Читать книгу Migration of Birds онлайн

23 страница из 25

Many species of wading and swimming birds migrate either by day or night, as they are able to feed at all hours, and are not accustomed to seek safety in concealment. Some diving birds, including ducks that submerge when in danger, sometimes travel over water by day and over land at night. The day migrants include, in addition to some of the ducks and geese, the loons, cranes, gulls, pelicans, hawks, swallows, nighthawks, and the swifts. All of these are strong-winged birds. The swifts, swallows, and nighthawks (sometimes called bullbats) feed entirely on flying insects, and use their short, weak feet and legs only for grasping a perch during periods of rest or sleep. Thus they feed as they travel, the circling flocks being frequently seen in late summer working gradually southward. Years ago before birds of prey were so thoughtlessly slaughtered, great flocks of red-tailed. Swainson's, and rough-legged hawks might be seen wheeling majestically across the sky in the Plains States, and in the East the flights of broad-winged. Cooper's, and sharp-skinned hawks are still occasionally seen. To the birds of prey and possibly to the gulls also, a day's fasting now and then is no hardship, particularly since they frequently gorge themselves to repletion when opportunity is afforded.

Правообладателям