The snoring rail (Aramidopsis plateni) is a large flightless rail. The
only species of its genus, it is endemic to Indonesia, and is found in
dense vegetation in wet areas of Sulawesi and nearby Buton. The rail has
grey underparts, a white chin, brown wings and a rufous patch on the
hindneck. The sexes are similar, but the female has a brighter neck
patch and a differently coloured bill and iris. The typical call is the
snoring ee-orrrr sound that gives the bird its common name. The snoring
rail, with a retiring nature, is rarely seen in its inaccessible
habitat, and little is known of its behaviour. Only the adult plumage
has been described, and the breeding behaviour is unrecorded. It feeds
on small crabs and probably other small prey such as lizards. Although
protected under Indonesian law since 1972, the rail is evaluated as
vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red
List; it is threatened by habitat loss, even within nature reserves, and
by introduced species.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoring_rail>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1453:
With the conquest of Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire fell
to the Ottomans.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire>
1913:
During the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of
Spring at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the avant-garde
nature of the music and choreography caused a near-riot in the audience.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rite_of_Spring>
1918:
World War I: Armenian forces defeated Ottoman troops at the
Battle of Sardarabad, not only stopping the Turkish invasion but also
preventing the complete destruction of the Armenian nation.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sardarabad>
1935:
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, the most produced fighter aircraft in
history, had its first flight.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109>
1954:
The first annual Bilderberg Group meeting of leaders from
European countries and the United States opened in Oosterbeek,
Netherlands.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
wheelhorse:
1. (US, figuratively) A person who labors heavily for a particular
cause, without being concerned about recognition.
2. (obsolete or historical) A foot-propelled vehicle; a bicycle.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wheelhorse>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The basis of self-government and freedom requires the development
of character and self-restraint and perseverance and the long view. And
these are qualities which require many years of training and education.
--John F. Kennedy
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy>