Part 19

Woodpeckers are generally considered noxious Birds, because they are supposed to injure the trees of forests and orchards, and for this reason a relentless war is made against them. They should, on the contrary, be protected; for they destroy innumerable insects, the real enemies of timber, and never touch a sound limb, for in it their food is not to be found. There are a great number of species of Woodpeckers known, which are spread over the two continents. The principal are the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, a native of America; the great Spotted Woodpecker and the Downy Woodpecker.

Wry-necks owe their name to the curious property they possess of being able to twist their necks in such a manner as to turn the head in all directions. They repeat this movement every instant, especially when surprised or angry. At the same time their eyes become fixed, the feathers of the head stand up, and the tail expands. Like Woodpeckers, they can hang upon trees, and sustain themselves in a vertical position for a long time; but they are incapable of climbing. The weakness of their beaks does not permit of their boring trees; therefore they seek their nourishment upon the ground, principally among the ant-hills. They build in natural holes in trees, or in those hollowed by Woodpeckers. Their plumage is attractive and their size is about that of the Lark. They inhabit all the old continent.

THE JACAMARS.

Jacamars inhabit equatorial America. They are characterized by long and pointed beaks, and short wings. They have three or four toes, according to the species. Their habits are little known; but it is certain that they live isolated or in pairs, that they are stupid, move but little, and rarely depart from the neighborhood where they have chosen their dwelling. All species do not frequent similar localities—as some like thick woods, others prefer open plains; all, however, are insect eaters. In their manners, as well as in their physical characteristics, Jacamars appear to resemble Kingfishers, of which we shall speak hereafter. The Paradise Jacamar is a good representative of the family.

THE GALLINACEAE, OR DOMESTIC BIRDS.

The family of Birds to which our domestic fowls belong is a very large one. It is known as the family of Gallinaceous Birds. The word is derived from the Latin gallina, a hen, and gallus, a cock. The many different Birds and Fowls found under this family are usually divided into six groups, and these may be readily classified without their long Latin names to designate them.

In the first we find the different kinds of Grouse, the Cock of the Plains, the Heathcock, the Hazel Hen and others of the same nature, that resemble our Hens and Roosters, and care for their chickens in the same manner. Under the second group we find the Quail, the Colin, the Partridge, etc., that are well known in this country and in Europe. The Birds under the third group belong to South America, and are representatives of the Partridge on that continent. The birds belonging to the fourth group are the Chionides of Australia and New Zealand. In size they are between our Partridge and Pigeon. They live near the sea-beach, and feed on the sea-weed and dead Fishes that are thrown up by the waves.

In the fifth group are found a queer family of birds with straight slender bills and feet that are furnished with long, sharp claws. These birds are also found in Australia and they have a peculiar habit of laying each of their eggs in a separate hole, then covering each with a large mound, scraped together by the Birds; and the eggs are then left to be hatched by the sun. The Bush-turkeys of Australia and New Guinea also belong to this group.

The sixth group comprises our Pheasants, Peacocks, Guinea Fowls, Curassows and Turkeys. The handsomest Birds belonging to the family of domestic Fowls—the Peacocks, Golden Pheasants, etc., are found in this group.

THE PARTRIDGES.

The Partridges make their home on the ground and never perch in trees except when they are forced to do so. Like the Quail they run with remarkable swiftness; their flight is rapid, but low, and does not extend to long distances. These Birds are very sociable, and live in flocks or coveys composed of the parents and the young of the last brood. They are not migratory, and they seem to attach themselves to certain localities and do not leave unless compelled to.

At the time of laying, the mother-bird makes a hole in the earth, which she lines with grass and leaves, and in it deposits her eggs, to the number of twelve or fifteen, and sometimes twenty or more. While she is sitting upon the eggs her mate watches over her and guards her from danger.

