The ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the county of Warwick Esq, fellow of the Royal Society in three books : wherein all the birds hitherto known, being reduced into a method sutable to their natures, are accurately described : the descriptions illustrated by most elegant figures, nearly resembling the live birds, engraven in LXXVII copper plates : translated into English, and enlarged with many additions throughout the whole work : to which are added, Three considerable discourses, I. of the art of fowling, with a description of several nets in two large copper plates, II. of the ordering of singing birds, III. of falconry / by John Ray ...

THE ORNITHOLOGY OF FRANCIS WILLUGHBY OF Middleton in the County of Warwick Esq Fellow of the ROYAL SOCIETY . In Three Books : Wherein All the BIRDS HITHER TO KNOWN , Being reduced into a METHOD sutable to their Natures , are accurately described . The Descriptions illustrated by most Elegant Figures , nearly resembling the live BIRDS , Engraven in LXXVIII Copper Plates . Translated into English , and enlarged with many Additions throughout the whole WORK .

To which are added , Three Considerable DISCOURSES , I. Of the Art of FOWLING : With a Description of several NETS in two large Copper Plates . II. Of the Ordering of SINGING BIRDS . III. Of FALCONRY . BY JOHN RAY , Fellow of the ROYAL SOCIETY .

Psalm 104. 24.

How manifold are thy works , O Lord ? In wisdom hast thou made them all : The Earth is full of thy riches .

LONDON : Printed by A. C. for John Martyn , Printer to the Royal Society , at the Bell in St. Pauls Church-Yard , MDCLXXVIII .

THE PREFACE .

WHo the Author of this History of Birds was , and why after so many Books of this Subject already published we should attempt to set it forth , the Reader may perchance desire some information and account , which we shall endeavour briefly to give him . As for the Author the Title-page presents him with his Name and Country . He was the only Son of Sir Francis Willughby Knight , descended of two very ancient Families , both Willughbyes , the one Honourable , viz. that of Eresby in Lincolnshire , by the Fathers side ; the other Worshipful , viz. that of Willughby on the Woulds in Notinghamshire , by the Mothers . His Mother was the Lady Cassandra , Daughter to the Right Honourable the Earl of London-Derry . He was moreover endowed with excellent gifts and abilities both of body and mind , and blessed with a fair Estate . Howbeit , as he did duly prize these advantages of Birth , Estate , and Parts , so did he not content himself therewith , or value himself thereby , but laboured after what might render him more deservedly honourable , and more truly be called his own , as being obtained by the concurrence at least of his endeavours . First then , as God had given him a quick Apprehension , piercing Wit , and sound Judgment , so by his great industry and constant use of these gifts he did highly improve and advance them . He was from his Childhood addicted to study , and ever since he came to the use of Reason so great a husband of his time , as not willingly to lose or let slip unoccupied the least fragment of it , detesting no Vice more than Idleness , which he look'd upon as the Parent and Nurse of almost all others . Nay , so excessive was he in the prosecution of his studies and other employments without any intermission or diversion , that most of his Friends were of opinion he did much weaken his body and impair his health by his uncessant labours and perpetual intention of mind upon business . However that be , hence it came to pass that he attained very good skill in all parts of learning , and particularly got a deep insight into those Sciences which are most abstruse and impervious to Vulgar Capacities , I mean the most subtil parts of the Mathematicks . Of his skill in Natural Philosophy , chiefly the History of Animals , [ Birds , Beasts , Fishes , and Insects , ] I shall say no more at present , but that it hath not yet been my hap to meet with any man either in England or beyond Seas of so general and comprehensive knowledge therein .

But secondly , what rendred him most commendable was his eminent Vertue and Goodness . I cannot say that ever I observed such a confluence of excellent qualities in one Person . For 1. Notwithstanding the forementioned advantages , which are wont to puff up mens minds with pride , he was so truly humble , that I have not known any man of the meanest fortune or birth exceed him in that vertue . He despised no man for his Poverty or mean Parentage ; honoured all men , was affable to the meanest , not preferring himself before others , but condescending to them of low degree . 2. He was so resolutely sober and temperate , that neither the importunity of company or pleasure of sense could ever tempt him to excess . 3. Of that exemplary chastity and purity , that his life condemns the dissoluteness and corrupt practices of the present Age , and demonstrates the possibility of restraining and regulating those motions and desires , which of all others are wont to be most violent and inordinate . 4. So scrupulously just and righteous , that he had rather a great deal suffer wrong than do any . 5. So true to his word and promise , that a man might safely venture his Estate and Life too upon it : His word being , as an honest mans is said to be , as good as his Bond. 6. So faithful and constant to his Friend in all conditions , as well adverse as prosperous , that one might be secure of him , and confident of his help and assistance , whatever distress or calamity might befall one : He never deserting any man only because fortune frown'd upon him , as the common sort of Friends are wont to do . 7. He was of so diffuse and comprehensive Charity , that he could heartily affect and embrace good men of all persuasions ; Good men , I say , to exclude such opinions as are destructive of , or inconsistent with true goodness .

To these I might add his Patience and Submission to the Divine Will , which did eminently appear in the time of his sickness , when he professed himself contented to leave the world , if it pleased God to have it so , though then in the height of his strength and parts , and in the hot pursuit of useful studies and designs , and in such circumstances , as to his private affairs and concerns in the world , as rendred some continuance of life very desirable to him , and would have tempted a man of ordinary vertue to express some anger and discontent at the sentence and expectation of death . And lastly , his due fear and reverence of the Deity , deep sense of his goodness , and thankfulness for the same , sincere Piety in all his carriage toward him , and great abhorrency of whatever tended to his dishonour .

Thus much , though less pertinent to the Argument of this present Work , I thought fit to premise concerning his Vertues , partly to do him right by procuring him the honour due to his memory : And partly to provoke young Gentlemen of this Nation , by the proposal of so illustrious an example of their own Rank , to prosecute the study of ingenuous Literature , and aspire to true honour by the constant exercise of Vertue .

I proceed now to give an account of this Work , and acquaint the Reader with the occasion of his attempting it , and what progress he made in it . Observing in this busie and inquisitive Age the History of Animals alone to have been in a great measure neglected by English men ( for that since Turner and Mouffet none that I know of hath performed any thing therein worthy of commendation ) he made the study thereof his Province , applying himself with all diligence to the cultivating and illustrating of it . Which that he might the more effectually do , he not only read what had been written by others , but did himself accurately describe all the Animals he could find or procure either in England or beyond the Seas , making a Voyage into forein Countries chiefly for that purpose , to search out , view and describe the several Species of Nature . And though he was not long abroad , yet travelled he over a great part of France , Spain , Italy , Germany , and the Low Countries . In all which places he was so inquisitive and successful , that not many sorts of Animals described by others escaped his diligence . For my part I know no man who hath seen more Species , been more exact in noting their differences , and inventing Characteristic Marks whereby they may be certainly distinguished ; or more curious in dissecting them , and observing the make and constitution of their parts as well internal as external . Howbeit I do not deny but some have been more accurate in anatomizing one or two particular Animals . The reason of this his diligence was , because he observed that some of the descriptions of former Writers of this kind , either by reason of their brevity , or because they contained only general notes , were very obscure , and gave occasion to many errours and mistakes , but chiefly unnecessary multiplications of Species ; the Readers often mistaking several descriptions of the same Animal , which they meet with in divers Authors , by reason of their generality and obscurity , for so many descriptions of several Animals . Now that he might clear up all these obscurities , and render the knowledge and distinction of Species facile to all that should come after , he bent his endeavours mainly to find out ( as I before intimated ) certain Characteristic notes of each kind . But if in any kind no singular mark occurred whereby it might be certainly distinguished from all others , he did minutely and exactly describe all its parts , that at least a Collection of many accidents , which all together could not be found in any Species else of the same kind , might serve for a Characteristic : That the Reader should not by a general and ambiguous description be left in suspense , or incur the danger of error . But because a prolix and operose description is tedious to most Readers , and to the unattentive seems rather to obscure than illustrate the thing described , to relieve and gratifie such , besides the description he often adds some short notes , by which the Animal described may be distinguished from others of the same kind like to it , and wherewith it is in danger to be confounded . Now though I cannot but commend his diligence , yet I must confess that in describing the colours of each single feather he sometimes seems to me to be too scrupulous and particular , partly because Nature doth not in all Individuals , ( perhaps not in any two ) observe exactly the same spots or strokes , partly because it is very difficult so to word descriptions of this sort as to render them intelligible : Yet dared I not to omit or alter any thing .

But to proceed , our Author having made so good progress in this Work , that few of our Europaean Animals described by others had escaped his view ; that he might ( as far as in him lay ) perfect the History of Animals , he designed a Voyage into the New World , but lived not to undertake it . For about the beginning of June , in the year 1672 , being seized with a Pleurisie , which terminated in that kind of Fever Physicians call Catarrhalis within less than a month after he took his bed , on the third of July in the thirty seventh year of his Age he departed this life to the immense grief of his Friends and all good men that knew him , and the great loss of the Common-wealth in general .

Viewing his Manuscripts after his Death , I found the several Animals in every kind both Birds , Beasts , Fishes , and Insects digested into a Method of his own contriving , but few of their Descriptions and Histories so full and perfect as he intended them ; Which he was so sensible of , that when I asked him upon his death-bed , whether it was his pleasure they should be published , he answered , that he did not desire it , nor thought them so considerable as to deserve it , or somewhat to that purpose , for the very words I do not well remember , though he confest there were in them some new and pretty observations about Insects . But , considering that the publication of them might conduce somewhat 1. To the illustration of Gods glory , by exciting men to take notice of , and admire his infinite power and wisdom displaying themselves in the Creation of so many Species of Animals ; And 2. To the assistance and ease of those who addict themselves to this most pleasant , and no less useful part of Philosophy ; And 3. Also to the honour of our Nation , in making it appear that no part of real knowledge is wholly balked and neglected by us , ( he not contradicting ) I resolved to publish them , and first took in hand the Ornithology .

As for the scope and design of this undertaking , it was neither the Authors , nor is it my intention to write Pandects of Birds , which should comprise whatever had been before written of them by others , whether true , false or dubious , that having already been abundantly performed by Gesner and Aldrovandus , nor to contract and Epitomize their large and bulky Volumes ; lest we should tempt Students to gratifie their sloth so far as to take up with such Epitomes , and neglect the reading of the Authors themselves at large , which would be much more satisfactory and improving : and besides , this were but actum agere , such Epitomes being already made by Johnston : But our main design was to illustrate the History of Birds , which is ( as we said before of Animals in general ) in many particulars confused and obscrue , by so accutately describing each kind , and observing their Characteristic and distinctive notes , that the Reader might be sure of our meaning , and upon comparing and Bird with our description not fail of discerning whether it be the described or no. Nor will it be difficult to find out any unknown Bird that shall be offered : For comparing it with the Tables first , the Characteristic notes of the genus's from the highest or first downward will easily guide him to the lowest genus ; among the Species whereof , being not many , by comparing it also with the several descriptions the Bird may soon be found . This then being our design , that we might surely effect it , we did not as some before us have done , only transcribe other mens descriptions , but we our selves did carefully describe each Bird from the view and inspection of it lying before us . That this diligence was not superfluous or without effect will appear in that we have thereby cleared many difficulties , and rectified many mistakes in the Writings of Gesner and Aldrovandus . If it be asked , what caused these great Authors to mistake ? I answer , short and general descriptions of Birds of the same Species under different Titles , either sent them by their Correspondents in several parts , or found in Books . Hence their mistakes are especially in the multiplying of Species , and making two or three sorts of one . This is easie to observe in reading of their Works . For their own descriptions of such Birds as themselves saw , are for the most very accurate and full , but those communicated by others are of a different stamp , as being composed by men not well versed in describing of Animals , containing only a few general and ambiguous notes , so that one description will fit divers Species , or two or three descriptions sute one and the same ; which must needs occasion such mistakes as we mentioned of repeating the same Bird two or three times for different kinds , under divers Titles . Many such errors occur in Aldrovand , which the Reader shall find noted in this Work , and some also in Gesner , notwithstanding his great skill and circumspection . Yet do we not pretend to have discovered and rectified all the mistakes and errors in these Authors : There remain yet sundry descriptions of this nature , which we are doubtful of whether they be of Birds specifically distinct or no : Nor do we see any means left to resolve our selves , unless perchance by travelling to those places whence such descriptions and titles were sent , where we might probably learn what Birds the Inhabitants understand by those names .

Having acquainted the Reader with our principal aim in this Work , which was to give certain Characteristic notes of the several kinds , accurately to describe each Species , and to reduce all to their proper Classes or Genera : We shall further add , that we have wholly omitted what we find in other Authors concerning Homonymous and Synonymous words , or the divers names of Birds , Hieroglyphics , Emblems , Morals , Fables , Presages , or ought else appertaining to Divinity , Ethics , Grammar , or any sort of Humane Learning : And present him only with what properly relates to their Natural History . Neither have we scraped together whatever of this nature is any where extant , but have used choice , and inserted only such particulars as our selves can warrant upon our own knowledge and experience , or whereof we have assurance by the testimony of good Authors , or sufficient Witnesses . And , because what is streight doth both manifest it self , and also discover what is crooked , we contented our selves to put down only what we approve , not thinking it necessary to spend time in confuting the contrary error .

Concerning the names of Birds we did not much trouble our selves , there having been disputing enough about them long ago ; but have for the most part followed Gesner and Aldrovandus , being unwilling to disturb what is setled , or dispossess Names , that may for their use now plead prescription . For to what purpose is it eternally to wrangle about things , which certainly to determine is either absolutely impossible , or next door to it ? Especially seeing if by immense labour it might at last be found out , by what Names every Species was known to the Ancients , the advantage that would thence accrue would not countervail the pains . About the Phrase and Style we were not very solicitous , taking greater care to render the Sense perspicuous than the Language ornate .

But because Mr. Willughby ( though sparing neither pains nor cost ) could not procure , and consequently did not describe all sorts of Birds ; to perfect the Work , I have added the Descriptions and Histories of those that were wanting , out of Gesner , Aldrovandus , Bellonius , Marggravius , Clusius , Hernandez , Bontius , Wormius , and Piso ; disposing each kind , as near as I could , in its proper place .

Now because elegant and accurate Figures do much illustrate and facilitate the understanding of Descriptions , in order to the Engraving such Figures for this Work , Mr. Willughby made a Collection of as many Pictures drawn in colours by the life as he could procure . First , He purchased of one Leonard Baltner , a Fisherman of Strasburgh , a Volume containing the Pictures of all the Water-fowl frequenting the Rhene near that City , as also all the Fish and Water-Insects found there , drawn with great curiosity and exactness by an excellent hand . The which Fowl , Fishes , and Insects the said Baltner had himself taken , described , and at his own proper costs and charges caused to be drawn . Which curiosity is much to be admired and commended in a Person of his Condition and Education . For my part , I must needs acknowledge that I have received much light and information from the Work of this poor man , and have been thereby inabled to clear many difficulties , and rectifie some mistakes in Gesner . Secondly , At Nurenberg in Germany he bought a large Volume of Pictures of Birds drawn in colours . Thirdly , He caused divers Species , as well seen in England as beyond the Seas , to be drawn by good Artists . Besides what he left , the deservedly famous Sir Thomas Brown , Professor of Physick in the City of Norwich , frankly communicated the Draughts of several rare Birds , with some brief notes and descriptions of them . Out of these , and the Printed Figures of Aldrovandus , and Pet. Olina , an Italian Author , we culled out those we thought most natural , and resembling the life , for the Gravers to imitate , adding also all but one or two of Marggravius's , and some out of Clusius his Exotics , Piso his Natural History of the West Indies , and Bontius his of the East .

The Gravers we employed , though they were very good Workmen , yet in many Sculps they have not satisfied me . For I being at a great distance from London , and all advices and directions necessarily passing by Letter , sometimes through haste mistook in my directions , sometimes through weariness and impatience of long Writing sent not so clear and full instructions as was requisite ; and they as often neglected their instructions , or mistook my meaning . Notwithstanding the Figures , such as they are , take them all together , they are the best and truest , that is , most like the live Birds , of any hitherto engraven in Brass .

It is requisite now that we inform the Reader what compendious ways we sought to avoid unnecessary expences in graving of Figures . 1. Of the same Species of Bird when more Figures than one occurred either in divers Authors , or our own Papers , or both , we caused only one , which we judged to be the best to be engraven . 2. We have for the most part contented our selves with the figure of one Sex only , and that the Male. 3. We have omitted all such dubious Icons as we knew not whether they were of true birds or not , or could not certainly determine of what Species they were . 4. Of such as differ only in bigness , or if otherwise in such accidents as cannot be expressed in Sculpture , we have given only the Figure of the greater . Of this kind are the greater and lesser Curlew , the common Snipe , and Jack-Snipe , or Judcock . And yet some Birds we have caused to be graven twice when the first time the Gravers mist their aim , and shot too wide of their mark : Such are the red-leg'd Partridge , The common Swallow , the Swift , the common Blackbird , the House-Dove , the Royston Crow , the Witwall , and the Dottrel . I might add hereto the Canada Goose in the seventieth Plate , for I now persuade my self that the Bird graven in Plate 71. is the same with it . The Sheldrake was through mistake twice figured in Plates 70. and 71. so was the Auk or Rozor-bill in Plates 64. and 65. The figures of the Rock Ouzel , Bittern , and Stone-Curlew first graven , though they were passable enough , yet having afterwards gotten very exact Figures of those Birds , we caused them also to be Engraven .

The whole Work we have divided into three Books . In the first we treat of Birds in general ; in the second of Land-fowl ; in the third of Water-Fowl . The second Book we have divided into two parts : The first whereof contains Birds of crooked Beak and Talons ; The second , such whose Bills and Claws are more streight . The third Book is tripartite : The first part takes in all Birds that wade in the waters , or frequent watery places , but swim not ; The second , such as are of a middle nature between swimmers and waders , or rather that partake of both kinds , some whereof are cloven-footed , and yet swim ; others whole-footed , but yet very long-leg'd like the waders : The third is of whole-footed , or fin-toed Birds , that swim in the water .

As for fabulous Birds , such as are confessedly so , viz. Phenixes , Griffins , Harpyes , Ruk , and the like , I have omitted them , as being no part of our subject , and all that can be said of them having been more than once written already . I have also omitted some that I only suspected for fictitious , as the Scythian Bird , the Aquila Heteropus , &c. Yet because I would not rely too much upon my own judgment , I have put in the Appendix the descriptions of some of that nature out of Hernandez , which I refer to the Readers censure .

It remains that I make a grateful mention of such of our learned and worthy Friends , as have given us any considerable information or assistance ; as well to do them right , as to acquaint the Reader whom we mean by some names recorded in this Work . Those were Sir Thomas Brown of Norwich before remembred : Francis Jessop Esq of Broom-hall in Sheffield Parish , Yorkshire , who sent us the Descriptions and Cases of many rare Birds , and discovered and gave us notice of many Species thereabout , which we knew not before to be native of England : Sir Philip Skippon of Wrentham near Bliborough in the County of Suffolk , Knight , who communicated the Pictures of several Birds we wanted : And Mr. Ralph Johnson of Brignal near Greta Bridge in Yorkshire , a Person of singular skill in Zoology , especially the History of Birds , who besides the Descriptions and Pictures of divers uncommon , and some undescribed both Land and Water-fowl , communicated to us his Method of Birds , whereby we were in some particulars informed , in many others confirmed , his judgment concurring with ours in the divisions and Characteristic notes of the Genera .

Thus much may suffice to have spoken by way of Preface of the Work in general .

It may now be expected that I give some account of the English Translation . But I have not much to say concerning it ; I shall only acquaint the Reader what I have therein amended , and what I have thereto added .

First , The errors and mistakes which since this Work was published I have discovered , and in the Translation noted or corrected are these . The first mistake is in the placing of the Toucan , falsly called the Brasilian Pie , among the Birds of the Pie-kind : It properly belonging to the Woodpecker Tribe , as having a like disposition of Toes , two standing forward , and two backward , and in like manner hewing a hole in a Tree to build its Nest in . This I did before suspect , but am now assured of by an exact description of this Bird I met with in Jo. Faber his Explications of some American Animals of Recchus . 2. In making Bellonius his greater red-leg'd Partridge or Greek Partridge to be a different kind from the common red-leg'd Partridge , which upon diligent comparing the Descriptions and Histories , I find to be the same with it . 3. In putting down the Fringilla spuria cum calcari Alaudae , Pag. 188. for a distinct Species from the precedent Bird , entitled Montifringilla major , or the great Brambling . This mistake was committed by meer accident , and forgetfulness . 4. In the conjecture that the Larus Maximus , described pag. 261. was the Skua of Hoierus , whereas I find that our Catarractes , described pag. 265. is his Skua , the descriptions exactly agreeing . 5. In putting down the Bird entitled , Anas fera capite subruffo minor for a distinct Species , whereas I am now assured by our Fowlers , that it is the Hen Golden-eye . I do also suspect the Anas fera capite subruffo major , described for a distinct kind in pag. 282. to have been no other than a Young Cock - Golden-eye , that had not moulted his Chicken-feathers . 6. In placing the Anas fera fusca or Pochard . And 7. the Havelda of Wormius among the River or Plash-Ducks , whereas they belong to the Sea-kind . 8. In making the Bird described , pag. 289. under the title of Phascas fortasse Gesnero , to be a distinct Species , which I find by comparing the Birds themselves to be a Hen-Wigeon . Besides these , I find remaining still to be corrected , 1. A mistake about the situation of the blind-guts in Birds : For they do not descend from the stomach downwards , but ascend from the intestinum rectum upwards , being as it were two branches of the intestinum rectum , and so in that respect differ not from the Blind-guts of Quadrupeds , as is affirmed pag. 7. 2. Among the Birds that want the back-toe , enumerated , pag. 3. the Dottrel is omitted . 3. I am now persuaded that the Stella Avis of Aldrovandus is a different kind from the Bustard , and that the Bird we saw in the Market at Modena was this Stella , for to my best remembrance it was much less than a Bustard , and therefore I revoke what was said in contradiction to Aldrovandus his affirmation , that the Bustard is a stranger to Italy : But it is very likely that this Stella Avis is the same with the Anas Campestris of Bellonius . Besides these the Reader shall find corrected those oversights and errors noted in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Latine , and others which I cannot now call to mind .

Secondly , For additions there are so many throughout the whole Work that it would be too tedious to enumerate them , I shall only mention the three principal and most considerable , which might pass for just Tractates on those Subjects .

1. An Epitome of the Art of Fowling , collected partly out of Olina's Uccelleria , written in Italian , but chiefly out of Gervase Markham's Book , entitled , Hungers prevention , or the Art of Fowling ; something also being added out of a late English Book , entituled , An Epitome of the Art of Husbandry , the Author whereof was pleased to conceal his name .

2. An Idea of Falconry , being an abridgement of the Authors long since Englished and put together by Turbervile ; and of our own late and best approved Writer Latham , with something out of Aldrovandus .

3. Directions for the ordering of Singing Birds contracted , out of the forementioned Epitome of the Art of Husbandry , Olina's Uccelleria , and Aldrovandus . In all which Discourses I have corrected some mistakes in my Authors , illustrated what was obscure , and intermingled some observations of my own . Here by the by I cannot but reflect upon the Author of a late English Book , entituled , The Gentlemans Recreation . For having had occasion to examine and compare Books upon these Subjects , I find that all that he hath considerable concerning Fowling is taken out of the forementioned Book of Markham , and yet hath he not to my remembrance made any mention of his Author : What he hath of Hawking is likewise an Epitome of Turberviles Collections , with some addition out of Lathams Falconry , without acknowledgment that all was borrowed . I doubt not but I could have traced him in his other Discourses of Hunting and Fishing , had I had leisure or will to compare his Book with Turberviles , Waltons , and other Treatises of those Subjects . I do not blame him for Epitomizing , but for suppressing his Authors names , and publishing their Works as his own , insomuch that not only the Vulgar , but even Learned men have been deceived by him , so that they have looked upon him as a considerable Writer , of extraordinary skill in such Arts and Exercises , and one that had advanced and improved them . By the way therefore it may not be amiss to caution Learned men that they be not too hasty nor lavish in their public commendations of new Books before they have taken the pains to compare them with former Treatises on those Subjects , lest they render themselves ridiculous by publishing those for advancers of knowledge , who are indeed meer Plagiaries and Compilers of other mens Works .

I might have added a censure of the flesh of Birds in reference to wholsomness in Diet , but that is done in the particular Species , and by many Authors in the Dietical part of their Institutions of Physic ; only in general we have taken notice , 1. In Land-fowl , that the flesh of no Carnivorous Bird is good meat , neither of the Rapacious kind that touch no Vegetables ; nor yet of the Crow-kind , which feed promiscuously upon Flesh , and Fruits , or Seeds . 2. That the flesh of such birds as feed only upon Insects is not approved good meat , for example , Woodpeckers and Swallows . As for small Birds of slender Bills that are reputed good , they feed as well upon Fruits and Berries as upon Insects , though it may be chiefly upon Insects ; but they are best when they feed upon Fruits , as the Beccafigo in Fig-time , 3. The Birds that feed upon Gram and Seeds only , ( if any such ) or upon Fruits , or Seeds , and Insects , as the Poultry-kind , are the best of all . 4. Of Water-fowl , such as feed only or chiefly upon Fish are not good meat ; Yet the Young of some of these are approved as a delicacy , though I scarce think very wholsom : Such are young Soland-Geese , Puffins , Pewets , and Herons . Besides these , all Water-fowl , though feeding only upon Insects , are esteemed good to eat , and admitted to our Tables : The most delicate of these are those we have termed Mud-suckers , that with their long Nebs thrust into the Earth suck out of the Mud or Ouze a fatty juyce , by which they are nourished .

Two or three Observations communicated by Mr. Martin Lister of York , my honoured Friend , being through forgetfulness omitted in their proper places in the Book , I shall thrust into this Preface . 1. The Curruca or Hedg-Sparrow lays Sea-green or pale-blue Eggs , which neatly emptied and wired I have seen fair Ladies wear at their Ears for Pendants . 2. One and the same Swallow I have known by the subtracting daily of her Eggs to have laid nineteen successively , and then to have given over . 3. The Bunting breaks not Oats , but hulls them most dexterously , as I observe , having of them by me at this present in Cages . 4. The Robin-red-breast will not touch a hairy Caterpillar , but will gladly eat any smooth one that I have given him ; and there is no better way speedily to tame and make wild Birds sing than to give them a pleasing Insect or two daily . 5. Neither slender nor thick-bill'd Birds but will gladly eat Spiders , as I have experienced in some .

I have no more to add , but only to advertise the Reader , that by the breadth of a Bird we understand the distance between the tips of the Wings extended ; by the flag-feathers , or beam-feathers , or quil-feathers , or prime feathers , or sails of the Wing , we mean those of the first row . That when we say from Bill to Tail , we mean from Bill-point to Tail-end : That for brevities sake , and want of English words , I was in this Translation often forced to use Latine , as for the circle about the Pupil of the Eye , Iris , and in the Plural , Irides ; for the liminary stomach described page 8. Echinus , and some others : And so I bid him

Farewell .

Errata .

PAge 13. line 10. for or read as . 22. 61. Witwall . 38. 14. Glass . 46. 50. for the read to . 58. 6. after called add by the. 64. 18. Oripelargus . 65. 4. Cloak . 66. 39. after several add sorts . 94. 56. Pauwius . 109. 32. unusual . 129. 27. after head put in of . 135. 26. lower . 137. 20. down . 143. 43. for of read to . 153. 32. wallowish . 159. 32. gate . 201. 9. Line . 203. Birds . 233. 22. dele the rest their lower . 252. 36. after saith add being . 254. 39. seven or eight . 256. 17. cinereous . 257. 16. after lower add joynt . 260. 17. six or seven . 270. 11. tooth . 294. 17. eight or nine . 308. 8. Eggs. 311. 38. Aberdovey . 332. 27. for small read broad . 337. 45. for yard read foot . 369. 18. Schellent . 378. 22. Anas . 379. 2. Ipecati apoa . 385. 41. for White read Yolk .

Some other literal faults or omissions , and errours in pointing there are , which because they are obvious and easie to be corrected , and cannot likely occasion any doubt or mistake , I have not here put down , lest I should seem too much to distrust either the Readers judgment , or his ingenuity . For my part , I can easily pardon so few faults of the Printers as I have observed in this Work , especially being printed from a Manuscript ; as knowing by experience how difficult a thing it is for the most quick-sighted , circumspect and diligent Corrector that is , to espy all the faults that the Compositors will commit , even in one sheet of Paper , at once or twice reading over .

THE FIRST BOOK OF THE ORNITHOLOGY OF FRANCIS WILLUGHBY Esq Of Birds in general .

CHAP. I. Of the external parts of Birds .

WE do not intend to treat of all the parts of Birds , but of those only which are either proper to this kind , or if common to other Animals , have in Birds something peculiar in their shape , size , temper , use , or some other remarkable accident .

1. All Birds in general , without exception of any , want Teeth , in stead whereof they are furnished with a Bill of a The Bill and its uses . horny substance . By Teeth we understand Teeth properly so called , viz. such as are distinct and separable from the Mandibles . For in some Birds , as for example Divers , the Bills themselves are toothed or indented after the manner of a Saw . The Bill in Birds hath two principal uses ; the one as an instrument to gather and receive their food ; the other as a weapon to fight with , either by assaulting others , or defending and revenging themselves . These , I say , are the principal uses , besides which it serves them also for other purposes , to wit , building their Nests , feeding their Young , preening their Feathers , and some for climbing , as the Parrot and Shell-apple .

2. In all Birds , except Nocturnal ones , the head is smaller and bears less proportion The Head . to the body than in Quadrupeds , that it may more readily divide the Air in flying , and making way for the body render its passage more easie .

3. In Birds and Fishes the eyes are more flat and depressed than in Quadrupeds . The Eyes . A circle of small plates of bone placed scalewise under the outward coat [ tunica sclerodes ] where the processus ciliares are , encompasses the pupil of each eye in Birds , to strengthen the eyes , and defend them from injuries . Moreover most , if not all Birds , have a Membrane for Nictation , called in Latine Periophthalmium , wherewithal Membrane fornictation . they can at their pleasure cover their Eyes , though their eye-lids be open . This hath its rise from the greater or more obtuse corner of the Eye , and serves to wipe , cleanse , and perchance moisten the Supersicies of it . This Membrane is not proper to Birds only , but common with them to many Quadrupeds . * * Of the General . of Animals Exer. 18. Dr. Harvey , treating of the Eyes of Birds hath this observation : The Eyes of Birds ( saith he ) never contract themselves to that proportion which is between the eye and head of a viviparous Animal . For if in Hens or other Birds you take off the skin covering the eyes , you shall find that either of them will at least equal the whole bulk of the brain : But in a Woodcock , and the like , either eye is greater than all the rest of the head , setting aside the Bill . In general the orbit or cavity containing the eye in all Birds exceeds the brain it self , as may be seen in their skull . Their eyes indeed outwardly appear but small , because excepting the pupils they are wholly covered with skin and feathers . In our observation the cavity containing the brain is greater than the orbit of either eye in many , not to say all , Birds .

4. All Birds want the external ear , standing out from the head . For though there The Ear. is a sort of Owl called in Latine Noctua aurita , or the eared Owl , yet hath it not ears properly so called , but only feathers sticking out on each side the head , somewhat resembling Ears or Horns , and is therefore called also the Horn-Owl . I suppose the feathers encompassing the Ear-holes in Birds supply the defect of the exterior Ear. In most sorts the Ear-holes are open and uncovered ; but in all nocturnal , and some diurnal rapacious Birds provided with covers .

5. The Bridle of the mouth , or the Membrane connecting the Mandibles at each The Bridle of the mouth . corner , either falls inward when the mouth is shut , as in most Birds , or outward , as in Larks . By the softness , colour , and thickness of this part young birds may be distinguished from old ones .

6. All Birds want the * * i. e : The cover of the Windpipe . Epiglottis ; whence it is manifest , that part is not at all necessary The Epiglottis . to the modulation or articulation of the voice ; seeing many Birds can tune and modulate their voice most melodiously , and some also speak articulately , notwithstanding they want it . The cranny in the top of the † † The head of the Wind-pipe . Larynx , through which the Air passes to and fro in respiration , lies directly under the fissure or cleft of the Palate , or the hole which leads to the Nosthrils .

7. Such Birds as have long Legs , have also a long Neck ; for that otherwise they The Neck . could not commodiously gather up their food , either on Land , or in the water . But on the other side , those which have long Necks have not always long Legs , as appears in Swans , Geese , and other Water-fowl ; whose Necks serve them to reach to the bottoms of Rivers , Lakes , and Pools of water , to fetch up thence , Snails , Whilks , Insects , Seeds , and Herbs , while their bodies swim on the Surface of the water .

8. All Birds , instead of Channel-bones [ Claviculae ] wherewith many Quadrupeds are furnished , have a bone which we in English commonly call the Merry-thought The Merry-thought . [ furcula . ]

9. All Birds whatsoever have Wings , or rudiments of Wings ; which answer to the fore-legs in Quadrupeds . Among Land-fowl the Ostrich , Cassowary , and Dodo ; The Wings . among Water-fowl the Penguin have wings altogether useless and unfit for flight . Those especially of the Cassowary are so very little and next to none , that I cannot imagine what use they should be of to her . As for the Ostrich , her Wings extended and agitated assist her in running , being like Sails to a Ship . Insects indeed have Wings , and so have Bats , but of a different kind from those of Birds ; the former Membranaceous , the latter Cutaneous : Only Birds have Wings made up of Feathers . All Birds toward the extremity of their Wings have a certain finger-like Appendix , which weare wont to call the Secundary or Bastard Wing : It is made up of four or five small feathers . Besides this under the wing , or on the inside of the Wing , some Birds , especially The exteriour Bastard Wing . Water-fowl , have a row of feathers growing , which we call the Interiour bastard wing ; which in most Birds is white of colour . The interiour Bastard wing .

