"■•V. THE HISTORY OF CURIOUS AND WONDERFUL BIRDS. The birds that rise on trembling wing, Appear to hymn their Maker's praise, And all the mingling sounds of Spring, T© God a general song do raise. NEW-YORK: Printed and sold by Mablon Day* At the J\Pcw Juvenile Bookst§rc % No. 376, Pearl-streeu HHHHMBHH rHE HISTORY OT CURIOUS AND WONDERFUL BIRDS. The birds that rise on trembling wing, Appear to hymn their Maker's prawo And all the mingling sounds of Spring, To God a general song do raise. NEW-YORK: Printed and sold by Mahlon Da$ M the New Juvenile Bookstore t No. 376, Pearl-street. 2 THE TOUCAN. This bkd is a native of South America, very conspicuous for the bigness and shape of its bill. The monkies .are his bitter enemies; they often attack his nest, but Pro- vidence has allotted him a head and beak of such a size, as to fill up the whole entrance of his nest; and when the plunderer approaches, the bird gives him such a rough welcome, that the monkey is glad to run away. 3 THE PENGUIN. This bird is never seen far from *hore, and it is therefore, a sure in- dication to the seamen, who observe it, that land is near. Its legs are placed very far back, which makes the bird a bad walker ; but it swim* and dives well. It walks erect, when on the land, and makes a very curious sight. 4 THE OSTRICH. This is the largest of birds, being ten feet in height, when il raises its head. It is a glutton in eating, for it will devour leather. glass, iron, bread and hair, as well as other food. The eggs of an Os- trich are about the size of an infant's head. The Ostrich is hunted for its feathers, the surpassing beautj of which is well known. These fine feathers are from the tail of the bird. I j '',■".*.'."-: ■ THE CRANE. These birds fly from the south la the Spring, and spend their Sum- mer in northern regions. Their flight is generally so high, that they are rarely observed . They may be seen afar off, with their long necks stretched out, and slim legs hang- ing behind, with slow steady flap, the sight of which has often de- lighted us. They sometimes utter a shrill cry, which caa be heard two mUesh 6 THE WREN. This little gossip usually makes her nest near the garden, in some box or crevice of a tree ; or she will put up with an old hat, nailed against the weather-hoards, with a *mall bole for an entrance. They bate a cat ; they have been seen to fly at puss, who sat in the gar- den, and snap their little beak very ipitafully close to her ears, whilo puss would strike back with her Swift paw, trying to catch the bird, ©?s THE CUCKOO. The song of this bird is closely connected with our ideas of reviv- ing spring. When singing, thia bird is very seldom seen, as hi* shyness induces him to hide himself in thickets. The European Cuckoo is sup- posed to build no nest, and, what ia extraordinary, the female Cuckoo deposits her solitary egg in the nest of another bird, by which it is hatched. 8 THE WOODPECKER. The Woodpecker makes his nest by digging with his beak into the trunk or limb of some decayed tree, forming a circular cavity, in which the eggs are deposited, and the young ones hatched. He climbs along the trunks of trees, and discovers by the appear- ance of the bark, where the insect is lurking. The multitude of cat- erpillars, bugs, and worms which one of these birds devours in a day is surprising. •muMMX*!! I|P«WM THE PHEASANT. The Pheasant of Europe, in shape and plumage, is one of the most elegant of birds. It was originally brought from the banks of the river Phasis, in Asia Minor, whence it derives its name. It is beautifully marked with various brilliant hues. The cock Pheasant is considerably larger, his tail longer, and his plu- mage more brilliant than that of the ben Pheasant. 10 THE PEACOCK. The plumage of this bird is more gorgeous and beautiful than any other of the feathered race. Its form is also elegant ; and, as if con- scious of these personal advantages, it often spreads its gaudy tail, and marches about with a pompous step, apparently vain of its beauty, and anxious to display to the eye of tlie beholder, its rich and changing hues. Yet the Peacock is nearly an useless bird, and its voice harsh. 11 THE PARROT. Some years since, a parrot hi Boston, that had been taught to whistle in the manner of calling a dog, was sitting in his cage at the door of a shop. As he was whistling one day, a large dog happened to be passing. The animal imagining that his master called him, turned suddenly about and ran towards the cage. Just then the bird exclaimed a Get out, you brute!" The dog scampered quickly away. ./,$.] ;t,r*.'iniVLf}.:- 12 THE HUMMING BIRD. There are seventy kinds of Hun>- cning Birds, nearly all of them na- tives of America, yet only one kind visits the United States. He fre- quents the gardens, and sips the ho- ney-suckle and other plants, like the hive and humble bee. The nest of this bird is very small, and is beautifully lined with the down of the mullen. 13 THE BLUE JAY. This elegant bird is distinguished as a kind of beau among the feather- ed tenants of our woods, by the brilliancy of his dress, and, like most other coxcombs, makes hin> self still more noted by his noise, and the oddness of his tones and gestures. In the charming season of Spring, when every thicket pour* forth harmony, the part performed by the Jay always catches the fc&r. 14 THE STORMY PETRE^ MotJier Carey's Chiclcerm This bird is about the size of & swallow. It is seen in all parts or the ocean, busily engaged in search* ing for food. It braves the storm, skimming along the waves, some- times above the tops, then again by •inking down into the billows be- tween them. It does not sit upon the water, but often places its frM tapsa it, while feeding. IS THE SWAN. The Swan is the largest of aft web-footed water-fowl, some of them weighing above 20 lbs. The whole body is covered with a beau- tiful lily-white plumage. The ele- gance of his form, which this bird displays, when, with his arched neck and half displayed wings, he sails along the crystal surface of tho stream, which reflects, as he passes, the snowy beauty of his dress, is worthy of admiration. 10 THE WOODCOCK* During the day, this bird sleeps hi the woods and thickets, and at the approach of evening seeks the springs, and open marshy places, to feed in. It usually feeds in the night. Its flesh is reckoned very delicious, and no game is more prized by sportsmen. It is about as large as a Quail, and has a biU tkree inches long. THE END* *^~^mmmr*m SfH*' SCHOOL BOOKS, For Salt by M. Day, 376 Pearl-st.. DICTIONARIES. Ely's new dictionary, 8 Webster's dictionary ,Iarge&small. Walker's dictionary^ Johnson's dictionary, Nomenclature, (Burhan's) Primary dictionary, Juvenile Expositor, New- York Expositor, Grimshaw's Etymology, Ladies' Lexicon-, ' Speller and Definer, « Nugent's French dictionary, ] Barnes' Red Book, or practical