SIDE IvIGHTS ON BIRDS 



the larger species, they were probably attached 

 to stands by light chains, or cords, as parrots and 

 cockatoos are fastened to-day. 



' ' Wilt thou play with him as with a bird, and 

 wilt thou bind him for thy maidens ? " 



That the bird-catcher's art was well known to 

 and regularly practised by the ancient Hebrews 

 is clear from many references. There are 



seven Hebrew words for different kinds of bird- 

 snares. The throw-stick, the springe, or snickle of 

 wire or horse-hair — ^the clap-net — ^traps of various 

 kinds, and decoy birds were all habitually used. 

 In this connection it is interesting to note that in 

 the still more ancient sacred writings of India 

 the Upanishats — certain precepts which have 

 been handed down from copies taken from thin 

 oblong discs or plates, which were found attached 

 to the altars of ancient ruined and buried temples — 

 comparisons are made to the bird-catcher, ' ' like 

 a bird caught in the fowler's lime." 



By reason of the variety of elevations and tem- 

 peratures in Palestine, the species of birds to be 

 found there are perhaps more widely diversified 

 than in any other country of the same latitude. 

 The most conspicuous feature is the very great 

 number of birds-of-prey. The eagle, so fre- 

 quently referred to, is believed by Canon Tristram 

 not to be the golden eagle, but the griffon vulture, 

 the type of Nistock, the eagle-headed god of the 

 Assyrians. 



The natural history of this most majestic bird 

 is set forth in many graphic passages — ^the bare 

 neck and head of the griffon is described by Micah : 

 its swiftness in flight, keenness of vision, and 

 habit of congregating to feed on the slain, by Job. 



In Exodus, its care in training its young is 

 depicted, and Jeremiah refers to its custom of 

 frequenting the dizziest cliffs for nesting. 



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