family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and temperate Asia, and
winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. It feeds on insects
which are caught in flight. It has a blue head and upperparts, white
rump and pure white underparts, and is found in both open country and
near human habitation. It is a noisy species, especially at its breeding
colonies. It is similar in appearance to the two other martin species of
the Delichon genus, which are endemic to eastern and southern Asia. Its
scientific name (Delichon urbicum) and common name both relate to its
use of man-made structures. It builds a closed cup nest from mud pellets
under eaves or similar locations on buildings usually in colonies, but
sometimes fouling below nests can be a problem. It is hunted by the
Eurasian Hobby, and like other birds is affected by internal parasites
and external fleas and mites, although its large range and population
mean that it is not threatened globally. Its proximity to man has led to
some cultural and literary references, including a description in
Macbeth.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_House_Martin>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
25:
Guangwu claimed the throne as emperor of the Han Dynasty after
Wang Mang, who had seized the throne himself and proclaimed the Xin
Dynasty, died when peasant rebels besieged Chang'an.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emperors_of_the_Han_Dynasty>
1583:
Explorer Humphrey Gilbert established the first English colony
in North America at what is now St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador,
Canada.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John%27s,_Newfoundland_and_Labrador>
1861:
With the passage of the Revenue Act, the U.S. government issued
its first income tax: 3% of all incomes over $800 (later rescinded in
1872).
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States>
1925:
The Welsh political party Plaid Cymru was founded with the
goals of promoting the Welsh language and the political independence of
the Welsh nation.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Plaid_Cymru>
2003:
A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the lobby of the
JW Marriott Hotel in Setiabudi, South Jakarta, Indonesia, killing twelve
people and injuring 150.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Marriott_Hotel_bombing>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
dog days:
1. The days between early July and early September when Sirius (the Dog
Star) rises and sets with the Sun.
2. Hot, lazy days
3. A period of inactivity, laziness, or stagnation.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dog_days>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
As soon as the generals and the politicos can predict the motions
of your mind, lose it. Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the
way you didn't go. Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction. Practice resurrection.
--Wendell Berry
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wendell_Berry>
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