The letter-winged kite (Elanus scriptus) is a small, rare bird of prey
that is found only in Australia. Measuring around 35 cm (14 in) in
length with a wingspan of 84–100 cm (33–39 in), the adult has
predominantly pale grey and white plumage and prominent black rings
around its red eyes. It gains its name from a distinctive black "M" or
"W" shape on the underwing, seen when in flight. This marking
distinguishes it from the otherwise similar black-shouldered kite. The
species begins breeding rapidly in response to rodent outbreaks, with
pairs nesting in loose colonies of up to 50 birds each. Three to four
eggs are laid and incubated for around 30 days, though the eggs may be
abandoned if the food source disappears. Chicks are fledged within five
weeks of hatching. Roosting in well-foliaged trees during the day, the
letter-winged kite hunts for rodents mostly at night, hovering in midair
above grasslands and fields.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter-winged_kite>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1861:
American Civil War: The USS San Jacinto stopped the British
mailship RMS Trent and arrested two Confederate envoys en route to
Europe, sparking a major diplomatic crisis between the United Kingdom
and the United States.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trent_Affair>
1939:
Georg Elser unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate Adolf
Hitler with a time bomb, but killed eight people and injured more than
sixty-two others instead.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Elser>
1974:
British peer Lord Lucan disappeared without a trace, a day
after allegedly murdering his children's nanny Sandra Rivett.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bingham,_7th_Earl_of_Lucan>
2006:
Israeli artillery mistakenly shelled a row of houses in the
Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, killing 19 Palestinians and wounding
more than 40 others.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_shelling_of_Beit_Hanoun>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
mentalese:
(philosophy, psychology) A hypothetical non-verbal language in which
concepts are represented in the mind.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mentalese>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
It is sooth that sin is cause of all this pain; but all shall be
well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.
These words were said full tenderly, showing no manner of blame to me
nor to any that shall be saved. Then were it a great unkindness to blame
or wonder on God for my sin, since He blameth not me for sin. And in
these words I saw a marvellous high mystery hid in God, which mystery He
shall openly make known to us in Heaven: in which knowing we shall
verily see the cause why He suffered sin to come. In which sight we
shall endlessly joy in our Lord God.
--Julian of Norwich
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Julian_of_Norwich>