1. kites: birds of glory
as a rule, raptors, or birds of prey, are among the most admired and adored birds in the world. from the california condor to the snowy owl, few birds compare to the tigers of the air: the great hunters whose beauty and skill have inspired art and literature for centuries. the most glorious feathers of the peacock or the vibrant plumage of a bunting cannot compete with the power of a peregrine falcon or the determination of an osprey. included in this group of hunters, however, is one bird of prey that is little known but equally impressive. the kites of the world are generally smaller than most raptors, but just as astonishing in skill and grace as any other hunter of the skies.
most people think of paper or cloth structures flown with string from the ground when the word 'kite' is used. in addition to these popular toys, kite can also refer to a type of raptor. kites have a small head, a short beak and long narrow wings and tail. kites can be found all over the world in mostly warm regions. kites live on a variety of preyāfrom insects to small rodents or reptiles. some kites eat only one kind of prey. kites are generally masterful in the air and represent a group of birds that are among the most acrobatic of fliers.
two of the most familiar kites in the southern united states are the swallow-tailed kite and the mississippi kite. the mississippi kite is rather plain to look at: a light brown and gray body with a buff or white colored head. but to watch a mississippi kite fly is to watch a ballet in the air. these raptors eat primarily flying insects, so they do most of their hunting on the wing. as you might imagine, catching flying insects requires a great deal of agility and speed. if you are lucky enough to see one in flight, you will be amazed at the quick turns, graceful moves, and speedy pursuits of this bird. look for them above large fields, especially during the summer.
the swallow-tailed kite, also common in the south, is more easily identifiable and often seen flying over roads. with black wings and tail, white head and body, and a forked or swallow-like tail, this raptor is just as acrobatic as the mississippi kite. swallow-tailed kites like flying over highways in the summer as they can take advantage of the thermals, or columns of warmed air, that rise above the pavement. once they have climbed to sufficient height, swallow-tails will glide, looking for snakes and reptiles and insects. they also eat small rodents, frogs, and other birds on occasion. watching a swallow-tail fly is a lot like watching a gymnast perform a floor routine. rarely flapping its wings, it uses its forked tail to make sharp turns, trace circles in the sky, or simply maintain a heading. skilled, accomplished, and graceful, this bird is as entertaining as it is beautiful.
both kites are known to eat while flying, unlike most other birds of prey. this practice conserves energy and allows them to hunt almost continuously. while these kites are not listed as endangered, they are rare and in some states are listed as critical. loss of habitat is the main reason for the decline. if you are lucky enough to see one, count yourself among the few. these magnificent birds are a sight you won't soon forget.
based on the text, how are raptors different from other types of birds?
they are brightly colored and vibrant.
they are powerful and skilled hunters.
they are smaller and cuter.
they eat insects and reptiles.
Answers: 1
English, 21.06.2019 19:30
From āthe ravenā by edgar allan poe but the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only that one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour. nothing farther then he utteredānot a feather then he flutteredā till i scarcely more than muttered, āother friends have flown beforeā on the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.ā then the bird said, ānevermore.ā in this excerpt, what is the speaker saying the raven will do? a. it will certainly die. b. it will leave immediately. c. it will leave the next day. d. it will befriend the speaker.
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English, 22.06.2019 01:30
Elist of items that aditi is planning to include in her narrative essay. 1. i stayed after school once to work on a monologue with a teacher. 2. i learned about the audition for the spring musical at my school. 3. i realized that i need to practice more if i really want a role. 4. i went to the audition and barely remembered all my lines. what is the best order for these items? 1, 3, 2, 4 1, 2, 4, 3 2, 4, 3, 1 2, 1, 4, 3
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English, 22.06.2019 03:00
How does the author view the idea that you have to be perfect in order to get into college
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English, 22.06.2019 06:30
Read the excerpt from chapter 18 in frankenstein. alas! to me the idea of an immediate union with my elizabeth was one of horror and dismay. i was bound by a solemn promise which i had not yet fulfilled and dared not break, or if i did, what manifold miseries might not impend over me and my devoted family! could i enter into a festival with this deadly weight yet hanging round my neck and bowing me to the ground? i must perform my engagement and let the monster depart with his mate before i allowed myself to enjoy the delight of a union from which i expected peace. examine this excerpt to analyze the way the authorās choice of words adds to the meaning and impacts the tone of this portion of frankenstein. what does victor mean when he talks about āthis deadly weight yet hanging round my neck and bowing me to the groundā? how do these words affect the tone at this point in the story? use examples and evidence from the text to support your analysis. frankenstein chapter 18
Answers: 1
1. kites: birds of glory
as a rule, raptors, or birds of prey, are among the most admir...
as a rule, raptors, or birds of prey, are among the most admir...
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