10. All Birds are two-leg'd , which is common to them with man ; who is therefore defined by Plato , Animal implume bipes , a two-legg'd Animal without feathers , to The Legs and Feet . distinguish him from Birds . But this definition being rendred ridiculous by Diogenes , turning loose a Cock with his feathers plucked off , and crying Ecce hominem Platonicum , See Plato's man : To mend the matter and secure the definition from cavil and derision , they added to it 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , with broad nails , thinking that thereby they had perfectly excluded all Birds ; whereas had Diogenes been well skilled in the History of Birds , he might have soon fitted himself with a Bird to pluck , that should have answered their reformed definition , as well as a Cock did their original , viz. a Didapper or Loon , and also a Stork , that having broad nails as well as man . But to leave that , and return to the matter in hand ; some Swallows indeed are called * * Footless . Apodes , not because they do altogether want feet and legs , but because they have very short , little , and infirm ones . These by reason of the length of their wings and shortness of their legs , if they happen to fall on the ground , can hardly raise themselves again . But that the Birds of Paradise , so called , should want feet , as was not long since generally believed , Birds of Paradise . not only by the Vulgar , but also by the greatest Naturalists themselves , even such as were most conversant in the History of Animals , because those brought out of the Indies were wont to be mutilated and bereaved of their feet , is now sufficiently convinced to be false by the testimony of eye-witnesses , and by the Birds themselves brought overintire , so that no man in his right wits can any longer doubt of that matter .

11. Most Birds have four Toes in each foot , three standing forwards , and one The Toes . backwards . Some few have only three , all standing forwards , for these want the back-toe . Such are among the Birds hitherto known , 1. The Cassowary or Emeu ; What Birds want the back-toe . 2. The Bustard ; 3. The Stone Curlew or Oedicnemus of Bellonius ; 4. If it be distinct from the precedent , the Bird called Stella by Aldrovandus ; 5. The Anas Campestris of Bellonius ; 6. The Sea-Pie or Haematopus of Bellonius ; 7. The Himantopus of Pliny ; 8. The Green Plover ; 9. The Sea-Lark , called Charadrius by Aldrovandus ; 10. The Sanderling . And of whole-footed Fowl , 11. The Penguin ; 12. The Coulterneb , Pope or Mullet , i. e. Anas Arctica Clus . 13. The Auk , or Razor-bill ; 14. The Guillemot or Sea-hen ; 15. The Mergus of Bellonius , if it be a different Bird from the Auk , which we doubt of ; And lastly , The Greenland Dove . The Ostrich only hath but two Toes : Yet Marggravius gives three to the Brasilian Ostrich . More than four toes in each foot ( whatever the Ancients report of the Porphyrio ) Nature hath bestowed on no sort of Bird , unless you take the Spur in the Poultry kind for a Toe . Of those which have four Toes , the most have them standing three forward , The situation of the Toes . and one backward ; some have two forward , and two backward , as the Cuckow , all sorts of * * Parrots are rather of the third sort , that can move one Toe either way . Parrots and Wood-peckers , &c. Some have two forward , one backward , and a fourth movable outward , so far as to make a right Angle with the middle Toe , as the bald Buzzard , and perchance some other Birds of prey , and all Owls . And lastly , some have all four standing forward , as the Swift . Those which want the back-toe never sit upon Trees . The middle-toe and Leg-bone in most Birds are of equal length . In some whole-footed Birds the inmost Toe hath an external welt or border of skin all along the length of it , of a good breadth ; but never the outmost .

12. In all Birds that have four Toes , excepting only the black Martin or Swift ; The bones of the Toes . the back-toe hath but one bone , the outmost of the fore-toes two , the middlemost three , and the inmost four . Which order , so constantly observed by Nature , hath not as yet been taken notice of by any Naturalist , that I know . Of all the Birds ( as I said ) that we have as yet taken notice of , the Black Martin is only to be excepted , whose feet are of a singular make , and different from those of other Birds as shall be shewn in its History . The hinder-toe , in those Birds which have it , is situate on the inner side of the foot , supplying the place and use of a Thumb . The Claw or Talon of the hind-toe , at least in Land-fowl , is the greatest and strongest of all . In those Birds that have but one back-toe , the outmost of the fore-toes for some space from the bottom is joyned to the middle toe , that it may not fall backward , nor so much as run outward , [ in most Birds , not in all . ] This conjunction is either immediate by cohaesion , or mediate by an intervening Membrane .

13. All Birds that we have yet seen and examined , even such as want a Tail , have The Rump and its Glandules . a Rump . Upon the Rump grow two Glandules , designed for the preparation and secretion of a certain unctuous humour , and furnished with a hole or excretory Vessel . About this hole grows a tuft of small feathers or hairs , somewhat like to a Painters Pencil . When therefore the parts of the feathers are shattered , ruffled , or any way discomposed , the Bird , turning her head backward to her rump , with her Bill catches hold of the forenamed tuft , and pressing the Glandules , forces out the oyly pap , and therewithall anointing the disjoyned parts of the feathers , and drawing them out with her bill , recomposes and places them in due order , and causes them to stick faster together . But here we are to take notice , that the Glandules of the Rump are lesser in those Birds that want Tails , as Colymbi , and the like , than in those that have them .

14. The Orifices of Excrements and that of the Womb have a contrary site in all feathered Harvy of Generat . Exer. 5. Fowl to what they have in other Animals : For in these , that of the Excrements is placed immediately under the Tail , and beneath it that of the Womb : In those , the vent or Orifice of Excrements is situate lowermost , the aperture of the Womb between that and the Rump . * * Ornithol . lib. 14. c. 1. Aldrovandus thinks the convenience of coition is the cause of this position of parts : For ( saith he ) in these Animals engendring , the Male getting upon or treading the Female , the Instruments of generation ought to be near one another , that they may more easily and readily couple together . Which reason is not to us satisfactory , for that Quadrupeds which mingle also by supergression or leaping , though they have not their Genitals so situate , experience from thence no difficulty or inconvenience in their Coition .

15. It is common to all Birds to have their whole body , or at least the greatest part All Birds feathered . of it , covered with feathers growing thereon . By the word body in this place I understand only the Trunk of the body : For in most Birds the legs and feet , and in some also the head is uncovered . I add [ the greatest part ] for the Ostrich sake . For though the legs and feet ( as I said ) in most Birds , and in some also the heads are naked , as for example in the Turkey , the Crane , the Emen , &c. yet besides the Ostrich we know no Bird that hath any other part of its body bare of feathers . What is reported of a kind of Hens , that bear wool instead of feathers we take to be false and fabulous . Now though the words Penna and Pluma , which we may English Quill How Penna and Pluma differ . and Feather , or hard and soft feather , be sometimes promiscuously used , at least Penna in good Authors contains under it Pluma , yet we in this work for greater perspicuity distinguish these names , with our excellent Harvey , in this manner : Pennae differ from Plumae in their shape , use , place , and order of growth . Chickens are first plumigerous before pennigerous . [ Herein I must crave leave to dissent from him , unless he comprehends the first Lanugo or Down upon Chickens under the name of Pluma , for I think the Quils begin to spring as soon as the rest of the Feathers . ] For the Pennae or Quils are found only in the Wings and Rump , and spring deeper from the lower part of the skin , or the very * * The skin investing the bone . Periosteum , and serve for motion and slight ; the Plumae or feathers spring from the upper part of the skin , and are found every where in the body for defence and ornament . The Down , wherewith Birds newly hatch'd are covered , sticks , for the most part , to the tips of the primigenial feathers . In very many Birds the middle parts of the feathers are black .

16. The Tails of Birds are made up of feathers . Most Birds have this part , some The Tail and its uses . few want it , as the Doucker or Loon , and a sort of Hen. The Tail serves them for steering their course , and turning in the Air , as it were a Rudder . This is chiefly seen in Kites , of which Pliny saith thus , This kind seems to have taught men the Art of governing a Ship by the flexures of their Tails , Nature shewing in the Air what was needful to be done in the deep . Hence those Birds that have but a short Tail and long legs , stretch out their Legs backward in flying , to supply the defect of the Tail ; whereas other Birds , which have long or indifferent Tailsfly most with their Legs drawn up to their body , some few with them hanging down , as Water-Hens . Besides , the Tail doth not only serve for directing and governing the flight , but likewise for supporting and keeping even the body . Hence the † † Douckers or Loons . Colymbi , which have no Tails , fly very inconveniently , as it were erect in the Air , with their heads straight upward , and their Tail almost perpendicularly downward . In many Birds the outmost feathers of the Tail are whiter than the middle ones . The two middle feathers are not situate in the same right lines with the rest on each side , but a little higher or more forward . The number of Tail-feathers in no sort of Bird is odd . We have not as yet observed in the Tail of any Bird fewer than ten feathers ; though Marggravius mentions some Brasilian Birds that have but eight feathers in their Tails : And it hath been told us , that the Tropic-bird hath only two , but those very long ones .

17. The tips of the Flag-feathers of the Wings run out into a point on that side the The Flag-feathers of the Wing shaft in such as are gradually longer , which respects the feathers that are longer , or that run out further ; so in the ten outmost feathers the exterior Vanes run out into points , because the exterior of those feathers are longer than the interior , or at least by reason of their situation in the Wing complicated run out further . In the rest of the Flags towards the body , the interior Vanes run out into points , because from the tenth inwards the interior feathers run out further than the exterior , by reason likewise of their site in the Wing closed . In divers Birds the tips of the middle Flag-feathers are as it were indented , the Vane on each side the shaft running out equally beyond the shaft . This happens when the feathers are of equal length , the Antecedent being neither longer nor shorter , nor any way more produced than the Consequent . The inner Vanes of the Flag-feathers of the Wings are in most Birds broader than the outer .

18. All Birds , as far as we yet know , moult all the quills and feathers of their Birds moult their feathers yearly . whole bodies yearly . The bottoms of all the feathers , ( that is , the lower parts that appear not to sight ) in Birds of all sorts are of one and the same colour , and for the most part different from what is exposed to view .

19. The Pectoral Muscles , and such as serve to move the Wings , are of all others The Pectoral Muscles . the thickest and most fleshy . For since the flight of Birds is not performed without a strong motion , and vehement agitation of the Wings , to which force is required , it was requisite the Organs designed for that exercise should be the strongest and most able . On the contrary , in man the Muscles which serve to move the Legs are greater and stronger than those which belong to the Arm : Because their action , being to hold up the whole body , and transfer it from place to place , requireth great ability and vigour . Whence , if it be possible for Man to fly , it is thought by them who have curiously weighed and considered that matter ; that he that would attempt such a thing with hope of success , must so contrive and adapt his wings , that he may make use of his legs and not his arms in the managing of them .

CHAP. II. Of the inward parts of Birds .

THe learned Doctor Willis in his Book of the Anatomy of the Brain , Chap. 5. doth largely treat of the Brains of Birds , where he accurately describes their Teguments , Parts , and Ventricles , in these words :

The upper part of the Dura mater . Skull covering the Brain being taken up , the thicker Membrane or Tegument , called , Dura Menynx , straitly embraces the whole bulk within contained . In the middle of this Membrane , where the Brain is divided into two Hemispheres , there is a Sinus [ a hollow Cavity or Vessel ] extended long-ways ; which ( no Sithe-like process being there let down between the Hemispheres , as in Men and Quadrupeds ) is not very deeply inserted into the Brain : In that part of this Membrane which interposing it self divides between the Brain and the Cerebellum , there are formed two lateral Sinuses . There is moreover in Birds the fourth Sinus , but situate something more backward than in Man or Quadrupeds . For a little below the Conarion or Pine-like Glandule a round hollow process is let down from the * * The exteririour and thicker Coat or Tegument of the Brain . Dura Mater upon the legs of the spinal marrow [ pith of the back-bone ] produced , where it is straightway divided into two branches , of which it sendeth on each side one upwards into the Cavity situate in the hinder part of the Brain between the striate Membrane and the Hemisphere of the Brain .

This uppermost Membrane , called Dura Menynx , being cut off round about , and laid aside , the very thin Membrane immediately investing the Brain , called Pia Mater , comes in view : Which is not adorned with such a thick contexture of Vessels as in Man and other perfect Animals ; but consisting of a very subtil web of Fibres , doth only wholly invest and closely embrace the plain and even Surface of the Brain , devoid of all windings or plaits [ Gyris & ansractibus . ]

The Fabric of the brain in Birds , is unlike to that of Men and Quadrupeds : For besides that it hath no windings [ anfract us ] or inequalities in its exterior part , inwardly also the callous body , the Fornix or arched Roof , and also the striate bodies , such as we have before described ; moreover , the whole frame of the Brain is otherwise contrived and figured . That these things may be the more clearly perceived , take for dissection the Brain of a Goose or Turkey , and having cut open the Teguments , pressing gently where the sissure of the Brain is , separate by degrees the one half from the other , till you come to the very bottom , in which are two pithy bodies , which being stretched out transversly like Nerves , connect the Hemispheres of the Brain together . Both sides of the Interstice are invested with a whitish Membrane , marked with strakes as it were rays , drawn from the whole compass or Circumference thereof toward the inferior Angle : Which strakes are concentred about the insertions of the medullary bodies . This Membrane being cut there will appear underneath it in each Hemisphere of the Brain a Cavity extending it self over the whole space on that side the Interstice , and also covering the hinder Region of the Brain , the Roof whereof is the said Membrane . Both Cavities about the bottom open into an intermediate common passage or channel going out into the * * The funnel or hole leading to the Pituitaria Glandula . infundibulum , and from both sides of that passage are stretched forth the legs of the produced spinal marrow [ Medulla oblongata ] on which the Hemispheres of the Brain on each side are hung by the two medullary bodies ; to wit , from the main bulk of the Brain lying under the Ventricle the one half of the spinal marrow proceeds , and from the striate Membrane covering the Ventricle the other half . From both these placed in both sides certain medullary bodies , already mentioned , shooting forth transversly like Nerves do connect the two Hemispheres of the Brain . Moreover , these two uniting and growing together on both sides , do fasten both Hemispheres of the Brain to the legs of the spinal pith produced , [ Medullae oblongatae . ]

So that the figure of the Brain in Birds , compared with the Brains of Men and the more perfect Quadrupeds , seems to be as it were inverted . For as in these the cortical part is exteriour and uppermost , and the medullary spread under it ; so in Birds the lower part , consisting of a thicker and more bulky body , answers to , or is in stead of the bark ; the external and superiour Membrane covering the Ventricle being above any part the most pith-like . Furthermore , the Ventricles in the Brains of Men and Quadrupeds are situate beneath , near the base or bottom of the Brain ; in Birds uppermost , and near the outside . The reason of this difference seems to be , because in a more perfect Brain , such as are those of Men and Quadrupeds , the Animal Spirits have both their original and exercise therein ; viz. they are generated in the cortical part , and in the Medullary ( spread copiously under the cortical ) circulated and variously expanded for the actions of the several faculties . But in the Brain of Birds there is indeed space sufficient for the generation of Spirits , but scarce any room aflorded for their circulation . For the Brains of Birds seem not to be much employed in the functions of Fancy or Memory . Yea , moreover it is to be thought , that the Spirits produced in the Brain are exercised for performing the animal function chiefly in the spinal pith produced , [ medullâ oblongatâ ] for there ( as we shall shew anon ) the Medullary substance , which is in stead of the * * Corpus callosum . Callous body , is placed : And to the † † Corpora striata . striate bodies in others , answer the striate Membranes in these ; by which the Spirits procreated in the Brain , without any marshalling or ordering there , are forthwith carried into the prolonged pith . But because the Spirits generated in the Brain must somewhere depose their serous Excrements , therefore from the complicature of the striate Membranes over the hind-part of the Brain and the legs of the prolonged pith , do result Ventricles fit enough for that purpose . Howbeit in the brains of Birds , the * * The vaulted roof . Fornix being wholly wanting , there are only the two anteriour Ventricles ; within which the Plexus Choroides is spread out ; the Venose portion whereof ( as was just now said ) hath its rise a little lower from the fourth Sinus , but the Arteries come from both sides the prolonged pith .

Neither doth the Heterogeneity , or conformation different from that in Men and Quadrupeds , appear more in the Brain of Birds than in the Spinal pith produced : for in the first * * Branching or division . Section thereof , whence the Optic Nerves arise , two eminent protuberances or bunches grow to each side . These are in proportion much greater than the Orbicular Prominencies in more perfect Brains , so that they seem to be a secundary or subordinate Brain : Both are of a whitish colour , and purely Medullary , with an internal Cavity : So that in this sort of Animals are found two Ventricles in the Brain , and as many in the prolonged pith . And whereas in these , as in all other Animals , there is also a Cavity under the Cerebellum , the Ventricles in the whole Brain differ as well in Number as in Figure and Position .

In the middle of the * * The body of the pith of the pith of the back-bone . Medullary Trunk , to wit , where those prominencies grow to its sides , is a cranny or incisure leading to the funnel [ infundibulum ] into which both Ventricles have their outlets or apertures ; so that there is no doubt , but the † † Watry Excrements . Serosities there collected are that way avoided . Moreover , it is very likely , that these hollowed and medullary prominencies in Birds do supply the place and use of the Callous body ; the Animal Spirits being in them circulated for the exercise of their Faculties . For the room in the Brain is but strait , so that within its limits the Spirits cannot be both produced and circulated . Furthermore , whereas in Birds there is more use of Animal Spirits for the actions of the loco-motive faculty , than those of the Fancy or Memory , consequently their chief place or rendezvouz , where they both convene and are exercised , ought to be situate in the prolonged pith , rather than in the Brain .

The * * Arteriae Carotides . Carotide Arteries , which bring bloud to the Brains of greater Birds , are so small that they bear no proportion to the same in Man and Quadrupeds . Their trunks being entred , the Skull without any divarication into the Net-like † † Textures or complication of vessels plexus , after the same manner as in other Animals , ascend by the Pituitary Glandule , and proceed strait to the Brain , and so distribute certain slender twigs both to its exteriour circuit , and through its interiour recesses . For indeed the Brains of Birds are irrigated with a very small portion of bloud in respect of other Animals ; because not much bloud is required to the refection of the Animal Spirits , where the fancy and imagination are not much exercised .

Birds ( contrary to what some assert ) have both the * * Procissus mammillaris ; Pap like . Mammillary processes , and the † † Os cribrosum . Sieve-like bone : for the anteriour productions of the Brain very much extenuated and involved in the harder Tegument or Membrane , [ Dura Menynx ] running forward almost to the middle part of the Bill , are inserted into a Triangular bone , wherein is a double Sinus or Cavity , divided by a thin partition [ Septo . ] These processes of the brain being brought into the Sinus or Cavities of the foresaid bone , end in bladders full of a limpid water , which do plainly resemble the Mammillary processes in a Calf , replete with the like fair water . Moreover , seeing that from the fifth pair of Nerves a remarkable branch in each side passing through the orbit of the eye , enters the Cavern of the Nosthril , a branch sent forth from its trunk is bestowed upon the very Orifice of the Nosthril ; in the mean time both the greater trunks being compassed about by the Cribrose bone , meet together , and by and by again separating or receding from each other , and being brought to the end of the Bill are distributed through the palate . After this manner Birds as well as men and Quadrupeds are furnished with a peculiar Organ of smelling , viz. a double mammillary process , and have moreover within their Nosthrils accessary Nerves from the fifth pair ; by whose action , and the communication of their branches to other parts , there is even in them contracted so near an affinity between the senses of smelling and tasting . The other pairs of Nerves agree most-what with those of man and Quadrupeds . We have likewise observed , that as to the little Brain [ Cerebellum ] and the remaining portion of the prolonged Pith , there is no great difference between Birds and those other Animals we have before considered : Save that the Orbicular Prominencies before the Cerebellum , and those other annulary ones under it , which occur in those , are both wanting in Birds . Indeed , these latter seem not at all needful , and as for the former , those medullary hollow prominencies , which we have shewn to be in Birds , supply their rooms , and make amends for their absence .

Thus far D. Willis : All which things we have by experience found to be just so as he hath delivered ; though perchance the Reader that is not well skilled in Anatomy may experience some difficulty in understanding them , especially not being illustrated by figures , to assist his fancy .

The Lungs in all birds that we have dissected , and without doubt in all others whatever , The Lungs . stick so fast to the sides , ribs , and back , that they can be but very little dilated or contracted . Moreover ( which yet , saith * * Lib. de Generat . Animal . Exercit. 3. The perforation of the Lungs . Dr. Harvey , I do not remember to have been hitherto observed by any man ) the ends of the branches of the wind-pipe are in them perforated into the cavity of the belly , and do convey the air drawn in by breathing into certain membranes stretched out along the length thereof . So that in Birds the Lungs seem rather to be a way or passage to respiration , than the adequate organ thereof . But those membranes now mentioned ( at least with the assistance of the Muscles of the belly ) serve for respiration , and perform the office of the Midriff . This perforation of the Lungs is not obscure or hardly discernable , but so open and conspicuous , that in those of an Ostrich I have found many holes , that would easily admit the tips of my fingers . In a Turkey , and even the common Dunghil-cock , and almost all Birds , thrusting a Probe into the wind-pipe , you may find open passages out of the Lungs into the hollow of the belly . Air blown into their Lungs by bellows passes forcibly into the lower belly . Now Birds have either no Midriff , or at least not such a musculous one as men and Quadrupeds ; the forementioned membranes , supplying ( as we said ) the defect , and performing the office of a Midriff .

No Birds have more stomachs than one , unless you will take the Craw for a stomach : The Craw , and its use . which for the most part hangs without the trunk of the body , at the lower part of the neck before the breast , by the bone called the Merry-thought . The use thereof seems to be to moisten and so to mollifie , macerate , and prepare the meat for the stomach . Hence some Birds ( saith * * De Generat . Animal . Exercit . 7. D. Harvey ) do cast up the meat so macerated into the mouths of their young , and feed them therewith , ( after the same manner as Quadrupeds nourish theirs with milk ) as may be seen in the Pigeon-kind , and in Rooks. Perchance also because the stomach , in such birds as have a musculous one , is not of capacity enough to receive and contain so much food as may suffice for the uses of the body ; either in Winter-nights or long fasting , which for want of food by various accidents Birds are not rarely necessitated to undergo , the Craw is given them by nature for a Satchel wherein to store up plenty of food , when it is afforded , which afterwards it may little by little deliver over to the stomach .

A Gizzard or stomach furnished with thick and strong muscles is proper to Birds , The Stomach or Gizzard , and its use . but not common to all sorts of them , for Rapacious and some piscivorous Birds have a membranous one . The use of the Gizzard seems to be for the grinding of hard meat , for example , Wheat , Barley , Pease , and other sorts of Corn and Pulse , which birds swallow whole ; and so in granivorous birds to supply the defect of teeth . Which that it may the more effectually perform , these birds do now and then swallow small pebble stones and sand or gravel , which together with their meat , they keep in Why Birds swallow stones their stomachs ( no such thing mean time being found in their crops ) by the help whereof the foresaid Muscles , as it were two mill-stones , bound fast together by their two hinges , do grind and levigate the grosser and harder meat , and so promote the digestion of it . That this is so ( saith * * De Generat . Animal . Exercit . 7. Dr. Harvey ) appears in many sorts of birds : in whose Gizzards , if the small stones or other hard and rough things remain long , by their continual attrition they become so worn and smooth , that they are rendred unfit for the comminution of their meat , and are therefore cast out of the stomach as useless . Hence birds when they chuse out stones , they try them with their tongues , and if they find them not to be rough , they reject them . So have I found in the stomach of an Ostrich , and also of a Cassoware Iron , Silver , and stones much worn and almost consumed . Whereupon it is commonly reported and believed , that they concoct Iron , and are nourished therewith . If you lay your ear close to the bodies of Falcons , Eagles , and other Birds of prey , while their stomachs are empty you may perceive the manifest noise of the stones thereinto swallowed , striking one against another . For neither do Hawks for cooling their Bodies ( as is the common error of Falconers ) swallow stones , but for the comminution of their meat . In like manner other Birds , ( especially such as have a fleshy stomach or gizzard for the grinding of their food ) do for the same purpose swallow stones , gravel , or some such like thing , as we said before .

In terrestrial Birds of prey , and some piscivorous fowl , because they feed upon Birds of prey have a membranous stomach . flesh , which easily melts and dissolves in the stomach ( being softer than grain , and needing little grinding ) at least is quickly macerated by its acid ferment , the stomach is rather membranous than musculous . For Birds of prey tear the flesh with their beaks , which disposes it to concoction . Whence also carnivorous Quadrupeds have serrate teeth , for tearing the flesh of their prey from the bones ; neither do they chew their meat much , as do tame beasts , and other herbivorous and granivorous Animals . It suffices them to tear it to small pieces , and by a chop or two of their teeth strongly to pinch , crush , or bruise it . For this kind of contusion disposes it to corruption , and perchance a more quick and speedy one , than if it were ground small by a long mastication .

In many Birds the Gullet immediately above the stomach is dilated into a certain The Echinus or Ante-stomach . bag , as it were a liminary Ventricle , which they call Echinus , because in some birds it hath its inward Superficies rough with many excrescences ; in others it is only thick set , or as it were granulated with very many papillary glandules , out of which a mucilaginous juice is easily pressed : This juice being by these glandules excerned into the stomach , and there mingled with the meat , serves for a Menstruum to macerate , dissolve , and change it into Chyle .

Most Birds have two blind guts or Appendices , as they call them : the Heron-kind The Appendices or blind guts . have but one ; and the Woodpecker-kind none . Among such as have two , all carnivorous fowl , and all that we call small birds , have very small and short ones ; cloven-footed Water-fowl , of a mean length ; whole-footed Water-fowl , long ones ; and Poultry-kind , the longest of all . The Appendices in Birds have a contrary site to the blind guts in Quadrupeds . For in Quadrupeds the blind gut seems to be nothing esse but the * * The Colic gut . Colon , continued or produced from the fundament upward , making acute Angles with the gut called Ileum ; but in Birds the Appendices descend from the stomach downwards toward the Fundament , making acute Angles with the gut called Rectum . What the use of these Appendices or blind guts in Birds and beasts may be , I confess my self not clearly as yet to understand .

In most Birds we have about the middle of the guts observed a certain small Appendix The single blind gut , called ductus intestinalis . or blind gut , like a little Worm , which is nothing else but the remainder of that passage by which the Yolk is conveyed into the guts of the young chicken . In some birds this is very conspicuous , being of half an Inch , or almost an Inches length : In others it is much shorter and smaller , and in some again it is wholly obliterated and disappears . The use of this passage Mr. Nicolas Steno did first find out , or at least first publish to the world the invention of . It is true indeed it was known to us before we saw his Book , I think we had the first notice of it from Dr. Walter Needham . However the glory of the Invention is of right due to him , who first communicated it to the world . Aristotle , Fabricius ab Aquapendente , Dr. Harvey , and others , have observed a great part of the Yolk to remain in the Chickens belly after exclusion , yet did they The Yolk how conveyed into the guts . not know that it was by this passage as it were by a funnel conveyed into the guts , but thought that by the mediation of capillary veins dispersed through it , it was by degrees liquefied , and received immediately into the bloud .

The outlet of the channel from the Gaul to the guts in most Birds is a great way The passage of the Gaul to the guts The use of the Gaul . distant from the stomach : because ( say some ) they do not make water , and so there is more fluid matter mingled with their Excrements . For the use of the Gaul is partly to attenuate and make fluid the Excrements , partly by its acrimony to stimulate th● guts , and provoke Excretion . But upon this account there should rather be less need of Gaul , Birds therefore being now known to have large reins , and to avoid Urine with their harder Excrements ; their Excrements also , excepting those of the carnivorous kind , being not very fluid , considering the quantity of Urine mingled with them , perchance the Gaul-channel may enter the gut at such distance from the stomach , for no other reason than lest the Gaul should regurgitate into it . In very many Birds the passage from the Gaul-bladder and the * * The pipe that carries the Gaul from the Liver to the Guts . Porus bilarius do not concur in one common channel , but penetrate the gut severally at a good distance the one from the other .

All Birds though they want a bladder for Urine , yet have they largereins and ureters by which the Urine is carried away . Birds ( saith * * Of the Generat . of Animals . Exercit. 7. Dr. Harvey ) and Serpents , Birds have large Kidneys and Ureters . which have spungy lungs , make but little store of water , because they drink but little , and that by sipping ; and some of them , as Eagles , not at all : and therefore they have no need of a bladder ; but their Urine distils down into the common sewer or sink [ Cloaca ] designed also for receiving the Excrements of the belly , and being therewith mingled , both are cast out together . This Urine of Birds differs from that of other Animals : for whereas there are in Urine two parts , one more serous and liquid , the other more thick and gross , which Two parts in Urine . is called the sediment [ hypostasis ] and subsides or settles to the bottom , when the Urine is cool . Birds ( contrary to viviparous Animals ) have the greatest quantity of this thick part , which is distinguished from the other by its white or silver colour , and found not only in the common sink ( where it abounds ) and daubs or sinears over the exrements of the belly , but in the whole channel of the Ureters , which may be distinguished from the coats of the Kidneys by this whiteness . Neither is this grosser matter descending from the reins to be seen in Birds alone , but also in Serpents , and other oviparous Animals ; especially those whose Egg is covered with a hard shell . They have also greater plenty of this than of the more serous and thin part ; which is of a middle consistence between thick urine and dung ; so that passing through the Ureters it resembles milk curdled or lightly condensed ; and being cast forth easily congeales into a friable crust . See more of this matter in Harvey , De Generat . Animal . Exercit. 11. The Ancients taking it for granted that Birds make no Urine , assigned this reason thereof , That all the superfluous moisture was spent in nourishing the feathers .

All Birds that I have hitherto dissected have a double Pancreas , which some call the The Pancreas . Sweet-bread , in Quadrupeds .

The stones of Cock-birds are deeply withdrawn within the cavity of the body , being The Testicles . fastned to the back just beneath the Liver . In the Spring time when they are full of Sperm they swell to twice or thrice the bigness they are of in the Winter .

In some whole-footed broad-billed birds and Divers the Windpipe ends in a kind The vessel of the Wind-pipe , or Labyrinth . of Vessel made up of bones and intermediate membranes , being in divers birds of a different figure ; from which arise the two branches going to each side of the Lungs . The bones give the figure and consistency to this Vessel , as do the Ribs to the Breast , and the annulary Cartilages to the Windpipe . In some birds this Vessel is made up wholly of bone , as in wild Ducks , without any void spaces to be filled and closed up with membranes . This Vessel from the windings of its internal Cavity we are wont to call a Labyrinth . What the use thereof is , whether to increase the force of the Voice , or for a receptacle to contain Air , which may serve them while they dive , to enable them to continue longer under water , or to perform both these offices , or for neither of them , we do not as yet certainly know . That it doth not serve to intend the Voice , may be gathered from that some Birds of this Tribe that want it , have a shrill and vehement Voice . And that it doth not conduce to diving , may be inferred from that the Douckers ( Colymbi ) which of all birds dive most , and continue longest under water , want it . Since the writing of this we have been assured by an * * Mr. Dent , Apothecary in Cambridge . ingenious observer of what we did indeed suspect before , but were not very confident of , viz , That these Vessels are proper only to the Cocks in the broad-billed or Duck-kind ; but in the Divers [ Mergi ] common to both sexes , at least if we be not mistaken in our opinion of the difference of sex in those Birds ; what we take to differ only in sex , differing specifically .

CHAP. III. Of the Generation of Birds .

ALL Birds are oviparous , that is bring forth Eggs , and not live Young . This The Eggs of Birds . though it be common to Serpents , Fishes , and Insects ; yet in Birds the figure of the Eggs , and the brittleness of the Shell , and the distinction of White and Yolk , and the manner of Incubation are peculiar . The Eggs of all Birds , if the exteriour bark be pilled off , are white .

It is most probable , that Hen-birds have within them from their first formation all Hen-birds have from the beginning all the Eggs they afterwards lay . the Eggs , they shall afterward lay throughout their whole lifes time ; so that when their cluster of Eggs is wholly spent , they cease breeding , and become effete : as Angelus Abbatius hath observed of Vipers . For we our selves have found in Birds that breed only once , or at most but twice in a year , a lump of seed-eggs ( as I may call them ) enough to serve them for many years productions . Seeing then it is certain that some birds do become † † Past bearing effete with age , and that all of them have at all times of the year a considerable mass of Eggs within their bodies , I think we do not without reason thence infer , that all the Eggs they shall ever lay are connate with them . I am not ignorant that * * De Generat . Animal . Exercit . 29. Dr. Harvey doth assert , that though a Hen hath no seed-eggs within her , yet after coition she will breed new ones . But I think that Great Naturalist did not sufficiently consider or examine this matter , and therefore he doth only touch it obliquely , and by the by . For he together with Fabricius doth confess that there are in the † † Egg clusters or knots of Eggs. Ovaria of Hens , and almost all other oviparous Animals an innumerable multitude of Eggs of divers growths from an almost invisible quantity to the consummate magnitude . Now why should Nature prepare so great a stock of Yolks ( which as we said would suffice for many years births ) if she had given to females a faculty of generating new ones . Neither is it true only of Birds , but also of all female Quadrupeds , yea , and of women themselves , that they have in them from the beginning the Eggs or seeds of all the conceptions , they shall afterwards bring forth through their whole lives . For those two bodies in Females that are wont to be called Testicles , are nothing else but two * * Clusters or knots of Eggs. Ovaria , as will manifestly appear to any one that Testes faemineos Ovaria esse . will but take the pains to dissect them , made up of very many Eggs of different magnitude , all which being either brought forth , or by any means marred and corrupted , that female ceases to bear , neither doth there remain to her any further hope of generation .