When the young are hatched, the father-bird devotes himself to the care of his children. He accompanies them in their wanderings; he teaches them to catch grubs, find ants’ eggs, and shows himself as skilful as the mother in guarding them from attacks of their enemies. At the appearance of danger the father utters a cry of alarm, which warns the young ones to hide. Drooping his wings in order to induce the intruder to follow him, he pretends to be unable to fly. At the same time the mother-bird proceeds in another direction and, alighting some distance off, she runs back to her family, and leads them to a place of safety. This is one of the intelligent methods by which the young brood is protected.

A few weeks after they are hatched the young Partridges are able to fly, and to provide for their own wants; they do not leave their parents, but continue to live with them until the following spring, when they begin to build nests and plan for their own children.

Partridges are of a shy and timid nature, which shows itself in many ways. But this is not surprising when it is remembered how numerous are their foes, for Foxes and Birds of prey make continual havoc among them; the latter especially are particularly dreaded. At the mere sight of one of the Falcon tribe, a Partridge is so overcome with fear as to be almost incapable of concealing itself, and it is not until the dreaded enemy is gone that it regains self-possession.

When a Bird of prey unsuccessfully dashes at a Partridge in cover, no power is able to make it take wing, and any one can then lay hands on it without difficulty. A Partridge has even been known to prefer dying in its hiding-place from suffocation to exposing itself to the mercies of its pursuer.

The knowledge of these facts has suggested a very simple and effectual method of making Partridges which are wild remain on the ground without flying, till the sportsman is within gun-shot. This is done by frightening them with an artificial Bird of Prey, attached to the tail of a kite, which is flown over them.

Partridges make very delicate food of fine flavor, and they are not only shot in their wild state for this purpose, but in some countries are tamed and raised in great numbers, like the domestic fowls, especially the Grey Partridge. We are told of a whole covey of Partridges of this variety in England which were so tame that they could be driven like a flock of Geese.

The California Partridge is one of the handsomest of the whole family of Partridges. It is a native of the western shores of North America. It is adorned with a crest, giving it a much finer appearance than that of the plain little brown fellows of the Eastern part of this country.

THE GROUSE AND THE HEATHCOCK.

There is a great variety of Grouse and Prairie Chickens belonging to this family of Birds. The Pinnated Grouse is a native of the prairies of North America. Its feathers are light brown, occasionally spotted with white. Its call is deep and sonorous, and can be heard for miles in still weather. The Pinnated Grouse is frequently called the Prairie Chicken. They lay from twelve to fourteen eggs and are the most devoted parents.

The Black Grouse is about the size of a Pheasant, and is distinguished by the tail, which is divided into two parts composed of four feathers on each side curling outwards.

The Ruffled Grouse is an American Bird, but differs from the others in size and habits. The hill-sides, densely covered with evergreens or birch are its favorite resorts, and on the wing, it is remarkable for its swiftness.

The Hazel Grouse is suspicious and timid, and hides among the thick foliage of the green trees at the least appearance of danger. This bird flies awkwardly, but runs very swiftly. It is about the size of a Partridge, and its plumage is of a reddish brown color, mixed with white.

The Heathcock is very similar to the Grouse. The heath plains with their juniper bushes and birches are his favorite abode. His food consists of all kinds of seeds and berries, especially the bilberry, juniper berry, wheat, oats and buckwheat, besides Insects, Snails and Worms, and he is particularly fond of Ants. The Heathcocks are great fighters. They fight in the fashion of the domestic Cocks, but with much greater fury and bitterness. With heads down, fan-shaped tails erected, and wings hanging, the two opponents circle around each other. Suddenly they rush together, spring at each other, and mutually endeavor to inflict wounds with beak and claws, so that the feathers fly far and wide. Wearied, they pause only to take up the battle again with equal bitterness after a short rest, until finally one of the combatants is put to flight. Then the victor flies to a neighboring tree and announces his victory in clear, joyous tones to all the Hens that can be found in the neighborhood. But very often this song of triumph is also his death song. Already the hunter has long observed him from his place of concealment, and awaited a favorable opportunity. Now he sends at him the deadly lead, and in the midst of his triumph song the Cock falls dead to the ground.

