Owls.

The Barn or Screech Owls are among the best known of the family, as they are found in nearly all parts of the globe. The White Owl, or Snow Owl, sometimes called the Harfang, may also be found in all parts of North America, Europe and Asia. Its plumage is a brilliant white, with some black spots on the head. This color is well suited to the nature of the places in which it lives, for it sometimes inhabits the most desolate solitudes of North America, Newfoundland, Hudson’s Bay, Greenland and Iceland; and its color harmonizes so well with its surroundings that it can traverse almost unseen, the immense deserts of snow in search of its prey.

THE FALCON FAMILY.

The Falcon tribe form the most important group of the Diurnal Birds of Prey—or those that hunt during the day. They usually feed on living animals, also there are some species of this family that will feed like the Vultures on putrid flesh. The Diurnal Birds of Prey are divided into three different families—the Falcons, the Vultures and the Serpent Eaters.

The Falcon family is divided into the Falcons proper, the Eagles, Sea Eagles, Harpy Eagles, Buzzards, Hawks, Goshawks and Harriers.

Falcons properly so called (from falx a reaping-hook) are the ideal Birds of Prey. They have a short bill bent from the base with a very strong tooth on each side of the upper part, with which an indentation corresponds in the lower portion. The wings of this Bird are long and pointed, causing its flight to be powerful and rapid. They feed only on living prey, Birds and small Mammals, and they always hunt on the wing.

THE EAGLES.

The Eagles are distinguished from the Falcons proper by their strong bills which are scalloped and not toothed. Their wings are long and tails rounded. The Harpy or Crested Eagle is called the model species of this tribe. It is very large and the most formidable, measuring nearly five feet from the extremity of the head to that of the tail. Its bill is more than two inches in length, and its claws and toes are larger and more robust than the fingers of a man. It is said that the Harpy does not fear to attack animals of large size and even Men. Two or three blows from its bill are sufficient to break its victim’s skull. The Harpy inhabits the great forests situated on the banks of the rivers of South America. The Indians, who have great admiration for its warlike qualities, show great respect for this Bird; and they use its long wing and tail feathers to adorn themselves on state occasions.

THE STONE EAGLE.

Anyone who has visited Switzerland has often seen these powerful Birds swaying majestically over the highest point of the Alps. With widespread wings they glide along with easy motion. The sharp eye searches the earth anxiously and discerns the smallest prey from the greatest height. The Bird descends with slow circling movements and presently drawing his wings with loud, rustling noise, he darts to the earth like an arrow. He buries his outstretched fangs into the body of his prey and crushes it sooner or later, according to its size and power of resistance, without the use of his bill. After killing his prize, the Eagle spreads himself out to his full size and gives vent to a triumphant shriek of conscious victory. The powerful bill then begins the work of annihilation.

He steals smaller and larger animals—Rabbits, Lambs, Kids and Foxes. Nordmann relates that Stone Eagles have even been known to pounce upon heavy Swine. Neither are small Children safe from him. Among Birds, his prey is the Crane, Stork, Duck, Goose, etc., or any large and clumsy Bird. He does not attack swift Birds.

In the spring they hatch their eggs in a lonely, quiet cliff on the mountains, locating the nest in a strong tree. No other interloper is tolerated in the same district. Should any such appear, the male Stone Eagle advances with loud, angry shrieks. The intruder pauses, startled for the moment. He does not feel safe in the strange district and hesitates for a moment as to whether to undertake the combat with the rightful owner of the district. Soon, however, his boldness overweighs his better judgment and the powerful Birds circle about each other seeking to attack a weak spot. They circle nearer and presently with a bold plunge one swoops down upon his opponent. Each clutches the other with powerful fangs, making the blood flow and amid the rushing noise of the flapping wings, furious blows are struck, causing the feathers to fly in every direction. The combatants gradually sink lower and soon touch the earth upon which they roll about. Presently the intruder endeavors to free himself and, bleeding from many wounds, hastens away. The victor pursues him for a short distance and finally returns to his mate, who, having been an interested witness of the combat from the distance, welcomes him with joyful clamor.

The Stone Eagle lays from two to four eggs, about the size of a Peacock’s, of a greenish white color with brown spots. During the time their young remain in the nest the parents’ search for prey is continuous. In one of the nests, Hunter Regg found part of a Fox, a Prairie Dog and remains of not less than five Rabbits of the Alps.

THE SEA EAGLE.

