Cassell's book of birds; vol. 1Brehm, Alfred Edmund
Science
Cassell's book of birds; vol. 1
Brehm, Alfred Edmund
Birds
few hours later behold them captives in the net. At first the little
prisoners are wild and defiant, but soon become tractable, and eat the
canary-seed laid before them. The sport of catching these birds is one
that we have fully enjoyed, and may boast our skill in this respect.
What could be more exhilarating than an expedition, net in hand, during
the early morning, through those boundless plains, when, after a short
concealment behind a mass of rock, we emerge to find our labours so
richly rewarded? We brought ten Desert Trumpeters with us to Germany, and
feel fully entitled to speak as to their qualifications as domestic pets.
On their passage home we had a terrible storm, that lasted for many days,
and during the whole of that time the birds, in defiance of the cold,
continued to pour out their song.
The fact above recorded shows the Moros to be hardy, much-enduring birds,
which, though they love to seek shelter in a warm corner, can endure a
considerable degree of cold. Even in this severe climate they may be
kept in the open air from April to October, although they should not be
exposed to frost. Our own are very social, and fond of expressing their
confidence by the cheerfulness of their song--indeed, that of the male
may be heard late into the autumn and winter. Unlike other birds kept
in a room, they are most lively in the evening; no sooner is the lamp
lighted than the little captives begin to trumpet forth their cry. The
concerts with which we are entertained at these times are most amusing.
The performance begins with their loud and clear trumpet-call, changing
gradually into the protracted droning sound that mainly constitutes
their song; after which they give utterance to a variety of noises, some
of which are not unlike the mewing of a cat. At another time they will
commence with light clear notes, resembling those of a little silver
bell, and these are succeeded by an entirely different cry, which we
might compare to the song of a Bunting. Their quavering call is usually
followed by one much deeper and rapidly uttered, and their changes of
temper are expressed by various tones, which are poured forth with great
point and expression. The Moros are rarely heard to chatter amongst
themselves, as do the smaller kinds of parrots, but merely employ a sound
not unlike the cackling of a hen three or four times repeated, and their
cry when alarmed or surprised is quite peculiar. Should any one attempt
to catch them, they quaver forth a piteous sound, so full and expressive
that we are astonished that it can be produced by so small a creature.
The sound to which we allude is uttered with the head laid back and the
beak wide open, while the gentler notes, on the contrary, are produced
with the beak closed. During their song, and particularly in the breeding
season, these birds accompany themselves with a variety of the most
comical movements, dancing about their companions, and chasing each other
with great zeal.
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