Curious American avocet and black vcked stilt described
The passage details two striking birds seen on Twang Island The American avocet a white plumaged sixteen to eighteen inch wader with black wings tail gray neck and chestnut head long blue legs and a swooping curved bill that moves like a scythe The black necked stilt with a straight needle like bill is nicknamed the lawyer and its alighting behavior is awkward and stumbles as it learns to balance reported by the New York Times
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Enrath
North Atlantic
Twang Island
New York Times
Distorted mirrors at menagerie amuse Irish couple
An Irish man, inspecting a convex mirror at a menagerie, misreads his reflection and rushes to his wife. They peer into a cage mirror and discover a surprising sight, prompting comic exclamations about twins or a pair.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bridget
London
Strength of the Mule's Tail
In Howard Saunders’ Across the Andes and Down the Amazon he notes vaquero lassoing uses the tail. A mule team tied head to tail toppled a mule over a cliff. the tail was cut to the bone yet the mule survived, illustrating the tail’s remarkable strength.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Howard Saunders
Andes
Amazon
A Victorian Maxim on Fortitude and Friendship
Robert Louis Stevenson reflects on honesty kindness frugality and self restraint as essential tasks for a man to keep a happy family and true friends under conditions of virtue and fortitude.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Louis Stevenson
Stand by him while he cuts the meat joke
Recollection dialogs reveal Mrs Youngwife and Mrs Oldwife debating beef buying with a punchline about standing by the butcher during the cut. Mr Youngwife questions trade, Mrs Oldwife clarifies she supports him by watching the process. Leo narrates the reminiscence.
Joachim and Lord R Joke at St James Hall Concert
A London encounter recalls Joachim’s tale of a prank at a concert. Lord R misidentified him in a minstrel crowd, prompting a witty exchange about Beethoven and a mistaken ground floor entry before revealing the joke.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joachim
Lord R
London
Lord I
St. James’ Hall
Beethoven
Nutmegs and Sharks: Trade and Harvest Across Islands
The article explains nutmeg trees on tropical islands producing fruit year round with seeds covered by mace and notes historic Dutch control of the trade. It then details the shark trade in the Pacific, why fins and tails fetch high prices in Hongkong and Singapore, and their use in food and varnish bases in China.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Asia
America
Jamsica
Benda
Indian Islands
Equatorial
North
South Pacific
Sydney
Auckland
mid-Pacific
Hongkong
Singapore
Australasian
China
Coal Moisture Losses and Storage Tips
A report explains that coal left outdoors for a month loses about one third of its heating value. On ground storage cuts roughly 47 percent, while covered storage loses about 25 percent. Softer coal loses more heat as volatile constituents slowly react, so dry covered storage saves coal.
When Horses Sleep Ear Position Mystery
Horses always point one ear forward when sleeping while cattle show no fixed ear posture. Researchers speculate the habit stems from wild origins requiring vigilance even in slumber, and note that horses and cattle align ear position differently though both species rest.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Saaywell
Atock
The
Comer-Cobb Investment Co
Capital
Sal
J.D. Hunter
East Tenth Street
Wilmer Hotel
Sabeby Stickney's Pharmacy
Niwas Ct
Vie Wall Express
Homas’ Drug Store
Iito
the Star
Tas
Nature
Deverage
Reid Bros
Proprietors
Eree Homes
Memphis
Newrsee, Aw v. BP. Fi
Tome
Besh
Cartersville
Anniston
Ala
D. R. Gaines
Fourteenth Street
Anniston Steam Laundry
Noble Street
Wilson & Rose, Proprietors
Empire Steam Laundry
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!