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CHAPTER VI. THE WOODPECKER OF MARS.

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 There are some small birds which have hooked talons1; the woodpecker, for example, surnamed “of Mars,” of considerable importance in the auspices2. To this kind belong the birds which make holes in trees, and climb stealthily up them, like cats; mounting with the head upwards3, they tap against the bark, and learn by the sound whether or not their food lies beneath; they are the only birds that hatch their young in the hollows of trees. It is a common belief, that if a shepherd drives a wedge into their holes, they apply a certain kind of herb and it immediately falls out. Trebius informs us that if a nail or wedge is driven with ever so much force into a tree in which these birds have made their nest, it will instantly fly out, the tree making a loud cracking noise the moment that the bird has lighted upon the nail or wedge.
 
These birds have held the first rank in auguries5, in Latium, since the time of the king who has given them their name.[171] One of the presages6 that was given by them, I cannot pass over in silence. A woodpecker came and lighted upon the head of ?lius Tubero, the City pr?tor, when sitting on his tribunal dispensing7 justice in the Forum8, and showed such tameness as to allow itself to be taken with the hand; upon which the augurs9 declared that if it was let go, the state was 194 menaced with danger, but if killed, disaster would befall the pr?tor; in an instant he tore the bird to pieces, and before long the omen4 was fulfilled.[172]
 
Many birds of this kind feed also on acorns10

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1 talons 322566a2ccb8410b21604b31bc6569ac     
n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部
参考例句：
  • The fingers were curved like talons, but they closed on empty air. 他的指头弯得像鹰爪一样，可是抓了个空。 来自英汉文学 - 热爱生命
  • The tiger has a pair of talons. 老虎有一对利爪。 来自辞典例句
2 auspices do0yG     
n.资助，赞助
参考例句：
  • The association is under the auspices of Word Bank.这个组织是在世界银行的赞助下办的。
  • The examination was held under the auspices of the government.这次考试是由政府主办的。
3 upwards lj5wR     
adv.向上，在更高处...以上
参考例句：
  • The trend of prices is still upwards.物价的趋向是仍在上涨。
  • The smoke rose straight upwards.烟一直向上升。
4 omen N5jzY     
n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示
参考例句：
  • The superstitious regard it as a bad omen.迷信的人认为那是一种恶兆。
  • Could this at last be a good omen for peace?这是否终于可以视作和平的吉兆了？
5 auguries ebd5557db998664a95132557abd09c1c     
n.（古罗马）占卜术，占卜仪式( augury的名词复数 )；预兆
参考例句：
  • So far, the auguries look gloomy. 但迄今为止，前景似乎不容乐观。 来自互联网
6 presages 4ea00ada107e90bad30d10cbfebaf0aa     
v.预示，预兆( presage的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
  • This sign presages rains. 这种迹象是下雨的预兆。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • And each presages the bigger pivots ahead in China's course. 每一件也都预示着中国今后路线的更大转机。 来自互联网
7 dispensing 1555b4001e7e14e0bca70a3c43102922     
v.分配( dispense的现在分词 )；施与；配（药）
参考例句：
  • A dispensing optician supplies glasses, but doesn't test your eyes. 配镜师为你提供眼镜，但不检查眼睛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The firm has been dispensing ointments. 本公司配制药膏。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 forum cilx0     
n.论坛，讨论会
参考例句：
  • They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
  • The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。
9 augurs fe7fb220d86218480f31b16b91ecabd5     
n.（古罗马的）占兆官( augur的名词复数 )；占卜师，预言者v.预示，预兆，预言( augur的第三人称单数 )；成为预兆；占卜
参考例句：
  • This augurs well for the harvest. 这是丰收的好兆头。 来自辞典例句
  • Higher pay augurs a better future. 工资高了，前程会更美好。 来自辞典例句
10 acorns acorns     
n.橡子，栎实( acorn的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Great oaks from little acorns grow. 万丈高楼平地起。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Welcome to my new website!It may not look much at the moment, but great oaks from little acorns grow! 欢迎来到我的新网站。它现在可能微不足道，不过万丈高楼平地起嘛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
11 gregarious DfuxO     
adj.群居的，喜好群居的
参考例句：
  • These animals are highly gregarious.这些动物非常喜欢群居。
  • They are gregarious birds and feed in flocks.它们是群居鸟类，会集群觅食。
12 prey g1czH     
n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨
参考例句：
  • Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
  • The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

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