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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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