File:Baby birds at home (1912) (14564977057).jpg

Identifier: babybirdsathomebb00kear (find matches)
Title: Baby birds at home
Year: 1912 (1910s)
Authors: Kearton, Richard, 1862-1928
Subjects: Birds -- Behavior Birds -- Juvenile literature
Publisher: London, New York (etc.) Cassell and company, ltd.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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ndcalls his mate to the feast. Whilst the henis satisfying her hunger he sometimes visitsthe nest and takes a peep at the eggs. Baby Merlins are covered all over witha beautiful coat of white soft dowm, and ifan attempt is made to stroke them, evenwhen they are very young, they rollover on their backs, and strike upwardswith their sharp claws. They do not likerain, and if a heavy shower happens to fallduring their mothers absence, they call outfor her in the most piteous manner. When breeding on a grouse moor theplucky little Stone Falcon finds a deadlyenemy in the gamekeeper, who is ever onthe look out for its nest. He would findit more frequently, but for one very cunninghabit practised by the species. Merlins feed their chicks upon smallbirds. They take the greatest care, how-ever, not to pluck any of their victims atthe nest. Tell-tale feathers scattered abouton the heather would soon attract the atten-tion of the gamekeeper, and he would quicklydiscover and slay the whole family.
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The Wryneck rpHE Wryneck is a migratory bird ar--*- riving in this country during themonth of April. Although no larger than askylark, it soon makes its presence knownby its loud and oft-repeated call notes, whichsound something like que, que, que Onaccount of its arrival a few days beforethe cuckoo it is known in many parts ofthe country as the Cuckoos Mate/ In many respects it is a strange bird.It breeds in holes in trees, and lays itsseven or eight pure white eggs on the barewood. If some young would-be egg-collec-tor should happen to come along andthrust his wicked little hand into the hole,the sitting Wryneck will hiss just like asnake. This mild piece of deception oftensucceeds in frightening the young robberaway. She also has another queer little trick,and curiously enough it is one from which ii 12 Baby Birds at Home her name has been derived. If you shouldbe bold enough to thrust your hand downto the bottom of her breeding hole andcapture her, Mrs. Wryneck will, upon beingwit

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