JavaScript Cookbook
First Edition August 2010
ISBN 978-0-596-80613-2
552 Seiten
EUR41.00
Weitere Informationen zu diesem Buch
Kolophon |
Rezensionen |
Kolophon
The animal on the cover of JavaScript Cookbook is
a little (or lesser) egret (Egretta garzetta). A small
white heron, it is the old world counterpart to the very similar new world
snowy egret. It is the smallest and most common egret in Singapore, and its
original breeding distribution included the large inland and coastal
wetlands in warm temperate parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, Taiwan, and
Australia. In warmer locations, most birds are permanent residents; northern
populations, including many European birds, migrate to Africa and southern
Asia. They may also wander north after the breeding season, which presumably
has led to this egret’s range expansion.
The adult Little Egret is 55–65 cm long with an 88–106 cm wingspan. It
weighs 350–550 grams. Its plumage is all white. It has long black legs with
yellow feet and a slim black bill. In the breeding season, the adult has two
long nape plumes and gauzy plumes on the back and breast, and the bare skin
between its bill and eyes becomes red or blue. Juvenile egrets are similar
to nonbreeding adults but have duller legs and feet. Little egrets are the
liveliest hunters among herons and egrets, with a wide variety of
techniques: they may patiently stalk prey in shallow waters; stand on one
leg and stir the mud with the other to scare up prey; or, better yet, stand
on one leg and wave the other bright yellow foot over the water’s surface to
lure aquatic prey into range. The birds are mostly silent, but make various
croaking and bubbling calls at their breeding colonies and produce a harsh
alarm call when disturbed.
The little egret nests in colonies, often with other wading birds,
usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs, in reed beds, or in
bamboo groves. In some locations, such as the Cape Verde Islands, the
species nests on cliffs. In pairs they will defend a small breeding
territory. Both parents will incubate their 3–5 eggs for 21–25 days until
hatching. The eggs are oval in shape and have a pale, nonglossy, blue-green
color. The young birds are covered in white down feathers, are cared for by
both parents, and fledge after 40 to 45 days. During this stage, the young
egret stalks its prey in shallow water, often running with raised wings or
shuffling its feet. It may also stand still and wait to ambush prey. It eats
fish, insects, amphibians, crustaceans, and reptiles.
Zurück zur Hauptseite des Buches
![[Cover]](../newcovers/9780596806132_cat.gif)
