100px|Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii) photographed in Mulga View, SW Queensland, Australia
The Red-capped Robin is a small passerine bird native to Australia. Found in dryer regions across much of the continent, it inhabits scrub and open woodland. Like many brightly coloured robins of the Petroicidae family, it is sexually dimorphic. Measuring 10.5–12.5 cm (4–5 in) in length, the robin has a small thin black bill, and dark brown eyes and legs. The male has a distinctive red cap and red breast, black upperparts, and a black tail with white tips. The underparts and shoulders are white. The female is an undistinguished grey-brown. This species uses a variety of songs, and males generally sing to advertise territories and attract females. Birds are encountered in pairs or small groups, but the social behaviour has been little studied. The position of the Red-capped Robin and its Australian relatives on the passerine family tree is unclear; the Petroicidae are not closely related to either the European or American Robins but appear to be an early offshoot of the Passerida group of songbirds. The Red-capped Robin is a predominantly ground-feeding bird and its prey consists of insects and spiders. Although widespread, it is uncommon in much of its range and has receded in some areas from human activity. (more...)
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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1776:
American Revolutionary War: George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack on Hessian mercenaries at the Battle of Trenton. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington%27s_crossing_of_the_Delaware_River
1941:
Second World War: The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after Mark Aitchison Young, the Governor of Hong Kong, surrendered the territory to Japan after 18 days of fierce fighting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Hong_Kong
1950:
The Stone of Scone, the traditional coronation stone of Scottish, English, and more recently British monarchs, was stolen from London's Westminster Abbey. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_of_Scone
2007:
A tiger at the San Francisco Zoo escaped from its enclosure and attacked three patrons before it was shot and killed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Zoo_tiger_attacks
2009:
The 19th-century St Mel's Cathedral in Longford, considered the "flagship cathedral" of the Irish midlands, was destroyed by fire. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mel%27s_Cathedral
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
synod (n): An ecclesiastic council or meeting to consult on church matters http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/synod
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King. Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, And heav'n and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. --Isaac Watts http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Isaac_Watts