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 i^ CHILD'S BOOK 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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THE 
 
 AVIARY; 
 
 OR, 
 
 CHILD'S BOOK OF BIKDS. 
 
 NEW TORK: 
 
 KiaGINS & KELLOaa, 
 
 123 & 126 William St 
 
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 Humming-Birda. 
 
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 CFIILD'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 
 
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 HUMMING-BTRDS. 
 
 HuMMiNG-BiRDS are tho smallest of the featliered 
 tribe, some being not mucli more than lia^f an inch 
 in length ; they arc the most beautiful m the texture 
 and colors of their plumage ; for no matter nor otlier 
 substance can come up to the richness of tl'.eir tints, 
 or the glowing brilliancy of their metallic reflections. 
 They are the most active of all known birds, exceed- 
 ing m this respect even the swifts ; they are still more 
 powerfully winged, in proportion to their size, than 
 these are"^; and there are no birds which have the 
 breast and the bones which give firmness to the 
 shoulder more finely developed. In fact, the whole 
 of their energy is concentrated upon this part of their 
 organi z:\tion, and their different styles. of ilight are all 
 equally vigorous. Suspended in the air. and hover- 
 ing over a flower, theii' v. ings move with so much 
 raj)idity that they are not seen except as gleams of 
 light of different' colors, but all radiant, as the beams 
 of the sun take them at those angles at. which they 
 ffive out their different lustres ; and while the rapid 
 
child's book of birds. 
 
 motion of tlie wings thus renders them invisible, ex- 
 cept as gleams of light playing around the little body 
 of the bird, they make a sound similar to that of the 
 humming produced by the wings of bees and other 
 insects; and it is on account of this, that they get 
 their English name of humming-birds. 
 
 The texture of their plumage is indeed as worthy 
 of attention as the tints of color, and the brilliant 
 metallic reflections ; for though they are very little 
 birds in all the species, and not larger than humble- 
 bees in the most minute one, their plumage is exceed- 
 ingly compact, and probably forms a better defence 
 against alternations of heat and cold, and of drought 
 and moisture, than that of any other birds whatever. 
 The individual feathers are beautifully formed ;_ and 
 more compactly laid than those of any others, if ^ we 
 except the under parts especially, of those birds 
 which are almost constantly in the water without ever 
 getting wet. 
 
 One of the most curious of the humming-birds, 
 is the one seen on the opposite page. It is called 
 the bartailed humming-bird. It is a most singular 
 species, and considerably larger than many of the 
 others. The tail is the most singular part of this 
 bird. It consists of two parts, standing out at an 
 angle to each other like the letter V. Altogether, it 
 is one of the most singular appendages to be met 
 with in the whole feathered creation ; and though we 
 are not very well informed with regard to the man- 
 ners of many of the family, the strong fortification of 
 coverts which this tail possesses would lead us to con- 
 clude that it is capable of some corresponding action 
 which is essential to the welfare of the bird. 
 
a 
 
 CHILD S BOOK OF BIRDS. 
 
 Emerald Binl P.-iradisc. malo. 
 
CUiLl) S BOOK OK. BIRDS. 
 
 EMERALD BIRD OF PARADISE. 
 
 The Birds of Paradise are natives of New Guinea, 
 and the adjacent islands, and consist of a number of 
 species, but the best known is the Great or Emerald 
 Bird of Paradise, about the size of a Thrush. The 
 wings arc large, compared with the bird's other dimen- 
 sions ; the feathers of the hinder part of the breast 
 and belly are singularly extended into bunches, hung- 
 er than the body ; and the tail, measuring six inches, 
 is of equal length with it ; but what chiefly attracts 
 notice is two naked filaments, which spring from 
 above the tail, and are two feet long, of a deep black 
 color, bearded at the insertion and at the point, with 
 downy feathers of a changeable hue. The female is 
 without these floating plumes of the male. These 
 birds are gregarious, always seen in large fliocks, and 
 perching at night upon the same tree. They live on 
 fruits, and are said to be particularly fond of aro- 
 matics. It has a cry like that of the starling. These 
 birds are killed by the natives with blunt arrows, and 
 sold to the Europeans ; but as this forms a lucrative 
 kind of merchandise, the " virtu <jus" Chinese fabricate 
 specimens of these celestial fowls, of the feathers of 
 Parrots and Parrakeets, which they sell to strangers, 
 and by which craft they make great gain. 
 