The parts of an Egg are , 1. The Shell ; which hardens in the very womb , before the Egg be laid ; contrary to what Aristotle , Pliny , and Fabricius ab Aquapendente The parts of an Egg. following them , have delivered . And this any one may with his fingers easily try in 1. The Shell . a Hen with egg ready to lay ; or if he dare not trust his fingers , let him but open the Hens belly , and his eyes will convince him of the truth of what we say . But if any one wants either opportunity or will to make trial , let him consult the eleventh Exercitation of Dr. Harveys Book of the Generation of Animals , and he will there find it clearly demonstrated . 2. Four membranes , two exteriour , which begirt and embrace 2. Four Membranes . the outer White , one interiour which contains the Yolk , and a fourth middlemost , which encompasses the inner White . 3. A twofold White , which Dr. Harvey first observed 3. A double White . in a Hens Egg , both involved in their proper membranes , the one thinner and more liquid , the other thicker and more clammy , and a little more inclining to whiteness ; in staler Eggs after some days incubation growing yellowish . As this second White covers the Yolk round , so that exteriour liquor encompasses it . That both these Whites are distinct is even from hence manifest : The outward bark or shell being taken away , if you pierce both the subjacent membranes you shall see the exteriour liquid White forthwith flow out . Then turning back the said membranes this way and that way into the Platter ( in which the Egg is supposed to lie ) the interiour and thicker White will still retain its place and globose figure , viz. being terminated by its proper membrane , which is so thin that it is altogether invisible to the eye . This if you cut , the second White will straitway run out , and diffuse it self this way and that way , and lose its round figure , just as any liquor runs out of a bladder containing it , when it is cut . Then the proper membrane of the Yolk broken , the Saffron-coloured liquor flows out , and the former globosity subsides [ or sinks . ] 4. The Yolk , of which see Dr. Harveys Book of the Generation 4. The Yolk . of Animals , Exercit. 12. 5. Two Treddles , one in the acute , the other in the obtuse Angle . The greater part of them is within the White , yet do they stick 5. Two Treddles . fast to the Yolk , being hung upon its membrane . They are oblong bodies , more concrete than the White , and also whiter , knotty , and not without some brightness , wherein they resemble Hail , whence they took their name [ Chalazae . ] For each Treddle consists as it were of many hail-stones joyned together by the White . The one of these is greater , and stretched out further from the Yolk towards the obtuse end of the Egg : The other is less , extended from the Yolk downwards toward the acute part . The greater is made up of two or three knots , as it were hailstones , standing at a moderate distance one from the other , the lesser in order succeeding the greater . These Treddles are found in all the Eggs of all birds , as well * * Wind-eggs . subventaneous as fecund . Whence appears the common mistake of our Housewives , who think that the Treddles [ Grandines ] are the Cocks Sperm , and that the Chicken is formed of them . [ This is a mistake not of old Women or common People only , but also of great Physicians and Naturalists , as Hieronymus Fabricius ab Aquapendente , in his book of the Formation of the Egg and Chicken , and Joannes Faber in his excellent Expositions of some Pictures of Mexican Animals of Recchus . His words are these : Which I long ago most diligently observed before I heard of Aquapendentes work , to wit , that the Chicken hath its first rise or original from the Treddle , which the Italians call La Galladura ; the Germans most fitly Den vogel , that is , the bird , because the bird is bred or formed of it . This part is situate between the Yolk and the White in the likeness of a hailstone or pretty great oblong Pearl , and is of a substance somewhat different from the White , viz. more hard and tough , which therefore our Cooks and Housewives , when they mingle Eggs with Broths , Cawdles , or any other liquid meat , are wont to separate and take carefully away , as which with much beating can hardly be dissolved , unless you put Salt , or Sugar , or Vinegar to it . ] The use of these is to The use of the Treddles . be as it were the Poles of this * * Little world . Microcosm , and the connexions of all the membranes twisted and knit together , by which the liquors are not only conserved each in its place , but do also retain their due position one to another . 6. A very small 6. The Cicatricula or eye of the Egg. The Cicatricula . white circle , growing or sticking to the coat of the Yolk , as it were a little scar : which therefore Fabricius named Cicatricula . This speck is very little , scarce so big as a Lentil , resembling the pupil of a small bird , white , plain , and circular : and ( which is especially to be noted ) is in all Eggs from their first original in the * * The cluster of Yolks . Vitellarium . This is the principal part of the whole Egg , for the sake whereof all the rest are formed , and out of which the Chicken hath its first original . Thus far Harvey .

The stalks of Eggs , whereby they grow to the Ovarium , are not solid after the manner The stalk of the Egg. of the footstalks of fruits , but hollow and fistulous .

Eggs , if you press them between your hands longways , are very hardly and not without much force broken .

Eggs violently shaken , till the Yolk and White be mingled , the containing membranes being broken , may be set upright upon the blunt end , which otherwise the Eggs how to set on end . Yolk and White remaining entire can very hardly be so erected . For the Yolk being suspended between the Treddles , hangs quavering , and by the least motion or inclination vibrates to and fro within the Egg , , and changing the center of gravity , hinders its erection .

Eggs being macerated in Vinegar their Shels will be dissolved , so that they may be Egg-shels dissolved in Vinegar . The Chicken is formed of the White of the Egg. thrust into a narrow-mouthed Vessel , or drawn through a Ring .

Whereas there is in Eggs a double liquor , Yolk and White , the Chicken is formed out of , and nourished by the White alone , till it be grown great . The Yolk serves for the Chickens nourishment after it is well grown , and partly also after it is hatched . For a good part of the Yolk remains after exclusion , being received into the Chickens belly ; and being there reserved as in a store-house , is by the formerly mentioned channel , as it were by a funnel , conveyed into the guts , and serves instead of milk . For whereas viviparous Animals are furnished with milk , wherewith to nourish their tender young , till by degrees they are accustomed to and grow able The Yolk supplies the room of milk ; to bear firmer and harder meat ; in birds , which want Paps and milk , Nature , Gods handmaid , hath provided and laid up in the middle of the Egg the Yolk for the nourishment of their newly hatched young . Dr. Harvey confirms this in Exercitat . 53. of his book of the Generation of Animals . The White ( saith he ) is first spent , the Yolk comes not for food till late , and is to Chickens newly hatcht what milk is to viviparous Animals newly brought forth : that what kind of nourishment Nature affords by the Paps in viviparous Animals , the like in oviparous she may confer by the Yolk . Whence it comes to pass , that all the White being consumed , the Yolk remains almost entire in the Egg , when the Chicken is now perfect and consummate , and part of it a long time after its exclusion : for even after six weeks we have seen somewhat of it remaining in the belly of the Chicken , sticking to the guts .

Whereas we said the foetus is formed of the White , by White we do not mean any The young is in the cicatricala before incubation . part of the White indifferently , but the purer and more lucid part , contained in the little bubble or bladder , called the Cicatricula , in which the Chick is originally formed . Yea , the deservedly famous , and most sagacious searcher out of the secrets of Nature , * * Tractatu de Ovo . Marcellus Malpighius , hath observed the first strokes or rude draught of the Embryon in the Cicatricula , even before incubation , as the young plant in the Seed , which is the Egg of the Plant. And which is yet more , he hath observed even in subventaneous Eggs something in the Cicatricula like to a Mola or false Conception . Dr. Harvey seems not to be constant in his opinion about the formation and nutrition of the Chicken in the Egg. For in some places he asserts , that it is both originally formed of , and also nourished by both liquors , I mean , the Yolk and White ; as for example , in the 36. Exercitation , where he hath these words : Indeed from the course of the umbilical veins , and the distribution of their branches , which without doubt serve for drawing in nourishment , it doth manifestly appear , that the constitutive matter and nourishment of the Embryon-chicken is supplied as well from the Yolk as from the White , and that liquor called by us the Colliquamentum seems to be made up no less of the Yolk than the White : for something of both humours doth melt or dissolve into that liquor . Moreover , the speckout of which dilated the Colliquamentum is first made , and which is called by us the eye of the Egg , is impressed on , or sticks to the Tunicle of the Yolk . Elsewhere he affirms that the Chicken is first nourished by the liquor of the Colliquamentum , than by that of the thinner White , afterward that of the thicker , and last of all of the Yolk . Exercit. 21. After the tenth day the greatest part of the White is spent upon the Colliquamentum , and thence upon the * * The Embryon bird . foetus , to wit , the whole thin White , and the greater part of the thicker . But the Yolk appears larger than it was at first . Whence it is evident , that the Yolk doth not as yet serve for nutrition , but is afterwards deputed to that office . And as far as I could gather from the progress [ ductu ] and distribution of the veins , the foetus from the very beginning is nourished by the Colliquamentum , for that the veins are at first disseminated in that only , then spread into the membrane of the thinner White , and afterward into the thicker White and the Yolk .

All Animals come of Eggs , as well those called viviparous as oviparous : For the females Viviparous Animals bred of Eggs. of the viviparous have Eggs within them , though they do not bring them forth . To wit , those two bodies , commonly called female testicles , are nothing else ( as we said before ) but knots or masses of very small Eggs , as will manifestly appear to The supposed Testicles of Females are masses of Eggs. any one that shall dissect them ; so that we cannot but wonder that a thing so plain and evident should so long escape the observation of the curious and inquisitive eyes of ancient and modern Anatomists . This difference there is between the Eggs of oviparous and viviparous Animals ( understand it of terrestrial ) that these seem to consist of one liquor , viz. the White only , whereas those contain two or three several ones . Yea , if we consider the matter more exactly , we shall I think find , that the Seeds or Eggs of viviparous Creatures do indeed answer to the Cicatriculae of Eggs , in which from the beginning the young [ foetus ] is included . For the Yolk ( as we said ) is given to birds instead of milk : and the Egg of a viviparous Creature imbibes out of the womb a liquor Analogous to the White of Eggs. For the Egg after coition being made fecund , falls down into the womb , in like manner as the ripe fruit or Seed falls from the tree or herb upon the earth , and there semblably imbibes the humour , wherewith the enclosed foetus is nourished . Then after a certain space of time it fastens it self to the womb , and after the manner of Seed fallen upon the ground , doth as it were strike root into it .

The * * Sitting upon Eggs. Incubation of oviparous Creatures is equivalent to the † † Going with young . Incubation answers to Gestation . gestation of viviparous , for in both the Eggs are alike kept warm , in this inwardly in the womb , in that outwardly under the wings , to the time of birth or exclusion ; when the young being now grown great , and desiring the free air , breaks the involving Teguments , and comes forth into the light . Now an Egg is not unfitly called an exposed womb , for that it doth after the same manner administer nourishment to the foetus in oviparous Animals , as the womb doth in viviparous .

As other Creatures , so it is not to be doubted but Birds also of divers kinds do Spurious Birds bred by anomalous mixtures . sometimes couple together , and mingle their Seed , from whence proceeds a third and spurious production , which partakes of both kinds ; which yet I suppose doth not generate its like : For otherwise the number of Species in Birds would have been ere now almost infinitely increased . So although in the Genus of Quadrupeds a Mule be engendred by the coupling of an Ass and a Mare ; yet for a Mule to bring forth young was wont to be counted a Prodigy . This anomalous coition is exercised between Birds like to one another , as being of the same Tribe , especially between Hawks and other Birds of prey of different Species ; partly because these Species are very like one to another , partly because they are all very salacious .

It is wonderful which we dayly experience in Hens , viz. that they will breed and Hens will breed and lay Eggs without being ever trodden by the Cock. lay Eggs without ever being trodden by the Cock , which Eggs though they seem to be every way perfect yet are they insoecund , called by the Greeks , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , subventaneous or wind-eggs , or if the Hens were impregnated therewith by the wind . Neither do Hens only , but other Birds also , especially such as are salacious , in the Spring time when they are full of lust , if they be gently stroked on the back , or their Genitals handled , sometimes lay Eggs without the Cock . They are ( saith D. Harvey ) sometimes so libidinous , that if you do but lightly touch their backs with your hand , they presently lie down , and denude the Orifice of the Womb , which if you gently stroke with your finger , by an incondite murmur , and the gesticulation of their wings , they express their grateful sense of the pleasure they take therein . Moreover , that Hen-birds will thence conceive Eggs both Aristotle affirms , and my self have experienced in a Thrush , a Blackbird , and other birds , and did a great while since at first find out accidentally , and by my own loss .

My Wife did for a long time keep a notable Parrot that had learned to speak very prettily , wherein she took great delight . This bird was so tame and familiar , that it went freely up and down the house whither soever it listed ; it would search out its Mistress when she was absent , and when it had found her , with a chearful voice it would as it were salute her , and signifie its joy : When she called , it would answer her , and fly to her , and taking hold of her Garment with its beak and feet alternately , it would climb up to the top of her shoulder , and thence descending down her arm , it would at last settle it self upon her hand . Bidden to speak or sing , though it were by night , or in the dark , it would obey . Many times it would sportingly and wantonly come up into her lap as she sate , and was much pleased to have its head rubb'd , and its back stroked ; and by shaking its wings , and its flattering note , testified the great pleasure it took in those caresses and touches . I interpreted all these things to proceed from its wonted familiarity and obsequiousness : for by reason of the excellency of its speaking and singing , I took it to be a Cock . For among birds females seldom use to sing or speak much : but we have observed , that generally the Cocks do by the Cock-birds sing and not Hens . sweet modulation of their voice and harmonious accents endeavour to delight the Hens , and allure them to submit to their embraces .

Not long after these grateful contrectations , the Parrot ( which for many years had lived healthfully ) fell sick , and after many convulsions at last expired in the Lap of its Mistress , in which it had so often sported . Cutting up its Carcass ( that I might search out the cause of its death ) I found an Egg almost perfect in the womb , but for want of a Cock , corrupted , as it happens often to small birds shut up in Cages , which want the company of the Cock.

Many birds then by how much the more salacious they are , by so much the more fruitful be they , and do sometimes without the Male ( by reason of high-feeding , or some other cause ) conceive Eggs , but seldom without his concurrence either perfect them , or bring them forth ; but do rather thereupon fall into grievous diseases , and at last die .

Perchance it may seem to some not less wonderful , that by once treading of the Cock , all the Eggs which a Hen shall lay for a whole year after will be rendred prolific . Hens by being once trodden will lay prolific Eggs for a year after . Fabricius , as he is cited by * * De generat . Animal . Exer. 6 Dr. Harvey , saith , That it is most true , that there proceeds from the Seed of the Cock a vertue ; which renders prolific not only all the Eggs , but also the womb , appears from the ordinary practice of poor women , who keeping a Hen without a Cock , do for a day or two put it to some of their neighbours Cocks : For from that little time of companying with the Cock all the Eggs of that whole year succeeding will be rendred prolific . And I ( saith Dr. Harvey ) ( that I might defend Fabricius , and find out something certain concerning the time and necessity of this prolific coition ) did once in the Spring time keep two Hens for three days shut up from the Cock , each of which did in the mean time lay three Eggs , no less prolific than any others : And again another Hen , which laid one Egg the tenth day after she was shut up , and another the twentieth , and both fecund . So that it seems one or two Coits may make the whole cluster of Eggs , at least as many as shall be laid for a whole year fruitful . What follows I suppose he wrote upon presumption , and not from experience , viz. That though a Hen hath no Seed-eggs prepared in the * * Cluster of Yolks . Vitellarium , yet being after coition made foecund , she will shortly breed and lay new ones , and those also fruitful . For not only those Eggs which are as yet Yolks and want Whites , or whose smallest seeds and rudiments are already in the † † Knot or cluster of Eggs Ovarium , but those also which are not yet begun but shall be conceived a long time after , are by the same virtue made fecund . The same sense he repeats in other words about the end of Exercit. 40. If from under a Hen once rendred prolific and sitting upon Eggs ( after she hath laid all her Eggs , none remaining in the Ovarium ) you take away all her Eggs , she will anew breed and lay more , and those also prolific . I suppose this great Naturalist was mistaken in that he affirms , that a Hen after she hath laid all her Eggs , and there be none remaining in the Ovarium , will breed new ones . For I do not see how he could make any experiment hereof : Seeing that if he had opened a sitting Hen , and had found no Eggs within her , how could he certainly know that she would have bred new ones had she lived ? If he thought that all Clock-hens do lay all their Eggs , and quite empty the Vitellarium , before they begin to clock and betake themselves to sitting ; he was therein surely mistaken . For I see no reason why that should be true in Hens , which I have by experience found false in other birds ; especially seeing himself confesses , that there are in Hens as well as other Birds an almost infinite number of Yolks in the Ovarium of divers growths , from an almost invisible quantity to the consummate magnitude .

To these we shall add that observation of Dr. Harvey in Exercit. 59. de generat . Timid and short-lived Animals have numerous young , or else breed oft , or both . Animal . Nature hath for the most part given numerous young to those Animals , which being of little strength or courage , can hardly defend themselves from the injuries of others , and so compensates the brevity of their lives with a plentiful off-spring . Nature ( saith Pliny ) hath given this to the Bird-kind , that those of them should be most fruitful , which are most cowardly or fugacious . For whereas generation in all Creatures is instituted by Nature for perpetuities sake , it is more frequent in those that are of shorter life and obnoxious to external injuries , lest the Species should fail . And therefore Birds that excel in strength and live by ravine , and so enjoy a longer and more secure life do seldom lay more than two Eggs at once . It is true indeed that Pigeons , Turtles , and Ring-doves do sit only upon two Eggs at once : but then they compensate the defect of number by the frequency of laying ; they breeding ten times a year . Therefore they breed much , though not many at a time .

CHAP. IV. Of the Age of Birds .

OF all sanguineous and hot Animals Birds are the longest lived , for the proportion Birds are longer lived than Quadrupeds . of their bodies much more vivacious than Quadrupeds . Swans are said to attain to the age even of three hundred years . We have been assured by a friend of ours , a person of very good credit , that his Father kept a Goose known to A Goose 80 years old . be fourscore years of age , and as yet sound and lusty , and like enough to have lived many years longer , had he not been forced to kill her for her mischievousness , worrying and destroying the young Geese and Goslings . Moreover , the Pelican that A Pelican of the same age . was kept at Mechlin in Brabant , in the Emperour Maximilians time , was certainly believed to be fourscore years old . What is reported of the age of Eagles and Ravens , although it exceeds all belief , yet doth it evince that those birds are very long-lived . Our people ( saith Albertus as he is quoted by * * Ornithol . tom. 2. p. 370. Aldrovandus ) have found by experience , that a Pigeon lives twenty years . And as for tame Pigeons ( saith Aldrovandus ) a certain Person , worthy to be believed , and not unskilful in Natural History , related to me , that he had been told by his Father , who was much delighted in keeping and observing Pigeons and other birds : That he had kept a Pigeon two and twenty years , and that it bred all the while , except the last six months , in which leaving its Mate , it made choice of a single life .

But to let pass great birds , even the very smallest birds live a great while . We our selves knew a Linnet kept at least fourteen years in a Cage , which as yet shewed no A Linnet of 14 years . signs of decay or old age . Gesner tells us , that a certain Kinsman of his wrote to him concerning a Goldfinch to this purpose : The Goldfinch lives above twenty years . For at Mentz when I was a child , I saw one more than twenty three years old , whose Bill A Goldfinch of 23 years . and Claws were cut every Week , that so it might take its meat and drink , and stand in its place . And there is no doubt but birds that enjoy their liberty , living at large in the open air , and using their natural and proper food , in gathering of which they also exercise their bodies , live much longer than those that are imprisoned in houses and Cages .

What Pliny observes of Animals , to wit , that those that live longest are born How far it holds true , that those are longest lived which are longest in the womb . longest in the womb , is to be understood of Animals of the same kind . For if Animals of different kinds be compared together , as for example Birds with Beasts , those will sometimes be found to be most vivacious which are born the least while in the womb . If it be objected , that Birds and Beasts cannot in this respect be compared together , because Birds are not at all born in the womb . We answer , that incubation in Birds is equivalent to gestation in Quadrupeds : For in both the Eggs are cherished alike , in this inwardly in the Womb , in that outwardly under the Wings , as we have formerly shewn .

CHAP. V. Of some Proprieties and Accidents of Birds , viz. Shape , Bigness , Colour , natural Instincts , Manners , &c.

THE trunk of the body is shorter , broader , and thicker in Birds than in Quadrupeds : The figure of the body in Birds . the head for the proportion of the body much less . For whereas Birds pass through the air , almost after the same manner that Ships swim upon the water , the Trunk of their body answers to the Hull of the Ship , their head to the Prow , ( which also for its similitude is called in Latine Rostrum , [ the beak ] of a Ship ) their tail to the Rudder , their breast to the Keel , their wings to the Sails and Oars : whence the Poet elegantly hath it , Remigium alarum , [ the rowing of the wings . ]

All winged Fowl in general are lesser than Quadrupeds , that is the greatest in that Beasts in their kind greater than Birds . Description of the Bird Cuntur . kind than the greatest in this . Whence I esteem what is reported of the bird called Ruk , and also of the Cuntur to be false , viz. That its Wings spread reach fifteen or sixteen feet ; that its Bill is so hard and strong , that it will pierce an Oxes Hide . [ It is said to be covered with black and white feathers mixt , to have an even Comb , or crest like a Rasor , not serrate like a Cocks . Two of these birds ( they say ) are able to kill and eat up a Cow , neither do they abstain from men . There are but few of them ; were there many , they would destroy all the Cattel in Peru. They report that there are four distinct kinds hereof found in the Island Marignan . De Laet. Hist. Ind. Occident . lib. 16. cap. 13. and Lerius in Hist. Brasil . ]

Birds of one and the same kind kept tame , by reason of the diversity of the Climate Tame Birds of the same kind are of different colours , &c. wild constant to the same . or Country in which they live , the food which they use , and other accidents , vary much in their colours , magnitude , taste of their flesh , and perchance also figure of their bodies . Wild fowl for the most part are much what of the same magnitude , and constant to their colours . For the most part , I say , this holds true in wild Birds , yet some few there be of these that vary much in their colours , as for example , Russes , of which it is reported there cannot be found two alike , and the Scaup-duck .

The nails , or claws , hair , horns , and the like ( saith Aristotle ) in Beasts spring out of the skin , whence it comes to pass that they change colour together with the skin , being white , or black , or party-coloured , &c. according to the colour of the skin out of which they grow . But the matter is far otherwise in Birds of all sorts : for of what colour soever the feathers are , the skin underneath out of which they grow is but of one colour . Moreover , one and the same feather is sometimes stained with divers colours , and in a wonderful order . Dr. Harvey .

Of Birds some are gregarious , that is , live and fly together in companies or slocks , Birds some gregarious , some fly by pairs , &c. as for example , Pigeons , Rooks , Stares , &c. Others in coupling and breeding time fly by pairs , the Male and his Female : After they have hatcht they company with their brood , till their young be grown up and can shift for themselves , and then they beat them away .

Some Birds live a Conjugal life , one Cock and one Hen pairing together , and Birds pair together , imitating a Conjugal life . both concurring and assisting each other in sitting and feeding their young . Of this sort are Partridges , and other Birds of the Poultry kind . Pigeons , of which the Cock takes his turn of sitting , building the nest , and feeding the young . In those that pair , there are always more Males than Females bred ; but in such whereof one Male suffices for many Females , more Females than Males .

Most Birds while they sleep turn their head backward , and put it under their wing ; Birds sleep with their head under their wing , and standing on one foot , Natural instincts in Birds . and also stand upon one foot , the other being drawn up , to keep it warm , as I suppose , among the feathers , or by the heat of the body .

That there are in Animals those they call natural instincts , the manner of building their Nests in Birds is alone sufficient to evince . For whereas those of the same Species in Countries most remote and distant from each other do make their Nests always of the same materials , and constantly observe the same shape or form of them , as if they made them by the same pattern , they must necessarily either learn so to do by institution , or imitation of their Parents , or else have the knowledge or ability so to do by natural instinct : but neither by institution , for who ever saw the old or the young teaching or learning of one another ? Nor by imitation , for the young forsake the Nests so soon as they are fledg'd ; when as they are very simple and witless , and neither regard nor heed almost any thing but their food : and themselves next Spring building they could neither see their Parents making their Nests , nor any other birds of their kind , whom they might imitate . It remains therefore that they act by instinct .

And here we cannot but admire , with Harvey , some of these natural instincts in Birds , Admirable instincts of Birds . viz. that almost all Hen-birds should with such diligence and patience sit upon their Nests night and day for a long time together , macerating and almost starving themselves to death ; that they should expose themselves to such dangers in defence of their Eggs : and if , being constrained they sometimes leave them a little while , with such earnestness hasten back again to them and cover them ? Ducks and Geese while they are absent for a little while diligently The affection of Birds to their Eggs and Young . cover up their Eggs with straw . With what courage and magnanimity do even the most cowardly birds defend their Eggs , which sometimes are subventaneous and addle , or not their own , or even artificial ones ? Stupendious in truth is the love of birds to a dull and liveless Egg , and which is not likely with the least profit or pleasure to recompense so great pains and care . Who can but admire that passionate affection or rather fury of a clocking Hen , which cannot be extinguished unless she be drencht in cold water ? During this impetus of mind , she neglects all things , and as if she were in a frenzy , lets down her Wings , and bristles up her Feathers , and walks up and down restless and querulous , puts other Hens off their Nests , searching every where for Eggs to sit upon ; neither doth she give over till she hath either found Eggs to sit , or Chickens to bring up : which she doth with wonderful zeal and passion , call together , cherish , feed , and defend . What a pretty ridiculous spectacle is it , to see a Hen following a bastard brood of young Ducklings ( which she hath hatched for her own ) swimming in the water ? How she often compasses the place , sometimes venturing in , not without danger , as far as she can wade , and calls upon them , using all her art and industry to allure them to her .

All Birds in coupling and breeding time are most loquacious and canorous .

Birds grow much faster , and sooner attain their just magnitude than Quadrupeds . Birds come to their growth sooner than Quadrupeds . Those that are fed by the old ones with meat put into their mouths , in a month or six weeks space almost all of them , and some in much less time become fit to fly , and attain to very near the measure of bigness due to their kind . All of them in six months come to their full growth and perfection . Neither yet is this in them , as in Quadrupeds , a sign of short life .

Many Birds are very ingenious and docile , as may appear from that they are so easily Birds very ingenious . taught to imitate mans voice , and speak articulately : which no Quadruped ( for ought I have heard or read ) could ever be brought to ; though their Organs seem to be much fitter for that purpose , as being much more conformable to mans .

CHAP. VI. Containing some particulars which Mr. Willughby propounded to himself to enquire out , observe , and experiment in Birds .

1. WHether Rapacious diurnal Birds only have the upper Chap of their Bills covered as far as the nosthrils with a naked skin , which our Falconers call the Sear ?

2. Whether the Parrot only moves the upper Chap ? as Aldrovandus affirms ; and whether the Cross-bill , which doth in like manner make use of her Bill for climbing , and some other birds , do not so too ?

3. Whether any Birds change their Bills and Claws , as is reported of the Eagle ?

Answ. What is reported of the Eagle in this kind I doubt not but it is false . Neither do I think that any bird casts its Bill by age . Wherefore that Translation of the fifth verse of Psalm 103. which in the common English metre runs thus , Like as the Eagle casts her bill , whereby her age reneweth , ought to be mended . For many of the more ignorant sort have hereby been imposed upon , believing these to be the words or sense of the Scripture in this place ; whereas there is no such thing in the Text mentioned as the Eagles casting her Bill ; the words being only these , Thy youth shall be renewed like the Eagles . But that the hook of the Bill may , and sometimes doth , in Eagles and other birds by extreme old age grow so immoderately , as to hinder their feeding , I deny not . For the Goldsinch , we mentioned before , is hereof a sufficient instance .

4. How many Birds have an angular Appendix , as it were a Tooth , on each side the upper Chap of their Bills , as the Kestrel , the Hobby , the Butcher-bird , & c ?

5. The Commisture of the legs or tines of the lower Mandible , in what birds it is round , in what angular ?

6. Whether the Eyes of all Birds of the same Species are always of the same colour ?

Answ. The Irides of the Eyes in young and old birds do often differ ; and sometimes also in the Cocks and Hens . But whether in old birds of the same Sex they differ or not remains to be enquired : I suppose they do not .

7. Whether in Birds that want the Crop , that defect be always supplied by the largeness of the Gullet ? Which ( as we said ) in many birds of this kind immediately above the stomach is dilated into a kind of bag or ante-stomach .

8. Whereas the single blind gut , situate about the middle of the guts , is nothing else but the passage deriving the Yolk into the guts contracted ; it were worthy enquiry , whether there be not some external passage terminated in the blind guts commonly know and so called , as well in Beasts as in Birds ; And seeing that in many birds the * * i. e. The blind guts . Appendices are very small , and seem to be of no use to the birds when grown up , let it be enquired whether they are greater in Embryon-birds , and what use they may be of to them ?

9. Whether the single blind gut forementioned be always reflected toward the tail ? In what birds the ends of the * Appendices are reflected ? in what birds the * Appendices are striate ? Whether below the * Appendices the gut be proportionably larger than above , according to the bigness of the * Appendices ? Whether of the * Appendices the one is usually shorter than the other ? And if so , whether the right or the left ?

10. Whether some Birds have a double cluster of Eggs , as viviparous Animals have two Ovaria , usually called and mistaken for Testicles ? or whether all have only a single one ?

11. Whether Birds when ready to lay can detain their Eggs , if their nests happen not to be ready , or be by any accident destroyed ? Or whether they sometimes fall from them against their wills ?

12. Whereas some Birds , for example Pigeons , lay only two Eggs at a time , whether of the one of those is always bred a Cock , of the other a Hen-bird ?

Answ. It doth most commonly so fall out , yet sometimes two Males , sometimes two Females are excluded together .

13. To make trial whether Eggs in England may be hatched by an artificial heat .

14. To observe what colours are most frequent in Birds , and in what parts ; as for example , the rumps of many birds are of the same colour , viz. Larks , Thrushes , Sparrows , &c.

15. What Birds wag their tails oft , as Water-wagtails , Blackbirds , Morehens , Tringae , &c. One of the two middle feathers of the tail when it is closed covers the other , enquire whether the right or left feather lies oftnest uppermost , or either of them indifferently , as it happens .

16. In what kind of Birds there are more Cocks usually bred , as in Ruffs ; in what more Hens , as in Poultry ?

17. What Birds build upon the ground , as all of the Poultry kind , Lapwings , and in general all such as run and feed themselves so soon as they are hatcht , being covered with a thick down ? What build on trees and in hedges , as the greatest part of Birds ? What in the water , as Morehens ? What Birds sit always on the ground , never lighting upon trees ? What perch upon trees ?

18. What Birds hide themselves or change places , whether in Winter or in Summer ?

19. What would become of Nightingales , Cuckows , &c. in Winter ; and of Fieldfares , &c. in Summer , if they were kept in Cages , and carefully tended , fed and cherished ?

20. How cometh it to pass that the most vehement cold in Winter-time , if they have but food enough , doth not congeal or mortifie the tender bodies of small birds ?

21. Whether the age of Pheasants , Hawks , &c. may be known by the cross bars in their tails ?

22. How many Birds have white feathers under their tails ? How many have bristles under their chin , at the corners of their mouths , or about their nosthrils ?

23. What Birds , either terrestrial , or aquatic , have two cross lines in their wings ?

24. How many Birds have the exterior vanes of their flag-feathers broader than the interiour ?

CHAP. VII . Of some remarkable Isles , Cliffs , and Rocks about England , where Sea-fowl do yearly build and breed in great numbers .

MAny Water but especially Sea-fowl do yearly breed and bring forth young in great companies , either in high Rocks , or Desart , and less inhabited Islands in the Sea , or on high and steep Cliffs by the Sea-side . The more noted and famous places of this kind about England are ,

1. The Basse Island in the great Bay called Edinburgh-Frith or Forth , not far from The Easse . the shore : which Dr. Harvey doth not less truly than elegantly describe in these words : There is a little Island , the Scots call it Basse , standing very high , environed with steep and craggy Cliffs ( one might more truly and properly call it a huge Rock than an Island ) not much more than a mile in compass . In the months of May and June the surface of this Island is almost wholly covered with Nests , Eggs , and young Birds ; so that for the multitude of them one can scarce any where freely set ones foot : and such a number of Birds there is flying over ones head , that like Clouds they cover the Skie , and take away the sight of the Sun : making such a noise and din with their cries that people talking together near hand can searce hear one another . If from thence as from a lofty Tower , or high Precipice you look down upon the Sea underneath , you shall see it every way covered with an infinite number of Birds of divers sorts swimming up and down , intent upon their prey : In like manner as Pools of water in some places in the Spring time are seen , over-spread with Frogs : or the open hills and steep mountains are beheld at a distance , thick set , and as it were cloathed with flocks of Sheep and Goats . If you list to sail about the Island , and from below look up the Cliffs as it were over-hanging your head , you might see on all the shelves and ledges of the Rocks and craggy Cliffs innumerable rows of birds of all sorts and magnitudes , more in number than the Stars that appear in a clear and Moonless night . If you look at them that are coming to the Island , or flying away at a distance , you would take them to be huge swarms of Bees . Thus far Dr. Harvey . But I suppose he was mistaken in that he writes that the Lord of the Island makes some profit yearly of the reliques of the Nests useful for fewel . For these kinds of Birds do not make their Nests of straws , sticks , or such like combustible matter , good for fewel ; but either lay their Eggs on the naked rocks , or spread under them very few straws , bents , or such like inconsiderable stuff .

