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THE GRIFFON VULTURE, OR EAGLE OF SCRIPTURE.
The Griffon Vulture identified with the Eagle of Scripture-The word Nesher and
its signification-Geographical range of the Griffon-Its mode of flight and
sociable habits-The featherless head and neck of the bird-The Vulture used
as an image of strength, swiftness, and rapacity-Its powers of sight--How
Vultures assemble round a carcase- -Nesting-places of the Griffon-Mr.
Tristram's description of the Griffon-Rock-caves of the Wady Hamam-Care
of the young, and teaching them to fly-Strength of the Griffon--Its emble-
matical use in Egypt and Assyria-The god Nisroch-Noble aspect of the
Griffon-Its longevity-Various attitudes assumed by the bird.
. 314
THE EAGLE.
Signification of the word Asniyeh-The Golden Eagle and its habits-The Imperial
Eagle-Its solitary mode of life-The Short-toed Eagle common in Palestine
-Its zoological position-Food of the Short-toed Eagle-Its form and
colour . . 354
THE OSPREY.
The Osprey, or Fishing Eagle-Its geographical range-Mode of securing prey-
Structure of its feet-Its power of balancing itself in the air
356
THE KITE, OR VULTURE OF SCRIPTURE.
The word Dayah and its signification-Dayah a collective term for different
species of Kites-The Common or Red Kite plentiful in Palestine-Its piercing
sight and habit of soaring-The Black Kite of Palestine and its habits-The
Egyptian Kite-The Raah or Glede of Scripture The Buzzards and their
habits-The Peregrine Falcon an inhabitant of Central Palestine, and the
Lanner of the eastern parts of the country
. 357
THE HAWK.
The Netz or Hawk-Number of species probably grouped under that name-Rare
occurrence of the word—The Sparrow-Hawk and its general habits—Its place
of nesting-The Kestrel, or Wind-hover-Various names by which it is known
in England-Its mode of feeding and curious flight-The Hariers-Probable
derivation of the name-Species of Hariers known to inhabit Palestine-
Falconry apparently unknown to the ancient Jews.
364
THE OWL.
The words which have been translated as "Owl"-The Côs, or Little Owl-Use
made of the Little Owl in bird-catching-Habits of the bird-The Barn,
Screech, or White Owl a native of Palestine-The Yanshûph, or Egyptian
Eagle Owl-Its food and nest-The Lilith, or Night Monster-Various
interpretations of the word-The Kippoz probably identical with the Scops
Owl, or Marouf
370
THE NIGHT-HAWK.
Different interpretations of the word Tachmas-Probability that it signifies the
Nightjar-Various names of the bird-Its remarkable jarring cry, and wheel-
ing flight-Mode of feeding-Boldness of the bird-Deceptive appearance of
. 377
its size
THE SWALLOW.
Identification of the smaller birds-Oriental indifference to natural history-Use
of collective terms-The Swallow-Signification of the word Deror—The Bird
of Liberty-Swallows and Swifts-The Sunbirds and Bee-eaters-Variety of
small birds found in Palestine-The Swallows of Palestine-Swallows pro-
tected by man in various countries-Nesting of the Swallow-The Rufous
Swallow and Martin-The Sis or Swift-Various species of Swift inhabiting
the Holy Land-Talmudical notions of the Swift or Swallow The leper
and his offering-The cooking pot and the sacrificial vessel-Signification
of the word Tzippor-deror
THE HOOPOE, OR LAPWING OF SCRIPTURE.
381
The Dukiphath of Scripture-Various interpretations of the word-The
Hoopoe-Its beauty and ill reputation-The unpleasant odour of its nest-
Food of the Hoopoe-Its beautiful nest, and remarkable gestures-A curious
legend of Solomon and the Hoopoe . 392
THE SPARROW.
Signification of the word Tzippor-The bird used for the leper's sacrifice-The
Sparrow upon the house-top-Architecture of the East-Proclamation from
the house-tops-The Blue Thrush, its appearance and habits-Little birds
exposed for sale in the market-The two Sparrows sold for a farthing-Bird-
catching-The net, the snare, and the trap-The Sparrow that builds her nest
in the Temple-The Tree Sparrow-Various Sparrows that inhabit Palestine-
Birds kept in cages. 395
THE CUCKOO.
The Cuckoo only twice mentioned in Scripture-Difficulty of identifying the
Shachaph-The common species, and the Great Spotted Cuckoo-Deposit-
ing the egg-Conjectures respecting the Shachaph-Etymology of the word—
The various gulls, and other sea-birds
405
THE DOVE.
Parallel between the lamb and the Dove-Derivation of the Hebrew word
Yonah-The Dove and the olive branch-Abram's sacrifice, and its acceptance
-The sacrifice according to the law of Moses-The Dove-sellers of the
Temple-Talmudical zoology-The story of Ilisch-The Dove and the raven
-The Dove a type of Israel-The Beni-yonâh, or Sons of Pigeons-Home.
finding instinct of the pigeon-The Oriental Dove-cotes-Voice of the
Dove-Its strength of wing--The Dove's dung of Samaria-Various pigeons
of Palestine-The Rock Dove and its multitudes-The Dove and the Griffon
-The Turtle Doves of Palestine, and their appearance and habits
408
POULTRY.