The Hens build a simple nest out of dry twigs, grass and feathers in some hollow in the high grass, in the midst of the heath or under bushes. The setting consists of from six to twelve yellow eggs with brown spots of the same size as those of the domestic Hen’s eggs. After three weeks the young are hatched out and are taken by the careful mother under her wings, and anxiously guarded and followed. The flesh of the Heathcock is more tender and finely flavored than that of the Wood-grouse.

THE PIGEONS.

The family of Birds to which the Pigeons and the Doves belong is usually classed by itself, as forming a link between two other families, and as these are important divisions, it will be well to keep in mind the meaning of their Latin names. The Pigeons and Doves belong to the family of Columbidae, which is derived from the Latin word columba, meaning a dove; and this forms the division between the domestic or Gallinaceous family, that we have just studied, and the family of Passerines, or Sparrows; the name of this family being derived from the Latin word passer, meaning a sparrow.

It would be useless to attempt to describe all the different kinds of Pigeons in this space, but we can mention the leading groups, with their distinguishing features.

The Crowned Pigeon is one of the handsomest. This is usually found in New Guinea. The plumage of this Bird is a beautiful greyish blue, with markings of dark blue and white, and its head is crowned with a plume of long tapering feathers.

The Fan-tailed Pigeon is remarkable for its tail, which is very large and raised like that of a Peacock when spread out to its handsomest extent.

The Nun Pigeon is recognized by a kind of hood formed of raised feathers, which covers the back of the head and neck, and to which it owes its name.

The Wheeling Pigeon describes circles, like Birds of Prey, when it is flying. This Bird has an unpleasant disposition, and a bad habit of annoying other Pigeons. It should be excluded from Pigeon-houses.

The Tumbler Pigeon owes its name to its curious manner of flying. It has a habit, after it has risen to a certain height, of throwing five or six summersaults.

The Pouter Pigeon owes its name to the faculty which it possesses of inflating its crop to an immense size by the introduction of air. This peculiarity often destroys them; indeed, when feeding their young, they find so much difficulty in causing the seeds which they have swallowed to reascend into their beaks, that they contract a malady which is frequently fatal.

The Roman Pigeons, thus named because they are very common in Italy, are easily recognized from the circle of red which surrounds their eyes.

The Swift Pigeon is of small size, its flight is light and rapid.

The Carrier Pigeons belong to this race. They are celebrated for their attachment to their birthplace, or to the spot that contains their young, and for the intelligence which enables them to regain their native countries from whatever distance. Transport them miles from their homes, even in a well-closed basket, then give them their liberty, and they will return, without the slightest hesitation, to the place from which they were taken. This valuable faculty has long been utilized, especially in the East.

The Romans made use of Pigeons as messengers. Pliny says that this means was employed by Brutus and Hirtius to concert together during the siege of a town by Mark Antony. At the siege of Leyden, in 1574, the Prince of Orange employed Carrier Pigeons to carry on a correspondence with the besieged town, which he succeeded in freeing. The Prince, to mark his acknowledgment of the services rendered by these wise Birds, wished them to be fed with strawberries, and their bodies to be embalmed after death.

We learn from Pierre Belon, the Naturalist, that in his time navigators from Egypt and Cyprus took Pigeons upon their galleys, and liberated them when they had arrived at the port of destination, in order to announce to their families their safe journey. In our century they have been made use of for similar purposes.

THE PHEASANTS.

Under the name of Phasianidae, the Pheasants form a distinct family, which is divided into several groups of Birds and Domestic Fowls which have similar characteristics. Not only our well known Pheasants, but the Peacocks, Guinea Fowls, Turkeys, Currassows, Bankiva Fowl, Tragopans, and the Argus are all grouped in this family, because they all have short bills, wings so short that they cannot fly readily, brilliant plumage, and tails largely developed, forming the greatest beauty of the Bird in many instances.

