Introductory material
Reading edition
The Parrot “clamorous against Rain.”—Talking like a Parrot.—A rare “Parrot-Teacher.”—The Popinjay.—The Starling.—Its Talking Powers.—The Kingfisher.—Halcyon Days.—Flight of the Kingfisher.—Estimated Speed.—The Swallow and “Martlet.”—The Swallow’s Herb and Swallow’s Stone.—The “Ostridge.”—“Eating Iron”—Bating with the Wind.—The Pelican.—Feeding its Young with its Blood.—Explanation of the Fable.—Former Existence of a Pelican in the English Fens.—Conclusion. 271