 The Golden Bird of Paradise is another species, re- 
 markable for the golden-hued feathers of its throat, 
 and the long, slender feathers, or filanjents, which 
 ornament its head. 
 
 The Incomparable is distinguished by a tail three 
 times longer than the body, by a double crest on the 
 head, and by incomparable magnificence of plumage. 
 
8 
 
 child's book of birds. 
 
 THE CARIUER PIOKON. 
 
 This beautiful bird is very swift on the wing, and 
 will pass over a great distance of country in a short 
 time. From very remote ages, they have been em- 
 ployed to convey intelligence on particular occasions. 
 They have till recently been so used, but messages 
 are now sent by telegraph, with a speed which far 
 outstrips their "flight. But they are still employed in 
 some parts of Europe. The pigeons to be used for 
 such a purpose, are taken from the place to which 
 the intelligence is intended to be sent, and the letter, 
 of as little weight as possible, is fastened to the wings 
 in such a way as not to impede their use ; and then 
 they are let loose, when they return directly and 
 (•quickly to their home, by an unaccountable instinct. 
 
 The Carrier Pio-eon is larger than the Common 
 Pigeon, and its form indicates great strength and 
 activity. The wattles on the beak, round the eye, 
 are very remarkable. 
 
CHILD S BOOK OF BIRDS, 
 
 THE SACRED IBIS. 
 
 This bird has been very celebrated from compara- 
 tively remote antiquity, for its real or supposed ser- 
 vices to the ancient Egyptians, in destroying offensive 
 and poisonous reptiles, atid generally for scavengers' 
 work done about the temples and houses. For these 
 reasons it was admitted into the temples themselves 
 among the numerous other animal-gods of the Egyp- 
 tians ; and inummies of it were preserved with the 
 same assiduous labor of embalming as those of men 
 and monkeys. It is a bird of the size of a common 
 fowl, with the plumage entirely white, except the 
 quills, the points of which are black ; and the tail, the 
 bill, and the feet, are also black, and so is the naked 
 skin on the head and neck. 
 1* 
 
10 
 
 CHILD'S HOOK OF BIRDS. 
 
 Wild Torkeys. 
 
child's book of birds. 11 
 
 THE WILD-TURKEY. 
 
 This bird, on account of its grg'at size and beauty, 
 its value as a ricli and delicate article of food, and the 
 circumstance of its being the origin of the domes- 
 tic race, which is no^v^ dispersed ov^er America and 
 Europe, is one of the most interesting to be found m 
 the United States. 
 
 The wild-turkeys do not confine themselves to any 
 particular food. They eat maize, all sorts of berries, 
 fruits, grass, and beetles ; and even tadpoles, young 
 frogs, and lizards, are occasionally found in their 
 crops. Where the pecan-nut is plentiful, they prefer 
 it to any other kind of nutriment; but their more 
 general pi'cdih ction is in favor of the acorn, on wldch 
 they rapid! V f tttcu. When a profuse crop of acorns 
 is produced in a section of the country which they 
 inhabit, great numbers of turkeys are enticed from 
 their ordinary haunts in the surrounding districts. 
 About the betnnnino; of October, while the mast still 
 remains on the trees, they assemble in flocks, and 
 direct their course to the rich bottom-lands ; and s^;» 
 constant is their appearance, that the season of lhi« 
 irruption is known to the Indians by the name of the 
 turkey-month. At this time the males, vvhich are 
 usually termed gobblers, associate in parties number- 
 intJ- from ten to a hundred ; the females move aboat 
 singly with their young, oi', with other females, form 
 troops of seventy or eighty. Many wonderful stories 
 have been told of the immense size which this bird 
 attains ; and turkeys of sixty pounds and upward in 
 weight are spoken of as not uncommon. When ful- 
 ly grown, the wild-turkey measures nearly four i&<i% 
 iij ienp-th. 
 
CHILD S BOOK OF BIRDS. 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 PEACOCK. 
 