The Pheasant, especially, is remarkable for the length of its tail; the middle feathers of which in one species, known as Reeve’s Pheasant, sometimes attain a length of seven or eight feet.

The Silver Pheasant and the Golden Pheasant are two beautiful species. The former is clothed in a black and white costume that gives it a fine silvery appearance. The latter is brilliantly clothed in purple and gold, and bears a golden yellow crest on its head, with a handsome circular collar effect; and the tail of the Golden Pheasant is very long and showy.

There are many other species of Pheasants, distinguished by some peculiarity of the plumage, but there is no special difference in their habits.

In the wild state the Pheasants prefer wooded slopes or marshy plains, and their food is composed of grains, berries, Worms, Insects, Snails, etc. They are shy and timid in their nature, taking flight at the least indication of danger. They make their nest on the ground in the midst of a thicket, or in a tuft of grass, and the hen Pheasant lays from twelve to twenty eggs, which require twenty-four days to hatch.

In some parts of the country these Birds are raised in enclosures called pheasantries. During the first two months of existence, the young Pheasants require the greatest care, as the tender little fellows are subject to numerous maladies.

THE PASSERINES, OR THE SPARROW FAMILY.

It seems strange that one of the very largest families of Birds should take as its type our common little Sparrow, yet the Passerine family takes its name from the Latin word passer, meaning a Sparrow. These are also known as Perching Birds. Taking it altogether this is an odd family of Birds, so many are included in it, in which it is difficult to detect the bonds which connect them.

For example, where is the link which unites the Crow to the Swallow, or the Hornbill to the Humming-bird? Nevertheless all these winged creatures, so different externally, belong to the Passerines. Some Naturalists have claimed that this family presents only negative characteristics, bringing together in an odd group all the birds that are not included among the Rapacious, the Swimming, Wading, Gallinaceous or Domestic, and Climbing Birds. The principal points in common among these birds is that the outer toe is united to the middle one, more or less. Their food consists mainly of seeds, insects and fruit. They fly gracefully and easily, and their walk consists of a succession of little leaps. They build their nests and take their rest under the thick foliage of trees, or under the eaves of buildings.

In this extensive family we find most of the songsters of the woodlands. Some of them have even the gift of imitating the human voice and the cries of wild animals. Many are remarkable for their brilliant plumage, others are appreciated as delicacies for the table. Some of them are easily tamed, but none of them have been brought to a domestic state.

Some Naturalists divide the Passerines into five great groups, the first based upon the structure of the feet, the other four on the formation of the bill. Others object to this classification because it is not always possible to assign a place to certain groups because of peculiarities of their beak alone. This distribution is generally followed, however, as it is easy to remember.

THE PERCHING BIRDS WITH UNITED TOES.

As the different members of the great Passerine or Sparrow family are nearly all Perching Birds, it is easier to give them this classification in dividing them into groups, and thus avoid the many Latin names that it is not necessary to remember. In the first group we find the Perching Birds with united toes—the outer toe being nearly as long as the middle one and fast to it. This group includes the Hornbills, the Fly-catchers, the King-fishers, the Bee-eaters, and the Motmots.

THE HORNBILLS.

The Hornbills are remarkable for their enormous development of beak, which is long, very wide, compressed, and more or less curved and notched, and in some species surmounted by a large helmet-like protuberance. This immense beak is nevertheless very light, being spongy, as in the Toucans. The Hornbills have in some respects the bearing of the Crow; this led Bontius to class them among the Crows, under the name of Indian Crow. They walk with difficulty, and their flight is clumsy, their favorite position being on a perch at the summit of lofty trees. Great flocks of these haunt the forests of the warmer regions of the Old World, especially Africa, India, and the Oceanic Archipelago. They build their nests in the hollows of trees. They are omnivorous. The fruits, seeds, and insects of those regions are their principal food; yet they will not refuse flesh.

