Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’ (Job 35:11 NKJV)
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Author Archives: Lee
Birdwatcher or Bird Collector?
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) at Bok Tower By Dan’sPix
I just finished reading an article in the August 2012 issue of “BirdWatching” Magazine by Maeve Kim. It is called “Born-Again Bird-Watcher.” The title caught my interest since I am a “Born-again Christian.” The article, of course, had nothing to do with religion but was about watching birds.
She, Maeve, had progressed from being a birdwatcher that just loved to watch birds and make notes in a field notebook.
“My old field notebooks are full of exclamation points and underlinings and capital letters. “GREEN HERON at beaver pond! Glowing chestnut throat and neck! Gorgeous!”
I described everything I saw about a bird’s physical appearance, behavior, and song. Often, my notebook entries ended with questions that I hoped might be answered if I watched more birds.”
Progression went from lots of information to just a “checklist” were just seeing the bird and checking it off became the main goal. This is called a “Bird Getter” and not a bird watcher. Long interesting story short, Maeve has now gone back to “watching” the birds even common ones. It is a very good article.
Wood Duck male – Lake Morton 6-28-12 by Lee
As I have “progressed” in my own birdwatching I also have learned about “journals,” “notebooks” and “lists.” I enjoy seeing my “Life List of Birds” grow, but I try not to just want to “check them off” so the list will grow. As a Christian believing that the Lord created the birds, I enjoy watching them, their behaviors, their sounds, how they fly and eat and writing about them. I am amazed at His design and paintbrush used. How each bird was given just the right beak, feet, song, flight pattern, etc. is awesome.
She said, “True Bird-Watchers enjoy every single minute that they’re out birding. They don’t come home feeling cheated because they didn’t get a rare Dovekie. Instead, they celebrate every time they see a Black Guillemot’s (her common) red feet flashing under cold water.”
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher at Circle B Reserve by Lee
Every time we go to our local parks, I still enjoy watching the antics of our local common birds. May we never tire or grow weary of “only ” seeing a bird that we have seen many times before.
But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. “Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this, (Job 12:7,9 NASB)
How can we learn from the birds if we don’t watch them?
See
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Birds Vol 2 #1 – The Bald-headed Eagle
The Bald-headed Eagle (Bald Eagle) – Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897
Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited
Vol 2. July, 1897 No. 1
THE BALD-HEADED EAGLE.
Dear Boys and Girls:
I had hoped to show you the picture of the eagle that went through the war with the soldiers. They called him “Old Abe.” You will find on page 35 a long story written about him. Ask some one to read it to you.
I could not get “Old Abe,” or you should now be looking at his picture. He is at present in Wisconsin, and his owner would not allow him to be taken from home.
I did the next best thing, and found one that was very much like him. They are as near alike as two children of a family. Old Abe’s feathers are not quite so smooth, though. Do you wonder, after having been through the war? He is a veteran, isn’t he?
The picture is that of a Bald-headed Eagle. He is known, also, by other names, such as White-headed Eagle, Bird of Washington, Sea Eagle.
You can easily see by the picture that he is not bald-headed. The name White-headed would seem a better name. It is because at a distance his head and neck appear as though they were covered with a white skin.
He is called “Sea Eagle” because his food is mostly fish. He takes the fish that are thrown upon the shores by the waves, and sometimes he robs the Fish Hawk of his food. (Not today – there is a Sea Eagle which is a different Eagle.)
This mighty bird usually places his large nest in some tall tree. He uses sticks three to five feet long, large pieces of sod, weeds, moss, and whatever he can find.
The nest is sometimes five or six feet through. Eagles use the same nest for years, adding to it each year.
Young eagles are queer looking birds. When hatched, they are covered with a soft down that looks like cotton.
Their parents feed them, and do not allow them to leave the nest until they are old enough to fly. When they are old enough, the mother bird pushes them out of the nest. She must be sure that they can fly, or she would not dare do this. Don’t you think so?
Eagle in nest feeding eaglets-zoomed in by Dan
THE BALD-HEADED EAGLE.
THIS mighty bird of lofty flight is a native of the whole of North America, and may be seen haunting the greater portions of the sea coasts, as well as the mouths of large rivers. He is sometimes called the White-headed Eagle, the American Sea Eagle, the Bird of Washington, the Washington Eagle, and the Sea Eagle. On account of the snowy white of his head and neck, the name Bald Eagle has been applied to him more generally than any other.
Sea-faring men are partial to young Eagles as pets, there being a well established superstition among them that the ship that carries the “King of Birds” can never go down. The old Romans, in selecting the Eagle as an emblem for their imperial standard, showed this superstitious belief, regarding him as the favorite messenger of Jupiter, holding communion with heaven. The Orientals, too, believed that the feathers of the Eagle’s tail rendered their arrows invincible. The Indian mountain tribes east of Tennessee venerated the Eagle as their bird of war, and placed a high value on his feathers, which they used for headdresses and to decorate their pipes of peace.
The United States seems to have an abiding faith in the great bird, as our minted dollars show.
