Produced by David Edwards, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The University of Florida, The Internet Archive/Children's Library) [Illustration: THE EAGLE.] MAMMA'S STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. BY THE AUTHOR OF "CHICKSEED WITHOUT CHICKWEED." [Illustration] LONDON: DARTON AND CO., HOLBORN HILL. LONDON: WILLIAM STEVENS, PRINTER, 37, BELL YARD, TEMPLE BAR. CONTENTS. THE EAGLE 7 THE DUCK 17 THE QUAIL 27 THE ROBIN REDBREAST 35 THE BULLFINCH 43 THE ALBATROSS 48 THE OWL 56 THE GOOSE 64 THE MAGPIE 75 THE PHEASANT 81 THE FLAMINGO 87 THE SWAN 92 THE KESTREL 100 THE VULTURE 109 THE PARROT 117 THE LAPWING 122 MAMMA'S STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. THE EAGLE. The Eagle is often called the King of Birds, and therefore it is of him that we ought to speak first. Very likely you have often seen eagles in the Zoological Gardens, and, if so, you know what noble looking birds they are. But they seem very sad in their prison-houses, to which no kindness can ever attach them. They are formed to soar boldly to the top of some lonely mountain height, and there dwell far from the abode of men. And to chain them down upon a stunted branch, within reach of all who like to go and gaze upon them, seems treating them unworthily. One can almost fancy that they show by their sullen, brooding attitude, and sparkling eyes, how much they feel themselves degraded and out of place. I cannot tell you that the Eagle is of any real service to man, but every one who has been out amongst the mountains, reckons it a fine sight if he can catch a glimpse of one or more of these noble birds soaring in the air. Eagles are found in every country where there are mountains. In Ireland, and sometimes in England and Scotland, the large golden eagle is found, and is a very fine bird. In America there is an eagle called the Bird of Washington, which is so large that its wings spread out from seven to ten feet. The body of the bird is not so very much larger than a goose; but, as this eagle can fly as many as 140 miles in an hour, it wants very large strong wings to bear it onwards. The North American Indians--you have heard of them, have you not?--fine handsome looking men they are, though copper-coloured; and in former times before Columbus first found out America, the whole of that vast continent belonged to the Indians and had no other inhabitants;--well, these men have a great feeling of reverence for the eagle. They admire him very much, because he is bold, active, watchful, and patient in bearing with want.