Part 3 (2/2)
[Ill.u.s.tration: {An apteryx, or kiwi}]
Another point which sets forth the resources of Infinite Wisdom is the structure and uses of the wings of birds. The size of the wings is not always in proportion to the bulk of their bodies, but is accommodated to their habits of living. Accordingly, birds of prey, swallows, and such birds as are intended to hover long in the air, have much longer wings, in proportion to their size, than hens, ducks, quails, etc. In some, such as the ostrich, the ca.s.siowary, and the penguin, the largest quill-feathers of the wing are entirely wanting.
Then, again, how varied is the flight of birds! The falcon soars above the clouds, and remains in the air for many hours without any sign of exertion. The swallow, the lark, and other species, sail long distances with little effort. Others, like the sparrow and the humming-bird, have a fluttering flight. Some, as the owl, fly without any noise; and some, like the partridge, with a loud whir.
”Around the head Of wandering swain the white-winged plover wheels Her sounding flight, and then directly on In long excursion skims the level lawn, To tempt him from her nest.”
How graceful are the motions of the hawk, sweeping higher and higher in circles, as he surveys far and wide the expanse of fields and meadows below, in which he hopes to espy his prey. Our paper would be too long were we to say even a little about the roosting, the swimming, or running, the migration, the habits and instincts, the varied notes and pleasant songs, of the endless species of birds.
All these subjects are well worthy of being carefully studied; for they all show the design of their Creator. The extraordinary creature represented in the engraving is the ”Apteryx,” or ”wingless bird” of New Zealand. It was not known to European naturalists till of late years, and for a long time the accounts which the natives of New Zealand gave of it were discredited. A specimen of it, preserved in brine, was, however, brought to this country, and a full description of the bird given.
The kirvi-kirvi, as the New Zealanders call it, stands about two feet high. Its wings are so small that they can scarcely be called wings, and are not easy to find under the general plumage of the body. Its nostrils, strange to say, are at the tip of the beak. The toes are strong, and well adapted for digging, the hind one being a thick, h.o.r.n.y spur. To add to the singularity of this creature, it has no tail whatever. The kirvi-kirvi conceals itself among the extensive beds of fern which abound in the middle island of New Zealand, and it makes a nest of fern for its eggs in deep holes, which it hollows out of the ground. It feeds on insects, and particularly worms, which it disturbs by stamping on the ground, and seizes the instant they make their appearance. Night is the season when it is most active; and the natives hunt it by torchlight. When pursued, it elevates its head, like an ostrich, and runs with great swiftness. It defends itself, when overtaken, with much spirit, inflicting dangerous blows with its strong spur-armed feet.
In this instance, as in all others, G.o.d has wisely adapted the very shape and limbs of the creature to the habits by which it was intended to be distinguished.
F. F. E.
KINDNESS REWARDED.
When Agrippa was in a private station, he was accused, by one of his servants, of having spoken injuriously of Tiberius, and was condemned by that emperor to be exposed in chains before the palace gate. The weather was very hot, and Agrippa became excessively thirsty. Seeing Thaumastus, a servant of Caligula, pa.s.s by him with a pitcher of water, he called to him, and entreated leave to drink. The servant presented the pitcher with much courtesy; and Agrippa, having allayed his thirst, said to him,--
”a.s.sure thyself, Thaumastus, that if I get out of this captivity, I will one day pay thee well for this draught of water.”
Tiberius dying, his successor, Caligula, soon after not only set Agrippa at liberty, but made him king of Judea. In this high situation Agrippa was not unmindful of the gla.s.s of water given to him when a captive.
He immediately sent for Thaumastus, and made him controller of his household.
[Ill.u.s.tration: {People gathering hay}]
A DREAM OF SUMMER.
West wind and suns.h.i.+ne Braided together, What is the one sign But pleasant weather?
Birds in the cherry-trees, Bees in the clover; Who half so gay as these All the world over?
Violets among the gra.s.s, Roses regretting How soon the summer 'll pa.s.s,-- Next year forgetting.
Buds sighing in their sleep, ”Summer, pray grant us Youth, that its bloom will keep Fragrance to haunt us!”
Rivulets that s.h.i.+ne and sing, Sunbeams abetting,-- No more remembering Their frozen fretting.
Sweet music in the wind, Sun in the showers; All these we're sure to find In summer hours.
MARY N. PRESCOTT.
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