The grey currawong (Strepera versicolor) is a large passerine bird
native to southern Australia, including Tasmania. One of three currawong
species, it is a large crow-like bird, around 48 cm (19 in) long, with
yellow irises, a heavy bill, and dark plumage, with a white undertail
and wing patches. The male and female are similar in appearance. The six
subspecies are distinguished by their overall plumage shade. They have a
distinctive loud ringing or clinking call. The currawong is generally
sedentary, although it is a winter visitor in south-easternmost
Australia. Much of its behaviour and habits is poorly known. It is a
ground-foraging omnivore and builds its nests high in trees. It is found
in forests and scrubland in drier regions. Unlike its more common
relatives, it has adapted poorly to human impact, and has declined in
much of its range.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_currawong>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1843:
Royal Navy captain Lord George Paulet began a five-month
occupation of the Hawaiian Islands.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulet_affair>
1951:
After being postponed due to World War II, the inaugural Pan
American Games opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina (flame ceremony
pictured).
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_American_Games>
2009:
At their headquarters in Pilkhana, members of the Bangladesh
Rifles began a mutiny that resulted in 82 deaths.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Rifles_revolt>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
stance:
1. The manner, pose, or posture in which one stands.
2. One's opinion or point of view.
3. A place to stand; a position, a site, a station.
4. (specifically, climbing) A foothold or ledge on which to set up a
belay.
5. (Scotland) A place for buses or taxis to await passengers; a bus
stop, a taxi rank.
6. (Scotland) A place where a fair or market is held; a location where a
street trader can carry on business.
7. (obsolete, rare) A stanza.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stance>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Military people have a heavy investment in rules against torture,
not only because we want to protect our own POWs from reciprocal
brutalities… but also because war is so terrible that it desperately
requires any limits anyone can agree on, any gesture toward dignity, any
mitigation suggesting civilized scruple. There isn’t even persuasive
evidence that torture makes its victims tell their secrets, instead of
saying whatever we want to hear.
--John Leonard
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Leonard>