The common name of the Sea Eagle—Pygargus—is derived from the Greek word which means “white tail.” These Birds feed on Fish and aquatic Birds. They are found along the shores of Europe, Northern Siberia, Asia Minor and Egypt. A powerful, bold and dangerous Bird of Prey, with a covering of slate colored and golden brown feathers with light and dark streaks and bands. Like the Stone Eagle, he pursues every wild animal he can overpower and besides this, he makes good use of his unfeathered talons to the terror of the watery inhabitants, in catching Fish with ease. The Porcupine’s prickly coat is no protection against him, nor the Fox’s sharp teeth. Neither the precaution of the Wild Goose, nor the readiness of the Diving Bird in disappearing under the waves, nor the guard of the faithful Dog and Shepherd over the Lamb. Neither the Fish’s cool element. All are the prey of the bold robber. He attacks Children, and, under favorable conditions, even grown persons. His principal nourishment is Fish and for this reason his aerie is generally near the seacoast or large inland streams. He does not at all despise carrion and during the winter regularly haunts fishing places and the regions of mankind, such as flaying places, slaughter-houses, etc., wherever there is a possibility of his obtaining booty. In Northern Russia and Siberia, in the winter, when every river and pond is frozen over, the Sea Eagle is obliged to exist entirely on land animals, and overcome by hunger boldly snatches a Fox from the horde (see illustration), soars away with and kills him; heedless of his struggles and attempt to free himself, by attacking with his sharp teeth, the fangs and bill grasping him.

THE BUZZARDS.

The Buzzards have long wings and a large head. They do not chase their prey when it is on the wing, but hide themselves, where they wait until a victim passes within reach. When thus occupied they will sometimes remain for several hours perfectly quiet, looking so sleepy and inactive that their stupidity has become proverbial. This stupid look is partly due to the weakness of their eyes, which are affected by strong light.

They generally build their nests in the loftiest trees, and occasionally in thickets of brushwood among the rocks. When frost comes they visit farm yards and steal poultry, and when pressed by hunger they become very bold.

THE VULTURE FAMILY.

The Vultures are the most disgusting of the feathered creation. Like the Hyena among animals, they rarely attack living prey, but live almost entirely upon putrid flesh, and after filling themselves with this food they will remain in a state of stupid torpor until it is digested. Yet much as we despise them, we must recognize their friendly mission to mankind, for while the other Birds of Prey are often of use to the farmers, etc., in killing off the field and barn Mice, and destructive insects, the Vultures remove all decaying flesh and putrid matter from the earth that might otherwise breed disease.

The Vultures fly heavily, but mount aloft to great altitudes. They have wonderful powers of vision. Should a carcass be left on the plain they immediately see it, and drop down, turning over and over in their hurry to arrive at the feast.

The Bearded Griffon, Condor, King Vulture, Urubu, Turkey Buzzard, Fulvous Vulture and Pondicherry Vulture, are the principal species of the great Vulture family.

THE BEARDED GRIFFON.

The Bearded Griffon is the celebrated Lammergeyer, described by some Naturalist under the name of the Golden Vulture. The Lammergeyer forms, as the name indicates, an intermediate genus between the Eagles and the Vultures, having head and eyes like the Vultures and feet and strong beak like the Eagles. It owes its name—Bearded Griffon—to a tuft of stiff hair that is under the beak. The loftiest mountains of Europe, Asia and Africa are its home, and its aerie, which is of great size, is built among the most inaccessible rocks.

In our illustration, one of these Bearded Griffons or Golden Vultures has discovered a Common Vulture (sometimes called the Goose Hawk) feasting upon the carcass of a Pamir-sheep (one of the greatest of the Sheep species, inhabiting lofty plateaus above the tree limit).

The Vulture at the feast hears the rushing of mighty wings and the Bearded Griffon, followed by his wife, drops on a neighboring rock.

With spreading wings and wide opened bill, the Bearded Griffon flies on his opponent to make him relinquish his booty; but the Vulture is not easily scared off. He is courageous, passionate and artful. With ruffled plumage, neck drawn in, beak opened to ward off the blow, he awaits the attack. Suddenly he darts out the long neck quick as a wink and seeks to give his enemy a blow with his beak. But the other is on his guard, and the Vulture again takes the waiting attitude. But it will not last long; the Bearded Griffon rushes on him, and with claws meeting these kings of the air fight out a mighty battle. It is scarcely to be doubted that the stronger Bearded Griffon will at last win the victory and divide the spoil with his wife, while the exhausted and bleeding Vulture flies away to seek some other supply to satisfy his hunger. So throughout all nature the bitter fight for existence goes on, and ever the strong must be overcome by the yet stronger.

THE CONDOR.

