A History of British Birds, Volume 1Edw. Walker, 1826 - Birds |
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Page xxii
... due bounds . Every part of the world furnishes materials for the aerial architects : leaves and small twigs , roots and dried grass , mixed with clay , serve for the external ; whilst moss , wool , fine hair xxii INTRODUCTION .
... due bounds . Every part of the world furnishes materials for the aerial architects : leaves and small twigs , roots and dried grass , mixed with clay , serve for the external ; whilst moss , wool , fine hair xxii INTRODUCTION .
Page xxvii
... leaf , and feeding upon the insects which they find beneath them . These are a few instances of that superintending providential care , which is continually exerted in preserving the various ranks and orders of beings in the scale of ...
... leaf , and feeding upon the insects which they find beneath them . These are a few instances of that superintending providential care , which is continually exerted in preserving the various ranks and orders of beings in the scale of ...
Page xxix
... leaves us about the beginning of March , but is sometimes detained till the middle of April . 5. Snipes are considered by Mr White as birds of passage , though he acknowledges that they frequently breed with us . Mr Pennant remarks ...
... leaves us about the beginning of March , but is sometimes detained till the middle of April . 5. Snipes are considered by Mr White as birds of passage , though he acknowledges that they frequently breed with us . Mr Pennant remarks ...
Page 4
... leaves the fragments to other animals : except when famishing with hunger , he disdains to feed on carrion . The eyes of the Eagle have the glare of those of the Lion , and are nearly of the same co- lour ; the claws are of the same ...
... leaves the fragments to other animals : except when famishing with hunger , he disdains to feed on carrion . The eyes of the Eagle have the glare of those of the Lion , and are nearly of the same co- lour ; the claws are of the same ...
Page 62
... leaves its haunts in the twilight in quest of prey . It has obtained the name of Screech Owl from its cries , repeated at intervals , and rendered loud and frightful from the stillness of the night . During its repose it makes a blowing ...
... leaves its haunts in the twilight in quest of prey . It has obtained the name of Screech Owl from its cries , repeated at intervals , and rendered loud and frightful from the stillness of the night . During its repose it makes a blowing ...
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Common terms and phrases
ash grey bars bill is black birds of prey blue bluish breast and belly breed BRITISH BIRDS Buff Buffon cere chesnut chiefly claws black Cuckoo dark brown dull white dusky brown Eagle eyes hazel Falco feathers feeds feet female lays Fieldfare five eggs five inches flocks fore frequently genus greater coverts green ground head and neck hinder insects irides kind Lark Latham lays five lays four light likewise Linn.-Le male mandible marked middle feathers Motacilla moult MOUNTAIN FINCH nearly nest numbers observed olive outer pale brown pale edges pale yellow places Plover plumage PRATINCOLE prey quadrupeds quill feathers quills dusky Red Grouse reddish brown rump rust colour rusty scapulars seen short shot sides sometimes song species specimen spotted with brown streak Swallow tail feathers Temminck thighs throat Thrush tinged tipped with white Titmouse toes trees vent white spot White-tailed Eagle whitish wing coverts winter yellowish
Popular passages
Page 296 - This guest of summer, The temple-haunting. martlet, does approve, By his lov'd mansionry, that the heaven's breath Smells wooingly here : no jutty, frieze, Buttress, nor coigne of vantage, but this bird Hath made his pendent bed, and procreant cradle : Where they most breed and haunt, I have observ'd, The air is delicate.
Page 93 - tis, to cast one's eyes so low! The crows and choughs, that wing the midway air, Show scarce so gross as beetles : Half way down Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade! Methinks, he seems no bigger than his head: The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, Appear like mice; and yon...
Page 234 - But, first and chiefest, with thee bring Him that yon soars on golden wing, Guiding the fiery-wheeled throne, The Cherub Contemplation ; And the mute Silence hist along, 'Less Philomel will deign a song, In her sweetest saddest plight, Smoothing the rugged brow of Night, While Cynthia checks her dragon yoke Gently o'er the accustomed oak. 60 Sweet bird, that shunn'st the noise of folly, Most musical, most melancholy...
Page xxv - tis nought But restless hurry through the busy air, Beat by unnumber'd wings. The swallow sweeps The slimy pool, to build his hanging house Intent. And often, from the careless back Of herds and flocks, a thousand tugging bills Pluck hair and wool...
Page xxv - Of hazel, pendent o'er the plaintive stream, They frame the first foundation of their domes; Dry sprigs of trees, in artful fabric laid, And bound with clay together. Now 'tis nought But restless hurry through the busy air, Beat by unnumber'd wings.
Page 239 - Wisely regardful of the embroiling sky, In joyless fields and thorny thickets leaves His shivering mates, and pays to trusted man His annual visit. Half afraid, he first Against the window beats ; then brisk alights On the warm hearth ; then hopping o'er the floor, Eyes all the smiling family askance, And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is ; Till more familiar grown, the table-crumbs Attract his slender feet.
Page xxv - Nestling repair, and to the thicket some ; Some to the rude protection of the thorn Commit their feeble offspring...
Page xxiv - Amusive birds ! say where your hid retreat, When the frost rages and the tempests beat ? Whence your return, by such nice instinct led, When Spring, soft season, lifts her bloomy head? Such baffled searches mock man's prying pride, The God of Nature is your secret guide!
Page 216 - Lo, here the gentle lark, weary of rest, From his moist cabinet mounts up on high, And wakes the morning, from whose silver breast The sun ariseth in his majesty; Who doth the world so gloriously behold, That cedar-tops and hills seem burnish'd gold.
Page 117 - Pour'd out profusely, silent : join'd to these Innumerous songsters, in the freshening shade Of new-sprung leaves, their modulations mix Mellifluous. The jay, the rook, the daw, And each harsh pipe, discordant heard alone, Aid the full concert ; while the stockdove breathes A melancholy murmur through the whole.