The nest of the Bald Eagle is usually placed upon the top of a giant tree, standing far up on the side of a mountain, among myriads of twining vines, or on the summit of a high inaccessible rock. The nest in the course of years, becomes of great size as the Eagle lays her eggs year after year in the same nest, and at each nesting season adds new material to the old nest. It is strongly and comfortably built with large sticks and branches, nearly flat, and bound together with twining vines. The spacious interior is lined with hair and moss, so minutely woven together as to exclude the wind. The female lays two eggs of a brownish red color, with many dots and spots, the long end of the egg tapering to a point. The parents are affectionate, attend to their young as long as they are helpless and unfledged, and will not forsake them even though the tree on which they rest be enveloped in flames. When the Eaglets are ready to fly, however, the parents push them from the perch and trust them to the high atmospheric currents. They turn them out, so to speak, to shift for themselves.
The Bald Eagle has an accommodating appetite, eating almost anything that has ever had life. He is fond of fish, without being a great fisher, preferring to rob the Fish-hawk of the fruits of his skillful labor. Sitting upon the side of a mountain his keen vision surveys the plain or valley, and detects a sheep, a young goat, a fat turkey or rooster, a pig, a rabbit or a large bird, and almost within an eye-twinkle he descends upon his victim. A mighty grasp, a twist of his talons, and the quarry is dead long before the Eagle lays it down for a repast. The impetuosity and skill with which he pursues, overtakes and robs the Fish-hawk, and the swiftness with which the Bald Eagle darts down upon and seizes the booty, which the Hawk has been compelled to let go, is not the least wonderful part of this striking performance.
The longevity of the Eagle is very great, from 80 to 160 years.
Summary
BALD EAGLE.—Haliæetus leucocephalus. Other names: “White-headed Eagle,” “Bird of Washington,” “Gray Eagle,” “Sea Eagle.” Dark brown. Head, tail, and tail coverts white. Tarsus, naked. Young with little or no white.
Range—North America, breeding throughout its range.
Nest—Generally in tall trees.
Eggs—Two or three, dull white.
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Uncle Sam – Bald Eagle taken at Titusville Birding Festival
Lee’s Addition:
Today the Bald-headed Eagle is just the Bald Eagle. The Sea Eagle is a different Eagle, much larger than the Bald. Also, not so sure about 160 year life span. Will have to check that out.
We are fortunate here in Polk County and in Central Florida. We get to see Bald Eagles quite often in the winter. That picture of the nest was taken at South Lake Howard Nature Park where the Eagles return to have young each year. At Circle B Bar Reserve, which we write about, they have several active Bald Eagle nests. Right by our Publix supermarket, the eagles sit on the high electrical posts and scan the area for dinner. I used to have to travel far to see them, but now, we live right where they hang out.
I have to admit that when I see a Bald Eagle fly by or just sitting, I stop in my tracks. There is something about the Bald Eagle’s appearance that appeals to me. Also, the Eagle is a Bible Birds and is mentioned in 34 times in the King James Version, 32 in NKJV, 31 in NASB and 29 times in ESV. It varies in the other versions also. Still it is mentioned about 30 times or so. Most are great verses that tell of their strenght and mighty wings. What a magnificent creation.
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. (Exodus 19:4 KJV)
Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? (Job 39:27 KJV)
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)
Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee. (Micah 1:16 KJV)
Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited – Introduction
The above article is the first article in the monthly serial that was started in January 1897 “designed to promote Knowledge of Bird-Live.” These include Color Photography, as they call them, today they are drawings. There are at least three Volumes that have been digitized by Project Gutenberg.
To see the whole series of – Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited
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(Information from Wikipedia and other internet sources)
Next Article – The Semi-Palmated Ring Plover
Previous Article – Birds Vol 1 #6 – The Volume 1. – Index
Links:
Birds of the Bible – Eagles
Accipitridae – Family (Kites, Hawks & Eagles)
Amazing Free-Flying Bald Eagle “Challenger”
Bald Eagle – WhatBird
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Birds Illustrated By Color Photography – Volume II Indroduction
BIRDS
A MONTHLY SERIAL
ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
DESIGNED TO PROMOTE
KNOWLEDGE OF BIRD-LIFE
VOLUME II.
CHICAGO Nature Study Publishing Company
copyright, 1897 by
Nature Study Publishing Co.
chicago.
INTRODUCTION.
This is the second volume of a series intended to present, in accurate colored portraiture, and in popular and juvenile biographical text, a very considerable portion of the common birds of North America, and many of the more interesting and attractive specimens of other countries, in many respects superior to all other publications which have attempted the representation of birds, and at infinitely less expense. The appreciative reception by the public of Vol. I deserves our grateful acknowledgement. Appearing in monthly parts, it has been read and admired by thousands of people, who, through the life-like pictures presented, have made the acquaintance of many birds, and have since become enthusiastic observers of them. It has been introduced into the public schools, and is now in use as a text book by hundreds of teachers, who have expressed enthusiastic approval of the work and of its general extension. The faithfulness to nature of the pictures, in color and pose, have been commended by such ornithologists and authors as Dr. Elliott Coues, Mr. John Burroughs, Mr. J. W. Allen, editor of The Auk, Mr. Frank M. Chapman, Mr. J. W. Baskett, and others.
The general text of Birds—the biographies—has been conscientiously prepared from the best authorities by a careful observer of the feather-growing denizens of the field, the forest, and the shore, while the juvenile autobiographies have received the approval of the highest ornithological authority.