The Birds that chiefly frequent this Island that they may breed there are 1. Soland Soland Geese . Geese , which are proper to the Basse , not breeding elsewhere about Britain , that we know of . When we were there near Mid - August , all the other Birds were departed , only the Soland Geese remained upon the Island , their young being not yet fully grown and fledg'd . The manner of getting them is by letting down a man in a basket by a rope from the top of the Cliff , who gathers the young off the ledges of the Rocks , as they let him down or draw him up . 2. The Turtle-Dove , or Sea-Turtle , so called here ( as I suppose ) from some similitude it hath to the Turtle-dove . It is a whole-footed bird , and , I suspect , the same that we have described under the title of the Greenland-dove . This also is a bird peculiar to this Island . 3. The Scout , which is either the Lomwia , or the Alka of Hoierus : though we believe that both these Species breed here . These are found also in many other places about England . 4. The Scarf , which from the agreement of the name with the Dutch Scharpff , I take to be the Cormorant . 5. The Cattiwick , a sort of small Sea-gull , besides many other Species of Gulls .

2. The Farn Islands near a Village in the Coast of Northumberland called Bambergh , famous for an ancient Castle built on a Rock , now almost ruined . The Birds which chiefly frequent and build upon these Islands in Summer time are 1. S. Cutberts Duck , called by Wormius , as I suppose , Eider . This is never seen but in breeding time , and as soon as her young ones are hatcht takes them to Sea , and never looks at land till breeding time next . It is proper to these Islands , and breeds no where else about England , that we know of . 2. Guillemots or Sea-hens , i. e. Lomwiae Hoieri . 3. The Skout , i. e. Alka ejusdem . 4. Counter-nebs or Coulter-nebs , hîc dictae , i. e. Anates Arcticae Clus . 5. Scarfs , i. e. Cormorants , or perhaps Shags . 6. Puffinets , which the name argues to be Puffins : but the description here given us of them ( for we saw not the bird ) agrees rather to the Basse-Turtle . 7. Several sorts of Gulls , viz. 1. Mire-crows , all white-bodied , only having black heads , and somewhat bigger than Pigeons ; by which description we conclude them to be Pewits . 2. Annets , small white Gulls , having only the tips of their Wings black ; and the Bill yellow , perhaps the black-footed Gull . 3. Pickmires , or Sea-Swallows . 5. Terns , the least sort of Gull , having a forked tail . 8. Sea-Piots , i. e. Sea-pies , Haematopus Bellonii .

3. The Sea-cliffs about Scarborough , from which were sent us , the Anates Arcticae of Clusius , called here Mullets . 2. The Alkae of Hoierus , known here by the same name of Auks . 3. The Lomwiae of the same Hoierus , named Skouts . Besides doubtless there breed many Gulls among these fowl .

4. A noted Island not far from Lancaster , called the Pile of Foudres : which great flocks of divers sorts of Sea-fowl do yearly frequent , and breed there .

5. The Isle of Man with a little adjacent Islet , called the Calf of Man , in which besides Mullets , Razor-bills , and Gailliams , English Puffins build in great numbers , and no where else about England ( that I know of ) but in the Silly Islands .

6. Prestholm , a small uninhabited Island near Beaumaris in the Isle of Anglesey , belonging to my Lord Bulkley . On this Island build the Anates Arcticae of Clusius ( here called Puffins ) Razor-bills , Guilliams , Cormorants , and divers sorts of Gulls .

7. Bardsey Island , situate at the utmost Angle or Promontory of Carnarvanshire in Wales .

8. Lundy Island in the Severn-Sea .

9. The Cliffs by the Sea-side near Tenby in Wales .

10. Godreve , an Island or rather a Rock , not far from St. Ives in Cornwall , where Auks and Guillims , here called Murres and Kiddaws , breed .

11. The Silly Islands , in the main Sea , about thirty miles distant from the Lands end in Cornwall to the West .

12. Caldey Island near Tenby in Pembroke shire , in one part whereof we saw Gulls Nests lying so thick , that we could scarce take a step without setting our feet upon one .

13. The Isle of Erm near Guernsey .

CHAP. VIII . Of the Division of Birds .

BIrds in general may be divided into Terrestrial and Aquatic , or Land and Water-fowl .

Terrestrial are such as seldom frequent waters , but for the most part seek Land fowl . their food on dry land .

Aquatic are such as are much conversant in or about waters , and for the most part Water fowl . seek their food in watery places ; of which we will treat Book III.

Terrestrial Birds are either such as have crooked Beak and Talons , called by the Grecians Hook-bill'd birds . Streightbill'd birds . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or such as have more streight Bills and Claws .

Those that have crooked Bills and Claws , called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , are either Rapacious and carnivorous , such as we call Birds of prey , or more gentle and frugivorous , as Parrots .

Rapacious and carnivorous are either Diurnal , such as prey by day-light , or Nocturnal , such as prey by night .

Rapacious diurnal Birds are usually divided according to their magnitude into the greater and lesser kind .

The greater kind are either the more generous , which have their Beaks hooked almost from the root , and are called Eagles , or the sluggish and less generous , having their Beaks streight for a good space from the root , and hooked only toward the point , called Vultures .

The lesser kind , called in Latine Accipitres , may be again subdivided into the more generous , which are usually reclaimed and trained up for fowling , properly called Hawks ; and the more cowardly or less generous , such as are neglected by Falconers , as being of no use for fowling ; and therefore permitted to live at large , which may be called wild Hawks .

Hawks properly so called are divided by Falconers into long-winged and short-winged .

Long-winged Hawks are such the tips of whose wings when closed reach almost to the end of the train : Short-winged are such the tips of whose wings when shut or withdrawn fall much short of the end of the train .

Birds that have more streight bills and claws are either the greater or the lesser , which we call small birds . Under the title of greater we comprehend all that do exceed or equal the common Thrush or Mavis in bigness . Yet to some kinds of bigger Birds ( as for example Woodpeckers ) by reason of the agreement of the characteristic notes we are forced to add one or two Birds lesser than Thrushes . The greater are either such as have large , strong , streight , and long Bills , or lesser and shorter ones . The first are either such as feed promiscuously upon Flesh , Insects and fruit ( or grain ) or at least Insects and fruit ; or such as feed upon Insects only . Those in respect of colour may be divided into two kinds , viz. 1. The Crow-kind , whose body is for the most part of one colour and black : 2. The Pie-kind , whose body is covered with party-coloured feathers . Of these , [ that feed only on Insects ] there is but one kind , v. g. Woodpeckers . Such as have lesser and shorter bills may be distinguished by the colour of their flesh , into such as have white flesh , and such as have black flesh . Those that have white flesh are the Poultry kind , Hens , Peacocks , Turkeys , &c. Those that have black flesh are either the greater , that lay but two Eggs at a time , as Pigeons ; or the lesser , which lay more than two Eggs at once , as The Thrush kind . The lesser sort of Birds with streighter bills , such as we usually call small birds , may be divided according to their Bills , into such as have slender bills , and such as have thick and short bills . Of both kinds there be many subalternate species ; of which when we come to treat of small Birds .

CHAP. IX . A Catalogue of English Birds , as well of such as abide here all the year , and never change place , as of such , which at set times come and go , which we call Birds of passage .

RAPACIOUS DIURNAL BIRDS .

THe EAGLE , which doth not only come over hither to prey , but also many times builds and breeds with us yearly ( they say ) upon the high rocks of Snowdon in Carnarvanshire . In the year of our Lord 1668. in the Woodlands , near the River Derwent in the Peak of Derbyshire was found an Eagles Nest , made of great sticks , resting one end on the ledge of a Rock , the other on two Birch-trees , upon which was a layer of Rushes , and over them a layer of Heath , and upon the Heath Rushes again ; upon which lay one young one and an addle Egg , and by them a Lamb and a Hare , and three Heath-poults . The Nest was about two yards square , and had no hollow in it . The young Eagle was as black as a Hobby , of the shape of a Goshawk , of almost the weight of a Goose , rough-footed , or feathered down to the foot , having a white ring about the tail . I suppose this was of the same kind with those kept in the Tower of London , which we have described under the title of The Golden Eagle with a white ring about its tail .

The SEA-EAGLE or Osprey , Haliaeetus sive Ossifraga , which preys often upon our Rivers . There is an aery of them in Whinfield-Park Westmerland , preserved carefully by the Countess of Penbroke : but the report of their having one web'd foot is fabulous . Mr. Johnson .

The FALCON , Falco , is found to build in Scotland . We have been told that there is an Very of them near Holy-head in the Isle of Anglesey in Wales .

The Common BUZZARD , Buteo sive Triorches . This Bird is a great destroyer of Conies .

The HONEY-BUZZARD , Buteo apivorus sive vespivorus . This is like the precedent , differs in that it hath an ash-coloured ring or broad bar cross the train and wings .

The BALD BUZZARD , Balbusardus Anglorum , Haliaeetus Aldrov . This is by some called the Sea-Eagle , and preys upon fish .

The MOOR-BUZZARD , Milvus Aeruginosus , Aldrov . This is known by being all over of a dark fulvous or Chesnut colour , except the crown of the head , which is of a pale clay colour .

The KITE or Glead , Milvus . The Characteristic note whereof is its forked tail , wherein it differs from all other rapacious Birds that we have seen .

The RING-TAIL , Pygargus Accipiter , Subbuteo Turneri , the Male whereof is called the Hen-harrier , from preying upon Hens . He doth ( saith Turner ) on a sudden strike at Birds in the fields , or Pullen in Towns , and missing of his prey departs slily and silently , never making a second attempt ; of all Birds of prey flying nearest the ground . Gesner suspects this Fowl to be the Circus of the Ancients .

The SPARROW HAWK , Accipiter Fringillarius Recentiorum Nisus & Sparverius . The Male or Tarcel of this is called a Musket after the French name . This is a great destroyer of Pigeons , too frequent with us .

The HOBBY , Subbuteo Bellonii & Aldrov . This from persecuting of Larks ( which are its chief and particular game ) is not unfitly by Mr. Johnson entituled Accipiter Alandarius .

The KESTREL , Stannel , or Stonegal , and in some places the Windhover , because it doth as it were fan the wind by the motion of its wings , hovering in the same place : Hence the Germans also call it Wannenwacher , that is , the Wind-fanner . Tinnunculus seuCenchris .

The greater BUTCHER-BIRD or Mattagesse , and in the Peak of Darbyshire after the German name Wierangel , or Werangel , Lanius cinereus major . This our Falconers sometimes reclaim , and train up for small Birds . She sits upon a high bough , making an uncouth noise ; the Birds thereby allured become her prey .

The WOOD-CHAT , Lanius minor cinereo-ruffus .

The lesser reddish BUTCHER-BIRD , Lanius minor rubescens . This Bird having no particular English name , that we know of , we have imposed this upon it . These Birds are called also in Latine Colluriones , and in English by Dr. Turner , Shrikes . It is common to all these Butcher-Birds to have black bristles about their bills .

The CUCKOW , Cuculus . Who because he preys only upon the Eggs of Birds , ( and is therefore pursued , not attended , as is said , by the Moor-titling ) or their young ones in the Nest , hath small and weaker Beak and Talons , and therefore disappears in Winter , when such food is not to be had . I have known one kept with all imaginable care , but ( whether through alteration of food , or some other cause ) before Winter , she grew torpid , broke out in scabs , and died . The young one is curiously spotted . I have seen one in Harvest partly spotted , partly cinereous . Mr. Johnson .

RAPACIOUS NOCTURNAL BIRDS .

The HORN-OWL , Otus sive Noctua aurita , called also by the Latines Asio according to Pliny .

The Common WHITE OWL , or Barn-Owl ; this Mr. Johnson calls the Church-Owl , by which name the Low Dutch also call a sort of Owl .

The BROWN or IVY-OWL , and from its schreeking noise the SCREECH-OWL . Strix Aldrov .

The GREY OWL , asbig as the former . Dr. Charleton in his Onomasticon Zoicon attributes the English name Gill-hooter to this Bird , which is , I suppose , a general name of all Owls .

The FERN OWL , or Churn-Owl , or Goat-sucker . Caprimulgus . In the mountainous woods in the Peak of Derbyshire , the West Riding of York-shire , in Shropshire , and many other places , all over England .

THE CROW KIND .

The RAVEN , Corvus . This often destroys young Lambs , first picking out their eyes ; is of very quick sent , and by some trained up as a Hawk for fowling .

The Common or Carrion CROW . This is not much more than half so big as the former , otherwise very like it . It feeds upon flesh and dead carcasses , in want whereof it will eat corn .

The ROOK , Cornix frugilega . It is distinguished from the Crow , to which otherwise it is very like , by its white beak and being gregarious , besides other notes * * In the Chapter of the Rook. afterwards to be mentioned .

The ROYSTON CROW , Cornix cinerea frugilega . Common in Cambridgeshire , about Newmarket and Royston . Mr. Johnson calls it the Sea-Crow and saith it is frequent about Stockton in the Bishoprick of Duresm , near the mouth of the River Tees .

The JACK-DAW , Monedula sive Lupus Aldrov . This also feeds promiscuously upon flesh , corn , seeds , insects , &c. In the stomach of a young one taken out of the nest , besides several sorts of insects , we found among divers other seeds many grains of Wheat , Rye , &c.

The CORNISH CHOUGH , Coracias , called also Pyrrhocorax , though Aldrovandus would have these to be distinct Birds . It is found not only in Cornwal , but also all along the West coast of Wales .

The PIE , Magpie , or Piannet , Pica varia seu caudata , called also simply Pica .

The JAY , Pica glandaria . This Bird is very greedy of Cherries , he feeds also upon Mast , as the Latine name imports .

THE WOODPECKER-KIND .

The GREEN WOODPECKER , or Woodspite , Picus viridis . This Bird is by some called a Heyhoe , , which name is , I suppose , corrupted from Hewhole , as Turner saith it was called in English in his time , and Mr. Johnson now . By others it is called Rain-fowl , because its cry when more frequent and shrill than ordinary is thought a Prognostic of riain .

The GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER , or Whitwall , Picus varius major .

The LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER , or Witwall , or Hickwall . Picus varius minor . I suppose Witwall is a name common to both Species .

The WRYNECK , Jynx sive Torquilla . This agrees with the forementioned Woodpeckers in the disposition of the toes and fabric of its tongue : It differs from them 1. In having a slenderer and weaker bill : So that it hews not for it self a hole in the solid Wood , but builds in rotten and hollow trees . 2. In having its tail not so stiff .

The NUTHATCH , or Nut-jobber . Picus cinereus . She hath not a long tongue as the other , because she feeds not on Cossi as they do , but on other Insects , and especially on Nut-kernels . It is a pretty sight to see her fetch a Nut out of her hoard , place it in a chink , and then stand over it with her head downward , strike it with all her might , and breaking the shell catch up the Kernel . The feathers of her tail are not stiff and pointed , because her motion is rather down than up trees : nor hath she two hind-toes : but the inner toe is separated a little from the middle , and falls somewhat across ( as in the Owl-kind ) whereby she can support her self in any motion . Her voice is very shrill . Mr. Johnson .

The CREEPER , or Ox-eye-Creeper , Certhia . It hath a long slender Bill , bending like a Bow , more commodiously to reach into the chinks of the bark of trees .

The HOOP , or Hoopoe , Upupa , Epops . Why we subjoyn this Bird to the Woodpeckers shall be said when we come particularly to treat of it . This is sufficiently differenced from all other Birds by its crest all along the head ; it is more rare with us .

THE POULTRY KIND .

The HOUSE COCK , Roost-Cock , or Common Dunghill Cock and Hen , Gallus Gallinaceus & Gallina domestica . Of these there are several species or varieties , which we shall enumerate afterwards .

The PEACOCK , Pavo , both the common , and the white .

The TURKEY , Gallopavo seu Avis Numidica & Meleagris . Neither Turkeys nor Peacocks are native of England , but because they are tame fowl , and easily bear our Winters , and it is now a long time that they have been brought over , we may very well reckon them among English birds .

The COCK of the WOOD or Mountain , Urogallus seu Tetrao major . Aldrov . This is not found in England , but in Ireland there be of them .

The BLACK COCK , his Hen the Grey hen ; his Brood the Grey Game . This Bird is called also the Heath-Cock , and Grous , Tetrao , sive Urogallus minor . In great Heaths in many places of England .

The RED GAME , Lagopus altera Plinii , an Attagen Aldrov . In the North of England it is called , The Gor-Cock and Moor-Cock , the Hen the More-hen , the Brood Gorfowl . Heath-Cock is also a name common to this with the precedent . Turners Morehen is the Female of the precedent or Black Cock . Gor in the North of England signifies red , so the Gor-Cock is the red Cock , &c. For the understanding and exact distinction of these names we are beholden to Mr. Johnson of Brignal in Yorkeshire .

The PHEASANT , Phasianus : a bird well known , and for the beauty of its colours comparable to the Peacock .

The Common PARTRIDGE , Perdix cinerea . We have been informed that the Red-leg'd Partridge , Perdix russa is found in the Isles of Jersey and Guernsey .

The QUAIL , Coturnix .

The RAIL or Daker-hen , Ortygometra , Aldrov . seu Rallus terrestris . This is very common in Ireland , but more rare with us . Turner saith he never saw nor heard of it but in Northumberland .

THE PIGEON KIND .

The Common WILD PIGEON , or House-Dove , or Culver , Columba domestica seu vulgaris .

The ROCK-PIGEON , Columba rupicola ; ash-coloured , with red legs , of small size , observed by Mr. Johnson .

The RING-DOVE , or Queest , in the North of England Cushat , Palumbus torquatus .

The STOCK-DOVE , or Wood-Pigeon , Oenas sive Vinago .

The TURTLE-DOVE , Turtur , found in the Southern part of England , Kent , Sussex , &c.

THE THRUSH KIND .

The MISSEL-BIRD , or Shrite , and in the North the Thrush simply without addition , Turdus viscivorus major .

The THROSTLE , Mavis , or Song-Thrush , Turdus simpliciter dictus seu viscivorus minor .

The REDWING , Swine-pipe , or Wind-Thrush , Turdus Iliacus , Illas seu Tylas . It should rather be written and pronounced , The Wine-thrush .

The FIELDFARE or Feldefare , Turdus pilaris . These two last are birds of passage , never build here , but come over in Winter time .

The Common BLACKBIRD or Ouzel , Merula vulgaris . This word Ouzel is undoubtedly of the same original with the Italian Uccello , and the French Oiseau , signifying in general a Bird ; however it be with us appropriated to this kind .

The RING-OUZEL , Merula torquata .

The WATER-OUZEL , or Water-crake , Merula aquatica .

The STARE or Starling which saith Mr. Johnson , I never saw eat Berries , whereas all the rest of this tribe , except perhaps the Water-Ouzel , are baccivorous .

SMALL BIRDS WITH SLENDER BILLS .

The Common Field LARK . Alauda Vulgaris . The Wood-LARK . Alauda Arborea . The Tit-LARK . Alauda Pratorum . The Lesser crested LARK . Alauda Cristata minor .

This last we have not yet seen . Mr. Johnson found and described it in the North of England .

SWALLOWS The common house Swallow Hirundo Domestica . The Martin or Martlet Hirundo Agrestis seu rustica , Plin. The Sand-Martin or Shore-bird Hirundo Riparia . The black Martin or Swift . Hirundo Apus . TITMISE , The great Titmouse or Oxe-eye Parus Major seu Fringillago . The black-headed Titmouse Parus Alter , Gesn . The Marsh Titmouse Parus Palustris . The blew Titmouse or Nun Parus Caeruleus . The long-tail'd Titmouse Parus Caudatus . WATER WAGTAILS , The White , Motacilla alba . This comes every seed-time , and follows the Plowman , and is therefore by him called the Seed Bird. Mr. Johnson . The Common Yellow . Mot. flava . The other Yellow , Mot. flava altera . This was observed in the North by Mr. Johnson , and the description thereof communicated to us .

The NIGHTINGALE , Luscinia seu Philomela .

The REDSTART , Ruticilla , Phoenicuros .

The ROBBIN-REDBREAST , or Ruddock , Rubecula sive Erithacus .

The BLACK CHAT , or Beccafigo , Atricapilla .

The STONE-SMICH , or Stone-chatter , Muscicapa tertia , Aldrov . This is ( as I suppose ) the Rubetra of Bellonius , and the Moor-Titling of Turner .

The WHIN-CHAT , Oenanthe nostra secunda , seu Rubicola .

The COLDFINCH of the Germans : This , notwithstanding the name , is nothing akin to the Finches . It was found in the Mountains of the Peak in Derbyshire .

The WHITE-THROAT , Spipola prima , Aldrov . fortè .

The HEDGE-SPARROW , Curruca Eliotae .

PETTICHAPS , Ficedula septima , Aldrov .

A Bird like to the STOPAROLA of Aldrov . which we once took to be the Moucherolle of Bellonius . We have not heard of any English name of this .

The GOLDEN-CROWN'D WREN , Regulus cristatus .

The Bird called by Aldrovand . Regulus non cristatus . An Asilus an Luteola , Turneri . We know not any English name of this . It sings like a Grashopper .

The WREN , Passer troglodites . This bird was formerly mistaken for the Regulus .

To these may be added the King-fisher , Ispida , which is of a peculiar kind by himself , being a piscivorous Land-bird . See also among cloven-footed Waterfowl with Bills of middle length .

SMALL BIRDS WITH THICK AND SHORT BILLS .

The GROSBEAK , or Hawfinch , Coccothraustes : it is but seldom seen in England , and that only or chiefly in Winter .

The GREEN-FINCH , called in the Northern parts of England the Green Linnet , Chloris .

The BULL-FINCH , Alp , or Nope , Rubicilla seu Pyrrhula .

The SHELL-APPLE , or Cross-bill , Loxia . This comes over sometimes in the Autumn , but seldom abides the whole year with us .

The HOUSE-SPARROW , Passer Domesticus .

The CHAFFE-FINCH , Fringilla .

The BRAMBLE , or Brambling , Montisringilla . Of this Mr. Johnson hath lately observed two new species or varieties , the one about the size of the common sort , the other somewhat bigger than a Lark . Both have Chesnut heads , and white wings .

The GOLDFINCH , Carduelis , Acanthis .

The COMMON LINNET , Linaria Vulgaris . The GREATER RED-HEADED LINNET , Linaria Rubra major . The LESSER RED-HEADED LINNET , Linaria Rubra minor .

The SISKIN , Spinus sive Ligurinus .

The BUNTING , Emberiza alba , Gesn .

The YELLOW-HAMMER , Emberiza flava .

WATER FOWL . AND FIRST ,

CLOVEN-FOOTED , such as live about waters , and frequent watery places .

THE GREATER KIND . 1. The CRANE , common in the Fens of Lincolnshire , and in Cambridgeshire , Grus . 2. The COMMON HERON , or Heron-shaw , Ardea cinerea major . It builds upon trees , and is a great destroyer of fish . 3. The WHITE HERON , Ardea alba . 4. The BITTOUR , or Bittern , called in the North of England the Mire-drum , whose drumming note ( saith Mr. Johnson ) I have in an Evening heard a mile off . Ardea stellaris , sive Taurus . This , I suppose , is the Bird which the Vulgar call the Night-Raven , and have a great dread of . It builds upon the ground , and lays four or five Eggs. THE MIDDLE AND LESSER KINDS . 1. With very long Bills . 1. The CURLEW , Arquata sive Numenius . 2. The WHIMBRELL , or small Curlew . Arquata minor . 3. The WOODCOCK , Scolopax . A bird of passage ; yet some straglers abide and breed here . 4. The SNIPE , Gallinago minor . 5. The GID , or Jack-Snipe , in the North , the Judcock , Gallinago minima . 6. The GODWIT , in the Isle of Ely and elsewhere the Yarwip or Yarwhelp . Fedoa , Gesn . Barge fortè Bellonii . 7. TOTANUS , Aldrov . I have not as yet heard of any English name of this ; I suppose our Countrymen confound these Species , calling both by the same name , for their great likeness . 8. The STONE-PLOVER , Fedoa nostra tertia . This Bird we saw in Cornwall . 9. The SEA-PIE , Haematopus , Bellonii . Pica marina , Gesn . 2. With middle-sized Bills . 1. The RUFFE , Avis pugnax ; The female of this is called the Reeve . These Birds differ wonderfully in colours , so that scarce can there be found any two alike . 2. The REDSHANK , or Pool-Snipe , Totanus , Gesn . & Gallinula Erythropus major ejusdem . 3. The KNOT , that is King Knout or Knute [ Canutus ] his bird . Cinclus Bellonii , an Callidrys cinerea ? 4. The SANDERLING , or Curwillet , Arenaria nostra . It is of the bigness of the lesser Tringa , and wants the back-toe . This Sir T. B. calls the Sea-Dottrel , 5. The GREATER TRINGA . 6. The SANDPIPER , Tringa minor , the Oxe-eye in Sussex . 7. The STINT , Alanda marina , about Chester called a Purre . 8. To these may be added ( though it hath short legs , and wades not in water ) the KINGFISHER , Ispida . 3. With short Bills . 1. The LAPWING , called in some places the Bastard-Plover , in the North , in imitation of its note or voice , the Tewit . Capella sive Vannellus . 2. The GREEN PLOVER , Pluvialis viridis , called also Pardalus , because spotted almost like a Leopard . 3. The GREY PLOVER , Pluvialis cinerea . 4. The STONE-CURLEW , Oedicnemus , Bellonii . 5. The DOTTREL , Morinellus . 6. The SEA-LARK , Charadrius sive Hiaticula . These three last named Birds do all want the back-toe . 7. The TURNSTONE , Cinclus , Turneri sortè . This Bird we found on the Sea-coast of Cornwall , It is bigger than a Blackbird , and lesser than a Plover . WATER FOWL THAT SWIM . I. CLOVEN-FOOTED , some of which may be called FIN-TOED , because they have lateral appendant membranes on each side their toes . 1. The CRESTED DIVER , Colymbus cristatus . 2. The ASH-COLOURED DIVER , Colymbus cinereus major . 3. The DIDAPPER , Dobchick , or Doucker , Colymbus minor . 4. The GREATEST DIVER , or Loon , Colymbus maximus . This Bird is whole-footed , but for its perfect agreement with the rest of the Colymbi we have subjoyned it to them . All these Birds are also called Loons and Arsfeet , from the situation of their legs , just behind . 5. The Common WATER-HEN , or Morehen . Gallinula Chloropus . This and the following Bird run swiftly . 6. The WATER-RAIL , Rallus aquaticus . 7. The COOT , or Bell-Coot , Fulica . II. WHOLE-FOOTED BIRDS , and first , 1. Such as have but three toes . 1. The COULTER-NEB , Pope , Mullet , and in some places the Puffin . Anas Arctica Clus . Fratercula quorundam . 2. The RAZOR-BILL , Auk or Murre . Alca Hoieri . 3. The GUILLIAM , or Guillemot , Sea-hen , or Kiddaw , Lomwia Hoieri . 4. The SEA-TURTLE , Turtur marinus Bassanus . We suppose this Turtle Dove of the Basse Island wants the back toe , but are not thereof very confident , having never seen it . 2. Such as have four toes all web'd together . 1. The SOLAND-GOOSE , Anser Bassanus . 2. The CORMORANT , Corvus aquaticus sive Carbo . 3. The SHAG , and in the North Country the Crane , Graculus palmipes . These have all their toes web'd together for more swift and speedy swimming , the claw of their middle toe serrate , for to hold fish . 3. Such as have four toes , but the hind one separate ; And first , 1. Such as have narrow and sharp-pointed Bills .

1. The great BLACK AND WHITE GULL , Larus maximus ex albo & nigro varius . This is almost as big as a Goose . I saw and described it at Chester .

2. The HERRING-GULL , or greatest ash-coloured Gull ; called corruptly , the White Gull ; Larus cinereus maximus . It is as big as a Duck , with an ash-coloured back .

3. The Common SEA-MALL , Larus cinereus minor ; as big as a Pigeon , with an ash-coloured back .

4. The GREY GULL , perchance the Cornish Wagel , Larus griseus : called in Holland the Burgomaster of Groenland .

5. The Cornish TARROCK , Larus cinereus Bellonii . It wants the back toe , instead thereof having only a small protuberancy .

6. The PEWIT , or Black-cap , Cepphus , Turneri & Gesn .

7. The WINTER MEW , or Coddy-Moddy , Larus fuscus sive hybernus .

8. The SEA-SWALLOW , Hirundo marina .

9. The LESSER SEA-SWALLOW , Larus piscator , Gesn . & Aldrov .

10. The SCARE-CROW , Larus niger , Gesn .

11. The BLACK CLOVEN-FOOTED GULL , Larus niger fidipes noster .

12. The BROWN TERN , Larus Sterna fusca dictus .

Besides these Mr. Johnson shew'd me another small bird of this kind , which he called Larus fidipes alter : which I then took to belong to the Water-hen-kind , but by his description of it since sent me , I now rather incline to his opinion , that it is a Larus , or small Gull . The GANNET , Catarractes noster , the Skua of Hoierus , A Cornish bird . To these may be added the PUFFIN , or Curviere , Puffinus Anglorum . On the Calf of Man , and the SILLY Islands . 2. Such as have narrow , serrate , or toothed Bills . 1. The GOSSANDER , or Bergander , Merganser , Aldrov . The female of this ( mistaken for a distinct sort ) is called the Dun Diver , or Sparling-fowl . 2. The Lesser TOOTH-BILL'D DIVER , Mergus cinereus fuscus . 3. The WHITE NUN , Albellus alter , Aldrov . The Female of this is also mistaken for a different kind , and called Mergus Glacialis , which Mr. Johnson Englishes the Lough Diver . The Male and Female in this and the precedent differ so much in colour that they have been even by the best Naturalists described and figured for diverse Species . I had the Female of this latter lately sent me from Cambridge , by the title of a Smew . I suppose the name is originally High Dutch ; for I find in Baltner our common Wigeon intitled Ein Schmey . 4. SUCH AS HAVE BROAD BILLS , and first , 1. The Goose-kind . 1. The SWAN , Cygnus , Olor . 2. The ELK , Hooper , or Wild Swan . Cygnus ferus . 3. The TAME GOOSE , Anser . 4. The WILD GOOSE , Anser ferus . 5. The SWAN-GOOSE , Anser Guineus : notable for her listed neck , girdled breast , crested head , and knobbed forehead . This was brought over from abroad , but is now grown common enough with us ; as the Turkey and Peacock also were , which we reckon among our Domestics . 6. The BERNACLE , or Clakis , Bernicla sive Bernacla . 7. The BRENT-GOOSE , Brenta sive Bernicla altera . 8. The RAT-GOOSE , or Road-Goose , Brenthus , Aristotelis fortè . 2. The Duck-kind . 1. The SHELDRAKE , or Borough-Duck : Tadorna Bellonii . It is called Sheldrake from its being particoloured , Sheld signifying dappled or spotted with white ; and Burrow-duck from building in Coney-burrows . 2. St. CUTBERTS DUCK , Anas Farnensis , building with us only on the Farn Islands . I take it to be the same with the Eider of Wormius . 3. The SCAUP-DUCK , Fuligula fortè Gesneri ; It is called Scaup-duck from its feeding upon Scaup , i. e. broken Shelfish : varies infinitely in colour , especially in head and neck , so that among a pack of forty or fifty you shall not find two exactly alike . Mr. Johnson . 4. The BLACK DUCK , Anas niger , Aldrov . Seen with Mr. Johnson . 5. The SCOTER , or lesser black Diver , Anas niger minor . 6. The TUFTED DUCK , Anas cirratus . Querquedula cristata sive Colymbis Bellonii . 7. The GOLDEN-EYE , Clangula , Gesn . This was sent us from Cambridge by the title of Shelden , I suppose so denominated from its being particoloured of black and white , that is Sheld , so other pied birds are called Sheld-fowl . 8. The SHOVELER , Anas Platyrrhynchos altera sive clypeata Germanica , Aldrov . 9. The LESSER RED-HEADED DUCK , Anas fera fusca seu capite ruffo minor . 10. The POCHARD , or great red-headed Duck. Penelops veterum , Aldrov . Anas fera fusca , Rothalss , Gesn .

11. The Common WILD-DUCK , and Mallard , Boschas major .

12. The SEA-PHEASANT , Anas candacuta . 13. The Common WIGEON , or Whewer . Penelope , Aldrov . I am informed by Mr. Dent Apothecary in Cambridge , that the Males or Cocks are there called Wigeons and the Females Whewers . 14. The GADWALL , or Grey . Anas Platyrrhynchos rostro nigro & plano , Aldrov . 15. The Common TEAL , Querquedula . 16. The SUMMER TEAL , Anas Circia , Gesn . 17. The TAME DUCK , Anas domestica . 18. The MUSCOVY DUCK , Anas moschata . 19. The HOOK-BILD DUCK , Anas rostro adunco .

Among the whole-footed Water-fowl we omitted the Recurvirostra or Avosetta Italorum , which in Winter-time often frequents our coasts , the Shear-water of Sir Thomas Brown , and the Mergulus melanoleucos rostro acute brevi of the same .

Among the cloven-footed Water-fowl the Stork , which is sometimes seen upon our Coasts , perhaps driven over by storm , or other Accident .

AN ADDITION To the FIRST BOOK of the ORNITHOLOGY OF FRANCIS WILLUGHBY Esq BEING An EPITOME of the ART of FOWLING , Collected out of Markham , Olina , and others .

IN delivering the Art of Fowling , or taking of Birds , there are two methods that might be observed .

The first proceeding according to the Engines and devices that are made use of fortaking them .

The second according to the several sorts of Birds to be taken .

In the first method might be first an enumeration made of the several Engines and Instruments , as Nets , Springes , and Snares , Traps and Pit-falls , Guns and Cross-bows , Birdlime , Baits , and Animals , viz. Hawks , and Dogs . Then , going particularly over each Instrument or Engine , might be shewed , 1. The several sorts and fashions of each . 2. The various ways of using each sort . 3. What kind of birds are to be taken each way .

