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Wild Birds 



fluffy worsted, of a dark cream color mottled with brown, colors 

 which harmonize well with the usual tints of the soil. You had 

 to look a second time to detect the stub of a beak at the base of 



Fig. 77. Young Night Hawk in enclosure on spot where it was born, and where it 

 remained until able to fly when eighteen days old. 



which the large round nostrils were sufficiently prominent. 

 Whenever this bird was aroused from its all-day slumbers the 

 eyelids would gradually open and disclose a pair of large, soft, 

 deep blue eyes, the lower lids showing decided angular contours 

 which became more striking as the bird grew. 



The mother brooded during the heat of the day or sat as if 

 dozing beside her charge. When surprised at such times she 

 rose and with feathers erect and tail spread fluttered off in a 

 slow shambling manner as if to encourage pursuit. With her 

 feathers raised and her huge mouth wide open, or the mandible 

 vibrating up and down with an audible snapping sound, as if 

 set on springs, this bird presented a curious appearance, recalling 