The publishers take pleasure in the announcement that the general excellence of Birds will be maintained in subsequent volumes. The subjects selected for the third and fourth volumes—many of them—will be of the rare beauty in which the great Audubon, the limner par excellence of birds, would have found “the joy of imitation.”
Nature Study Publishing Company.
BIRDS.
Illustrated by COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
Vol. II. No. 1. JULY, 1897.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Lee
Lee’s Addition:
This second volume does not have a cover photo for each month like Volume I did. They apparently changed their format. Also, there are no old time advertisements. These were reproduced through Gutenberg Project.
Will be posting the different birds soon. See Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisted.
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Bible Birds – Ravens I
Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) by Ian
And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
(Genesis 8:6-7 KJV)
Did you know that is the first bird in the Bible that we are told its name. In Genesis 1 and 2 we are told that the LORD created the birds or fowls, but we don’t know what their names were. Adam gave them names in Genesis 1, but their names are not mentioned.
Ravens are in 11 verses in the Bible (KJV). We will be telling you about them.
The Raven is the largest bird in the Passerine order (Perching and songbirds), able to grow up to 27.1 inches (69 cm) in length. Males are not much different from the females, though the female might be a bit smaller. Both genders are known for their iridescent (shiny) black feathers covering their bodies, with a bluish hint in the light. Ravens are distinguished from other birds in the Corvus Genus (such as the crows) by their wedge-like tail, large beak, hackles (shaggy neck feathers), and their tendency to soar in flight.
Northern Raven (Corvus corax) ©CreationWikiC
Did you know that the Ravens fed a prophet? God told them to feed him and they obeyed. I Kings 17 tells us about it. We tell you about it in another article.
How about Ravens not building barns? Luke 12:24
The Lord used the Ravens to do errands for Him. Do you do the errands your parents ask you to do?
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Colossians 3:20 NKJV)
See:
Bible Birds – Raven
Bible Birds
Ravens – CreationWiki
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Birds of the Bible – Water-hen or Water hen
White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) by Nikhil Devasar
Leviticus 11:18
(BBE) And the water-hen and the pelican and the vulture;
(ERV) water hens, pelicans, carrion vultures,
(ISV) water-hen, pelican, carrion,
(MSG) water hen, pelican, Egyptian vulture,
(NRSV) the water hen, the desert owl, the carrion vulture,
(ABP+) and the purple-legged stork, and pelican, and swan
CAB(i) 18 and the red-bill, and the pelican, and swan,
(Brenton) and the red-bill, and the pelican, and swan,
(Bishops) The Backe, the Pellicane, the Pye,
(Geneva) Also the redshanke and the pelicane, and the swanne:
(Vulgate) si ambulans per viam in arbore vel in terra nidum avis inveneris et matrem pullis vel ovis desuper incubantem non tenebis eam cum filiis
(KJV) And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
Deuteronomy 14:16
(BBE) The little owl and the great owl and the water-hen;
(Bishops) The litle Owle, the great Owle, nor the Redshanke.
(Geneva) Neither the litle owle, nor the great owle, nor the redshanke,
(KJV) The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
(Vulgate) herodium et cycnum et ibin
Adam Clarke’s Commentary: “The swan – תנשמת tinshemeth. The Septuagint translate the word by πορφυριωνα, the porphyrion, purple or scarlet bird. Could we depend on this translation, we might suppose the flamingo or some such bird to be intended. Some suppose the goose to be meant, but this is by no means likely, as it cannot be classed either among ravenous or unclean fowls. Bochart thinks the owl is meant.”
Companion Bible Notes: “swan, not our swan: it is variously rendered “ibis”, “heron”, and “pelican”.
Gill: “Leviticus 11:18
And the swan,…. This is a bird well known to us, but it is a question whether it is intended by the word here used; for though it is so rendered in the Vulgate Latin, it is differently rendered by many others: the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem call it “otia”, which seems to be the same with the “otus” of Aristotle (n), who says it is like an owl, having a tuft of feathers about its ears (from whence it has its name); and some call it “nycticorax”, or the owl; and here, by Bochart (o), and others, the owl called “noctua” is thought to be meant; and with which agrees the account some Jewish writers give of it, as Aben Ezra and Baal Hatturim, who say it is a bird, which every one that sees is astonished at it, as other birds are at the owl, are frightened at the sight of it, and stupefied. But as the same word is used Lev_11:30 among the creeping things, for a mole, what Jarchi observes is worthy of consideration, that this is “calve (chauve) souris” (the French word for a bat), and is like unto a mouse, and flies in the night; and that which is spoken of among the creeping things is like unto it, which hath no eyes, and they call it “talpa”, a mole. The Septuagint version renders it by “porphyrion”, the redshank; and so Ainsworth; and is thought to be called by the Hebrew name in the text, from the blowing of its breath in drinking; for it drinks biting, as Aristotle says (p):”
Jamieson Fausset Brown: the swan — found in great numbers in all the countries of the Levant. It frequents marshy places – the vicinity of rivers and lakes. It was held sacred by the Egyptians, and kept tame within the precincts of heathen temples. It was probably on this account chiefly that its use as food was prohibited. Michaelis considers it the goose.
McGee:
Leviticus 11:13-19
CLEAN AND UNCLEAN FLYING CREATURES (IN THE AIR)
On the birds there are no visible markers like there are on the fish and the animals. But they seem to have in common that they are all unclean feeders. For the most part, they feed on dead carcasses of animals, fish, and other fowl.