 This magnificent l)ird is originally from Asia, but 
 has been domesticated in America for many years. 
 Some suppose that it was first brought from India by 
 Alexander, and by him introduced into Europe 
 The magnificent plumes that adorn the Peacock are 
 not the tail, as many suppose, but the tail-coverts. 
 The tail feathers themselves are short and rigid, and 
 serve to keep the train expanded, as may be seen 
 when the bird walks about in all the majesty of his 
 expanded plumage. 
 

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child's book of birds. 15 
 
 THE EAGLE. 
 
 As the lion among four-footed beasts, so among the 
 feathered creation the eagle, the adopted emblem of 
 our country, with its bold glance, proud air, elevated 
 flight, and strength of limb, combines so many of the 
 qualities which are commonly esteemed noble, has 
 been styled the king of birds. The eagle is exten- 
 sively diftused over the world, being found in the 
 mountainous regions of Europe, in parts of Asia and 
 Africa, and in this country. 
 
 In a clear sky the eagle soars to a great height, 
 sometimes so high as not to be discernible by the hu- 
 man eye. And such is the acuteness of its own sight 
 that, when thus too high in the air to be visible to 
 man, it can mark out a hare or even a smaller animal 
 that may be upon the ground, and dart down upon it 
 with an unerring aim. His immense muscular power 
 enables him to contend with the most violent winds. 
 Eagles are tamed with great difficulty. The Tartars, 
 however, take them when young, and not only tame 
 them, but train them to assist in the chase of hares, 
 foxes, antelopes, and even wolves. 
 
 A view of an eagle's nest is given on the opposite 
 page. The mother-eagle is kind to her young ; but 
 though attentive to them while helpless in the nest, 
 she does not encourage them in indolence when they 
 are able to provide for themselves. She rouses them 
 early to exertion, and to the exercise of their ener- 
 gies ; she watches and directs, with interest and care, 
 tlieir first eftoj^ts to fly, and when finally assured that 
 their powers are sufticiently matured, obliges them 
 to leave the parent-nest and provide for themselves in 
 future. 
 
16 
 
 child's book of birdpu 
 
 THE BLUE- JAY. 
 
 This elegant bird is peculiar to North America, and 
 stays with us all winter. He is distinguished among 
 the bird family as a sort of beau, dressed in a dandy 
 suit, and very vain and loquacious withal. He makes 
 as many ridiculous grimaces, and cuts as queer antics, 
 and gives himself as many airs, as his namesake with- 
 out feathers. He is a great mimic, and in the domes- 
 tic state can be taught to articulate words, and imitate 
 the noise of a saw and other sounds. The blue-jay 
 seems to take great delight in imitating the Sparrow- 
 hawk. This he does so perfectly as to deceive the 
 most practised ears. The jay is an enemy of the owl. 
 
CHILD S BOOK OF BIRDS. 
 
 17 
 
 THE HOOPOE. 
 
 The lioopoe is an inhabitant of the banks of rivers 
 chiefly of those rivers which are alternately flooded 
 and low, from the alternation of rain and drought. 
 There they feed upon beetles, and other ground in- 
 sects, and on the spawn of fishes and reptiles. The 
 number of insects which they capture is very great, so 
 that they render no unimportant services to those coun- 
 tries which they frequent, from their activity; they are 
 nccessaiily voracious feeders, and their nests are some- 
 what rank with the remains of their abundant food. 
 
13 
 
 CHILD S BOOK OF BIKUy. 
 
 i/.ii. 
 
 
 
 THE FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 
 
 This is a migratory bird, and on its first appearance 
 in spring, is welcomed by the fishermen as the happy 
 signal of the approach of the fishing season. Farmers 
 associate with its first appearance ideas of plenty, and 
 all the gayety of business ; they see it active and in- 
 dustrious like themselves ; inoftensive to the produc- 
 tions of their farms; building with confidence and 
 without the least disposition to concealment, in the 
 middle of their fields and along their fences ; and re- 
 turning, year after year, to its former abode. 
 
CHILD S BOOK OF BIRDS. 
 
 19 
 
 
 
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 THE SPARROW-HAWK. 
 