But I shall chuse rather to use the second method , following therein Markham in his Treatise on this Subject , intituled Hungers prevention , or the Art of Fowling , to whom I must profess my self beholden for the greater part of this Discourse , which I shall divide into two Sections ; in the first treating concerning the taking of Water-fowl , in the second concerning the taking of Land-fowl : To which last I shall annex three Chapters : The first , concerning the making of Birdlime ; The second , concerning the election and training up of a Setting-Dog ; The third , containing an Abridgment of some Statutes relating to the preservation of Fowl .

SECTION I. Of the taking of Water-Fowl .

CHAP. I. How to take Water-Fowl with Nets .

§. I. How to take Cloven-footed Water-Fowl with Nets .

MAke your Net of the strongest and best-twined Pack-thread , with large mashes , at least two Inches from knot to knot : For the bigger the mash , so the birds cannot creep through , the better . The Net must not be above two fathoms deep , and six long at the most : A Net of that size being as great as a man is well able to throw over . It must be verged with a strong cord on each side , and extended stiff upon a long Pole at each end : Then having observed the Morning and Evening-feeding of the Fowl ( which is seldom in one and the same place ) be sure to come two hours before those feeding times ( which are twilight in the Morning , and after Sun-set at Night ) and upon these haunts spread your Nets smooth and flat , staking down the two lower ends firm on the ground , so that they may only come and go , and no more . The upper verge of the Net must stand extended on the long Cord , the further end whereof must be staked down to the earth , two or three fathoms from the Net , ( the Stake standing in a right line with the lower edge of the Net ) the Fowler holding in his hand the other end ( which should be at least ten or twelve fathom long ) at its distance : where he shall make some artificial shelter of grass , sods , earth , or such like matter , where he may lie out of sight of the Fowl . Be sure that the Net lie so tickle , that upon the least twitch it will rise from the earth , and fly over . Strow over the Net short dead fog and other grass to hide it as much as may be from the view of the Fowl . It would be of advantage , close to your Net to stake down a live Heron , or other Fowl you spread for , formerly taken , for a stale , making her now and then flutter her wings . When you see a competent number of Fowl within the danger of your Net , draw your Cord suddenly and cover them . This you may do till the Sun be almost half an hour high , but no longer , for after that time no more Fowl will come to feed ; and at Evening from Sun-set till the Stars begin to appear . Thus you may take not only the greater Water-fowl , but Plover and others .

§. II. How to take whole-footed Water-fowl with Nets .

MAke your Nets of the smallest and strongest Pack-thread ; the Mashes of less compass than the forementioned ; let them be 2½ or 3 foot deep ; for length according to the Rivers and Waters they are to be pitched over . Let them be lined on both sides with false Nets of strong Packthread , every Mash being 1½ foot square , that as the Fowl striketh either through or against them , the smaller Net may pass through the great Mashes , and so entangle them .

These Nets you shall pitch for the Evening-flight of Fowl before Sun-set , and stake them fast down on each side the River , the lower side of the Nets about half a foot within the water , the upper side shoaling slantwise against the water , yet not touching it by a foot and half at least . The strings that support this upper side must be fastned to small yielding sticks prickt in the bark , which as the Fowl striketh may give liberty to the Net to run and entangle them : Yet one end ever made so fast that the Net may by no means be carried away . You may thus place divers of these Nets over the River about twelve score one from another .

If there be any Fens , Plashes , or Pits at a good distance from the River , go to them , and shooting off a piece twice or thrice , raise the Fowl from thence , which will presently pack to the River , then plant your Nets of the middle size upon the small Plashes and Pits , and the longest of all upon the Fens : In like manner if there be any covert of Sedge , Reeds , Rushes , &c. in the water , pitch Nets about them also .

In the Morning go first to the River about an hour or two before day , and see what your Nets have taken , and unlade them : Then if you find there be many Fowls upon the River , shoot off your Gun in one or two places , and that will quickly send them to the Fens , Plashes , and blank waters , wither you may repair about Sun-rising , and see what your Nets have taken there .

CHAP. II

§. I. How to take Water-Fowl with limed strings .

AFter you have found and observed the haunts of the Fowl , provide a long line made of small cord , knotted here and there , and well limed over ; and a burthen of little sticks , sharp at the nether end , and with a little fork at the upper . If it be for the Evening-flight , come to the place an hour before Sun-set ; if for the Morning , at least two hours before day [ observe the same times in going to prick down Lime-rods , ] and prick them down a little slanting , so as they may be within a foot and half of the ground at the uttermost , in even rows all over the place of haunt , one row distant from another a yard or two , and one stick from the next in the same row four or five yards . Then lay the limed strings on the forks some rows higher than others , like waves . Fasten the ends with a slipping loop , so that upon any violent strain the limed string may loosen and lap about any thing that toucheth it . And so you shall take a great number of Plover of other Fowl that fly in a broad squadron , and swoop close by the ground a good distance before they light .

In like manner you may take whole-footed Water-fowl , liming your strings with strong and water-tried Lime , placing the strings over the Water as you did over the Land , only making your forked sticks so much the longer , observing never to lay them in the Moon-shine , but either in dark nights , or shady places . They may be placed either so near the water as almost to touch it , or higher , not exceeding a foot and half . These birds , though many times they fly in single files , yet when they come down , spread themselves so , as to alight all as it were together upon the water : And so by this Artifice they may be taken many together .

§. II. How to take Water-fowl with Lime-twigs .

YOu must provide good store of rods ; the best are small , long , streight twigs of Willow , cut of even length , less for small fowl , and greater for greater , yet all so light and slender , as to be apt to play and wind about any thing . The length must be suited to the place where they are to be used . Smear above half their upper ends with Birdlime , and holding them to the fire make the Bird-lime melt and run upon them , that the Rod may not be discerned from the Lime .

Then at the times before directed go to the haunts : And first in the very middle of the place pin down for a stale a live-fowl of the same kind you lay for , yet so that she may have liberty of wing to flutter up and down at pleasure . Round the Stale every way , all the place over , prick down your Lime-rods in rows , at about a foot distance from each other , aslope , with their points bending to the wind , or cross-wise , one to the wind , and one against it alternately , their tops being a foot from the ground or better . This done , place a Stale or two more aloof from the Lime-rods ; and having found a sit place for your self to lie conceal'd in ; with a small , long string fastned to each Stale , and running along the ground to you , when you see or hear any Fowl coming , stir the Stales , and make them flutter : and upon sight of them the Fowl will presently strike and swoop in among them , and so be entangled by the Rods.

You must have a well-taught Water-Spaniel to find and fetch such as flutter away and hide themselves .

Whole-footed Water-fowl may in like manner be taken with rods smeared over with strong Water-lime , which no moisture or frost can injure . Prick these Rods in the water , the limed part being above water , [ and amongst them stake down here and there a Stale , ] all over any Fen or wadeable River , and also upon the dry banks and borders surrounding such Waters , so thick that a Fowl may not creep between them , fixing also a Stale or two there .

You need not wait continually on your Rods ; only come first early in the Morning , secondly at Noon , thirdly , late at Night , alway attended with your Spaniel , and take what you find : If any of your Rods be missing , employ your Spaniel for finding out the Fowl that carried them away , whether fluttered into the River , or crept into any holes of the Bank , Rushes , Sedge , or other Covert .

When your sport begins to decay , and the Game leaves the haunt , immediately find out a new haunt that is untroubled , and do as before directed ; and after about a months rest the first haunt will become as good as before .

For Wild-goose or Bernacle set of your greatest Rods upon green Winter corn , either Wheat or Rie , but especially Wheat , on which this sort of Fowl feed most earnestly . [ The brownest Rods , and nearest the colour of the earth are best ] Set your Rods especially about and in the middle of the water-furrows . These are very shie Fowl , and therefore you must stand at a good distance upon some knob or higher ground ; and when by fluttering of the Fowl touch'd , and sudden rising of the rest you perceive any are taken , make in and take them up ; and if any half limed be flitting away , let your Dog fetch them .

It will not be amiss , if when you have placed your Rods , you beat the Fowl off from all other haunts , which will make them come the sooner to that where your Rods are placed .

* * Out of the Epit. of Husbandry . How to take Snipes with Water-Bird-lime .

Take two or three hundred Birch-twigs , and lime forty or fifty of them together very well : Then finding out the haunt of Snipes , which you shall perceive by their Dung , and in very hard weather where the water lies open they will lie very thick . Then observing the place where they most feed , set two or three hundred of your twigs at a yard distance , and sloping some one way , some another . Retire two or three hundred paces from the place , and you shall find , that there shall not one Snipe in ten miss your twigs , by reason they spread their wings , and fetch a round close to the ground before they alight . When you see any taken , stir not at first , for he will feed with the twigs under his wings , and as others come over the place he will be a cause to entice them . But when you see the coast clear , and but few that be not taken , go and take up your Birds , and fasten one or two , that the other flying over may come to the same place . If there be any other open places there by , put them off those haunts . They will lie where it is open and a Spring very much ; for they can feed in no hard place by reason of their Bills . In a Snow you shall have them extraordinary thick upon such a place .

CHAP. III. How to take Water-fowl with Springes and Snares .

HAving found the haunts where these fowl do usually feed , and noted well the furrows and water-tracks where they commonly stalk and paddle to find worms , flote-grass , roots and other such like things on which they feed , you shall mark where many furrows meet in one , and break out as it were in one narrow stream or passage , and so descending afterwards divide into other parts and branches , this middle part or core being the deepest , and as it were feeding the rest ; then noting how every furrow breaketh and cometh in this Center or little Pit , you shall mark which is most padled with the Fowl : which found out and noted ; you shall across all the other passages make as it were a Fence of small short sticks prickt down into the ground , at half an Inch distance , standing about an handful or somewhat more above water . The Fowl ( such is their nature ) will not pressover these Fences , but stray about till they find the open way , wherein they will run up swiftly , padling up and down for their victuals . This done , take a good stiff stick , cut flat on one side , and prick both ends down into the water or earth on one side the track , the bow running parallel to , and not crossing the track . Then you shall make a bow of small Hazle or Willow in the fashion of a Pear , [ rather narrower ] the one end running out as it were in a foot-stalk , longer or shorter , greater or smaller , according to the bigness of the Fowl you set for , This is to answer the bridge in a Mouse-trap , and therefore we will call it the Bridge . Then take a good stiff young Plant of Hazel or Elm , rushy grown , and clean without knot , and having made the bottom end sharp , at the top you shall fasten a very strong Loop or Swickel of horse-hair . [ This Loop is also to be made greater or lesser , of more or fewer horse-hairs , according to the bigness of the birds you set for ] tied very fast together with strong Packthread , and made so smooth and yare that it will slip and run at pleasure . Hard by this Loop or Swickel shall there also be fastned , within an Inch and half of the end of the Plant a little broad thin Tricker , such as they use to set up Mouse-traps with .

These things thus prepared , take your Loop of Hazel or Withy made Pear-wise , and laying it cross the track , hang the bowed end of it on a little Peg or Hook driven down into the ground on one side the track , the other end or stalk of it must be put underneath the bout of the first-mentioned bowed stick , and near the end of the stalk of it must be a nick cut in . Then having thrust down the sharpned end of the Hazel-plant fast into the ground on the bank or side of the track , bring the smaller end with the Loop and Tricker to the Bridge : Then put one end of the Tricker under the bout of the first mentioned stick , and the other end in the nick made in the stalk or end of the Bridge ; this will keep the Hazel-plant bent down . Then lay the Loop of horse-hair upon the Bridge so conveniently wide , as that the Bird may tread in the middle of it upon the Bridge , which she shall no sooner do , but up will fly the end of the Hazel-plant , and the birds foot be caught in the noose or slipping Loop of horse-hair . This is somewhat difficult so clearly to express in words as that any man may readily understand and conceive it . Markham's description is so imperfect and obscure , that I could make nothing of it .

How to catch Woodcocks in Snares .

This Bird being wont to walk streight forwards in any furrows or tracks , the Fowlers make little pads or walks for them in the places where they haunt , of a Palm broad , streight and equal , and in them set many Snares made of horse-hair such as are designed Figure 2. This bird being sufficiently simple , once got into one of these pads runs streight on from end to end without any heed-taking , and so is caught by the neck in some of these snares .

We in England are wont to make great Glades through thick Woods , and hang Nets across them : And so the Woodcocks shooting through these Glades , as their nature is , strike against the Nets , and are entangled in them .

CHAP. IV. An approved way to take a Heron ; out of the Epitome of the Art of Husbandry .

A Heron being as great a devourer of Fish as any is , I will affirm ten times as much as the Otter , and shall destroy a Pond more in one Week than an Otter shall do in three Months : For I have seen a Heron that hath been shot at a Pond to have seventeen Carps at once in his belly , which he will digest in six or seven hours , and to fishing again . I have seen a Carp taken out of a Herons belly nine Inches and an half long : Several Gentlemen that have kept them tame , have put fish in a Tub , and tried the Heron how many small Roches and Dace he would eat in a day , and they have found him to eat above fifty a day , one day with another . One Heron that haunts a Pond in a year shall destroy one thousand store-carps ; nay , one thousand five hundred in half a year . Now the best way to take this great enemy of Fish is this : Having found his haunt , get three or four small Roches or Daces and having a strong Hook with a Wire to it , draw the Wire just withinside the skin of the fish , beginning without side of the Gills , and running it to the tail , and then the fish will lie five or six days alive : For if the fish be dead , the Heron will not touch him . Let not your Hook be too rank . Then having a strong Line made of Silk and Wire , about two yards and half long ( if you twist not Wire with your Silk his sharp Bill will bite it in two immediately ) and tie a round stone of about a pound weight to the Line , and lay three or four Hooks , and in two or three nights you shall not fail to have him if he comes to your Ponds . Lay not your Hooks in the deep water , where the Heron cannot wade to them ; for if you do , they may lie long enough before you see any effect of your pains . Colour your Line of a dark green , for a Heron is a very subtle bird .

CHAP. V. Of the Fowling-piece , and Stalking-horse .

THe best Fowling-pieces are the long-barrelled [ of five and a half or six foot ] of an indifferent bore [ somewhat under Harquebuse ] for they hold the best charges , and carry the furthest level ; and such as have Fire-locks .

The charge must be round hail-shot , of bigness according to the Game you shoot at .

As near as you can shoot with the wind , and sideways of , or behind the Fowl : And if possible under the shelter of some hedge , bank , or tree , &c. sometimes ( if need be ) creeping on your hands and knees . Chuse rather to shoot at a rank or file than a single fowl ; and then send your Dog for what you have strucken . You must have your Dog in such true obedience as not to stir from your heels till you bid him go .

Where you have no shelter use a Stalking-horse , which is any old Jade trained up for that purpose ; which being stript naked , and having nothing but a string about the nether Chap , of two or three yards long , will gently , and as you have occasion to urge him , walk on the banks of Brooks and Rivers , or Meadows and Moors , or up and down in the water , which way you please , flodding , and eating on the grass and weeds that grow therein ; and so hardy as not to take any affright at the report of your Piece . You shall shelter your self and your Piece behind his foreshoulder , bending your body down low by his side , and keeping his body still full between you and the Fowl . Then having chosen your mark , take your level from before the forepart of the Horse , shooting as it were between the horses neck and the water , which is more safe than taking the level under the horses belly , and much less to be perceived ; the shoulder of the horse covering the body of the man , and his legs also the mans legs . Whiles you are stalking you may leave your Dog with your Bags , &c. where he may lie close , and never stir till you have shot , and then upon the least call ( but not before ) come to you , and fetch forth what you have killed .

For want of a live-horse you may make an artificial stalking-horse of Canvas , either stuft , or hollow , and stretcht upon splints of wood or strong Wires , with his head bending down , as if he grazed , of due shape , stature , and bigness , painted of the colour of a horse [ the darker the less apt to be discovered . ] Let it be fixt in the middle to a staff with a pick of Iron , to stick it in the ground while you shoot .

Instead of a horse you may make and use the shape of an Oxe , Stag , or any other horned beast , painted of the usual colour of beasts in that Country , and having the natural horn or head .

N. These Engines are to be employed in those places where the birds are used to see , and be acquainted with the beasts they represent .

N. 2. These Engines are fitter for Water than Land , the water hiding their imperfections .

When you have so much beaten the fowl with the Stalking horse that they begin to find your deceit , and will not sit : Then you may otherwhiles use your Oxe-engine , till the Horse be forgotten , and so by change of your Engines make your sport last . The shape of a Stag may be useful in such places where Stags commonly feed , and are familiar with the Fowl , but they are subject to quicker discovery .

Some stalk with dead Engines , as an artificial Tree , Shrub , or Bush , or a dead Hedge . But these are not so useful for the stalk as the stand : It being unnatural for dead things to move , and the Fowl will not only apprehend , but eschew it . Therefore if you use them , you must either not move them at all , or so slowly as that their motion shall not be perceived .

SECTION II. Of the taking of Land-Fowl .

CHAP. I. Several ways of taking them by night .

§. I. Of taking Birds with the Low-bell .

THis is of use chiefly in Champain Countries , and that from the end of October till the end of March following .

About eight of the clock at night , the Air being mild , and the Moon not shining , take your Low-bell , of such size as a man may well carry it in one hand , having a deep , hollow , and sad sound ; and with it a Net of small Mash , at least twenty yards deep , and so broad as to cover five or six ordinary Lands , or more , according as you have company to carry it : and go into a Stubble-field [ a Wheat stubble is the best . ] He that carries the Bell must go foremost , and toll it as he goeth along as solemnly as may be , letting it but now and then knock on both sides . Then shall follow the Net born up at each corner , and on each side . Another must carry a pan of live coals , but not blazing . At these , having pitcht your Nets where you think any Game is , you must light bundles of Hay , Straw , or Stubble , or else Links and Torches , and with noises and poles beat up all the Birds under the Net , that they may rise , and entangle themselves in it , and you take them at pleasure . Which done extinguish your Lights , and proceeding to another place , do as before .

N. The sound of the Low-bell astonies the Birds , and makes them lie close ; and the blaze of light dazling their eyes affrights them , and causes them to rise and make to it .

N. 2. In this pastime all must be done with great silence , no noise being heard but the Low-bell only , till the Nets be placed , and the Lights blazing , and then you may use your pleasure : Which once extinguished , a general silence must be again made .

§. II. Of taking Birds with the Trammel .

THe Trammel is much like the Lowbelling Net , only it may be made somewhat longer , but not much broader . This Net , when you come to a fit place , spread on the ground , and let the hinder end thereof , being plummed with lead lie loose on the ground , but the foremost end at the two corners be born up by the strength of men , a full yard or more from the ground , and so trail the Net along the ground . On each side the Net some must carry great blazing Lights of fire , and by the Lights others must march with long Poles , to beat up the Birds as you go , and as they rise so take them . In this sort you may go over a whole field , or any other champain ground .

§. III. How they take Birds in Italy by night with a Light and a Net called Lanciotoia .

THis sport is most used in the Champain of Rome . The Net is of the Mash of an ordinary Lark-net . It is fastned to two green sticks of pliant wood , twice so big as ones greatest finger , and * * About a yard , or yard and half English . two or three [ Roman ] yards long . These sticks must be fastned to the end of a square baston of two yards and half long in two holes , a little distant the one from the other , and covered with the same Net . [ This Baston serves for a handle to carry and mannage the Net with , and may be as well round as square , and then the whole Instrument will somewhat resemble a Racket , such as they play at Tennis with . ] These two sticks serve to extend the Net at top to about four yards breadth . This Net the Fowler carries on his shoulder , holding the handle of it in one hand , and a Lanthorn called Frugnuolo , with a Lamp burning in it in the other ; and when by the light he discovers any Bird within his reach , he claps his Net upon it , and covers it . Besides the Lanthorn the Fowler carries a Bell either at his Girdle , or his Knee , ( like our Low-bell ) the better to secure the birds to himself . This exercise cannot be used at all times , but only in Autumn or Winter , not beginning before one hour of the night . Whether the weather be cloudy or clear it is all one , so the Moon shine not .

The Frugnuolo is a sort of Lanthorn made of Latten ( commonly , but falsly , called Tin ) all close but the fore-side . It s Base about a Roman Palm and half long , and at the aperture about a Palm broad , or a little more ; likewise a Palm high : The Cover ( which goes shelving ) two Palms long : In the midst thereof above is a handle , and within side a thin plate of Iron three fingers distant from the beginning of the Cover , to preserve the Tin from being burnt and marred by the flame of the Lamp . Below is another empty handle to put in a stick to hold it up on high . Within , in a Circle made on purpose in the bottom , is put an earthen Lamp with a great Week , and Oyl . With this kind of Lamp they also search bushes , hedges , and low trees , where they think Thrushes and other Birds pearch , and having discovered them , strike them down with an Instrument called Ramata , made like a Racket with a long handle , or if they be out of reach of that , shoot them with a Cross-bow .

§. IV. Of Bat-fowling .

BAt-fowling is a taking by night of great and small Birds , that rest not on the ground , but pearch on shrubs ; bushes , trees , &c. and is proper to woody and rough Countries .

First , one must carry a Vessel with fire ( as in Low-belling ) then others must have Poles bound with dry Wisps of Hay , Straw , pieces of Links , pitcht Hurds , or any other combustible matter that will make a blaze . Others must bear long Poles with rough and bushy tops . When you are come to the Birds haunts , kindle some of your fires , and with your Poles beat the bushes and trees : Which done the Birds ( if any be ) will rise , and fly to , and play about the Lights : It being their nature not to depart from them , but almost scorch their Wings in the same , so that they who have the bushy Poles may at their pleasure strike them down and take them .

Others carry with them a great Lime-bush made of the head of a Birch or Willow Tree , and pitching it down make their blazes close by it ; and the birds will come and light upon it , and so be entangled .

In this Sport you must observe the directions given in Low-belling as to the choice of the night , and especially keeping silence , &c.

CHAP. II. Of taking Land-fowl with Nets .

§. I. A general way of taking many sorts of Land-fowl by the Crow-net .

THE Crow-net is the same in all respects with that described Chap. I. This Net may be placed near any Barn-door where Corn is winnowed , or in a Corn-stubble , or on the Greensword in the Morning and Evening haunts of any Birds where they gather Worms . Where-ever placed it must be carefully hid and concealed , as much as may be , from the view of the Birds , as if near a Barn-door by casting Chaff upon it , &c. Observe also , first to have some Covert to hide your person in , where you may see , and not be seen . Secondly , not to be too hasty in striking , but stay till you have a full number under the reach of your Net , and then pull freely and quickly .

§. II. Of taking Birds with Day-nets .

THE time of the Year for these Nets is from August till November : Of the Day a little before Sun-rise , so as your Nets may be laid , and all your Implements in readiness to begin your work by peep of Sun . The milder the Air , and the clearer and brighter the Morning , the fitter is the season for this exercise . The best place is in Champain Countries , remote from any Town , Village , or common concourse of people , on short Barley stubbles , smooth green Layes , or level Meadows ; if the place be not naturally even and plain where you pitch your Nets , you must make it so : That both lying and falling over they may couch so close to the ground that the shortest grass or stubble appearing through them , they may as it were lie hid and unperceived by the Birds , and that being covered they may not creep or flicker from under them .

Let your Nets be made of very fine Packthread , knit sure , the Mash not above an Inch square . Let them be about three fathoms long , and not above one deep , verged on each side with strong small Cords , the ends extended upon two small Poles as long as the Net is broad , &c. in all things like the Net described § . I. save that that was to be but one single Net , but here you must have two exactly of the same size and fashion , and placed at that distance , that when they are drawn the sides may just meet and touch one another . Your Nets being staked down with strong stakes , so that with any nimble twitch you may cast them to and fro at pleasure ; some twenty or thirty paces from the Nets place your Giggs on the tops of long Poles , turned into the wind , so as they may play and make a noise therein . These Giggs are made of long Goose-feathers in the manner of Shuttle-cocks , and with little turnels of wood running in broad and flat Swan-quills , made round like a small hoop , and so with longer strings fastned to the Pole , will with any small wind twirl and flicker in the Air after such a wanton manner that the Birds will come in great flocks to wonder and play about the same . After the placing of your Giggs , you shall then place your Stale , which is a small stake of wood to prick down fast in the earth , having in it a Morteise hole , in which a long slender piece of wood , of about two foot , is so fastned that it may move up and down at pleasure , and to this longer stick you shall fasten a small Line , which running through a hole in the stake aforesaid , and so coming up to the place where you sit , you may by drawing the Line up and down to you ( with your right hand ) raise and mount the longer stick from the ground , as oft as you shall find occasion .

Now to this longer stick you shall fasten a live Lark , or Bunting , ( for you must be sure ever to preserve some alive for that purpose ) or for want of such , any other small Bird , which the Line making to flicker up and down by your pulling , will entice the Larks to play about it , and swoop so near the ground , that drawing your hand , you may cover them with your Nets at pleasure : Also it will entice Hawks and any other Birds of prey to stoop and strike at the same , so as you may with ease take them .

There is also another Stale , called the Looking-glass ; and this is a round stake of wood as big as a mans Arm , and made very sharp at the nether end , so as you may thrust and fasten it into the earth at your pleasure . This Stake is made very hollow in the upper part , above five fingers deep at the least ; into this hollowness is placed a three-square piece of wood , about twelve Inches long , and each square two Inches broad , lying upon the top of the Stake , and going with a foot into the hollowness , which foot must have a great knob at the top , and another at the bottom , with a deep slenderness between them , to which slenderness must be fastned a small Packthread , which running through a hole in the side of the Stake , must come up to the seat where you sit . Now the three-square piece of wood , which lies on the top of the Stake , must be made of such a true poise and evenness , and the foot in the Socket so round and smooth , that upon the least touch it will twirl and turn round like a Scoperil , winding the Packthread so many times about it , which being suddenly drawn , and as suddenly let go again , will keep the Engine in a perpetual round motion , like a Childs Mill , made of a Nut , a stick , and an Apple . This done , you shall with Glue or other strong Cement fasten upon the uppermost squares of the three-square piece about twenty small pieces of Looking-glass , and paint all the sparewood between them of a very bright red colour , which in the continual motion and turning about will give such a glorious reflection , that the wanton Birds cannot forbear , but will play about it with admiration till they be taken .

Now both these Stales are to be placed in the very midst between the two Nets , and about two or three foot distant one from another , so that in the falling of the Nets the Cords may by no means touch or annoy them . Neither must they stand one before or after another , but in a direct Line one over against another , the glass being kept continually moving , and the Bird very oft flickering . When you have thus placed your nets , Giggs , and Stales , you shall then go to the further end of your long drawing Lines , and Stale-lines , and having a little Hassock made of Sedge , about a foot or better high , you shall place it within a yard or little more of the end of the same : And then sitting down upon the Hassock lay the main drawing Line ( with a strong button of wood made fast in the same ) upon your thigh , and with your right hand continually draw the grass-Line , and with your left the Stale-line , and when you shall perceive the Larks or other birds to play near and about your Nets and Stales , swooping near and to the ground , you shall then with both hands pull the Net over , and cover and take your prey . If the weather be good be not too hasty to pluck at a single bird , but stay till you see many playing about your Nets .

Behind the Seat you sit on lay your spare Instruments and Implements which you are to use about the whole Work , as Spare-stakes , Poles , Lines , Packthread , Knitting-pin and Needle , your Bag with Stales , a Mallet to knock in your Stakes with , and a nimble little Hatchet to make new Stakes with , or sharpen them ,

There may be other devices to move the Stales , besides these here described by Markham , but these being as commodious as any , I shall forbear to trouble the Reader with the mention of more . These Nets may be made use of as well upon Hills and rising grounds as upon Plains , provided the Area on which they lie be level and even : near waters also , and in high ways and walks of Gardens , &c.

Olina describes the manner how these Nets are to be employed for taking of Starlings . Having observed ( saith he ) where those birds haunt most , provide your Nets six paces long , and eight Roman Palms deep , of a small Mash , having their drawing Line of fifteen paces , Moreover , you must get a Cage of five Palms high , with a middle floor ; in the upper Story whereof you shall put about one hundred live Stares , and in the lower others which are to serve for Stales . Those in the upper room are to call the wild Stares ; and they must have their meat put all in one Vessel , and their water in one Cup , and that so strait , that they can drink but one at a time ; likewise the day before they are to be used they should have no meat of two hours before night , that so being hungry , and striving to get to the meat and drink , they may make the greater screaming noise and cry . The live Stales ( four in number ) must be tied by the tails , each with a string , and by that string fastned one by one to a couple of sticks joyned together across between the Nets , to which cross a Cord is fastned that reaches to the Fowler , by the plucking whereof he may at pleasure move the Stales . In this manner of fowling are also to be used about twenty or twenty five Jackdaws , or such like birds-cases stuft , and set out like live birds , and these placed in order between the Nets for dead-stales , the four live-stales being next the Fowlers Cabbin . Let the dead stales be placed with their heads to the wind , that it do not ruffle and discompose their feathers .

The same Author gives us also an account of the manner how they take Lapwings with the Day-nets .

The Nets for this use are to be of ten paces length , of a large Mash , having a drawing Line fifteen paces long . Between the Nets are to be placed fifteen or twenty dead Stales , that is Lapwings dried , or the Cases of Lapwings stuft , and set out as if they were alive : And besides those two live-stales , which must be used and set as the Starling-stales , and have meat given them to eat . Observe in like manner to set the heads of your dead Stales against the wind . To entice the Birds you must counterfeit their note or cry by a Lapwing-call .

§. III. How to take Larks with Nets , called by the Italians Pantiere .

THese Nets are about four [ Roman ] yards deep , or a little more , of the same Mash with the ordinary Day-nets , strung on the upper side on a Cord , upon which they run with a row of little Rings , whereby they may be drawn out , or run up together as one pleases . These Nets are supported by two or three Stakes , or more , according to the wideness of the place where they are set . They are to be put in order two hours before Sun-set , for the Evening-driving ; and for the Morningdriving , before break of day ; in stubble-fields . About Musket-shot from the Nets two men on foot holding a rope of twenty or twenty five yards long , one at one end , the other at the other , must begin and walk towards the Nets , drawing the Rope over the stubble , and so raising the Larks that lie scattered up and down the field : the which will not take wing , but run forward before the rope , till at last they come within the Nets , which being not stretcht out streight , but easily running up , the more they struggle and fly about , the more they are entangled .

§. IV. How the Italians take small Birds with a Net called Ragna .

THe place for using these Nets is a Grove , ( called from the Nets Ragnaia ) which ought to be remote from high ways , and defended from the North-wind ; which is very disagreeable and distasteful to the Birds , especially Thrushes and Beccafigos , besides the danger of the Woods being wholly or in part blasted by it . Wherefore it should be situate insome Valley , or on the side of a little Hill exposed to the South . Through it , or beside it should run some River , Brook , or other stream of water issuing from a quick Spring , that fails not in Summer . If it be so situate as to be encompassed on all sides with cultivated fields , in which grow some scattering Fig-trees , it will be the better . This Grove is wont to be made six , eight , ten , or twelve times so long as it is broad , according as the place will permit : In it long-ways must be drawn three , five , or seven walks , as it is broader or narrower . In case it hath not a natural fence or hedge you must make an artificial one , which must be tall and thick to keep beasts out , and birds in , and even on the top .

The Grove within must be planted with Juniper , Bays , Mastic-tree , Lime-trees , Oaks , Elms , and many other trees but especially Fig-trees . At the roots of such trees as cast their leaves plant Vines . Many other instructions and directions he hath about the Plantation , which who so pleases may see in him .

The Nets are exactly like those described , Section I. Chap. I. § . II. only the Mash somewhat less , they being for small birds . The two out-side Nets or false Nets along their upper edge must have Iron or Horn-rings , and by them be put upon a strong Cord. The middle or true Net must also be verged with a Cord. These Nets , one , two , or more of them , must be placed in the middle of the Grove , and crossing it ; fastned by the top-cords to two great Poles or Pillars , made with winding steps round to mount up them ; and on their tops having little rundles to draw the Lines nimbly , and stretch out the Nets . The bottom of the Nets , or that side next the ground must have many strings hanging down from it , two or three Palms distant one from another , which are to be tied down to certain Pegs fastned in the earth . The middle Net , which must be the deeper , will fall down sufficiently in a lump or furl between the two side-ones , therefore with a Cane you must draw it gently through the Mashes of the false Nets , especially about the middle of the Nets , making in each Mash a kind of purse or pouch , that when any Bird strikes against it , it may more readily run through the Mashes of the false net , and so catch the Bird as it were in a Bag.

The time for catching is either in the Morning early , before the Birds are gone out to feed , or at Even when they come to roost . At each end of the Grove in every walk one person must march forward toward the Net , making a noise as he goes with a Cane or Saff , and throwing stones or clods of earth , if it be for Beccafigos : But if it be for Thrushes , at first he must walk quietly and leisurely , without making much noise ; and as he comes nearer the Nets , so make greater hast and more noise . Whence it is wont to be said : For Thrushes a wise man , and for Beccasigos , a fool or mad man .

To hinder the Birds from mounting and flying away , some are wont to turn off a Sparhawk , or other little Hawk with Bells at her heels to soar aloft and hover over the Grove . Others are wont to do the same only with a pair of wings , and a Bell on the top of a Pole . When you see no more birds stirring , loosening the top-cords let down and furl up your Nets , with the birds in them ; and either carry them home in the Net , or take them out at pleasure .

§. V. Of the Sparrow-net .

THe Sparrow-net is made up of two cross-staves , a Purse-net , and two strings . The form of this Net you may see expressed in which AFB represents the longer cross-staff , whose direct piece must be of the bigness of a handsom Hawks Pole ; its transverse piece AB like the head of an ordinary hay-rake , but bigger and longer : CED the shorter cross-staff , joyned to the longer at E , so loosely as to fall to and fro at pleasure , of such due height and length , that when the cross pieces meet they may joyn even and just . CAEBD is a Purse-net , fastned to both cross-staves all along , and having that liberty at top , that the cross-staves may fall and part one from another at a pretty distance ; its bottom being fastned to the longer staff at E. CAE , DBE are two small cords fastned to the two ends of the shorter cross-staff , and passing through two holes in the ends of the longer cross-staff , tied together at E , at such distance that the shorter staff may fall from the longer as far as you see meet , or the wideness of the Net will give leave . To the knot of the two Cords must be made fast a single Cord EG , which you must carry in your right hand , that you may at pleasure draw the cross-staves close together , and let them open as need shall require .