A list of unclean birds of Palestine is given. This is another point that reveals that the Mosaic system was intended for the nation Israel and also for the particular land of Palestine. Some of these birds sound strange to us. They fall into the family of the eagles and the hawks, the vultures and the ravens, the owls and cormorants, and the swans and pelicans. They don’t even sound appetizing. They are the “dirty birdies” because of their feeding habits. Now remember, some people eat some of these birds today. I can’t say I would like any of them, but whether we eat them or don’t eat them makes no difference—meat will not commend us to God. The point is that it was teaching Israel to make a distinction. They had to make a decision about what was clean and unclean.
The lesson for us today is that we must make decisions about our conduct and our profession. We have to make the decision about whether to accept Christ or not, whether to study the Word of God or not, whether to walk in a way pleasing to God or not. That is the application for us today.
This section throws some light on the experience of Elijah. He was fed by the ravens—dirty birds. Elijah did not eat the ravens, but they fed him. This was a humbling experience for this man of God who obeyed God in every detail.
MHCC:
Leviticus 11:1-47
These laws seem to have been intended, 1. As a test of the people’s obedience, as Adam was forbidden to eat of the tree of knowledge; and to teach them self-denial, and the government of their appetites. 2. To keep the Israelites distinct from other nations. Many also of these forbidden animals were objects of superstition and idolatry to the heathen. 3. The people were taught to make distinctions between the holy and unholy in their companions and intimate connexions. 4. The law forbad, not only the eating of the unclean beasts, but the touching of them. Those who would be kept from any sin, must be careful to avoid all temptations to it, or coming near it. The exceptions are very minute, and all were designed to call forth constant care and exactness in their obedience; and to teach us to obey. Whilst we enjoy our Christian liberty, and are free from such burdensome observances, we must be careful not to abuse our liberty. For the Lord hath redeemed and called his people, that they may be holy, even as he is holy. We must come out, and be separate from the world; we must leave the company of the ungodly, and all needless connexions with those who are dead in sin; we must be zealous of good works devoted followers of God, and companions of his people.
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Well, those are some of the remarks by the different commentaries. It seems there is no real set answer as to whether the Waterhen or Water-hen was the intended bird. The list of Unclean and Clean birds was for the Israelites and not us today. It is not even for them today. Why write about them, because it is interesting. To me, it comes down to a decision on their part and ours today whether we want to obey the Word of God.
….for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. (Deuteronomy 13:3-4 NKJV)
Most of the birds seem to have a diet that would cause eating that bird to make people sick or to die. Not all of them are in that category. It could be that they were not to eat a specific bird because they were few in number at that time and it could have caused them to go extinct. (That happens today.) It comes to obedience. That said, let’s see what a Water Hen really is.
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) by Lee
Water-hen or Waterhens are in the Rallidae – Rails, Crakes & Coots Family. According to Wikipedia’s article on the Waterhen:
Waterhen may refer to any of the following:
- Common Moorhen or Common Waterhen
- Amaurornis rails
- Black Crake
- Various other members of the Rallidae (rails) family
Black Crake (Amaurornis flavirostra) ©WikiC
The adult Black Crake is 19–23 cm long with a short tail and long toes. As its name implies, the adult has mainly black plumage, with a brown olive tone on the wings and upperparts which is rarely detectable in the field. The eye is red, the bill is yellow, and the legs and feet are red, duller when not breeding.
The sexes are similar, but the male is slightly larger. Most males, but only 10% of females, have a hooked upper mandible. The immature bird has brown upperparts and a dark grey head and underparts. Its bill is greenish yellow, and its feet and legs are dull red. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails.
The Black Crake is extremely aggressive when breeding and will attack birds of many species, but especially other rails. It will attack and kill rails of species as large as itself.
The nest is a deep neat bowl made from wetland plants and built by both sexes in marsh vegetation or on the ground in a dry location. The nest is also sometimes constructed up to 3 m high in a bush.
If it was a Redshank(e), then we have a completely different bird in a different family, the Scolopacidae – Sandpipers, Snipes. If so, that would mean I would have to make yet another “Bird of the Bible” category. Humm!
Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) ©WikiC
Of the three last bird pictures here, they do all have something red. The Moorhen has a red beak and the other two have red legs. You realize that these names are today’s name. They do change over the years. What ever bird this verse applies to, it has been enjoyable for me to investigate it. It has caused me to be in God’s Word, search the Commentaries, and check out the many birds the Lord created. And I trust you have benefited from it also and you might even dig around and find more about these verses.
And I get to add another Bird of the Bible page.
All Birds of the Bible articles.
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Bible Birds – Swan I
Bible Birds – Swan I
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)II at Bok Tower By Dan’sPix
Swans are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans usually mate for life. The number of eggs in each clutch ranges from three to eight.In North America we have at least four swans: Mute (60”), Trumpeter (60”), Tundra (52”), and Whooper (60”). There is also a Black Swan of Australia and a Black-necked Swan in South America. Swans are large, long-necked waterbirds that have a short duck-like bill and short legs. Many are seen on ponds, lakes, reservoirs and coastal bays. The Mute Swans are semi-domesticated. The Tundra Swan is sometime split into two species, Bewick’s and Whistling Swans.