As in the Alps and Pyrenees the Vulture and his kin reign and build their aerie, so in the mountain heights of the South American Andes, from the equator to the 45 degrees of latitude, the mighty Condor reigns. He is the most powerful of all Birds of Prey, of whose mode of living mankind has only been able during the last few years, to obtain much accurate information. The color of his plumage is black shading toward dark blue. The centre of the wings are white, head and throat are almost bare, and the warty skin on both sides of the neck is red. The red comb on the head and the white silky collar are sufficiently characteristic of the Condor to distinguish him from other Birds of these mountains.

The power of flight and swiftness of this Bird is altogether extraordinary and the keenness of his sight wonderful. He, like the other Vultures, subsists on carrion. In case of a deficiency in this direction, he attacks herds of Lambs, Sheep and Calves and among the various species of Llama infesting his regions he causes great devastation, wherefore inhabitants of these mountain regions have great aversion for him and endeavor in every possible manner to entrap and destroy him. It is astonishing how this Bird, swaying at such tremendous height that the naked eye can scarcely discern him, can detect carrion, which has been thrown aside as a bait for him, or the nearness of wounded animal, and how first one, then others, appear, of whose presence one has previously had no inkling. When the Condor pursues an animal, he continues the chase until either the prey, leaping over a precipice, dashes to pieces, or he pounces upon and crushes it, battering in its skull with his powerful bill. His principal booty as previously mentioned, is the swift-footed though defenceless Llama. In the illustration we see how a powerful Condor has pursued one of the most useful of domestic animals until he has fallen exhausted, and now proceeds to kill and consume him. In the distance hovers a comrade with whom he will be obliged, willingly or otherwise, to share the booty.

THE NATATORES, OR SWIMMING BIRDS.

The Swimming Birds or Natatores take their name from the Latin natare, to swim. The toes are united by the extension of webs between them; and the whole order of Swimming Birds can dive without the body becoming wet, as their feathers are anointed with an oily liquid furnished by certain glands in their skin, which renders them impervious to moisture. This oily substance and the structure of their feathers—which are smooth, three-cornered, and closely interlaced—cause the water to glide off their polished surface; while the down beneath the feathers protects their bodies from the cold of the most severe winters.

The Swimming Birds are very numerous both in species and individuals, and inhabit all countries. According to some Naturalists these Birds which frequent the sea constitute one-fourteenth part of all the Birds on the globe, and the number of species is said to be nearly ten thousand. They feed on vegetables, insects and Fishes, and build their nests on the sand, in nooks and crannies of the rocks, or on the margin of lakes and rivers.

THE BLACK-THROATED DIVER.

The Black-throated Diver is small and slender. It floats deep in the water, and when alarmed, swims at surprising speed, with outstretched neck and rapid beat of the wings, and little more than its head above the surface.

It flies high and in a direct course with great rapidity.

Mr. Selby describes an ineffectual pursuit of a pair on Loch Shin, in Sutherlandshire, which was long persevered in. In this case submersion frequently took place, which continued for nearly two minutes at a time, and they generally reappeared at nearly a quarter of a mile distant from the spot at which they went down. In no instance did he ever see them attempt to escape by taking wing. When swimming, they are in the constant habit of dipping their bill in the water with a graceful motion of the head and neck.

“I may observe,” says this acute ornithologist, “that a visible track from the water to the nest was made by the female, whose progress on land is effected by shuffling along upon her belly, propelled from behind by her legs.”

The Black-throated Diver has the beak and throat black; summit of the head ashy grey; the breast and the sides of the neck white, with black spots; the back and rump black; the coverts of the wings with white spots, and all the lower parts pure white. The Bird, though rare in England and France, is very common in the north of Europe. It is found on the lakes of Siberia, of Iceland, in Greenland and Hudson’s Bay, and sometimes in the Orkney Islands. The women of Lapland make bonnets with its skin dressed without removing the feathers; but in Norway it is considered an act of impiety to destroy it, as the different cries which it utters are said to prognosticate fine weather or rain.

The eggs, of which there are two, sometimes three, in the same nest, are of a very elongated oval form, three inches in length, two inches in the greatest girth and of a brownish olive sprinkled with black or dark-brown spots, and are larger at one end than at the other.

In the spring the Sea-birds assemble in large flocks. In fact certain localities are chosen year after year, and these are occupied by innumerable flocks at certain seasons, all of which seem to live together in perfect harmony.

Some of the families of the Swimming Birds are valuable additions to the poultry yards. Ducks and Geese furnish delicate and nourishing food; the Swan is gracefully ornamental on our lakes and ponds. The down of all the aquatic Birds as an article of commerce is of great value in northern countries. Their eggs constitute good food, and in many countries the inhabitants consume them in great quantities.

