SOME COMMON BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA 



369 



Fig. 249. — Chimney swift sitting 

 on nest which was attached to the 

 inside of a chimney twenty feet from 

 the top. (Photo, by Hegner.) 



Land Birds. — Birds are more abundant in the vicinity of 

 ponds and streams than anywhere else, but many of them live 

 mostly on land, going to water 

 only when thirsty. These may 

 be called land birds. 



Game Birds. — The grouse, 

 bob whites, pheasants, and tur- 

 keys are the true game birds. 

 The game birds are, as a rule, 

 terrestrial, but many of them 

 roost or feed in trees. Their 

 nests are usually made on the 

 ground in grass or leaves, and generally a large number of 

 eggs, from six to eighteen, is laid (Fig. 243). The members of 

 one family often remain together as a " covey," and in some 

 species the coveys unite to form large flocks. The wild turkey 



is the largest American 

 game bird. 



Pigeons and Doves. 

 — The mourning dove 

 is a common North 

 American species often 

 mistaken for the pas- 

 senger pigeon which is 

 now extinct. It makes 

 a flimsy nest of a few 

 twigs and lays two 

 white eggs. The young 

 are naked when born, and are fed by regurgitation. 



Birds of Prey. — Vultures, falcons, eagles, hawks, kites, 

 and owls are called birds of prey because of their habit of prey- 

 ing upon small birds and other animals. 



The vultures live on carrion, and in warm countries are valu- 

 able as scavengers. The California vulture or condor is one of 

 the largest of all flying birds. 



Fig. 250. — Chimney swift clinging beside her 

 nest down in a chimney. (Photo, by Hegner.) 



