Wikipedia:Main Page history/2014 April 2

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From today's featured article

Atlantic Puffin

The Atlantic Puffin is a species of seabird in the auk family and is the only puffin native to the Atlantic Ocean. It has a black crown and back, pale grey cheek patches and white underparts and its broad, boldly marked red and black beak and orange legs contrast with its otherwise sombre plumage. The Atlantic Puffin spends the autumn and winter at sea, mainly in the North Atlantic, and returns to land at the start of the breeding season in late spring. Its breeding range includes the coasts of north west Europe, the Arctic fringes and eastern North America. It nests in clifftop colonies, each pair of birds choosing or digging a burrow in which a single white egg is laid. Incubation takes about six weeks and the chicks are fully fledged a similar time later. They then make their way at night to the sea, not returning to land for several years. Colonies are mostly on islands where there are no terrestrial predators, but both adult birds and newly fledged young are at risk of attacks from the air by gulls and skuas. The Atlantic Puffin's striking appearance, large colourful bill, waddling gait and appealing behaviour have given rise to nicknames such as "clown of the sea" and "sea parrot". It is the official bird symbol for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. (Full article...)

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Today's featured picture

Apollo and Daphne

A depiction of the Greek story Apollo and Daphne by the Italian painter Antonio del Pollaiolo (1431–98). In the story, the god Apollo mocks Eros for using a bow and arrow. In revenge, Eros shoots the nymph Daphne with a lead arrow, and Apollo with a gold arrow. This causes Apollo to fall hopelessly in love with Daphne, while she hates him with all her heart. Ultimately, to escape from Apollo's unwanted advances, Daphne calls upon her father, Peneus, for help. He grants her request by transforming her into a tree. Such is Apollo's love that he vows to tend the tree for eternity.

Painting: Antonio del Pollaiolo

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