NOTES.
[Page 4]. l. 15. [The Rip].] A machine used in poultry-yards, under which it is usual to confine the mother bird with the young brood, till it has acquired strength to follow her. The word is derived from the Saxon, Hrip, meaning a covering, or protection, for the young.
[P. 5]. l. 13. The [Taylor Bird] (Motacilla Sutoria).] So called from the singular manner in which it constructs its nest, which is composed of two leaves, sewed together with wonderful skill, by the little taylor, whose bill serves him for a needle, and the fine fibres of leaves furnishes him with a substitute for thread, and by which means he attaches a dead leaf to a living one, growing at the end of a branch. The Taylor Bird is an inhabitant of India.
[P. 5]. l. 17. The [Golden-crested Wren] (Motacilla Regulus).] Is the smallest of the British birds; it takes its name from a circle of gold-coloured feathers, bordered with black, forming an arch above its eyes, which it has the power of raising or depressing: it is a native of every part of Europe, and is also to be found in Asia and America.
[P. 5]. l. 19. [Halcyon], or Kingfisher, (Alcedo-irpedo).] Esteemed the most beautiful of our native birds; but its form is clumsy, and its bill very disproportionate to its size. It inhabits the banks of rivers and streams, where it will sit for hours, on a projecting branch, watching for its prey. The ancients relate many fabulous stories of this bird, as that of its laying its eggs in the depth of winter, and that during the time of its incubation the weather remains perfectly calm, whence the expression Halcyon Days.
[P. 6]. l. 2. [Cuculus Indicator].] A Bird of the Cuckoo kind, found in the interior parts of Africa; it has a shrill note, which the Natives answer by a soft whistle; and the Birds repeating the note, the Natives are thereby conducted to the wild Bee-hives, which this Bird frequents.
[P. 6]. l. 5. [Cassowary].] A large singular bird, found in the Island of Java, in Africa, and the southern parts of India. The head of this bird is armed with a kind of natural helmet, extending from the base of the bill to near half way over the head.
[P. 6]. l. 5. [Flamingo Phœnicopterus].] A bird of the Crane kind, but web-footed, whose plumage is of a bright scarlet; when standing erect, it measures above six feet, though its body is not larger than that of a goose, and is a native of Africa, Persia, and South America.
[P. 6]. l. 8. [Ptarmigan] (Tetrao).] The white grons, or white game, inhabits the Highlands of Scotland and the Western Islands; it prefers the coldest situations on the highest mountains, where it burrows under the snow. It changes its feathers twice in the year, and about the end of February puts on its summer dress of dusky brown, ash, and orange-coloured feathers; which it loses in winter for a plumage perfectly white, except a black line between the bill and the eye. The legs and toes are warmly clothed with a thick long coat of soft white feathers.
[P. 6]. l. 17. The [Chough] (Corrus Graculus).] This bird, which is about the size of the daw, has a long curved bill, sharp at the point, which, as well as the legs and feet, is of a bright scarlet, contrasting beautifully with its black plumage, which varies as the light falls on it, to a deep purple or violet. Its general haunts are the crevices of high cliffs in Devonshire and Cornwall.
[P. 7]. l. 2. The [Widow], or Widah Bird.] Is a species of bunting, a native of Angola and other parts of Africa. And is remarkable for the feathers of its tail. The two middle ones are about four inches long, and ending in a long thread, the two next are thirteen inches in length, broad and narrowing towards the points, from these proceed another long thread.
[P. 8]. l. 6. [Yaffil] the Woodpecker (Picus Viridus).] The name Yaffil is provincial, but is so very expressive of the noise it continually makes, that I have preferred it on that account. It is a beautiful bird, and is sometimes called the English parrot; the colour of its plumage, green, yellow, and scarlet, giving it some resemblance to that bird.
[P. 8]. l. 10. The Numidian Crane, or [Demoiselle].] From the elegance of its appearance, and its singular carriage, is called the Demoiselle, which means the young Lady; for this bird walks very gracefully, and sometimes skips and leaps, as though it were trying to dance.
[P. 8]. l. 15. [Guillemot] (Colymbus).] A sea bird, of which there are several species numerously spread over the northern world; from whence they come towards winter to the British shores and remain till they have reared their young: it is sometimes called the foolish Guillemot from his stupidity; for when their companions are shot one after another, they have so little sense of danger, that they make a small circuit, and then return and settle in the same place, to share the same fate.
[P. 8]. l. 17. [Toucan] (Ramphastos).] A native of America, where it builds in the hollows of trees, and sits at the entrance, ready to peck at the monkeys, who often endeavour to destroy and eat the young. It is about the size of a Magpye, but the head large in proportion, to enable it to support its immense bill, which is six inches and a half in length, but extremely thin. It is a mild inoffensive bird, and easily tamed, but cannot endure the cold of our climate; the feathers of the breast are highly esteemed by the natives.
[P. 8]. l. 20. [Cross-bill] (Loxia).] So called because the two mandibles cross each other in different directions: they feed chiefly on the seeds of fir-trees; the singular construction of their bills being admirably adapted to separate the seeds of the cones. The pips of apples are also a favourite food, and to obtain them, they split the apple with one stroke of their bill; they are consequently found to be very injurious to orchards. It has been observed that they have been more frequently seen in England since the fir-tree has been generally more planted, than formerly.
[P. 9]. l. 8. [Siskin] (Fringilla Spinus).] A migratory bird, which is seen in the Southern parts of England at the time of the barley harvest, and is sometimes called the Barley-bird. It has a pleasing note, and is sold as a singing bird in the London bird-shops by the name of the Aberdevine. The accusation of its flirtation with the Greenfinch, is to be understood as pure scandal, the most prying naturalist never having discovered any particular attachment between them.
[P. 10]. l. 9. [Razor bill] (Alea).] A migratory sea-bird which visits the Northern shores in spring, and leaves them in winter; they lay a single egg on the ledges of the rocks without any nest, and on which it is said to be fixed by a cement.
[P. 10]. l. 10. [Spoon-bill] (Platea).] So called from the construction of the bill, which is flat the whole length, but widens towards the end in the form of a spoon or spatula; and it is equally remarkable in its substance, not being hard like bone, but flexible like whalebone; they feed on snakes, worms, frogs, and fish, even on shellfish, which they first break with their bills.
[P. 11]. l. 3. The Agami, or [Trumpeter], a native of America, remarkable for a singular noise, resembling the instrument from which it takes its name.
THE END.
J. Swan, Printer, 76, Fleet Street, London.