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) at Bok Sanctuary By Dan’sPix
The Swan is listed in Leviticus and Deuteronomy in the list of “unclean” birds.
And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier-eagle, (Leviticus 11:18 KJV)
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan, (Deuteronomy 14:16 KJV)
Swans at Bok Tower by Dan
Mute Swan pictures (click on for larger view) taken at Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales. They were irritated because the worker was mowing the grass beside the water and they kept following him back and forth. They had their wings arched back in frustration, but we thought they were beautiful like what I think “angel’s wings” might look like.
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More about the Swans:
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Birdwatching at Lake Morton and S. Lake Howard
With all that has been going on lately, we have not had much time or chance to go visit the birds. When Tropical Storm Debby came by, she dropped quite a bit of rain in the area. Some “true” birdwatchers were out and about seeing some really neat birds that were blown off course. We played the “fair weather” birders and stayed indoor where it was dry. Some areas had 12-15 inches, but we had about 6 inches of rain here at the house.
On the 28th we stopped by Lake Morton, in Lakeland, on the way to an errand. We took the cameras and knew the local birds would be there. Not too many surprises other than I counted over 30 Mute Swans. This is even with all the eggs that were stolen from the nests. Also, I found several Wood Ducks swimming around, an immature Wood Stork, and three “Aflac” Mallard Ducks sitting in the shade of a park bench.
On the 2nd, last evening, we took our cameras with us and spent a few minutes taking photos of the flooding at South Lake Howard Nature Park. The water has receded some from earlier. At one point last week, the “island” was under water completely. We saw it then, but didn’t have a camera with us as we drove by.
Decided to share some of the photos of the two visits. We saw – Mute and Black Swans, Wood Ducks and Wood Storks, Mallards, Ospreys, Laughing Gulls, Great Egret, Anhingas, Red-winged and Boat-tailed Blackbirds, Mourning Doves, Rock Pigeons, White Ibises, Great Blue Heron, Limpkins, Muscovy Ducks, Common Gallinules, and heard Monk Parakeets and a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Not bad for about 30 minutes at Morton and 10 minutes at the Nature Park. Some of the photos are just of the water. Trees are standing in water that normally are on dry ground.
He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Luke 6:48 KJV)
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All photos are by me. Dan hasn’t showed me his yet. Bummer, his are always better. If you know what kind of Gull that is, leave a comment, please. I think they are young and I am not the best at IDing them.
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Introduction to Birds of the Bible For Kids
American Yellow Warbler (Dendroica aestiva) singing by J Fenton
We just opened this site up today. It is in the beginning and we will be adding many things about the birds in the Bible and other birds that are not named in the Bible, but the Lord made all the birds.
On Day Five (5) of creation, the birds were created. They didn’t just happen. They were designed by God and each one is different. Each one was given just what it needs to live, eat, and make more birds.
Genesis 1:20-23 NKJV
(20) Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”
(21) So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
(22) And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
(23) So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
I know there are some big words in those verses, but the bold letters help find important words.
Did you see the “let birds multiply”? That doesn’t mean they do math. It means that they were to have baby birds, then the baby could grow up and have more baby birds. Then there would be lots of birds.
We will be telling you more soon. Come back and find out about the many birds in the bible.
See:
Bible Birds
Wordless Birds
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What you just read is the first Bible Birds article for the Birds of the Bible For Kids blog that I just released just a few minutes ago. I have wanted to have a “Kids” blog since day one of this one, but it just didn’t happen. I even reserved the site for it four years ago when Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus was started here on WordPress. (It is now in the Kid’s Section of the main blog)
As the idea to add the Bible Birds articles grew. I even placed a page there for it, but then pulled it back. The children, kids, or young people need their own site with links for them.
After talking to many of our Sunday School teachers, school teachers, and kids workers (young and retired), I launched this new website. Some of those people have offered suggestions and some are actually going to write some articles for it. Mr. Baron (aka Golden Eagle) has agreed to help. He is a Christian school teacher and teaches the Bible and science. Enjoys teaching about creation and is a enthusiastic beginning birdwatcher. I will introduce more as they write their articles and stories.
All of this has been said so that you will know that the new site will have the same standard as this one does. It is Birdwatching From A Christian Perspective. We trust you will let your children and young people enjoy the new site knowing that we will not present anything contrary to Scripture. We believe God’s Word is the Final Authority in our lives and about our lives. Also, as parents or grand-parents, that you will stop by to find something to share with your “kids” or “grand-kids.”
Thank you to all who have been coming to this site. Your visits are appreciated and hope that we are giving you articles worth your time reading and thinking about. May you enjoy learning about and seeing many of the fantastically created birds that the Lord made.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31 KJV)
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(Updated – 10-5-14)
Wow! More Awards! Thank You
Wow! I just received another award today and I haven’t even written up my latest one before that yet. Been busy gearing up a new blog with will launch soon. Oops! That is still a “secret” for a few more days.
These are the Awards that have been given to me and links to their websites and some information about those blogs:
Creationscience4kids has just nominated me for the Reader Appreciation Award. That is a very neat site that:
“This is a site to celebrate the amazing world God made. This site is for all of you who love to learn new things about nature and science without a bunch of big words. This site is also to help us all understand the differences between evolutionary thinking and young earth creationist thinking. This site believes that God spoke everything into existence in six 24 hour days as stated in Genesis 1 and that the wold that then was perished in the global flood of Noah’s day as II Peter 3:6 says.
