BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE 



161 



Canada grouse Nu GuC 



The grouse spend most of their time on the ground but when 

 alarmed take flight and are almost immediately at full speed. 

 They can do this because of their short wings. Such tremendous 

 effort can not be kept up long and they usually do not fly far. 

 Note the short wings of this bird. 



Pintails Nu Pn8 



These birds are just taking flight as may be judged by the 

 position of the feet. Note how the primaries of the rear bird 

 are spread. 



Flicker Nu FkN8 



Note the spread primaries and draw conclusions. 

 e Speed 



Accomplished, as in darting, by an increase in the number of 

 wing strokes. If the speed is to be maintained for any length 

 of time, a very short wing is too fatiguing, so some birds have 

 developed pointed wings of greater length. The most powerful 

 flyers, such as the falcons, swallow and shore birds, belong to 

 this class. 



Sparrow hawk Nu HT8 



The sparrow hawk is one of the falcons. 



Barn swallow Nu SuC4 



Note the long-pointed wings. The tail also is always well 

 developed in this group of swift-flying birds. 



Bank swallows Nu SuB6 



Compare with the preceding. The bank swallows are less 

 powerful flyers than the barn swallows. Why? 



Purple martins Nu MeP8 



Compare with the preceding and make deductions. 



Semipalmated sandpipers Nu SR8 



Although so very different when at rest from the swallows, 

 when on the wing they appear quite similar. Why? 



Least sandpiper Nu SL8 



Compare with the preceding. 



Red-breasted merganser Nu MhR8 



Note the shape and relative length of wing. 

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