The long-tailed ground roller is a bird species found in arid spiny forests near the coast of southwestern Madagascar. Requiring shade and a deep layer of leaves on the ground, it has low population densities throughout its habitat. This species of ground roller relies primarily on its strong legs, as its wings are relatively weak. It is a medium- sized bird with a plump silhouette, dark brown upperparts with black streaks, light gray underparts, a white throat framed by black malar stripes, a black breastband, and sky-blue feathers at the edge of its wings and long tail. Calls are rarely made outside of the breeding season. It feeds primarily on invertebrates, including ants, beetles, butterflies, and worms, which it finds by searching through deep leaf litter or by remaining still and watching attentively. It is classified as a vulnerable species; the forests where it lives are not protected, and it is losing habitat to slash-and-burn agriculture, charcoal collection, and logging.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-tailed_ground_roller

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

955:

The forces of Otto the Great defeated the Obotrite federation in the Battle on the Raxa, marking the high point of Otto's reign. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_on_the_Raxa

1869:

Girton College, one of the 31 constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge and England's first residential college for women, was founded. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girton_College,_Cambridge

1940:

World War II: Nazi Governor-General Hans Frank established the Warsaw Ghetto, the largest Jewish ghetto in occupied Poland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Ghetto

1964:

With the success of the 596 nuclear weapons testing, China became the world's fifth nuclear power. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/596_(nuclear_test)

2013:

In Laos's deadliest air accident, Lao Airlines Flight 301 crashed into the Mekong River, resulting in the deaths of all 49 people aboard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_Airlines_Flight_301

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

armshouse: (MLE) Bloodshed, violence. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/armshouse

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air — however slight — lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness.   --William O. Douglas https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_O._Douglas