Seasonsgirl nominated me for the Inspiring Blog Award. She is a “I am a Christian, working wife, and puppy mom living with my husband, dogs, chickens, and disabled father in Virginia. We have a dream to someday own our own small ranch with horses, cows, goats, chickens, and dogs to boot. Right now we are working to start our family.” She has been visiting my blog, and I have been to her’s where she has some really neat photos and recipes. I am not a cook, but the photos are super.
Faithrises nominated me for the Beautiful Blogger Award. “Faithrises is a place for readers to be encouraged and motivated, through stories, quotes, and biblical examples. My name is Faith, and I hope that you will be uplifted and inspired here, as you rise above personal difficulties and challenging circumstances.”
Sandra Conner nominated me for the Genuine Blogger Award. Sandra has this to say about her three blogs in her About section; “So here I am, Sandra Conner, beginning the “About Me” article on my third blog site, My first blog “Hangin’ Out With God,” is a site devoted exclusively to things about the Lord Jesus Christ and ministry. My second, “Happy Patriot,” is a blog on which I feel free to comment on any number of subjects, but mostly on patriotic and political issues. And today, I embark on number three, Sandra Conner…By The Book.
Previous to those, two nominated this blog for the Versatile Blogger Award.
Beauty and Brains nominated me back in April for this Award. Her site, “Beauty & Brains” is a blog geared for anyone and everyone. The “beauty” posts concern themselves with makeup/fragrance reviews and tutorials. Please note I am not paid to review products. All products were purchased by me for me. The “brains” posts consist of reviews of books, music, films, or any other item of conversation.”
and Dou Dou also nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. She makes “Handmade Art Birds and Animal Sculptures” and is very good at them. They appear to be right small, but nice details. She also write about other topics also.
We are suppose to tell 7 random things about ourselves and then pass them on to 7-15 other worthy bloggers. Personally, I would like to nominate all those who come to this blog and my Birds of the Bible blog for an Award. I appreciate all of you who stop by and read the articles. Many of you are following the blogs and leave likes and comments. There are more than 15 who do so. So how do you choose just a few?
Not sure what I would call it, maybe something like Thank You Award, or Thanks for Stopping By Award, Thanks For Your Support Award, or Thanks for putting up with my mistakes Award, or something like that. What ever it would be, you would all be nominated for it.
The Best Award any of us could hope to get is the “Well Done the good and faithful servant” Award from Our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Love you all and I do pray for all the visitors that stop by.
- I Love the Lord and He is my personal Savior (1960)
- Married almost 49 years (July 1963)
- Love birds and watching them and learning about them
- Graduated College after taking 16 years to do so (1977)
- I am thankful for all my family and friends
- Don’t have a bucket list – maybe I should
Now for the nominations. (This will be hard)
For the Reader Appreciation
All who are followers of this blog, you are nominated because you are appreciated. Not sure who started that award, but I think it needs to include more readers, which I just did.
If you chose to accept it, you are suppose to tell 7 random things about yourself, link back to this page, and then nominate who you think deserve the Reader Appreciation Award, then leave a comment on their blog or send an email with a link to the page that you nominated them.
For the Inspiring Blog Award
These sites come to mind as Inspiring:
The Fountain which is from my home church and has lots of inspiring articles on it.
Hearing His Voice – Learning to hear and recognize God’s voice
Hanging’ Out With God – A site devoted to getting up close and personal with God, through knowing and believing His Word.
The Birding Bunch – Amateur ornithologists with a Christian worldview.
Postcards from Colorado – the joy of seeing, capturing, and sharing the images of our daily surroundings
Forest Forward – The Northeast’s Wildlife Photo Blog
The Sovereign – Living holy lives in light of prophecy and the return of Christ.
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The Other Awards were written up previously.
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Birds Vol 1 #6 – The Volume 1. January to June 1897 – Index
Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) by Africaddict
VOLUME 1. JANUARY TO JUNE, 1897.
INDEX.
elkhart lake.Summer Excursion Tickets to the resorts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado, California, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia; also to Alaska, Japan, China, and all Trans-Pacific Points, are now on sale by the CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY. Full and reliable information can be had by applying to Mr. C. N. SOUTHER, Ticket Agent, 95 Adams Street, Chicago.
Please mention “BIRDS” when you write to advertisers.
Please mention “BIRDS” when you write to advertisers.
This wheel is made especially for the Nature Study Publishing Co., to be used as a premium. It is unique in design, of material the best, of workmanship unexcelled. No other wheel on the market can compare favorably with it for less than $100.00.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR 1897 “BIRD” BICYCLE.