But their usefulness does not end here. Guano, so eagerly sought for by the farmer, is the excrement of aquatic Fowls which has accumulated for ages, until in the South Pacific Ocean it is said to have formed whole islands; some of them being covered with this valuable agricultural assistant to the depth of ninety or a hundred yards. This does not seem so marvellous when it is considered that twenty-five or thirty thousand Sea-birds sleep on these islands night after night, and that each of them will yield half a pound of guano daily, which owes its unrivalled fertilizing power to the ammoniacal salts, phosphate of lime, and fragments of feathers of which it is composed.

Although the numerous Swimming Birds are alike in having webbed feet and oily plumage that cannot be saturated with water, they have also many points of difference which make it necessary to divide them into various families. For instance, some of the Swimmers are feeble and slow in their flight, and others cannot even rise from the water as their wings are so small. On the other hand, there are species which possess wonderful power of traversing the air, their well-developed wings enabling them to pass through space with marvellous rapidity. The Petrels seem to delight in storms and tempests, mingling their cries with the roar of the waves; and the dread which is experienced by the mariner at the approach of a gale is unknown to the Sea Gull and Albatros, for they appear to delight in the warring elements.

Because of these differences in their characteristics, Naturalists have divided the Swimming Birds in various ways, but the best and the simplest is the division into four great families. First, the Divers, or the Sea Birds with thin, short wings; second, the large family to which the Swan and Ducks and Geese belong; third, the Pelican family; fourth, the Swimming Birds with long wings.

THE FAMILY OF DIVERS.

The most important birds found in this family are the Great Northern Diver, the Arctic Diver, Penguins, Auks, Grebes, and Guillemots.

All these Birds are distinguished by wings so thin and short as to be almost useless for flying. They are all habitual divers and tireless swimmers, using their wings as Fish do their fins. To raise their wings after taking a down stroke requires much greater effort than a Bird of flight makes in raising its wings in the air; for this reason the muscle in the wings of the Diving Birds has an unusually large development to give them greater strength.

The Divers are inhabitants of northern seas. There they build their nests on some solitary island and lay two eggs, oblong in shape and white in color. Fish, particularly the Herring, are their principal food, and they are such active swimmers and divers that it takes a quick eye and hand to shoot them.

THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.

This great Bird has been called a wanderer on the ocean. It is not only found along the margins of the sea, fishing in the bays and at the river banks, but is also met with out on the ocean many miles from the shore. Narrow channels and sandy bays are, however, its favorite resorts; there it floats, its body deeply submerged in the water. But though swimming so deep in the water, it can overtake and shoot ahead of all the more buoyant swimmers.

The Bird is sometimes known as the Loon. It is seldom found on the land, being ill fitted for walking or flying, and although it is expert in swimming long distances under water, and when it does come up seldom exposes more than its neck, it flies rather better than many other short-winged divers. It flies heavily, in a circle, round those who have disturbed it in its haunts, its loud and melancholy cry resembling the howling of a wolf, or the distant scream of a man in distress. When the “Loon” calls frequently, it is supposed to portend a storm. In the bad weather which precedes the advent of winter on the northern American lakes, previous to migration, the wild weird note of the Loon is so unnatural that the Indians ascribe to it supernatural powers.

THE PENGUINS.

The Penguins belong exclusively to cold countries. They live almost entirely in the water, and although they seldom come ashore, except to build their nests and lay their eggs, or when driven by squalls or storms from their favorite element, they do not often swim far from the land. On the shore they are compelled to sit erect, as their feet are placed at the extremity of the body—an arrangement which renders them awkward and heavy when they try to sit or walk. They carry the head very high and the neck stretched out, while their short winglets are held out like two short arms. When they sit perched in flocks on some lofty projecting rock they might be mistaken at a distance for a line of soldiers.

At certain periods of the year the Penguins assemble on the beach as if they had planned to meet for deliberation. These assemblies last for a day or two, and are conducted with an obvious degree of solemnity. When the meeting results in a decision, they proceed to work with great activity.

Upon a ledge of rock, sufficiently level and of the necessary size, they trace a square with one of its sides parallel and overlooking the edge of the water, which is left open for the egress of the colony. Then with their beaks they proceed to collect all the stones in the neighborhood, which they heap up outside the lines marked out, to serve them as a wall to shelter them from the prevailing winds. During the night these openings are guarded by sentinels.

They afterwards divide the enclosure into smaller squares, each large enough to receive a certain number of nests, with a passage between each square. No architect could arrange the plan in a more regular manner.

