The birds of eastern North America - with original descriptions of all the species which occur east of the Mississippi River, between the Arctic circle and the Gulf of Mexico, with full notes upon (14565492097)

Identifier: birdsofeasternno00mayn (find matches)
Title: The birds of eastern North America : with original descriptions of all the species which occur east of the Mississippi River, between the Arctic circle and the Gulf of Mexico, with full notes upon their habits, etc. ,
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Maynard, C. J. (Charles Johnson), 1845-1929
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Newtonville, Mass. : C.J. Maynard & co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries



Text Appearing Before Image:
Man-of-war. Young, two days old, from Little Cayman, April 22, 1888. Habits. I found quite a large breeding jjlace of the Man-of-wars on Little Cajraan.The stick built nests, which were small for the size of the birds, were placed on mangrovesand although on April 22, most of the nests contained young, I succeeded in findin-four nests which contained an addled egg each, and upon each of which a female wassitting. All other nests contained a single yonng bird, which, when newly hatched, wascarefully guarded by the male. When such a nest was approached the old bird wouldrise on his feet, still keeping over his progeny, and repeatedly bow his head, occasionallytouching his oflspring with his bill. I could easily catch him in my hands before he wouldleave. When forced to go, he would fly a short distance, but would quickly returnand settle lightly on the nest or on the branches near it. When captured both sexes do- 72 MAN-OF-WAR BIHD.
Text Appearing After Image:
CO 5. a o P3 IO FLAMINGO. 73 rciukd tlRMusolves wry :il)ly witli tlicir powerful hill and wings. Yoini; l)irds tire veryhelpless and do not leave the nest as soon as do the young gannets. When taken in thehand they utter a stannnering cry that so nearly resenihles the eflbrts of an uneducated<hnnli ehild to articulate, as to appeal strongly to the sympathies. The Man-of-wars onthe Caymans live wholly hy jdmidering the gannets. OKDEE XVI. LAMELLIROSTRES. DUCKS, GEESE. ETC. Anterior toes, connected by a membrane. Posterior toe, present, and more or less ele-vated above the level of the anterior foes. Keel, very low, rarely exceeding in height onehalf the tvidfh of the sternum. Marginal indentations, two, open or inclosed. Bill, providedwith lamella. This order includes the Flamingos, Swans, Geese, Ducks, etc., all of which are wide-ly distributed throughout tiie world. The body is compact and thickly covered with feath-ers vvhicli are unifonnly distributed over its surfa