Frame.—Diamond pattern; cold-drawn seamless steel tubing; 1 1/8 inch tubing in the quadrangle with the exception of the head, which is 1 1/4 inch. Height, 23, 24, 25 and 26 inches. Rear triangle 3/4 inch tubing in the lower and upright bars. Frame Parts.—Steel drop forgings, strongly reinforced connections. Forks.—Seamless steel fork sides, gracefully curved and mechanically reinforced. Steering Head.—9, 11 and 13 inches long, 1 1/4 inches diameter. Handle Bar.—Cold-drawn, weldless steel tubing, 7/8 inch in diameter, ram’s horn, upright or reversible, adapted to two positions. Handles.—Cork or corkaline; black, maroon or bright tips. Wheels.—28 inch, front and rear. Wheel Base.—43 inches. Rims.—Olds or Plymouth. Tires.—Morgan & Wright, Vim, or Hartford. Spokes.—Swaged, Excelsior Needle Co.’s best quality; 28 in front and 32 in rear wheel. Cranks.—Special steel, round and tapered; 6 1/2 inch throw. Pedals.—Brandenburg; others on order. Chain.-1/4 inch, solid link, with hardened rivet steel centers. Saddle.—Black, attractive and comfortable; our own make. Saddle Post.—Adjustable, style “T.”Tread. —4 7/8 inches. Sprocket Wheels.—Steel drop forgings, hardened. Gear.—68 regular; other gears furnished if so desired. Bearings.—Made of the best selected high-grade tool steel, carefully ground to a finish after tempering, and thoroughly dust-proof. All cups are screwed into hubs and crank hangers. Hubs.—Large tubular hubs, made from a solid bar of steel. Furnishing.—Tool-bag, wrench, oiler, pump and repair kit. Tool Bags.—In black or tan leather, as may be preferred. Handle bar, hubs, sprocket wheels, cranks, pedals, seat post, spokes, screws, nuts and washers, nickel plated over copper; remainder enameled. Weight.—22 and 24 pounds.
Send for Specifications for Diamond Frame.
NATURE STUDY PUBLISHING CO.
Agents Wanted in every Town and City to represent “BIRDS.” CHICAGO.
Please mention “BIRDS” when you write to advertisers.
We give below a list of publications, especially fine, to be read in connection with our new magazine, and shall be glad to supply them at the price indicated, or as premiums for subscriptions for “Birds.”
| “Birds Through an Opera Glass” | 75c. | or | 2 | subscriptions. | ||||
| “Bird Ways” | 60c. | “ | 2 | “ | ||||
| “In Nesting Time” | $1.25 | “ | 3 | “ | ||||
| “A Bird Lover of the West” | 1.25 | “ | 3 | “ | ||||
| “Upon the Tree Tops” | 1.25 | “ | 3 | “ | ||||
| “Wake Robin” | 1.00 | “ | 3 | “ | ||||
| “Birds in the Bush” | 1.25 | “ | 3 | “ | ||||
| “A-Birding on a Bronco” | 1.25 | “ | 3 | “ | ||||
| “Land Birds and Game Birds of New England” | 3.50 | “ | 8 | “ | ||||
| “Birds and Poets” | 1.25 | “ | 3 | “ | ||||
| “Bird Craft” | 3.00 | “ | 7 | “ | ||||
| “The Story of the Birds” | .65 | “ | 2 | “ | ||||
| “Hand Book of Birds of Eastern North America” | 3.00 | “ | 7 | “ |
See our notice on another page concerning Bicycles. Our “Bird” Wheel is one of the best on the market—as neat and attractive as “Birds.”
We shall be glad to quote a special price for teachers or clubs.
We can furnish any article or book as premium for subscriptions for “Birds.”
Address,
Nature Study Publishing Co. Chicago, Ill.
Nature Study Publishing Company.
HE Nature Study Publishing Company is a corporation of educators and business men organized to furnish correct reproductions of the colors and forms of nature to families, schools, and scientists. Having secured the services of artists who have succeeded in photographing and reproducing objects in their natural colors, by a process whose principles are well known but in which many of the details are held secret, we obtained a charter from the Secretary of State in November, 1896, and began at once the preparation of photographic color plates for a series of pictures of birds.
The first product was the January number of “BIRDS,” a monthly magazine, containing ten plates with descriptions in popular language, avoiding as far as possible scientific and technical terms. Knowing the interest children have in our work, we have included in each number a few pages of easy text pertaining to the illustrations. These are usually set facing the plates to heighten the pleasure of the little folks as they read.
Casually noticed, the magazine may appear to be a children’s publication because of the placing of this juvenile text. But such is not the case. Those scientists who cherish with delight the famous handiwork of Audubon are no less enthusiastic over these beautiful pictures which are painted by the delicate and scientifically accurate fingers of Light itself. These reproductions are true. There is no imagination in them nor conventionalism. In the presence of their absolute truth any written description or work of human hands shrinks into insignificance. The scientific value of these photographs can not be estimated.
To establish a great magazine with a world-wide circulation is no light undertaking. We have been steadily and successfully working towards that end. Delays have been unavoidable. What was effective for the production of a limited number of copies was inadequate as our orders increased. The very success of the enterprise has sometimes impeded our progress. Ten hundred teachers in Chicago paid subscriptions in ten days. Boards of Education are subscribing in hundred lots. Improvements in the process have been made in almost every number, and we are now assured of a brilliant and useful future.
When “BIRDS” has won its proper place in public favor we shall be prepared to issue a similar serial on other natural objects, and look for an equally cordial reception for it.
PREMIUMS.
To teachers we give duplicates of all the pictures on separate sheets for use in teaching or for decoration.
To other subscribers we give a color photograph of one of the most gorgeous birds, the Golden Pheasant.
Subscriptions, $1.50 a year including one premium. Those wishing both premiums may receive them and a year’s subscription for $2.00.
We have just completed an edition of 50,000 back numbers to accommodate those who wish their subscriptions to date back to January, 1897, the first number.