This Net is to be used late in the Evening , or early in the Morning , by setting it against the Eves of thatcht Houses , Stacks , Hovels , Barns , Stables , Dove-coats , &c. and being so set knocking and thrusting the cross-staves close against the same , making such a noise as may inforce the Birds to fly out of their holes or haunts into the Net ; and then presently drawing the Line EG , and so shutting up the cross-staves enclose them , and letting down your Net , open it , and take them out .

The chief benefit of taking Birds in this manner is for the mewing of Hawks , or getting into lust and strength sick and weak Hawks : Because with this Engine you may take Evening and Morning so many birds as you please , and give them warm to your Hawk , which is the greatest nourishment that can be , raising a Hawk soon , and making her mew fast .

CHAP. III. How to take several sorts of small Birds and other Land-fowl with Bird-lime .

§. I. Of taking small Birds with the Lime-bush , and Lime-twigs .

YOur Lime-bush must be a main bough of any bushy tree , as Birch or Willow , or for want of them , Sallow , Poplar , or Aspen ; whose twigs are long , smooth , and streight , without pricks , knots , or any other roughness or crookedness ; having pickt and trim'd it ( yet not taking away any of the little budknots ) lime every twig and branch from the top down within four fingers or thereabout of the bottom . The body and main branches must not be touched with any Lime at all . Dabble not on your Lime too thick , nor yet let any part be left bare , or want its proportion , that ought to be limed .

Your Bush thus prepared , carry it forth into the fields where the haunts of the small birds are , and place it as near as you can to any of these haunts , if it be a hedge or tree close to them , &c. provided that where-ever you pitch it down , you may very near it have some close Covert to lie concealed in , and there chirp like a Sparrow , or call with a note like the Linnet or Bull-finch [ as the Cocks use to do when they miss the Hens , or the Hens the Cocks ] altering your note according to your fancy , but continually calling in one note or other . This Art and Ability is gotten by diligent observing the Birds notes abroad , and by practice . But if you cannot frame your mouth to these sounds , get you a Bird-call ; and having learnt how to use it Artificially , you shall sit in your Covert , and call the Birds to you : And when you see any of them light upon your Bush let them alone , and move not till you see them safely entangled , which their own skipping up and down , and strugling when they find themselves snared , will do better than any affright from you whatsoever : Neither shall you stir for a single Bird or two , but stay till many be entangled : For the first that are taken will with their striving and fluttering in the bush be as good as Stales ; and make a world of others repair to them , which you may then take : And this exercise you may continue from before Sun-rise till ten of of the Clock in the Forenoon , and from one in the Afternoon till almost Sun-set in the Evening .

If you want a Call you may make use of a Stale ; as of a Bat or two , placed next to your Lime-bush in such apparent manner that no bird thereabouts but may behold them ; which will no sooner be perceived , but every bird will come to gaze and wonder at them : Then having no other convenient lighting place but the Lime-bush , they will flock as thick into the same as may be , and so you may take them at pleasure . So the Owl may in like manner be employed , which by reason she is more melancholy and less stirring than the Bat , and also of greater bulk , and sooner perceived , is a better Stale than the Bat. For want of a live Owl or Bat the skin of either stuft , or an artificial Owl made of wood and painted may serve the turn .

Others take these small birds with Lime-twigs only , by rising early in the Morning before break of day , and going to the haunts , and there watching when the Birds go forth to seek their food ( which is ever at the spring of the day ) and then finding that they have forsaken the hedges , they place their Lime-twigs all along those hedges , some upright , some slope-wise , and some across ; and withal so thick , that the Birds can come no way into the hedge , but of force they must be entangled . This done they go into the Corn-fields , Meadows , or Grounds adjoyning , where the Birds feed , and there beating them up and scaring them , make them retire to the hedges in great flocks , where they are presently entangled among the Lime-twigs , and taken in abundance . But this manner of taking is only for the Spring and Fall of the Leaf ; and only for one certain time of the day , viz. an hour before and after Sun-rise .

§. II. An excellent way of taking small Birds with Birdlime ; out of the Epitome of Husbandry .

THis is best done in a Snow . When you see the Birds flock together about your house or fields ; chuse out one hundred large Wheat-ears ; cut the straw about a foot long besides the ears ; From the bottom of the Ears to the middle lime the straw for about six or seven Inches ; let your Lime be warm , that so it may run thin upon the straw , and be less discernable to the Birds . Go then to the place , and carry a little bag of Chaff and threshed Ears , and scatter these fourteen or fifteen yards wide . Then take the limed Ears , and stick them up and down in the Snow , with the Ears leaning , or with the end touching the ground . Then retire from the place , and drive the Birds from any other haunt , and you will see presently great flocks repair thither , and begin to peck the Ears of Corn , and fly away with them , which as soon as any of them shall do , the straw that is limed laps under his Wing , and down he falls , not perceiving himself to be entangled : For I have seen many eat their Ears when they have been fast limed under the Wing . In the field you will take most Larks . For Sparrows stick your Ears upon the house-tops , though you never get the Birds . Every dozen of Sparrows you take in Winter shall save you a quarter of Wheat before Harvest .

Take away all your limed Ears , and in the Afternoon bait the place with a bag or two more of Ears and Chaff , and let them rest till Morning , that the birds may feed boldly , and not be affrighted ; then take some fresh Ears , and stick them up as you did before .

§. III. How to take Fieldfares with Birdlime : out of the same .

WHen time is , that is about or after Michaelmas , shoot a Fieldfare or two , and set them in such order that they may seem to sit alive on a tree . Then having prepared the Lime-twigs about two or three hundred , take a Birchen bough , and cut off all the small twigs , make little holes and clefts all about the bough , and there place your Lime-rods : Then set the Fieldfare upon the top bough , making him fast , that he may seem alive . Let this bough be set near where they come in a morning to feed , ( for they keep a constant place till their food is gone ) that so flying near they may espy the top-bird : which as soon as they do , they will fall down in whole flocks to him .

§. IV. How to take Pigeons with Lime-twigs : out of the same .

GEt a couple of Pigeons dead or alive ; if dead , yet order them so as to stand stiff as if they were living and feeding . Then at Sun-rising take your twigs , what quantity you pelase : Let them be very small [ Wheat-straws are as good or better ] and place them on the ground which the Pigeons frequent , where your two Pigeons are set ; and you shall find you will quickly be rid of them . Two or three dozen is nothing to take in a Morning if there come good flights .

§. V. How to take Crows , Pies , Gleads , &c. with Lime-twigs : out of the same .

STick up Lime-twigs on the Carcass of a dead Horse newly stript , or any other Carrion , so soon as these birds have found it . Let them be very small , and not too thick set ; lest they perceive them , and take distaste .

§. VI. How to take Crows and Rooks when they pull up Corn by the roots : out of the same .

TAke some thick brown Paper , and divide a sheet into eight parts , and make them up like Sugar-loaves : Then lime the inside of the Paper a very little [ Let them be limed three or four days before you set them . ] Then put some Corn in them , and lay fifty or sixty of them up and down the ground , as much as you can under some cold of earth , and early in the Morning before they come to feed . Then stand at a good distance , and you will see excellent sport . For as soon as Rook , Crow , or Pigeon comes to pick out any of the Corn , it will hang upon his head , and he will immediately fly bolt upright so high that he shall seem like a small bird , and when he is spent , come tumbling down , as if he were shot in the Air.

§. VII . How to take Stares with a limed string : out of Olina's Uccelliera .

TAke a small string of a yard or thereabout long , bind it fast to the Tail of a Stare , having first carefully limed it all over , excepting one Palm next the bird . Having found a flock of Starlings , come as near to them as possible , holding your Stare by the wings as near as you can , and let her go to her fellows , which as soon as you shew your self to them , will presently take wing : Your tail-tied Stare endeavouring to secure her self of her liberty , thrusting her self into the middle of her fellows , will entangle many of them , and so not being able to fly , they will afford a pleasant spectacle in tumbling down to the ground : where you must be ready with a Brush or Besom to strike them down .

Many other devices there are to take several sorts of birds with Lime-rods , &c. which I think needless to set down ; it being not difficult for an ingenious Fowler to invent as good or better , when he shall have opportunity of taking those kinds of Birds .

CHAP. IV. Of taking Birds with Baits .

THis way is not for taking birds to eat , but for destroying noisom and ravenous Fowl , as Crows , Ravens , Kites , Buzzards , &c.

For the effecting whereof , 1. Observe their haunts . 2. Remember the hours or times of day when they are most sharp-set and greedy , as early in the Morning , so soon as they unpearch themselves ; and again at Even a little before Sun-set , especially at that time of the year when they have young ones ; for then they will with greediness seize any bait , as fast as you cast it out . 3. Take a pretty quantity of Nux Vomica , and dissolve it in Wine Vinegar , or Wine-Lees , [ those of sweet Wine are the best . ] Then take the garbage of any Fowl , and all-besmear them over with your Solution of Nux Vomica , and cast them forth where such noisom birds haunt : and watching the birds in a convenient place , you shall see that after swallowing a bit or two , any such Fowl will presently grow dizzy , reeling and tumbling up and down , till at last it fall into a dead swoon .

Others take pretty big gobbets of raw lean flesh , as Beef , Mutton , &c. and making therein secret little holes , put in them small pieces of Nux Vomica , and close them up again .

You may also instead of either make use of Carrion , and either smear it with your Confection , or stop into the fleshy part of it small pieces of Nux Vomica .

It is best to let these baits lie loose , and not fasten them to the ground , as some practise .

To take granivorous birds of the greater kind , as Doves , Rooks , &c. boil good store of Nux Vomica together with Wheat , Barley , Pease , or any other Pulse very well in ordinary running water , till the Grain be ready to burst , then take it from the fire , and cover it till it be throughly cold . The Grain thus boiled and steept scatter thick where these Fowl frequent , and it will have the like effect upon them , as the Garbage or Carrion had upon the carnivorous .

For small birds boil your Nux Vomica with such seeds as they most delight in , viz. Hemp-seed , Rape-seed , Lin-seed , and above all Mustard-seed ; and they will be in like manner entoxicated .

Some instead of Nux Vomica take only the Lees of Wine ( which the sharper they are , the better ) and in them boil and steep , or only steep ( which is as availeable if continued a sufficient while ) their Grain or Seeds , and scatter them as above directed .

Others take the juyce of Hemlock , and steep in it their Grain or Seeds , mixing therewith a pretty sprinkling of Henbane and Poppy seeds , letting all stand in steep two or three days at least , and then drain it , and scatter it , &c. which will have the like effect with the Nux Vomica .

To recover any Fowl of these baits , take a little quantity of Sallet-oyl ( according to the strength and bigness of the Fowl ) and drop it down its throat ; then chafe the head well with Vinegar , and the Fowl will presently recover again , and be as healthful and able as ever it was .

CHAP. V. Several ways of taking Partridges .

§. 4. How to take Partridges and other Birds with a Setting-dog .

A Setting-dog should be a lusty Land-Spaniel , that will range well , and yet at such absolute command , that when he is in his full career one hem of his Master shall make him stand still , gaze about him , and look in his Masters face , as it were expecting directions from him , whether to proceed , stand still , or retire : but the main thing he is to be taught is , when he sees and is near his Prey of a sudden to stand still , or fall down flat on his belly , without making any noise or motion till his Master come to him .

For taking Partridge with him ; when you come into the fields where Partridges frequent , cast off your Dog , and let him range or hunt , taking care that he range not too far from you , but beat his ground justly and even , without casting about and flying now here and now there , and skipping many places ( which the mettle of many even good dogs will make them apt to do . ) If he do so , call him in with a hem , and threaten him with a stern countenance ; and when he doth well encourage him . When you see him make a sudden stop or stand still , be sure he hath set the Fowl ; therefore presently make in to him , and bid him go nearer ; if he refuses , but either lies still or stands shaking of his tail , and withal now and then looks back upon you , he is near enough : Then begin your range or circumference about both the Dog and Partridge , not ceasing , but walking about with a good round pace , looking still before the Dogs nose , to see how the Covey lies , whether close together in a heap , or scattering . Then charging the Dog to lie still , draw forth your Net , and opening of it , take you one end of the top-cord , and your Companion the other , and holding it stretcht , run with the Net against the Dog , and clap it down over the Birds , covering Dog and all with it : then make a noise to spring the Partridge , that they may rise , and be entangled in the Net : Some observe to run with their Net against the wind , to keep it fully extended . One man may make a shift to do all : But then he must peg down one end of his Net to the ground , and taking the other end spread it over the Birds .

The Italians ( as Olina tells us ) are wont to purge their Dog before they go a Setting with him : giving him a morsel made up of half an ounce of Agarick , and two drachms of Sal gemmae , mingled with honey of Roses , covered over with Butter , or some other unctuous matter , that he may the more readily swallow it : And the day following a broth made of a Weathers head , boild so , as with the flesh of it , bread , and a little Brimston pounded , to make a sup. He bids you also observe , 1. Not to hunt your Dog ( especially after he hath been new purged ) till the Sun hath dried up the dew ; because else he will be apt to lose the sent , and also hurt his feet . 2. To begin to set on your Dog under the wind , that he may take the sent the better . The Net ( he saith ) ought to be a little longer than it is broad or deep ; viz. between seven and eight yards over , and between eight and nine deep .

In this manner may be taken , not only Partridges , but Pheasants , Moor-pouts and Quails .

§. I. Of the haunts of Partridges , and how to find Partridges .

THe haunts wherein Partridges most delight , and most constantly abide , are Corn-fields , especially during the time the Corn is standing , under the Covert whereof they meet and breed . After the Corn is cut down they still remain in the Stubbles , especially Wheat-Stubbles , both because they love to feed on that grain before all others , and also for the height of the Stubble , which affords them safer covert . When the Wheat-stubble is either too scanty , or too much soyled and trodden with Men and Cattel , they leave it and go to the Barley-stubbles , which though inferiour in both respects , yet being fresh , and not so usually trodden and beaten , they take great delight therein . In Winter when these stubbles are either plowed up , or over-soyled with Cattel , manure , or the like , then they resort to the enclosed grounds , or upland-Meadows , and lodge in the dead grass or fog , under hedges , among Mole-hills , and under banks , or at the roots of trees . You may also find haunts of Partridges in small Coppices or Underwoods , in Bushy Closes , or where there grows Broom , Brakes , Furze , or Ling , or any other Covert : Provided always , that there be some Corn-fields adjoyning , else they will rather avoid such places . In Harvest-time when they can have no quiet lodging in the Corn-fields , you may find them in the day-time in the Fallows adjoyning , where they will lie lurking among the great clods and weeds ; and only early in the Morning , and late at Evening fetch their food from the corn-sheaves next adjoyning .

Now for finding them , some will do it by the eye , like hare-finders , viz. In taking their ranges over the stubble fields , or other haunts , casting their eyes on each hand , they will espy them out though never so close couched ; which ability partly depends upon the goodness of the eye , partly is acquired by practice and exercise , by diligently observing the true colour of the Partridge , how it differeth from the ground , and also the manner of their lying . This is the easier done , because when you have once ( as you think ) apprehended them with your eye , you may walk nearer and nearer till you are absolutely sure you see them , provided you be ever moving , and stand not still or gaze at them ( for that they will not abide ) else they are soslothful and unwilling to take wing , that till you be ready to set your foot upon them , they will not stir .

Others find them by the haunts and places where they last coucht : which they know partly by their dung there left , which if new will be soft , and the white part of it colour their fingers ; and partly by their padlings or treadings , which if new will be soft and dirty , and the earth new broken of a darker colour than the mould about it ; and being very new indeed , the place where they sate will be warm , and the ground smooth and flat with some small feathers or down scattered upon it . If you find such a haunt , you may be confident the birds are not far off . Therefore look carefully about you , especially down the Lands , walking leisurely ; and in a short time you will espy them : which as soon as you do , you shall presently wind off from them , and by no means look towards them , and so fetch a large circumference round about them , keeping an ordinary round march , making your compass less and less , till you have discovered the whole Covey .

Others find them by going early in the Morning , or at the close of the Even , ( which are called Juking times ) into their haunts , and there listning for the calling of the Cock-Partridge , which will be very loud and earnest , to which after some few calls the Hen will make answer ; which as soon as they hear they listen till they meet , which they shall very well perceive by their chattering and rejoycing one with another . Then they take their range about them , drawing nearer and nearer as before , till they discover the whole Covey .

But the best , safest , easiest , and most pleasant way of finding them is by the Partridge-call . Having learnt the true and natural notes of the Partridge , and being able to tune every note in its proper key , and knowing the due times and seasons for every note , so as fitly to accommodate them , go forth either Morning or Evening to their haunts , and having conveyed your self into some close place , so as to see and not be seen , listen a while if you can hear the Partridge call . If you do , answer them again in the same note , and ever as they change , or double , or treble their note , so shall you likewise , plying still your Call till you find them draw near to you . For this calling is so natural and delightful to them that they will pursue it as far as they can hear it . Having drawn them within your view , cast your self flat upon your back , and lie without moving as if you were dead , and you shall then see them running and pecking about you without any fear , so as you may take a full view of them , and if you please count their number .

§. II. How to take Partridge with Nets .

THese Nets may be made in all points like the * * See Chap. 6. §. 3. Phesant-nets , only the Mash somewhat smaller ; but they would be much better were they something longer and broader . Having found the Covey , draw forth your Nets , and taking a large Circumference about them , walk a good round pace with a careless eye , rather from than toward the Partridge , till you have fitted your Nets , and then draw in your Circumference less and less , till you come within the length of your Net , where , as you walk about , ( for no stop or stay must be made ) prick down a stick of about three foot long , and to it fasten one end of the Line of your Net : Then letting the Net slip out of your hand , spread it as you go , and so carry it and lay it all over the Partridges . If they lie stragling , that one Net will not cover them , draw out another , and do in like manner ; and alike with a third , if needs be . Then rush in upon them , and with an affrighting voice force them to spring up , and presently they will be entangled in the Nets .

§. III. 3. How to take Partridges with Lime .

TAke of the largest and strongest Wheat-straws , or for want thereof Rie-straws , and cutting them off between knot and knot , [ the lowest joynts are the strongest and best ] Lime them well over , and coming to the Partridge-haunts , after have called a little , and find that you are answered , prick down your straws round about you in rows , as above directed for Lime-twigs , not only cross the Land , but the Furrows also , taking in at least two or three Lands ; and that not very near , but at a pretty distance from you , yet so as to discern when any thing toucheth them . Then lie close , and call again , not ceasing till you have drawn them towards you , whither they cannot come but they must pass through the limed straws , which they shall no sooner touch but they will be entangled ; and by reason they come flocking together like so many Chickens , they will be so besmear and dawb one another , that if there be twenty , hardly one will escape .

This way of taking Partridge can only be used in Stubble-fields , and that from August to Christmas : If you would take them in Woods , Pastures , or Meadows with Lime , you must use the ordinary Lime-rods before described , and prick them down , and order them in all points like as is directed for your Lime-straws .

§. IV. How to drive Partridges and Quails , and take them in tunnelling Nets .

FIrst provide you a stalking Horse , or an Engine made like a Horse or Oxe , such as we have described Sect. 1. Chap. 4. Then go with your Nets to the Partridges haunts , and having found the Covey , pitch your Net in the secretest and likeliest place , so as to drive them down the wind . Lay not your Net flat on the ground , but set it slopewise , and so over-shadow it with boughs , shrubs , weeds , or some other thing that groweth naturally on the ground it standeth on , that nothing may perceive it , till it be entangled . Then having covered your face with some hood of green or dark blew stuff , stalk with your Horse or Engine toward the Birds by gentle and slow steps , and so raise them , and drive them before you ( for it is their nature to run before a Horse or Beast out of fear lest it tread on them . ) If they chance to run any by-way , or contrary to what you would have them , then presently cross them with your stalking Horse , and they will soon recoil , and run into any track that you would have them , and at last into your Net .

The Net they use in Italy for this purpose is called Butrio or Cuculo , and made with two wings and a tunnel stretcht with hoops , See Figure The Fowler stalks with a Bell in his hand , which he now and then rings .

With the same Net they also take Quails , pitching just before the tunnel of the Net two Poles , with five Cages hanging upon each , having live Quails in them , which serve to call and entice the wild ones . Before the Nets they cast Millet or Panic seed to invite them in . The drive them forward a man walks on each side the Net with a jingling Instrument [ Sonagliera ] in his hand first one , then the other sounding from hand to hand . The Net is to be pitcht three or four hours before day , and the Birds driven early in the Morning : If the Moon shines you may drive at any time of the night .

CHAP. VI. Several ways of taking Pheasants , as

§. I. With Nets .

PHeasants delight most in thick , young , well-grown Coppice Woods , unfrequented and free from the footsteps and tracings of Men and Cattel : not in tall high woods of timber-trees .

Having found their haunts and breeding places , you may find their Eye or brood several ways : as first , by the eye , searching up and down the haunts , and bushes , &c. Secondly , By coming early in the Morning , or late in the Evening , and observing the old Cock and Hens calling , and the young birds answering them , and by that sound guiding your self , till you come as near as you can to the place where they meet , lying down there so close that you may not be discerned , and yet may exactly observe where they lodge , and accordingly where and in what manner to pitch your Nets . Thirdly , Which is the most sure and easie way , by an exact and natural Pheasant-call : wherewith you must learn to imitate all the Pheasants several notes and tunes , applying each to the right time and purpose , when and for which she uses it , whether it be to cluck the young ones together to brood them , to call them to meat when she hath found it , to chide them for stragling , to call them together to rejoyce and wanton about her , for all which she hath a several note . The most convenient hours for the use of the Call are before or about Sun-rising , and somewhat before Sun-set , at which times they straggle abroad to seek their food , and then your note is to call them to their food , or give them liberty to range . But if you will call them after Sun-rise or before Sun-set , your notes must be to cluck them together to brood , as also to chide them for stragling , and put them in fear of danger . The notes of rejoycing or playing are rather for finding the old Couples when they are separated .

Being come to the haunts you shall lodge your self in the most likely place for your purpose , as close as possible , and then begin to call , first in a very low note , ( lest the Pheasants be lodg'd near you , and then a sudden loud note may affright them ) but if nothing reply , raise your note by degrees to the highest pitch , yet by no means overstraining it , or making it speak untunably ; and if there be a Pheasant in the Wood within hearing of it she will presently answer , and that in your own note and key . If this call back be but from one single bird , and come from far , then you shall as secretly as you can creep nearer to it , still plying your call ; and you shall find that the Pheasant that answereth will also come nearer to you . The nearer you come , the lower observe to make your Call speak , as the Pheasant her self will do , and her in all points you must imitate as near as you can ; and in the end you will get a sight of her , either on the ground , or on the boughs of some low tree , as it were prying to find you : Then ceasing your Call a while , spread your Net as secretly and speedily as may be , in the convenientest place between you and the Pheasant , upon the lowest shrubs and bushes , making one end fast to the ground , and holding the other end by a long Line in your hand , by which when any thing straineth it you may draw the Net close together , or at least into a hollow compass . Which done , you shall call again ; and then as soon as you shall perceive the Pheasant to come just under your Net , you shall rise and shew your self , that by giving him an affright , he may offer to mount , and so be entangled in your Net .

If many answer your Call from several quarters of the Wood , stir not at all , but ply your Call , and as they come nearer to you , spread your Nets in the most convenient places round about you ; and when they are come under the Nets , boldly discover your self , to give the affright , and make them mount .

§. II. Of the driving of Pheasants .

IT is only Pheasant-Pouts that can be thus taken . Having found the eye of Pheasants by any the forementioned means , you must then ( taking the wind with you , for they will naturally run down the wind . ) In the little pads and ways , which you see they have made , ( for they will make little tracks almost like sheeps tracks ) and as near as you can to some special haunt of theirs , ( which you shall know by the barrenness of the ground , mutings , and loose feathers you shall find there ) place your Nets hollow , loose and circular wise , their nether part being fastned to the ground , and upper lying hollow , loose , and bending , so that when any thing rusheth to it , it may fall and entangle it . Which done , you must go where before you found the haunt , and there with your Call , if the Eye be scattered , call them together ; then taking your Instrument called a Driver , made of good strong white Wands or Osiers , set fast in a handle , and in two or three places bound with cross Wands ; of the shape of those Wand-dressers ( which Cloth-workers use in dressing of Cloth ) therewith make a gentle noise upon the boughs and bushes , which the Pouts hearing will presently run on a heap together from it a little way , and then stand still and listen . Give then another rack or two , at which they will run again as before , and thus by racking and striking you may drive them like so many sheep which way you please , ( crossing them , and racking as it were in their faces , if they chance to go a wrong way ) till you have brought them all into your Nets .

In this driving be sure , 1. To conceal your self from the sight of the Pheasants , For if they perceive you , they will instantly scatter and run one from another , and hide themselves in holes , and bottoms of bushes , and not stir from thence upon any occasion as long as any day endureth . And therefore it were not amiss to wear over your face a green hood , and a Wreath of green leaves about your head , and trim your Garments with branches and leaves of trees . 2. To take time and leisure , and not do any thing rashly . For any thing done suddenly or rashly to these fearful Creatures breeds offence and amazement : And a scare being taken , though but by one bird , their fear will not suffer them to argue or dispute the object , or stay till everyone have beheld the thing suddenly affrighting them ; but away they all fly at the very first apprehension , in an instant . And therefore if you find any staggering or dismay among them , presently cease and lie still as though you were dead , till the fear be over , and they gaze no more about them , but gathering themselves together do begin to peep and cluck one to another , and rejoyce among themselves , and then you may fall to your work again .

§. III. Of taking Pheasants with the Lime-bush , or Lime-rods .

YOur Rods must be twelve , or at least ten Inches long , well limed down to the middle , and no further . Your Lime-bush must contain not above eight twigs at most , being the top-branch of some young Willow ; with a handle about a shaftment long , sharpned so as either you may stick it gently into the ground , or prick it into any shrub or bush , where-through the Peasants usually trace , or on any small tree where they use to pearch , [ Place two or three of these bushes there . ] Then make use of your Call , and you will quickly have all the Pheasants within hearing about you ; and it is a chance but some of them will be toucht , and if but one be limed she will go near to lime all her fellows ; for what by her strugling amongst them , and they coming to gaze , some will be smeared by her , and some will light on other bushes : And if some one or two escape by mounting , and get to the Pearch , and there ( as is the natural quality of them ) sit prying to see what becomes of their fellows , it is ten to one but they will be taken by the Lime-bushes placed on the Pearch . Old Pheasants when you call , oftentimes will not come on the ground , especially in Winter , but mount and come flying from Pearch to Pearch , till they come to that next you , ever prying and peeping to find him out that calleth , where they will probably be taken .

It very requisite to keep an exact account of all your Lime-bushes and Rods , and when you have gathered up your Pheasants , see what bushes or rods you have missing ; for if you miss but one of them , you may be assured that there are some limed which you have not found : And therefore never be without a Spaniel that will lie close at your foot , and that will fetch and carry , and neither break nor bruise flesh nor feather , to hunt out and bring you all the birds that shall so lie hid .

The Lime-rods may be placed not only upon bushes and shrubs by Pheasants tracks , but also upon the ground in open places between thicks in such order as is directed above , neither too thick and apparent so as to breed affright , nor so thin as to let any escape , leaving about the length of a Rod or less between Lime-rod and Lime-rod .

The Season for using of Lime is from the beginning of November till the beginning of May , for during that time the twigs of trees ( on which Birds pearch ) are void of leaves , and like to Lime-twigs . The time for the use of Nets is from the beginning of May till the latter end of October : during which time the trees are covered with leaves .

The Pheasant-net would be made of the best twined double Housewives thread , died green or blue , the Mash almost an Inch between knot and knot : It would be in length at least three fathoms , in breadth seven foot or better , verged on each side with a strong small Cord , and as it were surfled thereon ; the Net being placed not streight , but thick and large , that at any time when it is extended it may lie compass-wise and hollow : The two ends likewise should be verged with small Cord , yet that more for strength than any particular use . The great Nets ( which some use ) are cumbersom and hardly manageable , and therefore if occasion be , it is better take and use a couple of ordinary size .

CHAP. VII .

§. I. How to make the best Birdlime according to G. Markham .

TAke at Midsummer of the Bark of Holly so much as to fill a reasonable big Vessel , and boil it in running water till the grey and white bark rise from the green ; which will take up a whole day or better , Then take it from the fire , and after the water is very well drained , separate from it the barks : Take all the green , and lay it on the ground in a close place , and on a moist floor , as in some low Vault or Cellar , and cover it allover a good thickness with Docks , Hemlock , Thistles , and the like green weeds , [ or else make it up in a heap with Fern S S S , that is , first a layer or bed of Fern , then a layer of Bark , then a layer of Fern again , and so on interchangeably ] and so let it lie for the space of ten or twelve days ; in which time it will rot , and turn to a slimy matter : Then pound it in a large Morter , till it come to be one uniform substance or paste , that may be wrought with the hand like dough , without discerning any part of the Bark or other substance . Which done , take it out of the Morter , and carry it to a swift running stream , and there wash it exceedingly , not leaving any mote or filth in it , Then put it up in a close earthen pot , and let it stand and purge for divers days together , ( three or four at least ) not omitting to skum it as any foulness arises , and when no more will rise , put it into a clean Vessel , and cover it close , and keep it for use .

Now when you have occasion to use it , take thereof what quantity you shall think sit , and putting it into an earthen Pipkin with a third part of Hogs grease , or ( which is better ) Capons grease , or Goose grease , set it on a very gentle fire , and there let them melt together , and stir them continually till they be both incorporated together , and become one entire substance : Then take it from the fire and cool it , stirring it till it be cold .

When it is well cooled , take your Rods , and warming them a little over the fire , wind about the tops of them some of it so prepared , then draw the Rods one from another , closing them again , do this several times , continually plying and working them together , till by smearing one upon another , you have bestowed upon every Rod a like quantity of Lime , keeping the full breadth of your hand at least free and without any Lime at all , ever and anon warming the Rods before the fire , to make the Lime spread on them the better , and to make it lie smoother and plainer , that the Fowl may not perceive it , and take affright at it .

As for the liming of straws , it must be done when the Lime is very hot , and in such manner as the Rods are done , before the fire , only you must not do a few , but a great heap together , as big as you can well gripe in your hands , for so they are the stronger , and not so apt to bruise or break in pieces , and therefore in this opening and working of them , you shall not do it with a few together , but as many as you can well gripe , tossing , and turning , and working them before the fire , till they be all besmeared equally .

Now to preserve your Lime from freezing even in the sharpest weather , take a quarter so much of the Oyl called Petroleum as you do of Capons grease , and mixing them together well , work it upon the Rods , and it will ever keep your Lime gentle , supple , and tough , so that no frost , how violent soever , can hurt it .

§. II. How to make Birdlime according to Olina , which was the way of the Ancients .

TAke of the Berries of Misselto , as great a quantity as you can get ; the more the better : Put them in a moist place to putrefie or macerate , and when they are well macerated , take the stuff and beat it soundly with a round Cudgel [ Baston ] till it shews clear , without any filth , for that is a sign that it is done enough . Put it up in a Pot , and keep it in a moist place well covered with Parchment .

When you would make use of it , put it in a Pan , and to every pound of Lime add an ounce of Oyl Olive , mingling and incorporating of them well at the fire , and when you see that they are well mixt and united , and become like an Ointment , take it from the fire , and put thereto half an ounce of Turpentine , and incorporate them well together : and so you may employ it to take what you please . It serves also for the water . The same Author mentions other sorts of Birdlime brought out of Forein Countries , with which I think it needless to trouble the Reader . In a cold and frosty season he advises instead of common Oyl to mingle and incorporate your Birdlime with Oyl of Nuts , which resists the cold better than common Oyl .

§. III. How to make the best water-Birdlime , out of a late English Writer .

BUy a pound of the strongest Birdlime , and having washed it nine times in clear Spring-water , till you find it very pliable , and the hardness quite gone , beat out the water throughly till you cannot perceive a drop to appear : Then having dried it well , put it into an earthen Pot , and add thereto , 1. As much of the best Capons grease , without Salt , as will make it run . 2. Two spoonfuls of strong Vinegar . 3. A spoonful of Sallet-oyl . 4. A small quantity of Venice Turpentine , and boil them all gently upon a soft fire , continually stirring it : And then take it from the fire , and let it cool ; when you use it , warm it , and so anoint your twigs or straws .

CHAP. VIII . Of the election and training up of a Setting Dog .

ALthough the Water-Spaniel , Mungrel , shallow-flew'd Hound , Tumbler , Lurcher , or small bastard Mastiff may be brought to Set ; yet none of them is comparable to the true-bred Land-Spaniel , being of a size rather small than gross , a strong and nimble ranger , of a couragious fiery mettle , a quick sent , delighting in toil , and indefatigable , yet fearful of , and loving to his Master . Of what colour he be it matters not much .

Having gotten you a Whelp of such a Breed , begin to handle and instruct him at four or six months old at the furthest .

1. You must make him very loving to , and familiar with you , and fond of you , so as to follow you up and down without taking notice of any man else , by suffering no man to feed or cherish him but yourself . You must also make him stand in aw of , and fear you as well as love you , and that rather by a stern countenance and sharp words than blows .

2. Then you must teach him to couch and lie down close to the ground , first by laying him down on the ground , and saying to him , Lie close , or the like , terrifying him with rough language when he doth any thing against your command , and cherishing him , and giving him food when he doth as you bid him . And thus by continual use and practising the same thing , in a few days you shall bring him readily and presently to lie close on the ground , when ever you shall but say , Couch , down , lie close , or the like .