 This is a bird that preys upon smaller birds. The 
 blue-jays have a particular antipathy to this bird, and 
 frequently insult it by following and imitating its 
 notes so exactly, as to deceive even those well ac- 
 quainted with both. In return for all this abuse, the 
 hawk contents himself with now and then feasting on 
 the plumpest of his persecutors, who are, therefore, 
 in perpetual dread of him ; and yet, through some 
 strange infatuation, or from fear that, if they lose 
 sight of him, he may attack them, the sparrow-hawk 
 no sooner appears than the alarm is given, and the 
 whole force of jays follow him. 
 
20 
 
 child's book of birds. 
 
 Tb« (\)mmon Orane. 
 
child's book of birds. 21 
 
 THE CRANE. 
 
 The common Crane is about the size of a turkey in 
 body, and weighs about ten pounds, but from the 
 great length of its legs, it is nearly five feet in height. 
 Cranes range seasonally from the north of Europe to 
 the south of Asia, and the north of Africa. On these 
 excursions they fly high in the air, though they ex- 
 perience some difficulty in getting on the wing from 
 the ground. Before taking their spring they run 
 some paces, raise themselves a little at lirst, and then 
 unfold a powerful and rapid wing. In getting on the 
 wing, the apparent difficulty which they experience 
 does not arise from want of space in which to move 
 their wings, for their legs are sufficiently long for al- 
 lowing these to act with perfect freedom, even when 
 the feet are firmly on the ground. They appear to 
 run forward, for the purpose of getting an impetus of 
 the whole body ; and when that is acquired, they 
 jerk themselves into the air by the elasticity of the 
 legs, and move off in very good style, and they are ca- 
 pable of passing over many miles without alighting. 
 When they assemble on the ground for the purpose 
 ov repose, which after a long flight they take with 
 the head under the wing, they have sentinels ap- 
 pointed to give the alarm in case of danger. Those 
 sentinels stand on one leg, as is also the habit of the 
 stork. 
 
 In ancient times the flesh of the crane was a 
 luxury, and it is also recorded among the dishes 
 served up in old times in England. In the old birds 
 it is black and tough, but said to be at least tolerable 
 in the young ones. 
 
22 
 
 CHILD S nOOK OF BIRDS, 
 
 
 
 THE FLY-CATCHER. 
 
 The Fly-Catclier is about six inches in length, and 
 of' a dark color. In search of food he takes his stand 
 at some favored spot, and thence watches his prey. 
 His eye, moving restlessly around him, traces the 
 flight of an insect for a moment or two, then that of 
 a second, and even a third, until he perceives one to 
 his liking ; when with a shrill scream, he pursues it, 
 seizes ifc, and returns to the same spot again to look 
 for more. 
 
 The services of these little birds would be found 
 valuable in some parts of South America, and the 
 West Indies, in destroying the vast quantities of 
 gnats and other insects which abound in those coun- 
 tries, where, it is humorously said, the usual morning 
 salutation is not, as with us, "How do you do?" but 
 " How were you off for musquitoes last night?" 
 
CHILD S BOOK OF BIRDS. 
 
 23 
 
 
 
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 CAT BIED. 
 
 Next to the Mockinor Bird, the Cat Bird is one of 
 the most interesting of the feathered tiibcs of Amer- 
 ica. It passes the winter in the southern extremities 
 of the Uuited States, and along the coast of Mexico, 
 from whence, as early as February, they arrive in 
 Georgia. About the middle of April they are first 
 seen in Pennsylvania, and at length leisurely approach 
 New England, by the close of the first or beo-inning 
 of the second week in May. They cor^lnue their 
 migration also to Canada. The Cat i>n-il ofien tunes 
 liis checrfLil song before the break of day, hopping 
 from bush to bush with agility, after his insect prey. 
 
24 
 
 child's BOrUC OF BIRDS. 
 
 FRIGATE PELICAN". 
 
 The Frignte Pelican, or Man-of-War Bird, is usual- 
 ly found between the tropics. xMthough when strip- 
 ped of its feathers it is hardly larger than a pigeon, 
 yet no man can touch at the same time the tips of its 
 extended wings. 
 
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 ^ 
 
REDFIELD'S 
 
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