The noise occasioned by the continual flapping of wings was like thunder; persons could not hear each other speak; and the report of a gun a rod distant could scarcely be distinguished in the general uproar. On the departure of the birds, the forests looked as if they had been swept by a tornado. 14. In addition to the wild pigeon, and the common dove which is familiar to all, and which latter, in a wild state, is known as the wild rock pigeon, there are two other species in this country, one known as the Carolina turtle-dove, and the other as the Southern ground-dove, or ortolan. Our turtledove is a favorite bird with all who love to wander among our woods in spring, and listen to their varied harmony. Its peculiar mournful moanings, which sound so much like the voice of sorrow, are none other than the love-notes with which it woos its happy mate. The English ringdove, or cushat, is also noted for its cooing, and plaintive murmuring. "Dear is my little native vale, The ringdove builds and warbles there; To every passing villager."-ROGERS. 15. Another important division of this order of birds is the grouse family, which embraces those large groups of game birds known in familiar language as grouse, partridges, quails, and ptarmigans. The names by which the several species of the grouse family are known vary greatly in different places. The engravings which we have given of several of these birds. will convey a better knowledge of them than any description. The pinnated grouse is a very singular bird, peculiar to America alone, and is found in pine-barrens and prairie-lands. In New England the quail is often called a partridge; and in Pennsylvania the true partridge (or ruffed grouse) is usually called a pheasant. In early spring-time the partridge makes a loud drumming sound by beating his sides with his wings. This drumming is thus described by an American poet: 16. "Hearest thou that bird?' I listened, and from 'midst the depth of woods Partridge they call him by our northern streams, And pheasant by the Delaware. He beats 'Gainst his barred sides his speckled wings, and makes A sound like distant thunder; slow the strokes At first, then fast and faster, till at length They pass into a murmur, and are still."-BRYANT. 1 DO-MĚS'-TI-CA-TED, tamed; made domes-13 EN-TI-TLED, named; having the title of. tic. 4 IN-AU-DI-BLE, that can not be heard. 2 JUN'-GLE, land mostly covered with brush-15 CHUCK, the voice or call of a hen. 6 €USH'-AT (pronounced koosh'-at). wood. LESSON XXVII. THE CITY DOVE. 1. STOOP to my window, thou beautiful dove! To catch the glance of thy gentle eye. 2. Why dost thou sit on the heated eaves, And forsake the wood with its freshened leaves? Why dost thou haunt the sultry street, When the paths of the forest are cool and sweet? This noise of people-this sultry air? 3. Thou alone, of the feathered race, Dost look unscared on the human face; Dost love with man in his haunts to be; Has become a name of truth and love. 4. Come then ever, when daylight leaves The page I read, to my humble eaves, I hear and see Lessons of wisdom, sweet bird, in thee. G N. P. WILLIS. V. THE RUNNERS (CURSORES). 1. Great Bustard, Otis tarda. 2. Trumpeter-bird, Psophia crepitans. 3. African Ostrich, Struthio camelus. 4. Emu of New Holland, Emu dromaius. 5. Cassowary of Asia, Casuarius casoar. 6. Apteryx, Apteryx mantelli. 7. American Ostrich, Rhea Americana. 1. THE fifth order of birds consists of the ostrich family, which is composed of long-legged birds of large size, most of them equaling the average height and bulk of the quadrupeds. But few of them are able to raise themselves from the earth by their wings. The principal birds of this order are the African ostrich, the South American ostrich, the cassowary of Eastern Asia, the emu of New Holland, the apteryx. of New Zealand, and the bustards. The forms and comparative size of these birds will be best learned from the engraving at the head of this lesson. 2. The African ostrich, or camel-bird, so called from its striking resemblance to the camel, is from seven to ten feet in height; and so swift and strong is it, that, with two men mounted on its back, it will outstrip2 an English horse in speed. "What time she lifteth herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider." "And the fleet-footed ostrich, over the waste, Speeds, like a horseman that travels in haste." Its cry so much resembles that of a lion as often to deceive the natives themselves. The long plumes of the wings and tail of the ostrich, which are either perfectly white or black, have long been an important article of commerce, although they are now frequently imitated from the feathers of other birds. 3. The African ostrich has excited the attention of mankind from the most remote ages. Its egg, which is a curiosity in itself, weighs nearly three pounds. The ostrich is frequently mentioned in the Book of Job, and in other portions of the Old Testament. "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacock? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich, which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust, and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them ?" It is known that, in equatorial regions, the ostrich "leaveth her eggs in the earth," to be warmed and hatched by the sun, with little or no attention on the part of the mother; but, where the climate is colder, she hatches them in the usual manner. 4. The early Greek writers were well acquainted with the history and appearance of the ostrich; and among the Romans it was frequently exhibited in their games, and the brains of hundreds at a time were served up as a delicacy for the table. In its native haunts it is a shy bird, wary, restless, and difficult of approach; but, as an evidence of its dullness, it is said that, when closely pursued, if it can conceal its head in a hole or under a bush, it deems itself safe. In confinement the ostrich eagerly swallows stones, knives, spoons, and even broken glass, without injury. 5. The nandu, or American ostrich, which is only about half as large as the African bird, and less thickly covered with feathers, has the same propensity3 for swallowing iron, stones, etc., as the ostrich of the East. The cassowary of southeastern Asia is nearly as large as the ostrich, which it much resembles; but its legs are thicker and stronger in proportion, and its head is covered with a kind of horny helmet, consisting of plates one over another. The emu of New Holland resembles the cassowary in most respects, but differs from it in not having the helmet. The small wings of these birds are of no use in flight, but serve to balance the body in running. 6. But the most singular of all the birds of this order is the New Zealand apteryx, which has neither wings nor a tail. Upon its very long and slender beak it sometimes leans in walking, using it as an old man would a cane. It is a noc 4 turnal bird, feeding on worms, and pursuing its prey on the ground by smell rather than by sight. But this curious creature, which seems the last link in the bird creation, corresponding to the New Holland mole among quadrupeds, is becoming quite rare in its native clime, and, doubtless, in a few years the race will be extinct.5 Other birds of the ostrich family have been exterminated by human agency' within a recent period; and of other species, larger than the ostrich, all we know is what can be learned from their fossils remains. 7. The bustards, which are large birds found only on the Eastern continent, are, like the ostrich, noted for their powers of running, although some of them will take wing when closely pursued. The great bustard, once numerous in England, is now of very rare occurrence there. The trumpeterbird, found in South America, has by some been included with the bustards. It receives its name from the peculiar noise which it makes without opening its bill. When domesticated, it shows great fondness and fidelity; and is so regardful of its owner's interests that it attacks dogs and other animals that venture near him. Sometimes it is used to protect domestic poultry from the onsets of birds of prey. 1 COM-PĂR'-A-TIVE, estimated by compari-5 Ex-TINCT', at an end. son; not real. 2 OUT-STRIP', outrun. 6 EX-TERM'-IN-A-TED, destroyed. 7 A'-GEN-CY, means; efforts; instrumental 3 PRO-PEN'-SI-TY, natural tendency; dispo- ity. sition. 4 CLĪME, climate; country. 8 Fos'-SIL, dug out of the earth; petrified. 19 ŎN'-SETS, attacks. |