3. Next you shall teach him , being couched , to come creeping to you with his head and belly close to the ground so far , or so little way as you shall think good , by saying , Come nearer , or the like : First , till he understand your meaning by shewing him a piece of bread , or some other food to entice him . And if when he offers to come he either raise from the ground his fore or hinder parts , or so much as lift up his head , then you shall not only with your hand thrust down his body in such sort as you would have him keep it , but also chide and rate him so as to make him strive to perform your pleasure : And if that will not quicken him sufficiently , to the terrour of your voice add a sharp jerk or two with a Whip-cord lash . When he does your will either fully or in part according to his apprehension chearfully , then you must be sure to cherish him , and to feed him : And then renew his lesson again till he be perfect in it . In like manner you must make him stop and pause when you bid him .

4. Then you shall teach him to lead in a string , and follow you at your heels without straining his Collar , which you may easily do by practice , not striving too roughly with him .

5. When he is thus far taught , you may out into the field with him , and suffer him to range and hunt , yet at such command , that upon the first hem or warning of your voice he stop and look back upon you , and upon the second , that he forthwith either forbear to hunt further , , or else come in to your foot , and walk by you . If in ranging you find he opens , you shall first chide him therefore , and if that prevail not , either bite him hard at the roots of his ears , or lash him with a sharp Whip-cord lash , till you have made him so staunch , that he will hunt close and warily without once opening , either through wantonness , or the rising up of any small birds before him .

When you find that he is come upon the haunt of any Partridge , ( which you shall know by his eagerness in hunting , and by a kind of whimpering and whining , as being greatly desirous to open , but for fear not daring ) you shall then warn him to take heed by saying , be wise , or the like . But if notwithstanding he either rush in and so spring them , or else open or use any means by which the Partridge escapeth , you shall then correct him soundly , and cast him off again in another place where you are sure a Covey lies , and then as before give him warning . And if you see that through fear he standeth still and waveth his tail , looking forward as if he pointed at somewhat , be sure the Partridge is before him : Then make him lie close , and taking a large ring about him , look for the Partridge . When you have found them , if you see he hath set them too far off , you shall make him creep on his belly nearer , else let him lie close without stirring , and then drawing your Net take the Partridge . Encourage your Dog by giving him the heads , necks , and pinions of the Partridge , and also bread or other food . But if he chance by any rudeness or want of taking heed to spring them again , you shall correct him as before , and lead him home in your string , and tie him up that night , giving him nothing but a bit of bread and water , and the next day take him out , and do as before , but with somewhat more terrour and harshness , and doubtless the Dog will do according to your will : Which if he doth , you must by no means forget to bestow upon him all the cherishings of voice , hand , and foot .

It is a fault in a Dog to stand upright as it were looking over the Partridge when he sets them , and therefore you must chide him for it , not giving over till you make him lie close .

It is also a fault for him when you go in to the Covey , to spring up the Partridge into your Nets , to rush hastily after you , or spring them before you , for which you must correct him ; and your self proceeding leisurely the next time , ever as you go speak to the Dog to lie close .

CHAP. IX . An Abridgment of some Statutes relating to the preservation of Fowl .

NOw lest any one , either not legally qualified or licensed , or by taking Fowl at prohibited times , or by prohibited Engines , or by destroying of their Eggs , should through ignorance incur the danger of the Law , I have thought fit to subjoyn an Abridgement of such Statutes as relate to the preservation of Fowl , collected and sent me by my worthy Friend Mr. Walter Ashmore .

None to destroy or take away the Eggs of any Wild Fowl on pain of one years 25 H. 8. c. 11. confirmed 3 & 4 Ed. 6. c. 7. imprisonment ; and to forfeit for every Egg of a Crane or Bustard so taken and destroyed 20 d. Of a Bittern , Heron , or Shoveler 8 d. Of a Mallard , Teal , or other Wild-fowl 1 d. to be divided between the King and the Prosecutor . And herein Justices of peace have power to hear , enquire , and determine offences of this kind , as they use to do in cases of trespass . Yet this act not to extend to such as kill Crows , Choughs , Ravens , and Buzzards .

A Hawk taken up shall be delivered to the Sheriff , who after Proclamation made 34 Ed. 3. 22. in several Towns , ( if challenged ) shall deliver her to the right Owner . And if the Hawk were taken up by a mean man , and be not challenged in four months , the Sheriff to have her , satisfying the Party for taking her : But if by a man of estate , who may conveniently keep a Hawk , the Sheriff shall restore her to him again , he paying for the charge of keeping .

If any take away or conceal a Hawk he shall answer the value thereof to the Owner , and suffer two years imprisonment , and in case he be not able to answer the value , he shall remain in prison a longer time .

He that steals and carries away a Hawk , not observing the Ordinance of 34 Ed. 3. 22. 37 Ed. 3. 19. shall be deemed a Felon .

None shall take Pheasants or Partridges with Engines in anothers ground without 11 H. 7. 17. licence , in pain of ten pound to be divided between the Owner of the ground and the Prosecutor .

None shall take out of the Nest any Eggs of Falcon , Goshawk , Lanner , or Swan , in pain of a year and a days imprisonment , and to incur a Fine at the Kings pleasure , to be divided between the King and the Owner of the ground where the Eggs shall be so taken .

None shall bear any Hawk of English breed called a Nyesse , ( Goshawk , Tarcel , Lanner , Lanneret , or Falcon ) in pain to forfeit the same to the King .

He that brings a Nyesse Hawk from beyond the Seas shall have a Certificate under the Customers Seal where he lands , or if out of Scotland , then under the Seal of the Lord Warden or his Lieutenant , testifying she is a Forein Hawk , upon the like pain of forfeiting the Hawk .

None shall take , kill , or fearaway any of the said Hawks from their Coverts where they use to breed , in pain of ten pounds .

Every Freeman my have Eyries of Hawks within their own Woods which be 9. H. 3. 13. within a Forest .

None shall kill or take Pheasants or Partridges by night , in pain of 20 s. a Pheasant , 23 Eliz. 10. and 10 s. a Partridge , or one months imprisonment , and bond with Sureties not to offend again in the like kind .

Directions to recover the Forfeitures , vid. Statute .

None to hawk or hunt with Spaniels in standing Grain in pain of 40 s.

No person shall kill or take any Pheasant , Partridge , Pigeon , Duck , Heron , Hare , 1 Jac. 27. or other Game , or take or destroy the Eggs of Pheasants , Partridges , or Swans , in pain of 20 s. or imprisonment for every Fowl , Hare , or Egg , and to find Sureties in 20 l. not to offend in the like kind .

No person shall keep Dog or Net to take or kill any of the last mentioned Game , unless qualified as in the Act , in pain of 30 s.

No Person to buy or sell any Partridge or Pheasant upon pain to forfeit 20 s. for every Pheasant , and 10 s. for every Partridge .

No Person to betwice punished for one offence .

Persons are to be licensed in Sessions to kill Hawks meat , and to become bound in 20 l. not to kill any of the said Games , nor to shoot within 600 paces of a Heronry , within 100 paces of a Pigeon House , or in a Park , Forest , or Chase , whereof his Master is not Owner or Keeper .

Every person having hawked at , or destroyed any Pheasant or Partridge between 7 Jac. 11. the first of July and last of August shall forfeit 40 s. for every time so Hawking , and 20 s. for every Pheasant or Partridge so destroyed or taken .

This offence to be prosecuted within six months after it is committed .

Lords of Mannors and their Servants may take Pheasants or Partridges in their own grounds or Precincts in the day time between Michaelmas and Christmas .

Every person of a mean condition having killed or taken any Pheasant or Partridge shall forfeit 20 s. for each one so killed , and shall become bound in 20 l. not to offend so again .

Constables and Headboroughs upon warrant to search houses , and seize Dogs or Nets , and destroy them at pleasure .

Lords of Mannors to appoint Game-keepers , who by a Warrant from a Justice 22 & 23 Car. 2. c. 25. may in the day-time take and seize all Guns , Bows , Grey-hounds , Setting-dogs , Lurchers , or other Dogs to kill Hares or Conies , Ferrets , Trammels , Low-bells , Hays , or other Nets , Hare-pipes , Snares , and other Engines for the taking and killing of Conics , Hares , Pheasants , Partridges , and other Game within the Precincts of such Mannor , as shall be used by any Person prohibited by that Act to keep or use the same .

Persons under the value of 100 l. per annum ; or for term of life , or not having Leases for ninety nine years , or for a longer term of the value of 150 l. other than the Son and Heir apparent of an Esquire or other person of higher degree , and the Owners and Keepers of Forests , Parks , Chases , or Warrens , are not to have or keep for themselves or others any Guns , Bows , Greyhounds , Setting-dogs , Lurchers , Hays , Nets , Lowbells , Hare-pipes , Snares , or other Engine .

THE SECOND BOOK OF THE ORNITHOLOGY OF FRANCIS WILLUGHBY Esq Of Land-Fowl .

THE FIRST PART . Of such as have hooked Beaks and Talons .

THE FIRST SECTION . Of Rapacious Diurnal Birds .

CHAP. I. Of Birds of prey in general , especially Diurnal ones .

THE Characteristic notes of Rapacious Birds in general are these : To have a great head ; a short neck ; hooked , strong and sharp-pointed Beak and Talons , fitted for ravine and tearing of flesh : Strong and brawny thighs , for striking down their prey : a broad , thick , fleshy tongue , like a mans ; twelve feathers in their train : four and twenty flag feathers [ remiges pennae ] in each wing ; [ The number of these feathers can hardly be counted exactly , and doth ( I believe ) vary in these Birds , the greater kinds having more , the lesser fewer . ] The two Appendices or blind guts very short , so that they seem to be of no use to them , at least when grown up : A membranous stomach , not a musculous one , or Gizzard , like granivorous Birds : To be very sharp-sighted , for spying out their prey at a distance , to be solitary , not gregarious , by a singular providence of nature : For should they , coming in flocks , joyntly set upon Cattel , the flocks and herds of sheep and beasts would scarce be secure from their violence and injuries . This note is not common to all Rapacious birds in general , though Aristotle hath delivered for an universal observation , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , i. e. No Birds of prey are gregarious . For Vultures , ( as Bellonius hath observed ) fly in company fifty or sixty together : To be deep-feathered . The feathers investing their bodies if they be not thicker set , are at least taller or longer than in other birds , so that their bodies seem to be much greater than indeed they are . This note is common to all Rapacious birds , but not proper to them alone . To be long-lived , and as is commonly thought , more than other birds , whereof being not yet fully satisfied , I will not rashly affirm any thing , but leave the matter to be determined by experience and diligent observation . But certain it is , ( as we have before demonstrated ) that all Birds in general , account being had of their bigness , are very long-lived . To endure hunger ( or abide without food ) a long time , which considering their food and manner of living is almost necessary ; seeing their prey is not always ready for them . The Females are of greater size , more beautiful and lovely for shape and colours , stronger , more fierce and generous than the Males . For this cause some will have the Males called Tarcels , that is , Thirds , because they are lesser by one third part than the Females . The reason of this inequality and excess of magnitude in the Females some do assign , because it lies upon the Females to prey not only for themselves , but for their Young , therefore it is requisite they be more strong and generous . Moreover ( that we may note that by the by ) among the Females themselves the tokens of goodness are taken from their greatness ; for by how much a Hawk is bigger and more weighty , so much better is it accounted . So that ( as Tardivus witnesseth ) in Syria Birds employed for Fowling are all bought by weight ; and so much the dearer by how much they weigh more . Howbeit the Astures [ Goshawks ] ( if we may believe the Italian Proverb ) [ Astore piccolo & Terzuolo grande ] by how much the less they are , by so much the more are they esteemed . Here again Vultures are to be excepted , of which the Males are said to equal or exceed the Females in bigness . The Basis of the Beak is covered with a naked skin or membrane , which our Falconers call the Sear . This note is proper to Rapacious Birds that prey by day ; for the night-birds have no such Membrane . The outmost toe is connected with the middlemost by an intervening Membrane , as far as the first joynt . This note is common to all Rapacious Diurnal Birds , but not proper to them alone , agreeing to many other birds besides . The breast in most Rapacious birds is party-coloured or spotted : In most I say , not in all ; for , the Vultur Boeticus , Milvus Aeruginosus , and some few others are to be excepted . Some others also of the forementioned notes are not proper and peculiar to this kind , as for example , To have twelve feathers in the tail , and to have very short Appendices or blind guts , which are common also to the Crow-kind , and most small birds .

Add to these , that in Birds of prey the Hook of the upper chap is produced by Age to that length sometimes , that it hinders their feeding : That the Claw of the outmost Toe is the least : That the flesh of carnivorous birds doth sooner corrupt and putrefie than of any other : That the interior sides of their Claws are sharp-edged : That their Excrements are for the most part fluid like milk : That the interior Vanes of the prime feathers of their Wings and Tails have white or pale-coloured cross bars : That the colour of the back and upper part is for the most part brown .

CHAP. II. Of the Eagle in general .

THe Eagle in general may be thus defined , Adiurnal Rapacious Bird of the biggest sort , the most generous of all , having its Beak hooked almost from the very root . By its bigness it is distinguished from the Hawk , by its courage and spirit and by the kookedness of its Bill from the Vulture .

There are many things delivered by the Ancients and Moderns concerning the nature and conditions of the Eagle in general ; which are partly false or uncertain , partly common to other Birds of prey .

Of the first sort I take the following to be .

1. That its feet are not equal , but the right bigger than the left .

2. That its feathers being mixt with the feathers of other birds , especially Geese and Pigeons , do waste and consume them .

3. That whereas she excels in quick-sightedness , in trying her Young whether they be genuine or spurious , she makes use of an argument taken from the sight . For hanging them up by the Claw , she exposes them to the Sun-beams , and those that she sees look stedfastly on the Sun , she keeps and brings up as right-bred , and her genuine Off-spring , but such as turn away their eyes , as not being able to behold it , she casts away as degenerous .

4. That the Eagle as long as she lives changes not her Nest or Haunt , but returns yearly to the same .

5. That after Noon she flies abroad and preys , but all the Forenoon before dinner she sits idle .

6. That she touches not Carrion or dead Carcasses ; feeding only upon the flesh of such Animals as she kills her self .

7. That whereas for the most part she hatches two young ones , she brings up but one , casting out the other , to ease her self of the toil of nursing and feeding it .

8. That she would not at all hatch her Young , did she not bring the Eagles stone [ Aëtites ] into her Nest , which is of wonderful vertue in promoting exclusion .

9. That when the Young are sick , and cannot concoct more solid food , by reason of the weakness of their stomachs , the old ones suck the bloud out of their prey , and feed them therewith .

10. That in extreme old age , when their Beaks by reason of their driness are grown so crooked that they cannot feed , they sustain themselves for some time by drinking .

11. That the old ones when they see their young fledged and ready to fly , do carry them up a height , and then let them go , admonishing them as it were by their own peril to make use of their Wings , and by flying through the Air to save themselves from falling . If after they have let them go they fall down to the ground , up they take them again , often repeating this kind of exercise .

12. That she hath an extraordinary care of her Talons , lest by any means they should be blunted . Hereupon in walking she always draws them up , and turns them inwards , refuses to walk in stony places , lest perchance she should wear their points . And if she happens to sit or walk upon Rocks , she spreads under her feet the skins of such Animals as she hath kill'd , lest her Talons should be hurt . Yea so careful is she of them , that where ever she sits , unless she eyes the Sun or her prey , she is always looking at them ; fearing lest they should grow too crooked . And if by chance they be blunted , she sharpens them with her Bill , or whets them upon stones , to render them fitter for preying .

13. That when she is enfeebled with old age , she flies as high as ever she can above the Clouds , till the dimness of her eye-sight be consumed by the heat of the Sun ; then presently descending with all her force , while she is yet in the extremity of heat , she drenches her self three times in the coldest water she can find , and rising up thence streightway betakes her self to her Nest , where among her young now fit for preying , falling into a kind of Fever , with a sweat she casts her feathers ; and is by them carefully nursed up and fed , till she recover her plumage again .

14. Whereas the greatest part of Birds either of fear or wonder , fly after the Owl , she not thinking such carriage to become a Kingly bird , is nothing moved with that spectacle .

Of the latter kind are these .

1. That she doth so excel in quick-sightedness , that soaring so high in the air , that she can very hardly be discerned by us in all that light , yet she can espy a Hare lying under a bush , or a little Fish swimming in the water . Though I grant that both the Eagle and other Rapacious birds are very sharp-sighted , yet do I not think that , their eyes can reach objects at such distances .

2. That she is indocile and uncapable of Discipline , and not to be tamed by any humane endeavour : But is only carried on headlong by her natural inclination and impetus . This is not universally true . For we have heard of Eagles that have been reclaimed and trained up for fowling . Though it he rarely done .

3. That her breath smells very ill , so that by reason of the pestiferous stench thereof , the bodies that are blown upon by her do easily putrefic and corrupt .

4. That she is very greedy and almost unsatiable : and therefore if at any time she endures hunger , ( of which she is most patient ) she recompenses her long fasting by abundant eating and gorging her self . And if her prey be so great and copious that any thing remains when she is satiated , she leaves that to the other birds , which use to follow her in expectation thereof .

5. That almost all Birds of prey live without ever drinking ; yet is their belly always loose , and their Excrements fluid . For the bloud of the Animals they kill affords them liquor enough for the concoction and digestion of their meat .

6. That it is very venereous . For the Female being trodden thirteen times a day , yet if the Male doth but call , runs to him again . Now whereas all salacious creatures are thought to be short-lived , one may justly wonder , that the Eagle should be the most lustful , and yet withal the most vivacious of Birds .

7. When their young ones are grown up , and come to that age and strength , that that they can without the help of their Parents get themselves meat , they drive them far away from their Nests ; nay , they will not suffer them to abide so much as in the same Country .

8. Nature hath given the Eagle very thick , hard , and almost solid bones , and in which there is but very little marrow .

All these things we have transcribed out of Aldrovandus his Ornithology , where occur more such like , which are common to other Rapacious Birds . For besides its eminent Magnitude we do not acknowledge any Characteristic note whereby Eagles may be distinguished from Hawks . How they are differenced from Vultures shall be shewn when we come to treat of Vultures .

As for the names of the Eagles , it is called Grecians 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the Verb 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , signifying to rush on or be carried forwards violently with great force and swiftness , because of the swiftness of its flight : By the Latines it is named Aquila , either ab acumine visus from the sharpness of its sight , or from the colour called [ Aquilus ] that is , blackish or dusky , so denominated from water [ Aqua . ]

CHAP. III. Of the several kinds of Eagles .

§. I. * THE GOLDEN EAGLE ; CHYSAETOS Aldrovandi Ornithologiae , lib. 2. cap. 2. Aquila fulva sen aurea .

BEing put in the balance [ statera ] we found it to weigh twelve pounds . From It s Weight . It s Length . Breadth . The Beak . point of Beak to tip of Tail it was full three feet and nine Inches long . The length from the Bill to the Talons was four spans and an half . The breadth from tip to tip of the Wings extended eight spans . The Beak was one Palm [ hand-breadth ] and one inch long . For the hooked part alone hung down beyond the lower Chap a full Inch. The breadth of the Bill , especially about the middle was more than two Inches . The hooked part or point was blacker ; the rest of the Bill of a horn-colour , inclining to a pale blue , and spotted with dusky . The wideness of the Mouth gaping [ rictus ] was one Palm and an Inch. The Tongue was like a The Mouth . The Tongue . Mans , broad , round , and blunt at the tip , toward the root on both sides armed with two hooked , horny Appendices , tied down in the middle to the lower mandible by a thin Membrane . The Palate perforate in the middle . The lower Chap of the The Palate . Bill channelled , the edges whereof standing up on both sides are received in the upper . The Membrane which arising from the Forehead is extended beyond the Nosthrils , The Sear . and likewise the borders of the bridle or corners of the mouth are yellow . The feathers The neckfeathers . of the neck are rigid and * * Of a rasty colour . ferrugineous . A certain thick Tunicle stretched forth from below upwards covered the eye in nictation . This Membrane is called in Latine Periophthalmium . Two Eye-lids , one above , the other beneath , covered the The Eye-lids . Eye , although the lower alone extended upward was sufficient to cover the whole Eye . The region of the Eye-brows was very eminent , like that prominent part of The Eye-brows . the roofs of houses called the Eaves ; under which the Eyes lay hid , as it were sunk in a deep cavity . The Eyes were of the colour called Charopus , of a fiery splendor , The Eyes . shining forth in a pale blew . The Pupil was of a deep black . It is very admirable to observe what care Nature hath taken , and what provision she hath made for the conservation of the Eyes , than which there is no part in this Animal more excellent . For not being content with one Tegument , as is usual in other Animals , she seemeth to have framed four several lids or covers for them . The Periophthalmium , or Membrane for Nictation , is the same thing , and affords the same use to them that the Eye-lids do to a man . Besides which Nature hath superadded two other Eye-lids , and of these the lower so large , that they alone suffice to cover and preserve the Eyes . The colour of the Wings and Tail is dusky , and so much the darker by how much the feathers The Wings . The Train . The colour of the whole body . The Flag-Feathers . The Legs . are bigger . The colour of the rest of the small feathers of the whole body is a dark ferrugineous or Chesnut , sprinkled with white spots , fewer on the back , more on the belly , the bottoms of all being white . Six of the prime feathers on each side were twenty two Inches long apiece , having very firm and hard quills , but shorter than those of Geese , and very good to make Writing Pens . The Legs were feathered down to the feet , of a ferrugineous colour . Hence it may evidently appear to any man , how much * * Lib. 2. cap 4. ●● Avibus . Petrus Bellonius is mistaken in that he writes , that Eagles are distinguishable from Vultures by one only sign , viz. having their Legs naked or destitute of feathers , contrary to what we see in Vultures . The feet were yellowish : The back-claw of the left foot six Inches in circumference ; that of the right foot but four ; The Feet . The Talons . so great was the difference between them ; which I suppose not to have been natural , but induced by force , for this seemed to be maimed . The Talon of the foremost of the fore-toes of the left foot was five Inches in length , that of the middle three and an half , the least two . The Talons of the fore toes of the right foot were bigger , in proportion to the back-claw , than those of the left . Four Semicircular Tables covered each toe near the Talons , excepting the greatest of the fore toes , which had only three * * Rings or annular Scales annuli . The rest of the feet was covered with Scales about the bigness of millet grains , or somewhat less .

If any one desires an Anatomy and description of the inward parts , let him consult Aldrovandus in this place : See also here the arguments whereby he proves this bird by him described to be the Chrysaëtos of the Ancients ; and the notes whereby he distinguishes it from other Eagles .

I suspect this to be the same bird with that hereafter described by us under the title of Pygargus . The chief difference is , that half the Tail in that is white , whereas in this the whole is of one [ dusky ] colour .

This with great fierceness flew upon any thing that came in its way : and would The fierceness of the Golden Eagle . with its Beak and Talons assault and strike at Dogs , Cata , &c. and even man himself , if they did , before they were aware , approach too near the Cage in which it was shut up . So far Aldrovandus : to whom this Bird was sent by the Great Duke of Tuscany .

The Golden Eagle with a white ring about its tail .

We saw three Birds of this sort in the Royal Theriotrophium near the Tower of London , and a fourth in St. James Park near Westminster . For bigness they approached The Bigness . The Beak . to Turkeys . The Beak near the head was streight , toward the end hooked , of a horn-colour ; the Sear or skin covering the Basis of the beak of an ash-colour or blewish white ; the space from the Nosthrils to the eyes bare of feathers : The mouth very wide when gaping : The Tail of a mean length , with a transverse bar or ring of The Tail . white . The upper Chap of the Beak had on each side a small obtuse Angle or Tooth , as that of the Kestrel and other Hawks . The inside of the mouth was of a flesh-colour . The Feathers covering the head and neck not smooth and even , but rigid , narrow , The feathers . and lying at a distance one from another : The Talons black ; the Legs feathered down below the knees . Our Country-men call this bird simply and absolutely the Eagle , without any Epithet of distinction , as if indeed this were 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Eagle of Eagles . I take it to be specifically the same with the precedent .

§. II. * The SEA-EAGLE or OSPREY ; Haliaeetus seu Aquila marina ; Nisus Veterum .

ALdrovandus confesses that himself never saw this Bird : But the description he The bald Buzzard described for the Sea-Eagle . gives of it , sent by a certain eminent Physician , agrees exactly to the ENGLISH BALD BUZZARD . Moreover Leonard Baltner , a Fisherman of Strasburgh , who himself described and caused to be painted by the life all Water-fowl that frequent the River Rhine thereabouts , sets forth the Bald Buzzard under the title of Fisch-Adler , i. e. the Fish-Eagle . But seeing that our Bald Buzzard is a lesser Bird than that it may merit the name of an Eagle , and is also very like to , and not much bigger than the Common Buzzard , we will treat thereof in a more commodious place , among its fellows , viz. the lesser sort of wild birds of prey . And in this place for the Haliaeetus or Sea-Eagle we will present the Reader with the Ossifrage of Aldrovandus , seeing That the Ossifrage of Aldrovandus is the Sea-Eagle . that for its bigness may justly challenge a place among Eagles and is also a fierce and generous Bird , preying upon Fish , and frequenting not only Pools and Rivers , but also the Sea . I am not ignorant that Aldrovandus will by no means admit this Bird to be the Sea-Eagle : 1. Because it answers not to the description of the Sea-Eagle left us by the Ancients , which makes it to be not much bigger than the Kite , whereas this Bird for bigness falls not much short of the Chrysaëtos it self . 2. Because all the notes of the Ossifrage agree to it , viz. A whitish ash-colour , clouded Eyes , a beard under the chin , and finally Aquiline magnitude . But yet these Arguments are not of so great force with me to evince this Bird to be the Ossifrage , as the manner of living alone to be the Sea-Eagle : unless perchance the Sea-Eagle and Ossifrage be Synonymous words and names of one and the same Bird. Neither do I much matter the descriptions of the Ancients , who in delivering the notes of Animals are wont to be less curious and exact . But whatever the Ancients called the Sea-Eagle , certain it is that the title of Sea-Eagle may be very fitly attributed to this Bird. For if we admit the Bald Buzzard for the Sea-Eagle , ( which , to speak the truth , agrees better to the descriptions of the Ancients ) we take away all note of distinction between Eagles and Hawks , which ( as we said before ) consists only in difference of magnitude .

The Ossifrage then or Sea-Eagle is thus described by Aldrovandus . From the point The description of the Ossifrage . of the Beak to the end of the train or Talons , ( for the ends of both when extended were coincident ) it was three feet and four Inches long : From tip to tip of the Wings stretched out nine spans broad . It weighed eleven pound . The Bill was It s length . Breadth . Weight . Beak . very hooked , so that the hooked part alone was an Inch long ; the whole two Inches broad , and an hand-breadth long ; of a blackish or dusky horn colour , somewhat approaching to a dark blue . The Tongue was very like to a mans , with a broad top , and Tongue . hooked , hard , and horny Appendices on both sides , tied down to the lower mandible by a thin Membrane , where it regards the chin a horny Membrane compasses the end or tip of it . The lower mandible was hollowed like a channel , [ I suppose he means the sides of it ] the edges or borders of which channel enter the Palate on both sides , and are enclosed within its edges . In the middle of the Palate is a chink by which a The Palate . pituitous humour distils from the head . The head and all the neck are cloathed with The head and neck . long , narrow , and rigid feathers . From the Chin hang down small feathers like hairs imitating a beard ; whence perchance by Pliny and also Bellonius it is denominated the bearded Eagle : And I from that note chiefly suppose it to be called Harpe by Oppian , The Beard . The feathers of the whole body singly are particoloured , and that with three The colour of the Feathers . The Flags . The Train . colours , whitish , duskish , and ferrugineous . The flag-feathers of the Wings are almost wholly black , something tending to Chesnut . The twelve feathers of the Train have little or nothing of red , but are only spotted with black and white , viz. whitish on the outside , dusky on the inner . The two middlemost , being besprinkled promiscuously with white spots ; are for the most part dusky . The ends or tips of all are black . The feathers growing on the rump , which immediately cover these , are almost wholly white , sprinkled with a little black , save that their tips are black . Their Legs The Legs . are almost wholly covered with dusky feathers , somewhat inclining to fulvous ; so that there is only two inches to the feet remaining bare . Besides the feathers the whole body underneath is covered with a white and soft down , as it were a delicate The body covered with Down . fleece , after the same manner as the skin of a Swan . The lower part of the Legs , which as we said for the space of two Inches is destitute of feathers , and the feet are of a deep yellow . The toes extended are a full span ; the length of the middlemost The Toes . The Talon . is equal to a Palm . The Talons were very black in so much that they shone again ; and so hooked that they did exactly represent a Semicircle . They observed this proportion one to another ; the hindmost being the biggest was two Inches long ; the first of the fore ones lesser than it , but bigger than the middlemost , and the last the least of all . The substance of the Talons was inwardly white and bony , covered over outwardly with a dusky bark . The leg and foot were for the most part covered with round scales of unequal bigness ; but the fore-part of the Leg , and upper part of the toes had Semicircular Tables like the * * Golden Eagle . Clusius takes this for the Sea-Eagle . Chrysaetos .

Clusius sent to Aldrovandus the Picture of this Bird drawn in colours to the life , by the title of the Sea-Eagle , writing thereof in this manner , This Haliaeetus , which our Countrymen living in the Sea-coast call Zee Aren , that is , Sea-Eagle , was shot the last Winter , &c. That this Eagle feeds only on Fish I my self can witness , for in the stomach thereof dissected we found nothing but Fish , some remaining yet entire , some half consumed , &c.

That this Bird is the same which our Seamen and Fowlers call the Osprey , and affirm This is the English Osprey . to have one flat or webbed foot to swim withal , after the manner of a Goose or other Water-fowl , the other being divided after the manner of other Birds of prey , I do not at all doubt . But what is reported concerning the feet is most certainly false and fabulous : although by some affirming it with great confidence , even the best Naturalists That it hath not one foot webbed , the other cloven . have been deceived ; among the rest Aldrovandus himself , not daring rashly to contradict , Albertus Magnus English men and Burgundians eye-witnesses . For ( saith he ) the Natives of each Country are most likely best to know what things are peculiar to their own Country either by Land or Sea , Well , I my self am an English man , yet have I never yet met with any credible person who would affirm himself to be an Eye-witness of this matter , although the Vulgar be so confidently persuaded of it , that scarce any body doubts its truth , What gave the first occasion and rise to this Error was ( I suppose ) a presumption of the necessity of such a structure of the feet . For whereas the Mariners and Fishermen did see and observe this Bird much to frequent the Sea and great Lakes of water , and to prey upon Fish ; yea , sometimes to fly forth very far from Land , so that it hath been often seen out at Sea , a hundred Leagues distant from shore , flying up and down over the water , and intent upon fishing ; they imagined it altogether necessary that it should be furnished with one flat foot for swimming , and another cloven for striking , catching , and carrying away of Fish . It being , one would think , impossible , that a bird should abide upon the Wing so long without rest . But that even small birds , short-winged , and less fit by far for flight than Eagles will venture to fly over wide Seas is evident in those we call birds of passage . And who knows but where those Fowl are usually seen , there may be some Rocks in the Sea not far off , on which they may rest themselves . But for the same reason this conceit was first started , it was readily entertained , and without examination greedily believed .

Not less fabulous is that which is reported of the oyl or fat which this bird hath in The Oyl of Osprey . her rump , and which hanging in the air , she lets fall drop by drop into the water ; by the force whereof the Fishes being stupefied , and as it were Planet-strucken , become destitute of all motion , and so suffer themselves without difficulty to be taken ; though some are so vain as to put Oyl of Osprey into their receipts or prescriptions for taking Fishes , by the smell whereof the Fishes being allured , rather than stupefied by its narcotic vertue , yield themselves to be handled and taken out of the water by such as have their hands anointed with it . Doubtless he that can get the Oyl of such an Osprey as they talk of may work wonders with it .

§. III. Of the BLACK EAGLE , called Melanaëtus , or Aquila Valeria .

WE saw a Bird of this kind kept shut up in a Cage in the * * The Town Hall . Its Bigness , Colour . Stadt-house of Middleburgh in Zealand . It was double the bigness of a Raven , but lesser than the Pygarg . The Jaws and Eye-lids were bare of feathers , and somewhat reddish : The head , neck , and brest black . In the middle of the back between the shoulders was a large triangular white spot dashed with red . The rump red . The lesser orders or rows of feathers in the Wings were of a Buzzard colour ; then followed a black stroak or bar cross the prime feathers , after that a white one , the remaining part of the feathers to the tips being of a dark ash-colour .

The Beak was less than that of the Pygarg , black at the end , then yellow as far as The Beak , the Sear or skin covering its Base , which was red . The Eyes [ understand the Irides ] Eyes , were of a hazel colour . The Legs were feathered down but a little below the knees ; Legs . the naked part being red . The Talons very long .

Those Birds which Aldrovandus hath set forth for Melanaëti or Black Eagles ; although The Black Eagles of Aldrov . the same with ours . they differ in some marks from this here described , as for example , in the blewish horny colour of the Beak ; in the dark ferrugineous colour of the crown of the head and neck , and that their Legs are almost wholly covered with feathers , scarce an inch remaining bare , and that yellow , yet I doubt not but they are of the same species ; there being in the Rapacious kind a great difference for the most part between Cock and Hen in point of magnitude and colour ; the colours also in the same Sex varying very much by age and other accidents .

Of the place of this Bird , its food and manner of living , building its Nest , Eggs , conditions , &c. we have nothing certain .

It is called in Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from its black colour . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or Leporaria , from killing of Hares : And in Latine Aquila Valeria , from its strength and valour .

§. IV. Of the PYGARG or white-tail'd Eagle , called Pygargus , and Albicilla , and by some Hinnularia .