What is most singular is that the Albatross, a Bird adapted for flight, associates at this period with these half Fish, half Birds, the Penguins; so that the nest of an Albatross may be seen next the nest of a Penguin, and the whole colony, so differently constituted, appear to live on the best terms of intimacy. Each keeps to its own nest, and if by chance there is a complaint, it is that some Penguin has robbed the nest of his neighbor, the Albatross.

Other Sea-birds come to partake of the hospitality of the little republic. With the permission of the masters of the society, they build their nests in the vacancies that occur in the squares.

The Penguin lays but one egg, which she only leaves for a few moments until hatched, the mate taking her place while she seeks her food. The Penguins are so numerous in the Antarctic seas, that 100,000 eggs have been collected by the crew of one vessel.

The King Penguin has been described by most Naturalists as a distinct species. Of this there is little doubt. They abound in the southern seas. Their short stunted wings, which make them quite incapable of flying, are reduced to a flat and very short stump, totally destitute of feathers, being covered with a soft down, having something of the appearance of hair, which might be taken for scales. Like all the Penguins, this Bird is an excellent swimmer and diver, and its coating of down is so dense that it even resist a bullet; it is consequently difficult to shoot.

Their nests are a very simple construction, for they content themselves with a hole in the sand deep enough to contain two eggs, but more often one.

In spite of the limited number of eggs, the quantity of these Birds found in the south of Patagonia is something marvellous. When sailors land in these high latitudes they take or kill as many as they choose. Sir John Narborough says, speaking of those at the Falkland Islands, that “when the sailors walked among the feathered population to provide themselves with eggs, they were regarded with sidelong glances.” In many places the shores were covered with these Birds, and 300 have been taken within an hour; for generally they make no effort to escape, but stand quietly by while their companions are being knocked down with sticks.

In another islet, in the Straits of Magellan, Captain Drake’s crew killed more than 3,000 in one day. These facts are not exaggerated. This island, when visited by these navigators, probably had never been pressed previously by a human foot, and the Birds had succeeded each other from generation to generation in incalculable numbers, hitherto free from molestation.

The Penguins have no fear of man. Mr. Darwin pleasantly relates an encounter that he had with one of these Birds on the Falkland Islands. “One day,” he says, “having placed myself between a Penguin and the water, I was much amused by the action of the Bird. It was a brave Bird, and, till reaching the sea, it regularly fought and drove me backwards. Nothing less than heavy blows would have stopped him. Every inch gained he kept firmly, standing close before me firm, erect and determined, all the time rolling his head from side to side in a very odd manner.”

There are many species of Penguins, the handsomest probably being the Crested Penguin, which is a native of Patagonia, and has a very conspicuous appearance. These Birds are called by sailors, regardless of species, Jackass Penguins, from their habit, when on shore, of throwing their head backwards, and of making a strange loud noise very like the braying of a Donkey.

This family all defend themselves vigorously with their beaks when an attempt is made to lay hands on them; and when pursued, they will pretend to retreat, and return immediately, throwing themselves upon their assailant. “At other times they will look at you askance,” says Pernetty, “the head inclined first on one side, then on the other, as if they were mocking you.” They hold themselves upright on their feet, the body erect in a perpendicular line with the head. Navigators passing these islands of the southern seas might suppose that they were densely inhabited, for the loud roaring voices of these Birds produce a noise equal to that of a great crowd. The flesh is most unpalatable, but it is frequently the only resource of ship’s crews who find themselves short of provisions in these inhospitable regions. However, their eggs have the redeeming quality of being excellent.

THE AUK.

The Auk is a noble Bird, which was once common in our waters, but at this date scarce even in the Arctic seas; it is but little known. In habits and mode of life it strongly resembles the Penguins.

THE GREBES.

The Grebes have the head small, the neck somewhat elongated, the legs attached to the abdomen, the tail rudimentary, the tarsi compressed, the anterior toes united at their base by a membrane. These Birds live on the sea, but they inhabit fresh water by preference, feeding on small Fishes, Worms, Molluscs, Insects, and the products of aquatic vegetation. While they dive and swim admirably, they also fly with vigorous wing; but they rarely resort to this unless alarmed or when migrating.

The nest of the Grebe is usually placed in a tuft of rushes on the edge of the water. It is composed of large grassy plants roughly interlaced, and the interior is lined with soft broken grasses delicately arranged. The eggs vary from three to seven. On shore they cannot walk well, but creep along in an awkward manner. They are covered with fine, warm down, so close and lustrous that muffs are made from their breast.

Grebes are inhabitants of the old and new Continents. Among the European species may be noticed the Crested Grebe, about the size of a Duck, ornamented with a double black crest; the Horned Grebe, provided with two long tufts of feathers, in the form of a horn; and the Eared Grebe, distinguished by its beak, the base of which is depressed, while the point is raised upwards.

