American Ornithology, Or The Natural History of the Birds of the United States: Illustrated with Plates, Engraved and Coloured from Original Drawings Taken from Nature, Volume 2

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"The second full edition of Wilson's work, with plates in their most desirable form. This is the most important work on American ornithology before Audubon."--William Reece Company.

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Page 4 - District Clerk's Office. BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the seventh day of May, AD 1828, in the fifty-second year of the Independence of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SG Goodrich, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit...
Page 102 - The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark When neither is attended, and I think The nightingale, if she should sing by day, When every goose is cackling, would be thought No better a musician than the wren.
Page 21 - See man for mine!" replies a pamper'd goose: And just as short of reason he must fall, Who thinks all made for one, not one for all.
Page 98 - ... the savage scream of the bald eagle. In measure and accent he faithfully follows his originals ; in force and sweetness of expression he greatly improves upon them.
Page 30 - We are told, in the benevolent language of the scriptures, not to muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn...
Page 79 - Sips with inserted tube, the honeyed blooms, And chirps his gratitude as round he roams; While richest roses, though in crimson drest, Shrink from the splendour of his gorgeous breast; What heav'nly tints in mingling radiance fly! Each rapid movement gives a different dye; Like scales of bumish'd gold they dazzling show, Now sink to shade — now like a furnace glow...
Page 99 - The Mocking-bird loses little of the power and energy of his song by confinement. In his domesticated state, when he commences his career of song, it is impossible to stand by uninterested. He whistles for the dog; Caesar starts up, wags his tail, and runs to meet his master.
Page 100 - ... which he exquisitely manages, are mingled with the screaming of swallows, or the cackling of hens ; amidst the simple melody of the...
Page 99 - While thus exerting himself, a bystander, destitute of sight, would suppose that the whole feathered tribes had assembled together on a trial of skill, each striving to produce his utmost effect, so perfect are his imitations. He many times deceives the sportsman, and sends him in search of birds that perhaps are not within miles of him, but whose notes he exactly imitates ; even birds themselves are frequently imposed on by this admirable mimic, and are decoyed by the fancied calls of their mates,...
Page 99 - ... injured brood. The barking of the dog, the mewing of the cat, the creaking of a passing wheelbarrow, follow with great truth and rapidity. He repeats the tune taught him by his master, though of considerable length, fully and faithfully. He runs over the...

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