New York Evening Tales: Or, Uncle John's True Stories about Natural History ...M. Day, printer, 1833 - Animals |
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African AFRICAN LION albatross Algiers ALPHABET animals appear approach attach balls Bear BEASTS Beautiful bees branches bring BROTHER build cage called Captain carry character CHILD'S commence completely covered CRIES OF LONDON deep distance Eaton eggs eight equal eyes FARMER feathers formed four friends give grass Grosbeak ground hard head HISTORY OF BIRDS increase JUVENILE HISTORY kind king land legs lion little square live look MAHLON DAY month MOTHER Natural History nest never NEW-YORK night noble once paths Pearl-street penguin picture PIECE Poem pointed PRINTED proceed PUBLISHED READING remember respects roar rookery sand says Second seems seen side SISTER smooth soon South Sea square stones STORIES ABOUT Natural strength sword Take tell Toy Books tree TRUE STORIES Uncle John UNIVE walk wings wonderful Woodsman young
Popular passages
Page 8 - ... distance from each other. The grass with which they build is called the Boshman's grass; and I believe the seed of it to be their principal food ; though on examining their nests, I found the wings and legs of different insects. From every appearance, the nest which I dissected had been inhabited for many years ; and some parts of it were much more complete than others.
Page 22 - ... to take care of themselves. The male goes to sea in search of food until his hunger is appeased ; he then promptly returns and affectionately takes the place of his mate, while she resorts to the same element for the like purpose. In the interchange of these kind offices, they so contrive it as not to leave the eggs uncovered at all ; .the present incumbent (say the female) making room for the partner of her cares and pleasures on his return from the sea, while he nestles in by her side until...
Page 21 - ... they next lay out the whole area in little squares of equal sizes, formed by narrow paths which cross each other at right angles ; and which are also made very smooth. At each intersection of these paths an albatross constructs her nest, while in the centre of each little square is a penguin's nest; so that each albatross is surrounded by four penguins ; and each penguin has an albatross for its neighbor in four directions.
Page 7 - Their industry seems almost equal to that of the bee : throughout the day they appear to be busily employed in carrying a fine species of grass, — which is the principal material they employ for the purpose of erecting this extraordinary work, as well as for additions and repairs. Though...
Page 7 - I have observed with their boughs completely covered over, it would appear that this is really the case. When the tree, which is the support of this aerial city, is obliged to give way to the increase of weight, it is obvious that they are no longer protected, and are under the necessity of building in other trees.
Page 18 - As the feathers on the breast are delicately white, with a line of black running across the crop, they have been aptly compared, when seen at a little distance, to a company of children with white aprons tied round their waists with black strings. This feathered animal may be said to combine the qualities of men, fishes, and fowls : upright like the first ; their wings and feet acting the part of fins, like the second ; and furnished with bills and feathers, like the third. Their gait on land, however,...
Page 7 - Patterson there could be no less a number, he says, than from eight hundred to one thousand residing under the same roof. He calls it a roof, because it perfectly resembles that of a thatched house; and the ridge forms an angle so acute and so smooth, projecting over the entrance of the nest below, that it is impossible for any reptile to approach them. " The industry of these birds...
Page 22 - None of the nests in these rookeries are ever left unoccupied for a single moment, until the eggs are hatched and the young ones old enough to take care of themselves. The male goes to sea...
Page 23 - ... and subalterns on a parade day. At the same time, the camp, or rookery, is in continual motion; some penguins passing through the different paths, or alleys, on their return from an aquatic excursion, eager to caress their mates after a temporary absence; while the latter are passing out, in their turn, in quest of refreshment and recreation. At the same time, the air is almost...
Page 19 - ... for flying. The next most remarkable bird to be found on these shores is the penguin's intimate associate and most particular friend the albatross. This is one of the largest and most formidable of the South Sea birds; being of the gull kind, and taking its prey upon the wing. Like many other oceanic birds, the albatross never comes on land except for the purpose of breeding; when the attachment that exists between it and the penguin is evinced in many remarkable instances; indeed it seems as...