Poultry plentiful in Palestine at the present day-The Domestic Fowl unknown
in the early times of Israel-The eating and gathering of eggs-References to
Poultry in the New Testament-The egg and the scorpion-The fatted fowl of
Solomon-The hen brooding over her eggs-Poultry prohibited within Jeru-
salem-The cock-crowing.
421
THE PEACOCK.
The foreign curiosities imported by Solomon-The word Tucciyim and its various
interpretations-Identity of the word with the Cingalese name of the Peacock
-Reasons why the Peacock should have been brought to Solomon-Its sub-
sequent neglect and extirpation
425
THE PARTRIDGE.
The word Kore and its signification-The Partridge upon the mountains-David's
simile The Desert Partridge and its habits-Hunting the Partridge with
sticks-Eggs of the Partridge-A disputed reading, and probable signification
of the passage-Egg-hunting in Palestine-The various species of Partridge-
The Francolin and the Sand-grouse.
426
THE QUAIL
Signification of the word Selav-Various passages in which the word is men-
tioned-The locust, the stork, and the sand-grouse-Spreading the birds
around the camp-Migration of the Quail-Drying the Quails for food-Modes
of catching the Quail in the East-The Quail-hunters of Northern Africa-
Quarrelsome nature of the bird-Quail-fighting in the East-How the Quails
were brought to the Israelites .
THE RAVEN.
430
Signification of the word Oreb-The Raven tribe plentiful in Palestine-The
Raven and the dove-Elijah and the Ravens-Various explanations of the
circumstance-Feeding the young Ravens-Luis of Grenada's sermon--The
white Raven of ancient times-An old legend-Reference to the blackness
of the Raven's plumage-Desert-loving habits of the Raven-Its mode of
attacking the eye-Notions of the old commentators-Ceremonial use of the
Raven-Return of the Ravens-Cunning of the bird-Nesting-places of the
Raven-The magpie and its character-The starling-Its introduction into
Palestine-The Rabbi perplexed--Solution of the difficulty. . 439
THE OSTRICH.
Hebrew words designating the Ostrich-Description of the bird in the Book of Job
-Ancient use of Ostrich plumes-Supposed heedlessness of eggs and young-
Mode of depositing the eggs-Hatching them in the sand-Natural enemies
of the Ostrich-Anecdote of Ostriches and their young-Alleged stupidity of
the Ostrich-Methods of hunting and snaring the bird-The Ostrich in
domestication-Speed of the Ostrich-The flesh of the bird prohibited to the
Jews-Ostrich eggs and their uses-Food of the Ostrich-Mode of drinking---
Cry of the Ostrich, and reference made to it in Micah. 450
THE BITTERN.
Signification of the word Kippod-The Bittern and its general appearance-The
bird of solitude-Difficulty of detecting the Bittern in its haunts-Mudie's
description of the Bittern and its home-The strange cry of the bird--Super-
stitions connected with it-The Night-raven-Nest of the Bittern-Scarcity
of the bird at the present day-Food of the Bittern-The bird formerly brought
to table.
462
THE HERON.
The Heron mentioned as an unclean bird-The Heron used for food in England,
and considered as a delicacy-Sociable character of the bird, and its mode of
feeding-Its enormous appetite-How the Heron fights-Ancient falconry-
Nesting of the Heron-The papyrus marshes and their dangers--Description of
the papyrus-Vessels of bulrushes-The Egret and its beautiful plumage--
Uses of the train feathers.
468
THE CRANE.
Various passages in which the Crane is mentioned-Its migratory habits and loud
voice-Geographical range of the Crane-The bird once plentiful in the fen
districts of England-Its favourite roosting-places-Size of the Crane, and
measurement of the wings-The Crane once used as food-Plumes of the Crane
and their use-Structure of the vocal organs-Nest and eggs of the Crane. 474
THE STORK.
Signification of the Hebrew word Chasidah-Various passages in which it is
mentioned-The Chasidah therefore a large, wide-winged, migratory bird-Its
identification with the Stork-Derivation of its Hebrew name-The Stork
always protected-Uses of the tail-Its mode of quartering the ground in
search of food-Migratory habits of the Stork-Nesting of the bird, and its
favourite localities-The fir-trees of Palestine-Love of the Stork for its
young . 478
THE SWAN.
Signification of the word Tinshemeth-The Gallinule and the Ibis-Appear-
ance and habits of the Hyacinthine Gallinule-A strange use for the bird-
The White or Sacred Ibis-The bird mentioned by Herodotus-The Glossy
Ibis, or Black Ibis-Veneration with which the bird was regarded. . . 485
THE CORMORANT.
The word Shalak and its signification-The Greek Catarrhactes-Habits of the
Cormorant The bird trained to catch fish-Mode of securing its prey-Nests
and eggs of the Cormorant-Nesting in fir-trees-Flesh of the bird . 490
THE PELICAN.
The Pelican of the wilderness-Attitudes of the bird-Its love of solitude-
Derivation of the Hebrew word-Fantastic interpretation-Mode of feeding
the young-Fables regarding the Pelican-Breeding-places of the bird-The
object of its wide wings and large pouch-Colour of the Pelican 495