In India they are domesticated, their services in destroying rats and mice being valuable. The plumage of the Hornbill is black or grey, of various shades; but there is a species described by Dr. Latham and Dr. Shaw under the name of the Crimson Hornbill, which Mr. Swainson thinks may prove to be a link between Toucans and Hornbills, and thus combine the beauty of plumage of the former with the peculiarity of form of the latter. Their flesh is delicate, especially when fed on aromatic seeds. Many species are described, varying in size, among which the Rhinoceros Hornbill is the most worthy of notice. This bird is so named from the singular protuberance with which its bill is surmounted; this is a smooth horny helmet, curving upwards from the bill, somewhat resembling the horn of the rhinoceros. It is a native of India and the islands of the Indian Ocean.

THE FLY-CATCHERS.

The Fly-catchers are a family of insect-eating Birds, many of which are British, distinguished by long, broad, and very flat bills, contracting suddenly at the tip; the tail is short, slender and rounded; the legs long and weak. It has a bright green plumage above, whitish beneath; and a scarlet throat. It is a native of South America and the Antilles; and a traveler, under the name of Green Humming-bird, describes it as “one of the most beautiful birds he ever saw.” It is a familiar little Bird, and will often let a Man come within a few feet to admire it before becoming alarmed.

It lives almost entirely on the ground, feeding on Insects, which it catches in the evening. It builds its nest in the crevices on river banks, or in the soft rocks, in which it hollows out a dwelling by means of its bill and feet.

THE KING-FISHERS.

The King-fishers, the Martin-fishers of some authors, form a highly interesting group. They are very singular Birds. Their bill is strong, straight and angular, being of immense length compared with their size. Living on the banks of rivers, they feed almost exclusively on Fish, watching patiently from a fixed station, generally a naked twig overhanging the water, or a stone projecting above the surface, for its prey. In this position it will sometimes remain for hours, absolutely immovable.

When a Fish comes within reach, with great rapidity the King-fisher darts upon it, seizing it in its powerful mandibles, and after destroying it by compression, or by knocking it against a stone or the trunk of a tree, swallows it head foremost.

When Fish are scarce they feed upon aquatic Insects, which they seize on the wing. They build their nests in the steep banks of rivers, either in the natural crevices, or in holes hollowed out by Water-rats; and these dwelling places are generally littered by the fragments of their food. Father and mother sit alternately, and when the young are hatched they feed them with the produce of their fishing. The Bird has a shrill and piercing note, which it utters on the wing.

THE BEE-EATERS.

The Bee-eaters have the beak long, thin, slightly curved and pointed; the wings are long and pointed; the tail is well-developed, tapering or forked. They are slender, graceful Birds. Their cries, while they skim through the air on rapid wing, are constant. The name of Bee-eaters they receive from their principal food, which consists of large bees and wasps. They seize their prey either on the wing, like the Swallows, or secrete themselves at the entrance to a hive, and catch the inmates that enter or depart, whose stings they are skilful in avoiding. Living together in numerous flocks, they rapidly clear a district of wasps and bees.

They build their nests in the banks of rivers or rivulets, in holes which they excavate to the depth of six or seven feet.

THE MOTMOTS.

The Motmots are Birds still very imperfectly known. They are remarkably massive in form, heavy and slow on the wing. In the Motmots the beak is long, robust and crenated at the edge. They are very wild, and lead an isolated life in the thick forests of South America, where they build in holes in trees. They are about the size of a Magpie and many of that Bird’s bad qualities are attributed to the Brazilian Motmot.

PERCHING BIRDS WITH LONG BEAKS.

This group is characterized by a long, slender beak, straight or curved, but always without indentation, and comprises the Humming-birds, Creepers, Nuthatches and Hoopoes.

THE HUMMING-BIRDS.