NATURAL HISTORY. 



" Harsh your lore-notes thrill, 

 To me no pleasure Nature now can yield; 

 Alike the barren rock and woody hill, 

 The dark-brown blasted heath and fruitful field." CKATTES.TOK. 



When the eggs of birds are exchanged for others of a uniform 

 magnitude, or provided the difference is not so great as to occasion 

 them to be forsaken, no disturbance ensues, whatever their 

 colour may be, the change either not being perceived, or 

 totally disregarded. 



827. Wliy do birds of the cuckoo kind perch upon, the backs of 

 oxen while grazing? 



Many of them eat the insects which infest cattle ; and the latter 

 are so well aware of the fact, as well as grateful for it, that they 

 frequently lie down, in order that the bird may devour its prey 

 undisturbed. 



828. Why is the, bird known as the wry-neck so called? 



Because it has a habit of moving its head in various directions, 

 not unlike a snake ; this is especially the case when discovered 

 in its nest, upon which occasions it writhes its head quickly 

 from shoulder to shoulder, with strange and apparently painful 

 contortions. 



829. Why are love-birds so named f 



From the singular degree of attachment to each other which 

 they manifest ; sitting closely side by side caressing each other, 

 arranging each other's plumage, and exhibiting various marks Oi 

 mutual regard. 



830. Why is the oven bird so designated f 

 From the singular oven-like form of its nest. 



831. it is a native of South America, but is occasionally found in Southern 

 Europe. The nest, whence it takes its name, is placed in the most exposed 

 situations, as the top of a post, a bare rock, or a cactus. It is composed of mud 

 and bits of straw, and has strong, thick walls : in shape it precisely resembles an 

 even, or a depressed bee -hive. The opening is large and arched, and directly in 

 front. Within the nest there is a partition which reaches aearly to the roof : thus 

 forming a passage, or anti-chamber, to the true nest. 



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