The Crested Grebe is the best known in the United States. These have been found in limited numbers around the Great Lakes and as far south as Mexico.

DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS.

This family of Swimming Birds are perhaps better known all over the world than any other large group of Birds. It is unnecessary to describe the characteristics to make us acquainted with the family, but it may be well to mention some of the principal types.

DUCKS.

The Ducks are of two sorts, either wild or tame. The Wild Ducks comprise two groups—the Sea Ducks, which feed mostly in salt waters, dive much in feeding, and have a very broad bill; and the Pond Ducks, which have a straight and narrow bill; these generally frequent the fresh water, but pass much of their time on land, feeding on aquatic plants, Insects, Worms and sometimes Fish.

The first division comprises the Shieldrake, Muscovy Duck, Gadwall, Shoveller, Pintail, Widgeon, Bimaculated Duck, Garganey and Teal. The second division includes the Red-crested Duck, Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, and Golden Eye; while between the two divisions are placed (as possessing some of the characteristics of each) the Eider Duck, King Duck, Velvet Duck and Scoter.

GEESE.

Geese in many respects resemble Ducks and Swans, but they are less aquatic in their habits, often keeping at a distance from large bodies of water and living in moist meadows and marshes, where they find herbage and various kinds of seeds on which to feed. They swim very little and seldom dive. They make their nests on the ground, and lay from six to eight eggs, which are hatched in a little more than a month.

The Wild Goose, though not very elegant in form, has none of the awkwardness of the Domestic Goose, which is generally supposed to be descended from it.

There are very few species of Wild Geese compared with the Ducks. The Grey-lag Goose, the Canada Goose, Bean Goose, White-fronted Bernicle and the Black-faced Bernicle form the most distinct species.

Although they are seldom seen on the water during the day, Wild Geese go every evening to the ponds and rivers in their neighborhoods to pass the night, so that the Wild Goose visits its aquatic haunts when the Wild Ducks are leaving them.

SWANS.

Just as the Goose has long been the symbol of awkwardness and stupidity, so the Swan has been an object of admiration in all ages for its noble proportions, the graceful curve of its neck and its small and shapely head. On the water it is the picture of elegant ease. It swims apparently without effort and with great rapidity. Different species are found in America, Europe and Asia, and in Australia a black Swan is very abundant.

In the wild state it lives on lakes, rivers and sea-coasts of both hemispheres, feeding on such seeds, leaves, roots, water-insects, Frogs and Worms as come in its way. In its domestic state, it is the charm and ornament of our lakes and rivers; but, except in a few instances, it is only kept for show, as it is jealous and cruel in disposition and not friendly with domestic fowls.

Both the Mute and the Whistling Swan were celebrated among the ancients; and the Black Swan of Australia is quite distinct from the white and the Grey Swans of other countries; and one curious species is pure white with a black neck, like those of our illustration who are enjoying themselves in the water, all unconscious of the danger lurking on the tree-branch above them, although the chattering Parrots seem to be endeavoring to give them warning.

The Swan, like the Goose, lays from six to eight eggs, of a greenish white color. It takes them about six weeks to hatch. The baby Swans or Cygnets are first covered with a grey down, soft and fine like the yellow down of Goslings. The regular feathers do not appear until the third year.

THE PELICAN FAMILY.

All the Birds of the Pelican family are distinguished by having the hind toe united to the others by a single membrane. Some of the group are large and heavy Birds, but they are all gifted with powerful wings, and they are, at the same time, good swimmers. Besides the Pelicans themselves, we find in this family of Birds, the Tropic Bird, the Darter, the Gannets and the Cormorants.

The Pelicans are large, heavy aquatic Birds, with great extent of wing and are excellent swimmers; their haunts are the sea-coast, and the banks of rivers, lakes, and marshes. Whenever a Fish betrays its presence by leaping or flashing its glittering scales in the sun, the Pelican will be seen sailing towards it.

This Bird has an appetite so insatiable and a stomach so capacious that, in one day it devours as much food as would satisfy six men. The Egyptians have nicknamed it the River Camel, because it can imbibe at once more than twenty pints of water. Certainly it only makes two meals a day; but, oh, what meals they are!

Pelicans often travel in large flocks, visiting the mouths of rivers or favorite retreats on the sea-coast. When they have made choice of a suitable fishing place, they arrange themselves in a wide circle, and begin to beat the water with extended wing, so as to drive the Fish before them, gradually diminishing the circle as they approach the shore or some inlet on the coast. In this manner they get all the Fish together into a small space, when the common feast begins.