We will furnish the first volume, January to June inclusive, well bound in cloth, postage paid, for $1.25. In Morocco, $2.25.
AGENTS.
10,000 agents are wanted to travel or solicit at home.
We have prepared a fine list of desirable premiums for clubs which any popular adult or child can easily form. Your friends will thank you for showing them the magazine and offering to send their money. The work of getting subscribers among acquaintances is easy and delightful. Agents can do well selling the bound volume. Vol. 1 is the best possible present for a young person or for anyone specially interested in nature.
Teachers and others meeting them at institutes do well as our agents. The magazine sells to teachers better than any other publication because they can use the extra plates for decoration, language work, nature study, and individual occupation.
NATURE STUDY PUBLISHING COMPANY,
277 Dearborn Street, Chicago.
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How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! (Psalms 139:17 NKJV)
This is the sum of the birds done in this series.
I trust you have enjoyed Vol 1 of this The Birds, Illustrated by Color Photography.
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Birds Vol 1 #6 – The Black and White Creeping Warbler
Black and white Creeping Warbler for Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897
Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited
Vol 1. June, 1897 No. 6
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THE BLACK AND WHITE CREEPING WARBLER.
HIS sprightly little bird is met with in various sections of the country. It occurs in all parts of New England and New York, and has been found in the interior as far north as Fort Simpson. It is common in the Bahamas and most of the West India Islands, generally as a migrant; in Texas, in the Indian Territory, in Mexico, and throughout eastern America.
Dr. Coues states that this warbler is a very common summer resident near Washington, the greater number going farther north to breed. They arrive there during the first week in April and are exceedingly numerous until May.
In its habits this bird seems to be more of a creeper than a Warbler. It is an expert and nimble climber, and rarely, if ever, perches on the branch of a tree or shrub. In the manner of the smaller Woodpecker, the Creepers, Nuthatches, and Titmice, it moves rapidly around the trunks and larger limbs of the trees of the forest in search of small insects and their larvae. It is graceful and rapid in movement, and is often so intent upon its hunt as to be unmindful of the near presence of man.
It is found chiefly in thickets, where its food is most easily obtained, and has been known to breed in the immediate vicinity of a dwelling.
The song of this Warbler is sweet and pleasing. It begins to sing from its first appearance in May and continues to repeat its brief refrain at intervals almost until its departure in August and September. At first it is a monotonous ditty, says Nuttall, uttered in a strong but shrill and filing tone. These notes, as the season advances, become more mellow and warbling.
The Warbler’s movements in search of food are very interesting to the observer. Keeping the feet together they move in a succession of short, rapid hops up the trunks of trees and along the limbs, passing again to the bottom by longer flights than in the ascent. They make but short flight from tree to tree, but are capable of flying far when they choose.
They build on the ground. One nest containing young about a week old was found on the surface of shelving rock. It was made of coarse strips of bark, soft decayed leaves, and dry grasses, and lined with a thin layer of black hair. The parents fed their young in the presence of the observer with affectionate attention, and showed no uneasiness, creeping head downward about the trunks of the neighboring trees, and carrying large smooth caterpillars to their young.
They search the crevices in the bark of the tree trunks and branches, look among the undergrowth, and hunt along the fences for bunches of eggs, the buried larvae of the insects, which when undisturbed, hatch out millions of creeping, crawling, and flying things that devastate garden and orchard and every crop of the field.
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) by Anthony 747
Lee’s Addition:
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26 NKJV)
Today this birds is called the Black-and-white Warbler. But it still likes to climb around on the trees. It has a longer toe on the back of it foot that helps it cling to the tree as it checks for its meal. This bird feeds on insects and spiders, and unlike other warblers, forages like a nuthatch, moving up and down tree trunks and along branches.
Their measurements are: Length – 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm). Wingspan – 7.1–8.7 in (18–22 cm), Weight – 0.3–0.5 oz (8–15 g).
The Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) is a species of New World warbler, the only member of its genus, Mniotilta.[2] It breeds in northern and eastern North America from the Northwest Territory and Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada to Florida. This species is migratory, wintering in Florida, Central America and the West Indies down to Peru. This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.
Its song is a high see wee-see wee-see wee-see wee-see wee-see or weesa weesa weetee weetee weetee weet weet weet. It has two calls, a hard tick, and a soft, thin fsss.
The breeding habitat is broadleaved or mixed woodland, preferably in wetter areas. Black-and-white Warblers nest on the ground, laying 4–5 eggs in a cup nest.
The noise of a whip And the noise of rattling wheels, Of galloping horses, Of clattering chariots! (Nahum 3:2 NKJV)
Better yet, here is a youtube of a Black-and-white Warbler singing.
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Birds Illustrated by Color Photograhy Vol 1 June, 1897 No 6 – Cover
Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited – Introduction
The above article is the first article in the monthly serial that was started in January 1897 “designed to promote Knowledge of Bird-Live.” These include Color Photography, as they call them, today they are drawings. There are at least three Volumes that have been digitized by Project Gutenberg.
To see the whole series of – Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited
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(Information from Wikipedia and other internet sources)
Next Article – VOLUME 1. JANUARY TO JUNE, 1897 – INDEX.
Previous Article – The Ruffed Grouse
Links:
Black and White Creeping Warbler – Audubon
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 
