For, though it must
not be said that every species of birds has a manner peculiar to
itself, yet there is somewhat in most genera at least, that at first
sight discriminates them, and enables a judicious observer to
pronounce upon them with some certainty. Put a bird in moron
... Et Vera incessu patuit....
Thus kites and buzzards sail round in circles with wings expanded
and motionless; and it is from their gliding manner that the former
are still called in the north of England gleads, from the Saxon verb
glidan to glide. The kestrel, or wind-hover, has a peculiar mode of
hanging in the air in one place, his wings all the while being
briskly agitated. Hen-harriers fly low over heaths or fields of corn,
and beat the ground regularly like a pointer or setting-dog. Owls
move in a buoyant manner, as if lighter than the air; they seem to
want ballast. There is a peculiarity belonging to ravens that must
draw the attention even of the most incurious -- they spend all their
leisure time in striking and cuffing each other on the wing in a kind
of playful skirmish; and, when they move from one place to
another, frequently turn on their backs with a loud croak, and seem
to be falling to the ground.
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