After gorging themselves, they retire to the shore, where the process of digestion follows. Some rest with the neck over the back; others busily dress and smoothe their plumage, waiting patiently until returning appetite invites them to fresh exertions. When thus resting, occasionally one of these Birds empties his well-lined pouch, and spreads in front of him all the Fish that it contains, in order to feed upon them at leisure.

In spite of its great size, the Pelican flies easily and to considerable distances. It does not dive but will occasionally dash down on Fish from a considerable height, and with such force that it becomes submerged; but its buoyancy instantly brings it again to the surface. It perches on trees, but seems to prefer rocks.

The nest is generally formed of coarse, reedy grass, lined with softer material and placed in the clefts of dry rocks near the water. Occasionally they will lay in an indentation in the ground which they have previously roughly lined with blades of grass.

The Pelican is more common in tropical regions than in temperate climates. They are very numerous in Africa, Siam, Madagascar, the Sunda Isles, the Philippines; and in the Western Hemisphere they abound from the Antilles to the northern temperate part of the North American continent. They haunt the neighborhood of rivers and lakes and the sea-coast.

The best known species are—first, the Crested Pelican; second, the White Pelican; third, the Brown Pelican; fourth, the Spectacled Pelican.

THE CRESTED PELICAN.

The Crested Pelican in common with the White Pelican, inhabits the southeast of Europe and Africa, and is also found in Hungary, Dalmatia, Greece, the Crimea, and the Ionian Islands, as well as in Algeria, and, according to some authors, it is frequently met with in China.

It has white plumage, with the exception that the ends of the feathers of the back and wings are black. The feathers of the head and upper part of the neck are twisted up so as to form a large tuft or crest, hence the name it bears. Its European home is principally the marshes round the Black Sea.

Of their modes of life travelers in those regions give very interesting descriptions.

“Nowadays,” says W. H. Simpson, “a solitary individual may be seen fishing here and there throughout this vicinity; the remnant have betaken themselves to the neighboring islands. Here, towards the end of February last, the community constituted a group of seven nests—a sad falling off from the year before, when thirty-four nests were grouped upon a neighboring islet.

“As we approached the spot in a boat the Pelicans left their nests, and taking to the water, sailed away like a fleet of stately ships, leaving their nursery in possession of the invader. The boat grounded in two or three feet of mud, and when the party had floundered through this, the seven nests were found to be empty. A fisherman had plundered them that morning, taking from each nest one egg, which we afterwards recovered. The nests were constructed in a great measure of old reed palings (used by the natives for enclosing Fish) mixed with such pieces of the vegetation of the islet as were suitable for the purpose. The seven nests were arranged in the shape of an irregular cross, the navel of the cross, which was the tallest nest, being about thirty inches high, the two next in line being about two feet, and the two forming the arms being a few inches lower, the two extremes at either end being about fourteen inches from the ground. The eggs are chalky, like others of the Pelican family, very rough in texture.”

THE WHITE PELICAN.

The White Pelican is as large as a Swan. Its bill is about fifteen inches in length. Its plumage is white, with a slightly rosy tint, the crest and a few feathers on the neck yellowish.

It is very common on the lakes and rivers of Hungary and southern Russia, as well as on the banks of the Danube. A wild rocky shore, where it can look down on the sea, is the favorite haunt of this Pelican; but it is not uncommon for it to perch on trees. The nest is formed of coarse reedy grass, with a lining of finer quality; it is generally made on the ground, and is about eighteen inches in diameter, in which it lays four, sometimes five, white eggs, but more frequently two, slightly oblong, and alike at both ends. Fish forms its principal food, which it captures chiefly in shallow inlets, as it is an indifferent diver. Occasionally its flight is lofty, but generally close to the surface of the water.

THE BROWN PELICAN.

The Brown Pelican is an American species, smaller than the preceding. It has the head and the neck variegated with white and ash-color; all the rest of the plumage of a brownish grey, with white marks on the back; the pouch is of an ashy blue, striped with a red hue. It is found on the coasts of Peru, Florida and South Carolina.

Although heavy-looking on the wing, this species is capable of performing flights of immense distance, and to a certain extent may be considered migratory. In winter they are seldom seen beyond the edge of the tropics, but in summer they are frequently found as far north as the thirty-sixth degree of latitude. Extremely wary and difficult of approach, they are seldom shot, although persistently pursued by fishermen, on account of the immense damage they do to the spawn and young Fish.

They are also possessed of the greatest powers of vitality, and resist death when pierced with wounds so serious that they would inevitably kill any other species.

From this circumstance doubtless they receive the name of Die-hards from the residents that dwell on the margin of the Gulf of Mexico. When disabled from taking flight, their courage in defending themselves from an assailant is as remarkable as that of the Bittern; but being possessed of superior size and strength to the latter Bird, the Brown Pelican can successfully resist the strongest Dog.

