I t ± I BOOK ABOUT BIRDS. w-' x \, j x. i • JljL. * RUFUS MERRILL IiYRE BIRD, J. , "%*>%/*** BOOK OF BIRDS. The swallow is a fine bird, that visits us in May, and builds his nest in barns or chimneys. Their form enables them to dart about very quickly in all direc- tions, and they continue their flight for a long time, THE BOAT-BILL.. o THE BOAT-BILI*. This splendid bird is a native of Brazil, in South America. It frequents the rivers and lakes of those warm regions. A long, let black crest, falling down from the back Dart of the head, over the back, produces a beautifu effect. The plumage of the fore head is white, and the rest o. the bird is a pale bluish ash color. It preys upon fish, by perch ing on trees which overhang streams, and dropping upon them as they pass along. The general color of the bill 2s dusky, and the skin beneath the under jaw is capable of dis- tension. r 6 ROSEATE BIL.I* ROSEATE SPOON-BIL.Ii. This elegant bird inhabits the sea-shores of America, from the mouth of the river Amazon to Florida or Georgia. It is often seen up the Mississippi in the summer season. It wades or dives about in quest of shell-fish, insects, and various kinds of small fish. This bird is of a beautiful pink color, with a mixture of black at the lower part of the neck. It is about the size of a heron. The bill is about eight inches long and has the shape of a spoon. The nest is placed on high trees, near the water side. They lay three or four white eggs, and of the size of those of a hen. They are very noisy during breeding time, like our rx>ks. 8 THE BLUE JAY. THE BLUE JAY, The Blue Jay is ornamented with a crest of light blue or pur- ple feathers, which he can ele- vate or depress at pleasure. The whole upper parts are light blue or purple, with a collar of black I passing down each side of the neck. The under parts are white. He is very loquacious and coxcombical, and quite odd in his tones and gestures. His favorite food consists of chestnuts, acorns, and Indian corn ; but he will sometimes eat ' bugs and caterpillars, and plun- der the cherry-tree. It is a na- tive of many parts of the United States. When engaged in mak- ing love, his notes resemble the soft chatterings of a duck. 10 THE HOOPOE. II THE HOOPOE. There are only two species of ,his bird known to Europeans, one of which is, however, dif- fused over the whole of the old continent. The neck is pale reddish brown ; the breast and belly white. But its distinguish- ing characteristic is a beautiful crest, about two inches high, which is of a pale orange, tipped with black, and which the bird can erect at pleasure. The bill is very long and slender, black, and somewhat curved. The food of this bird is insects. It is a solitary bird, two of them being seldom found together. In many places it is considered good eat- ing. It weighs about twelve ounces, and is twelve or fourteen inches in length. t2 THE ROBIN. There came to my window, One morning- in spring-, A sweet little robin ; She came there to sin*. The tune that she sung, It was prettier far Than ever I heard On flute or guitar. She raised her light wings, To soar far away ; Then, resting a moment, Seemed sweetly to say : happy, how happy, This world seems to be ; Awake, little girl, And be happy with me. The sweet bird then mounted. Upon a light wing, And flew to a tree-top, And there did she sing. 1 listened delighted, And hoped she would stay, And come to my window, At dawn of the day. 14 BELTED KINGFISHER. 15 THE KINGFISHER Is a general inhabitant of the banks and shores of all our fresh water rivers in the United States. Like the love-lorn swains of whom poets tell us, he delights in murmuring streams and fall- ing waters ; amidst the roar of a cataract, or over the foam of a torrent, he sits perched upon an overhanging bough, glancing his •Diercing eye in every direction Delow for his finny prey, which, with a sudden circular plunge, he sweeps from their native ele- ment, and swallows in an in- stant. His voice, which is not unlike the twirl of a watchman's rattle, is naturally loud, harsh, and sudden, but is softened by the sound of the brawling streams and cascades. 16 THE DOVE. Coo ! coo ! says the gentle dove ; Coo ! coo ! says its little mate ; They play with each other in love, And never show anger or hate. And cannot we, little ones, all, Be gentle and kind as the dove? Let us never be angry and fret, But play with each other in love. A Wkfm BUFTJS MERRILL. y W PUBLISHER, BOOKSELLER, Mj <] AND >™W Blank Book Manufacturer, CONCORD, X. H. CONSTANTLY FOR SALE A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF School, Classical, Theological, **fL Sheet Music, Bibles, Testa- ; mentS, various sizes ami Bindings. Also,— Blank Account, Memo- randum and Writing Books, Paper, Ink, Quills, Wafers, Sealing-wax, Steel Pens, Slates, v Slate and Lead Pencils. £\ R. M. is General Asrent for all REVIEWS, MAGAZINES AND PERIODICALS, and will furnish them at the Publishers' prices.