Like the other species of this genus they live in small communities of twenty or thirty members, and build their nests upon the ground closely adjoining each other, and the utmost good fellowship, almost affection for each other, exists between them. The young Birds remain with their parents till the spring following their birth, the old ones driving them off to seek new homes, when the advance of the season tells them that they must provide a home for a coming family. As in many other races, the plumage of the young is much darker and less handsomely marked than in the adults. From frequent persecution, the Brown Pelican has of late years much diminished in numbers.

THE SPECTACLED PELICAN.

The Spectacled Pelican, which is only found in southern climates, is thus named from the naked skin which surrounds its eyes, giving the Bird the appearance of having on a pair of spectacles. Its plumage is white, and in habits and mode of life it closely resembles the previously described species. One of its principal haunts is along the southern coasts of China, especially in the vicinity of the mouth of the Canton river, and on the bays near it. The Chinese regard them as sacred, and nothing would induce them either to rob them of their eggs or young.

Longevity is reported to be one of their characteristics. A very old mandarin, living on the margin of Meers’ Bay, once pointed out a Spectacled Pelican, that he said he could remember since his childhood. This Bird was partially tamed; for although it went long distances to fish, it always returned to his village to pass the night.

THE LONG-WINGED SWIMMING BIRDS.

The fourth large family of Swimming Birds includes the many long-winged species which are thus named not only because of the great length of their wings, but for their long and enduring power of flight. Mariners meet them everywhere, and easily recognize them by their long and pointed wings, forked tails and short legs. They pass their lives at a great distance from land, and do not approach the shore except to lay their eggs and hatch their young. In this family are found the Albatrosses, the Petrels, Gulls, Skuas, Scissors-bills or Skimmers, and the Sea Swallows.

The Albatross is the largest and the most bulky of all the Birds which fly over the surface of the sea. It belongs principally to the southern hemisphere. The sailors know it under the name of Cape Sheep, which they give it on account of its enormous size. Its extended wings measure as much as sixteen feet five inches across. Its plumage is generally white, with the exception of a dark back.

Courage is not measured by size. This rule holds good in these Birds, for notwithstanding their wonderful strength and their large, strong, sharp and hooked bills, they exhibit the most unaccountable cowardice. Even a poor weak Sea-mew will attack an Albatross, the cowardly giant finding no better means of getting rid of his enemy than by plunging into the water. Although they are most gluttonous in taste, they prefer flight to contending for their food. This consists of marine animals, Molluscs, and the spawn of Fish. When they are filled to repletion, and the prey which they have seized is too large to swallow whole, they may be seen with part of it hanging outside their bill, until the first half is digested. Thus embarrassed, the Albatross has only one mode of escape if it happens to be pursued; namely, by disgorging the food with which its stomach is overloaded.

Gifted with an extraordinary power of flight, these Birds venture out to enormous distances from land, more especially in stormy weather. They seem to delight in storms. When overcome with fatigue, they repose on the surface of the sea, placing their head under their wings. When in this position they are very easily captured. In order to do this, the sailors have only to approach silently, and knock them down with a boat-hook or spear them with a harpoon.

Navigators have opportunities of observing these Birds in the Antarctic regions, where there is no night at certain seasons of the year, and they assert that the same flocks may be seen hovering around their vessel during many successive days without exhibiting the least signs of exhaustion or the slightest relaxation in their strength. A peculiarity in their mode of flight is that, whenever they are ascending or descending, they seldom flap their wings, but fly without an effort.

To follow in the wake of some passing ship, probably because the agitation of her track brings to the surface the small fry of marine animals which are their principal food, appears to delight them. They pounce upon anything that falls overboard, even Man. On one occasion a sailor fell into the sea from a French vessel, and could not be immediately rescued because there was no boat in a fit state to be lowered. A flock of Albatrosses, which followed in the ship’s wake, pounced upon the unfortunate seaman, and commenced to peck his head. Being unable to buffet both with the sea and the enemies which surrounded him, the poor sailor perished before the very eyes of his comrades.

The Gulls, the Albatrosses and Petrels may be said to be the Vultures of the ocean—its scavengers; for they cleanse it of all the putrefied animal substances which float on its surface.

In the autumn the Albatrosses congregate at their favorite nesting-places. They assemble in immense numbers on the islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. Their nests, which are about three feet in height, are formed of mud.

Their flesh is very hard, and can only be rendered eatable by laying it for a long time in salt, and afterwards boiling it, and flavoring it with some piquant sauce.