IT is called Pygargus from the whiteness of its rump or train , which word Gaza rendred in Latine Albicilla . It s Name ,

The Male ( which we described ) was for bigness not much inferiour to a Turkey . Bigness ,

It weighed eight pounds and an half , [ it is like , the Female in this , as in other Birds of Weight , prey , may be bigger and more weighty . ] It s length from the tip of the Beak to the Length , end of the train was two feet and nine Inches , to the end of the Talons two feet and five inches . The distance from tip to tip of the Wings stretcht out seven feet wanting Breadth . but one inch , or two yards and eleven Inches : From the tip of the Beak to the Nosethrils was near two inches , to the corners of the mouth three , to the Eyes almost so The Beak . much . The breadth of the Beak an inch and a quarter ; the hooked part of the upper Mandible over-hanging the lower three quarters of an Inch. The Nosthrils The Nares . oblique and half an Inch long . The second or middle bone of the Leg was six inches and an half long , the third or lowermost no more than three and an half . The colour Colour of the Beak . of the Beak was yellow , and also of the Sear or skin covering its Basis as far as the Nosthrils . In the Palate it had a Cavity equal to the Tongue . The Tongue broad , The Palate , Tongue . Eyes . fleshly , black at the tip . The sides or edges of the Beak sharp . The Eyes great , withdrawn or sunk in the head , overhung and defended by Eye-brows , prominent like the Eves of a house : The Irides of a pale Hazel colour [ in one Bird which we saw of this sort they were red ; in another yellow . ] The feet were yellow , in the The Feet , soles were callous rough knobs , or fleshy protuberances , as in others of this kind : The Talons large , sharp , and crooked , that of the back-toe ( as generally in most Talons . Birds ) being greatest : That of the middle toe an inch long , the toe it self being two Inches .

The Head was pale or whitish , the feathers being sharp-pointed , and their shafts Colour of the Head , Neck , Rump , Body . black . The neck covered with narrow feathers ; the upper part thereof something red ; the Rump blackish ; else the whole body round of a dark ferrugineous colour . The number of prime feathers in each Wing was about twenty six or twenty seven , whereof the third and fourth were the longest ; the second shorter by half an inch The prime wing-feathers , than the third , and the first by three inches and an half than the second . The Wings The Wings . when closed reached not to the end of the train . Of the Pinion feathers and the rest of the flags they make Quils for Virginals , and very good Writing Pens . All the prime feathers of the Wings were black ; the lesser rows of the Wing-feathers had their edges of an ash-colour . The tail was eleven inches and an half long , made up The Train . of twelve feathers ; the upper or extreme part for above half way being white , the lower black . The extreme or outmost feathers were shortest , the rest gradually longer to the middlemost .

It had a large Gall , long Testicles , small Guts , having many revolutions , and being The Entrails , and Guts . by measure one hundred thirty two Inches , or eleven foot long , a small stomach , above which the Gullet was dilated into a kind of bag , granulated on the inside with many small protuberancies , which I take to be glandules , and which being squeezed a little , yielded a kind of pap or slime , serving , it is like , as a menstruum to help macerate the meat in the stomach . It had a vast Craw ; small short Appendices or blind guts , viz. not more than three quarters of an inch long .

This Bird , shot dead by a certain Fowler , we bought and described at Venice in the year 1664. and from the white ring about the tail denominated it Pygargus . It differs from that we have entituled the Golden Eagle with a white ring about its tail , chiefly in the colour of the Head and Beak : So that I suspect it may be the same : as also with the Golden Eagle of Aldrovandus , notwithstanding the white colour of the train , which perchance may alter with age , [ yet it differs also from it in other accidents , as for example , in the yellow colour of the Beak . ] If these three birds be not the same , yet are they very like and near of kin to one another : Perchance the only difference may be in Age or Sex .

The Pygargus of * * Lib. 2. Cap. 4. Ornithol . It s bigness , Beak , Aldrovandus seems to be a different kind , which he describes in The Pygarg of Aldrovand . these words ,

It is of a mean magnitude as big as a large Dunghil-Cock . The Bill all over yellow , hooked , and bending by little and little from the very root to the utmost tip or point of the hook , somewhat longer than in other Eagles in proportion to the bigness of the Bird. The Pupil of the eye very black , the Iris yellow . The crown of the Pupil . Colour of the Head and Neck , Back , Belly . The Train . head and all the neck of a pale Chesnut , inclining to an Ash-colour , the tips of the feathers being more black . The back and upper part of the Wings are covered with dark ferrugineous and blackish feathers , as also are the Belly and Thighs for the most part . The Tail from the Rump to the end is wholly white ; whence the name of Albicilla was not undeservedly by Gaza imposed upon it , Howbeit two of the smaller feathers [ I suppose he means the two middlemost ] which lie upon and cover the other greater and principal ones have black tips . The Legs are almost wholly bare of The Legs and Talons . feathers , and both Legs and Feet intensely yellow , both being all over covered with square Table-like Scales . The Talons very sharp .

The former Pygargus of Bellonius seems to be nothing else but the male of the Ringtail called in English the Henharrier .

§. V. * Of the Eagle called Morphnos or Clanga and Anataria .

THat Bird which by Gesner , and out of him by Aldrovandus is figured and described under this title , being again nothing else but our Bald Buzzard ( as Turner himself acknowledges , who sent the description to Gesner under the title of Morphnos ) I shall omit it here , referring it to its proper place among the wild Hawks ; it being ( as I said before ) of a lesser size than to deserve to be ranked with Eagles .

In stead of the true Morphnos , which Aldrovandus professes himself not to know , I shall here give you the description of that Bird which he calls Morphno Congener .

It is ( saith he ) of about the height and bigness of a large Dunghil-Cock : From It s Bigness and length . It s Beak . the tip of the Beak to the end of the Train three spans and an half long . The Beak was pretty long , hooked , and tending almost directly downward , joyned to the head by a yellow Membrane [ I suppose he means the Sear . ] The colour of almost Colour . the whole Plumage was ferrugineous , saving that at the ends of the Wings towards the belly it was beautified with many oval spots , scattered up and down , and moreover , that the utmost tips of the beam-feathers were white , as also the beginning of the Tail , and the extremities of all its feathers , and the lower part of the Rump . The Legs were all over feathered down to the beginning of the toes , and besprinkled The Legs . also with whitish Ash-coloured spots . The Feet were yellow ; the Toes above toward Feet , Toes . the Leg covered with Scales , toward the Talons with annulary Tables . The bottoms of all the feathers white . The Pupil of the Eye black , encompassed with a cinereous circle : It would very greedily devour flaid Mice . It s Food .

Bellonius for the Morphnos of the Ancients gives us the Jer-falcon ; whose opinion Aldrovandus disallows .

This Bird took the name Morphnos from the spots of the feathers whence also it The Etymology of the names . may in Latine not unfitly be called Naevia . Others will have this name to be derived from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Preterperfect Tense of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 being changed into 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 short and the letter 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 interposed , and so to signifie rapacious . It is called Clanga both by the Greeks and Latines from the sound of its voice .

§. VI. * The crested Eagle of Brasil : Urutaurana Brasiliensium , Marggrav .

THis Bird is of the bigness of an Eagle : It hath a black Bill ( the upper Chap It s Bill , whereof is hooked ) yellow near its rise or Base : The Eyes of a lovely Gold-colour , with black Pupils , which it can cover with an ash-coloured skin [ Periophthalmium ] Eyes , though it shut not the Eye-lids . It hath an Eagle-like head , but compressed or The head . plain above [ flat-crowned ] in the top whereof it hath two black feathers about two Crest . inches long , with two small ones on each side : These it can when it lists setup an end , and again let down flat . The Wings reach but little beyond the bottom or rise of The Wings , the Tail . It hath a broad Tail like an Eagle . The Head above is covered with dusky Tail . Colour . feathers having yellowish edges : The uppor part and sides of the neck with brown ones [ rather cinereous or terreous ] like a Partridges . The whole throat and lower part of the neck is white , yet so that the white is variegated at the sides with black feathers . The whole breast and lower belly , the upper and lower legs down to the very feet are covered with white feathers , wherewith black ones are mingled scalewise . The Wings and Tail are of a dusky colour , shaded , having the utmost borders or edges white . The feet have four Toes , yellow of colour , with dusky The Feet . crooked Talons . It s cry is Geb , Geb , like to that of a Chicken which hath lost its Dam , It s Voice , [ we express that voice by Yelp , yelp ] If you cast a bird to it , whether alive or dead . it catches it in its Talons , and with its Bill handsomly plumes it , and then tearing it Food . in pieces swallows down both flesh and bones . I kept one of these alive a long time in the Fort Mauritius by the River of St. Frances .

§. VII . * The Brasilian Urubitinga of Marggrave , very like our Pygarg or White-tail'd Eagle .

THis Bird is like an Eagle , of the bigness of a Goose of six months old . It hath a thick hooked black Beak ; a yellowish skin about the Nosthrils : Great sparkling Aquiline Eyes : A great Head : Yellow Legs and Feet : Four Toes in each foot , disposed after the usual manner ; crooked , long , black Talons : Large Wings : A broad Tail . It is all over covered with dusky and blackish feathers ; yet the Wings are waved with ash-colour . The Tail is nine Inches long , white for six , the end for three Inches being black ; howbeit in the very tip there is again a little white . This is a stately Bird of tall stature [ Egregiae staturae . ] It doth in many things approach to that described by us under the title of Pygargus , save that the upper part of the tail-feathers in that of ours was white , the lower black , whereas in this , on the contrary the upper is black , and the lower white . Mr. Willughby mentions another variety or difference of the Pygargus , in which the Tail-feathers from the middle downwards were white , the upper half being black , which seems to be altogether the same with that here described by Marggrave .

§. VIII . * Of the Vulturine Eagle of Aldrovandus , called Percnopteros , Gypaëtos , and also Ovipelargus .

THough Aldrovandus makes this Bird a sort of Eagle , entitling it Perknopteros ; yet he confesses it to have nothing Aquiline beside the name , being ignoble , sluggish , and deformed , and therefore deserving to be set behind not only Eagles , but also Vultures . We take it to belong to the family of Vultures , as will appear from its description compared with the general notes of Vultures .

Of this sort of Birds Aldrovandus gives us three figures , and three descriptions , besides that of Bellonius , which , whatever it be , seems to be a Bird of another kind . The first , was of a Vulturine Eagle brought out of Spain , in these words :

It was of eminent Magnitude , yea , not much less than the Chrysaëtos , but of It s bigness . Beak , an unusual and ridiculous shape ; the Beak , not as in other Eagles , bending from the root to the tip by a continual declivity , but streight almost to the middle , toward the point bowed into a remarkable hook , after the same manner as in Vultures , white toward the Head , the rest of it being black ; the lower Chap wholly white . The mouth within-side [ Oris rictus ] of a Chesnut-colour . Mouth , Eyes , Head . The Irides of the Eyes not , as in other Eagles , of a fiery colour , but whitish ; the Pupil black . The whole Head whitish , inclining to dusky [ fuscum . ] The upper part of the Neck , about half way down , almost bald , beset with very few , and those The Neck bare of feathers . Staring hair-like feathers . small feathers , of a white colour . At the end of this bald part , almost in the middle of the Neck , grew small feathers like certain rough curled hairs , standing up above the rest of the Plumage , as it were very fine slender , long bristles ; the like whereto it had in the beginning of the back and breast , in places just opposite to one another , and also on the Rump below . On the Back was as it were a kind of hood , reaching to The back , the middle thereof , ending in a sharp peak , and resembling a Triangle . The colour Colour of the body , Tail , Feet . of the whole body was a dark Chesnut inclining to black . The Tail long ; the Feet and Legs white ; the Claws dusky .

The second was of one taken by Country men on the Alpish Mountains of the Town Giulia , as follows . From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail it was by It s length . The Bill . measure three spans long . The Bill was long , but for the most part covered with a skin or membrane , so that about an inch only of the tip remained bare ; the hooked end small and slender . The Head was bald or destitute of feathers to the hind-part , so The Head . that the feathers standing up behind the crown , resembled a Monks hood , put back , and leaning on his neck , when he goes with his head uncovered . The colour of almost The Colour . all the feathers of the whole body was dusky , inclining to a dark Chesnut : Only interrupted by a continued Series of whitish feathers on the lower part of the neck , making an acute Angle , the point running down the middle of the back , which was as it were the acuminated part of the Monks hood , hanging from the shoulders down the middle of the back . * * It is hard to understand clearly the Authors meaning in these words . The Tail , Feet , Talons . Also another series not unlike this of whitish feathers , terminating in an acute Angle about the middle of the back , covered all the lower part of the back toward the complications of the Wings , somewhat resembling a Clock . The Tail was broad , and of a mean size . The Feet dusky , and all over covered with Scales . The Beak and Talons were of one and the same dusky horn-colour . The feathers on the thighs reached not lower than the knees . It would without difficulty suffer it self to be touched or handled , whence you may note its sluggishness and cowardise . Being angred it cried like a Kite .

The third is Gesners . This Eagle ( saith Gesner ) whose figure we here present you with , if it be not the Gypaëtos , i. e. The Vulturine Eagle , or Oripelargus , i. e. the Mountain Vulture , yet seems to be bred at least of one Parent of this kind . For in Beak it It s Beak . Colour . resembles a Vulture , in colour a Stork , being ignoble and sluggish . It was unknown to our Fowlers , being never , that I know of , taken with us . But in the year of our Lord , 1551. on Septemb. 29. there falling an extraordinary Snow , a Bird of this kind , her Wings being wet and heavy , fell down into a narrow place in the open Air adjoyning to one of our Citizens houses . It did for shape and colour wholly resemble a Stork . It was Carnivorous , yet would not touch Fish ; impatient of cold : The It s Food . body intensely hot , so that the cold hands of them that touched it were presently Temperature . warmed thereby . It would sit stark still in the same place for four or five hours ; and Nature and qualities . sometimes look upon the Sun when it shone out . Hens and other birds scorned , despised , and neglected it as harmless and innoxious . I kept it at my house above a month , and gave it meat with my hand , the smaller gobbets whereof it would swallow , the greater pieces it tore asunder with its Claws . Though it drank not , yet from its Beak drops of water distilled .

In the Year 1664. we saw at Venice in the Palace of a certain Nobleman of the City standing upon the Grand Channel , a bird of this kind , which we thus described .

For bigness it equalled or exceeded any Eagle we have seen . The Head and Neck It s bigness , Head and Neck bare , of feathers . were destitute of feathers , only covered with a white down . From the Bill to the Eyes the skin was bare , and of a blue colour . Almost all the feathers of the body were of a pale ferrugineous colour . On the lower part of the Neck below the Down there was as it were a kind of Collar or Ruff of long white feathers . The prime feathers Colour . of the Wings and Tail were black . The Bill was large , more like a Gulls than an Beak . Eagles , the tip of it white . The Nosthrils were covered with a black membrane : The Irides of the Eyes of a reddish hazel colour . The Nosthrils turned directly Eyes , Its nose dropped . downward , and from them constantly dropped a liquid humour or water . It was feathered down a little below the knee . The Feet were of a Lead colour , the Claws black , lesser , and not so crooked as an Eagles . The middle Toe much longer than Its Feet and Claws . the rest : The outmost joyned to the middle by a membrane as far as the first joynt , or further : The inside of the Legs white . The Craw hung down from the body before like a bag . It stood almost always with the Wings stretcht out like the figure of the The Craw. Vultur Leporarius of Gesner . Manner of standing .

These three descriptions I suspect to be of one and the same Bird , differing only in Age or Sex . For the first of Aldrovandus in most notes agrees with ours ; excepting the Triangular spot in the back , which either was not in ours , or not observed by us , ( which yet I scarcely believe ) and that he makes no mention of any humour dropping from the nose of his , perchance because it was seen and described after it was dead . Aldrovandus confesses his second to be in many things not unlike to Gesners : But that Gesners and ours are the same Bird , that one note of the water distilling from the Nosthrils is sufficient to evince , notwithstanding the difference of colour . I judge the first of Aldrovandus and ours described at Venice , to be of the same Sex ; likewise the second of Aldrovandus , and that seen and described by Gesner to be of the same Sex , but different from that of the other two . But herein I dare not be very positive and confident .

CHAP. IV. Of VULTURES in general .

THe Characteristic notes of Vultures are , 1. That for bigness they are equal to , or exceed Eagles . 2. That their Beaks are not presently from their first rise from the Forehead crooked and bending , but after about two Inches continued streightness ; which Gesner saith , he himself hath observed in many sorts of Vultures . 3. That they have an excellent sagacity of smelling above all other Birds , so that they can perceive the savour of dead Carcasses from far , [ many miles off they say . ] 4. The Ancients have delivered , that they are content only with dead Carcasses , abstaining from the ravine and slaughter of living Animals . But Bellonius , Gesner , and others of the Moderns affirm , that they pursue live Birds , and prey upon living Fawns , Hares , Kids , Lambs , &c. 5. That they have the neck for the most part bare of feathers . 6. Bellonius asserts , that among all Rapacious and hook-bill'd birds Vultures only assemble and fly together in flocks ; and that himself saw great flights of them , of not fewer than fifty in each , when he travelled from Cairo to Mount Sinai . Hence that observation of Aristotle , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , is proved not to hold generally true in all Rapacious Birds . 7. That their Legs are feathered down to the Feet : By which note Bellonius thinks they are to be distinguished from other Birds of prey . But neither is this note common to all Vultures , Bellonius himself representing some with naked legs ; nor proper to the Vulturine kind ; but also common to some Eagles , as appears by their figures and descriptions . 8. That under their throats they have a space of about an hand-breadth , clothed rather with hairs , like to those of a Calf , than with feathers . Which note we found to be true in the Vulture kept in the Royal Aviary in St. James's Park London . 9. That the Craw hangs down like a bag before the stomach or breast , which we observed in the Venetian Vulture or Gypaëtos , described in the precedent Chapter . 10. That the Female , contrary to the manner of other Birds of prey , doth not exceed the Male in bigness . 11. That all the inside of the Wings is covered with a soft fleece of Down ; which is peculiar to the Vulture alone among Rapacious Birds . What is delivered of the generation of Vultures , viz. That there are no Males found among them : That the Females are impregnated by the Wind ; that they bring not forth Eggs , but live Young , &c. is altogether false and frivolous , scarce worth the mentioning , much less the refuting . Among the marks hitherto reckoned up , the most proper Characteristic of a Vulture seems to me to be that of having its neck bare of destitute of feathers , and only covered with a Down . Those two , I am sure , which alone we have hapned to see , had not only their necks , but their heads also bare , covered only with a short white Down .

CHAP. V.

§. 1. * Of several of VULTURES .

ALdrovandus out of Bellonius and Gesner sets forth six several sorts of Vultures :

1. The cinereous or ash-coloured Vulture . The cinereous Vulture . The blac Vulture .

2. The black Vulture . Of which he saith , he wonders , why Bellonius ( who boasts that he had so great opportunity and facility of seeing and getting divers sorts ) should give no perfect description , neither of the one , nor the other , but only set forth a figure : which yet doth not agree to what he writes of Vultures in general , viz. That they all have rough legs , wholly feathered down to the foot , and do by this mark differ from Eagles , it being represented with naked legs .

3. The Chesnut-coloured Vulture [ Boeticus ] which Bellonius thus describes : It is The Boetic or Chesnut coloured Vulture described . somewhat less than an Eagle , hath the feathers of its Neck , Back , Belly , and whole body of a Chesnut-colour , wherein it differs from the black Vulture . The greater feathers of the Wings and Train are of the same colour with those of the Black . Both [ this and the black ] have short tails in respect of their very long Wings . These do not , as in other Rapacious Fowl , follow the nature and constitution of the Wings , but rather , as in Woodpeckers , are found for the most part with their points broken and shattered : Which is a sign they wear and break them by rubbing against the Rocks , where they harbour and build their Nests . The Chesnut or white Vultures are more rare to be seen than the black ; and have this peculiar to them , that the feathers of the Crowns of their heads are very short if compared to Eagles : Which is the reason why some have thought them bald . They have short legs , covered all over with feathers down to the beginning of the toes . Which note is peculiar to them , not agreeing to any other Rapacious hook-bill'd Bird , besides the Nocturnal ones . The feathers of the Neck in these Baetic Vultures are very narrow and long ( like those that hang down about the necks of Dunghil-Cocks and Stares ) if compared with the rest , which cover the back , wings , and sides , which are small and broad like Scales . But those which cover the back , stomach , belly , and bottom of the rump in the Baetic Vulture are red , in the black one black , but in both pretty broad .

4. The Hare-Vulture , [ Leporarium ] so called from preying upon Hares ; of which The Hare-Vulture . Gesner writes after this manner . It hath not so * * A deep Golden or Lion-colour . fulvous a breast as our Golden Vulture , and is inferiour to it in magnitude . George Fabricius , the ornament of Germany , sent me its figure , with this description added . The Vulture , which the Germans call Ein Hasengyr , hath a hooked , black Bill ; foul Eyes ; a firm , great Body ; broad Wings ; a long , streight Train ; a dark red Colour ; and yellow Feet . Standing or sitting it rears up a Crest upon its head , as if it were horned , which appears not in flying . The Wings extended exceeded the measure of a fathom [ Orgyiae . ] In walking it steps or paces two Palms [ hand-breadths . ] It pursues all sorts of Birds ; of Beasts it catches and preys upon Hares , Conies , Foxes , Fawns ; it also lies in wait for Fishes , It will not be made tame . It pursues its prey not only by flying , but also by running . It flies with a great force and noise . It builds in thick and desart Woods upon the highest trees , It feeds upon the flesh and entrails of Animals , not abstaining from dead Carcasses . It can endure hunger , or abide without meat fourteen days , although it be most voracious .

5. The Golden Vulture , of which Gesner thus : Viewing the skin of the Golden The Golden Vulture described . Vulture , sent me once out of the Alpine Country of the Grisons , [ Rhaetia , ] the beak and legs yet sticking to it , I thus described it . This Vulture hath many things common with that kind of Alpine Eagle , ( whose figure and description we placed first in the History of the Eagle ) but is every way , or in all parts greater . From the Bill to the end of the Tail it was somewhat more than four feet and an half long , to the end of the Claws three feet and nine Inches , or somewhat less . The length of the upper Chap of the Bill , as far as the opening of the mouth , was almost seven Inches . The length of the Tail was about two feet and three inches . All the lower part , that is to say , the lower part of the neck , the breast , the belly and the feet were of a red colour , more dilute towards the tail , more intense towards the head . The Toes of a dusky or horn colour . The longest feather of the Wings was almost a yard long : They are all blackish or dusky , of near one and the same colour : Yet the small feathers , that are highest toward the ridge of the wing are blacker , and some of them marked with transverse reddish spots cross the middle , others with whitish ones about the bottom . So much the blacker are they by how much nearer to the back , where they shine again for blackness . The feathers on the middle of the back are black and shining , their shafts in the middle are white , especially of those which are about the middle of the back , and in half the neck ; for the remaining part of the neck hath pale red [ ruffas ex albido ] feathers . The tail feathers are of the same colour with those of the wings , viz. dusky .

6. The white Vulture , which he makes the same with the cinereous Vulture of The white Vulture . Bellonius .

7. That Vulture which we saw in the Royal Aviary in St. James's Park , did in many Our fulvous Vulture , like Bellonius his Chesnut one . things agree with the third sort or Chesnut [ Baetious ] Vulture of Bellonius . It s back and wings were fulvous : Its tail short in respect of the wings : The Beak black , hooked at the end . The head and neck as far as the breast , and the middle part of the breast void of feathers , covered over with a short , soft , thick white Down . The Eyes were fierce-looked , with Saffron-coloured , or deep-yellow Irides . In the lower part of the neck was as it were a Ruff of thick-set , narrow feathers much longer than the rest , as in the Peronopteros of Aldrovandus .

§. II. * The Brasil Vulture called Urubu , by the Dutch Een Menscheneter . Marggrav . By the Mexicans Tzopilotl . F. Ximen . By Nieremberg and others Aura .

IT is a rapacious Bird of the bigness of a Kite according to Marggravius ; of a middle-sized Eagle or Raven according to Ximenes : Having whitish feet like a Hens , a long tail , and wings longer than it . The feathers of the whole body are black , with a little * * Ravi . tauny colour here and there mingled . It hath a small head , almost of the shape of a Turkeys , covered with a somewhat rugged or wrinkled skin . In the top of the head the skin is as it were divided long-ways , and on the left side of the head beneath the Eye is of a Saffron colour , above the Eye of a blew , also in the top ; elsewhere of a reddish brown . In the right side of the head about the Eye above and beneath it is of a Saffron colour , as also in the top : Elsewhere of a delayed yellow , or whitish . It hath a pretty long Bill , hooked at the end , sharp , and covered over from the head half way with a skin from Saffron-colour tending to blue . In the middle of the Bill above is * * I suppose he means one common hole for both Nosthrils : or a hole through the Bill from side to side . one hole of the Nosthrils , large , and situate transversly . The end of the Bill , that is bare and wants the skin , is white . It hath elegant Eyes almost of the colour of a Ruby , with a round black Pupil : The Eye-lids of a Saffron-colour . The Tongue carinated , and indented round with sharp teeth . It s flesh stinks like Carrion . For they feed upon dead Carcasses ; and in the Capitania [ Chieftainship ] of Sirigippo , and River of St. Francis , when any one kills a beast , they come flying presently in great numbers . It is an ill-looked bird , always lean , and never satisfied , Ximenes makes it to be a kind of Raven , but the Sear or skin covering the Basis of the Bill , argues it to belong to the Rapacious kind , the bare head , and tip of the Bill only hooked , determine it to the family of Vultures . It feeds ( saith Ximenes ) upon dead flesh and mans dung . They pearch at night on Trees and Rocks , in the Morning they resort to the Cities , sit viewing and watching the streets on high places , and when they spy any silth , garbidge , or dead thing , they catch it up , and devour it . Where they build or hatch their Young is hitherto unknown ; although they be most frequent in almost every corner of New Spain . Yet Acosta saith , that their young ones are white , and that growing up they change and come to be as black as Ravens . They fly always very high , and cast a horrible stink from them like Ravens . They fly constantly in flocks , and sit upon trees , and feed joyntly in company upon dead Carcasses without any strife , or quarrelling , and when the rest see any one not able to move or help her self , they help her as much as they can , and bring her to the water : For being washed they recover strength to fly . If any one pursues them they empty themselves presently , that they may be the more light to fly away ; with like haste casting up what ever they had swallowed . The ashes of their feathers burnt take away hairs , so that they come not again ; which faculty is also attributed to the dung of Pismires , and the bloud of Bats . Their skin half-burnt heals wounds if it be applied , and the flesh withal eaten ; which is wont also to help those that are sick of the French Pox. The heart dried in the Sun smells like Musks The Dung dried , and taken in any convenient Vehicle to the weight of a Drachm is profitable to melancholy persons . The Barbarous people say , that where they lay their Eggs , they compass their Nests with certain Pebble-stones , which promote transpiration : But the more probable opinion is , that they exclude their Young under ground , and take them out when they feed them , and again cover them in the earth .

CHAP. VI. Of the lesser sort of Rapacious Birds that prey by day , called Hawks .

IT follows now that we treat of the lesser sort of Rapacious Birds that prey by day , called Hawks . These we have before distinguished into the more generous , which are wont to be reclaimed and trained up for Hawking , And the more sluggish and cowardly , which because they are either indocile , or unfit for Hawking , are neglected by men .

The former called Hawks are wont to be divided by Falconers into Long-winged and Short-winged . Those they call Long-winged whose Wings when closed reach almost to the end of the tail : Those they call Short-winged whose Wings when closed fall much short of the end of the tail ; of which sort we have seen two greater , viz. the Goshawk and Sparrowhawk ; and three lesser , viz. the three sorts of Butcher-birds .

But because that distinction of Hawks into tame and wild is arbitrarious and depends upon institution ; but the other into Long-winged and Short-winged hath its foundation in nature , and may be accommodated to all Hawks in general ; we will prefer it before that , first treating of the Long-winged Hawks .

Hawks in respect of their age are divided by Falconers into 1. Nyas or Eiasse-Hawks , which being taken out of the Nest , or brought away in the Nest before they can fly , are brought up by hand . 2. Ramage-Hawks or Branchers , which are taken when they are fledg'd and got out of the Nest , but depart not far from it , flying only from bough to bough , and following their Dams , not being able yet to prey for themselves : from Ramus signifying a bough . However they be taken , after they have preyed for themselves the first year , while they retain their Chicken-feathers , they are called Sore-hawks , from the French word Soret , signifying a dusky colour . The second year , when they have changed their feathers , they are called Entermewers , from the word muto to change . The third year they are called White Hawks , for what reason I know not . The fourth year , when they are come to their full growth and perfection , they are called Hawks of the first coat ; the fifth year , Hawks of the second coat ; the sixth year , Hawks of the third coat ; and so on as long as they live . Some of them , if they be well tended and favoured while they are young , will hold out twenty years . The feathers of all by age gradually grow whiter , as mens hairs grow grey , so that by how much the older they are , by so much the whiter are they . The outmost feather of the Wing is by our Falconers called the Sarcel , by the number of the dents whereof they pretend to know the age of the Hawk , as by the number of cross bars in the tail , the age of a Pheasaant .

But of the manner of feeding , training up , reclaiming , and curing the diseases of Hawks , those that have written of Falconry are to be consulted .

CHAP. VII . Of Long-winged Hawks .

LOng-winged Hawks may be divided into the more sluggish and indocile , which we call wild Hawks , and the more generous , such as use to be trained up for Fowling . Those we call wild Hawks are the Bald Buzzard , the Common Buzzard , the Honey-Buzzard , the Ring-tail , the Kite or Glead , and the Moor-Buzzard . Of which in order .

CHAP. VIII . ¶ Of the several sorts of wild long-winged Hawks , and first ,

§. I. Of the Bald Buzzard .

THis Bird is by Aldrovandus twice put among Eagles . 1. Under the title of Haliaeetus , Lib. 2. Cap. 3. 2. Under the title of Morphnos , in the seventh Chapter of the same book .

The Bird we described weighed fifty six ounces and an half . [ If herein Mr. Willughby It s Weight , be not mistaken , I see not but this Bird might well enough pass for an Eagle : But I suspect an error in the weight . ] It s breadth , or the distance between the extremities Breadth , of the wings extended was sixty Inches . The Beak from the point to the Beak , Angles of the mouth an inch and half long , black , hooked , covered from the Base as far as the Nosthrils with a blewish skin or Sear , bunching out between the Nosthrils and the hooked part . The Nosthrils themselves are oblong and oblique . Nares , The Angle of the lower Chap [ i. e. which the legs thereof make ] round . The Tongue broad , soft , and like a mans . The Irides of the Eyes yellow ; the Pupils Eyes . great . It hath both an upper and lower Eye-lid , but the lower much greater . The Eyes are not so sunk in the head , or withdrawn under prominent brows , as in the Common Buzzard , but more extant .

The Bird itself seems to be much stronger and more valiant than the Buzzard , with which it agrees in the colour of the upper part being black and ferrugineous . The Colour of the upper side , feathers on the crown of the head are white , whence it took the name of Bald Buzzard : The throat , breast and belly white , but above the Crop the feathers are ferrugineous . Lower side . The Legs are cloathed with white and soft feathers . The prime or flag-feathers The Flag-Feathers . in each Wing are about twenty eight ; from the seventeenth they end in sharper points : The greater are the blacker . The four outmost have the lower half of their interiour Vanes twice as broad as the upper : The interiour Vanes of all are variegated with white and black alternately , indented like the teeth of a Saw . The feathers under the shoulders are white , marked with black spots toward the tips . The third and fourth row of those that cover the roots of the flag-feathers underneath The covert feathers . are elegantly marked toward the tips with dusky spots , having their edges ferrugineous . The lesser feathers above these are white , the greater beneath them dusky or brown . The Train is made up of twelve feathers of equal length , having their borders party-coloured The Train . of white and ferrugineous , indented as in the Wings .

The Legs are long : The Feet thick and strong , of a pale blue or Verdigrease colour . The Feet , Toes , and Talons . The middle Toe the biggest ; the outermost somewhat bigger than the inner ; the back-toe , as in all , the least ; all armed with great , semicircular , black , round Talons . The feet scaly and uneven . The sole of the foot rough , that it may more easily hold its prey , when it hath once caught it . The Toes are so disposed , that the outmost of the fore-toes may bend or turn backwards , as in Owls , Parrots , &c. Site of the outmost fore-toe . The entrails and bowels .

The Liver , Heart , and Gall are large : The Spleen round , and of a black or sordid colour . In the Stomach and Craw opened we found many fish-bones and scales . The Surface of the Echinus or ante-stomach , was full of many carneous Globules . The Guts were long , slender , or small , having many revolutions .

It haunts Rivers , Lakes , and great Pools of water , as also the Sea-shores . At Pensans It s Food . in Cornwal we saw one that was shot , having a Mullet in its Claw : For it preys upon fish ; which seems very strange and wonderful , sith it is neither whole-footed , nor provided with long legs or neck .

It builds upon the ground among Reeds , and lays three or four large white Eggs , of It s Nest . a figure exactly Elliptical : lesser yet than Hens Eggs.

It casts an ill strong sent , and is much infested with Lice .

It differs from the Sea-Eagle of Aristotle , in that the neck is not thick and big , but for the bulk of the body slender and small .

What Aldrovandus hath delivered of Eagles , viz. that the right foot is bigger than the left , doth not agree to this , for its feet are equal .

It is distinguished from the common Buzzard . 1. By its weight and bigness , wherein How it differs from the common Buzzard . it exceeds that . 2. That its Wings are longer . 3. By this most sure mark , that the outmost of the fore-toes in this may be turned backward , but not in the common Buzzard . 4. By the angular processes of the upper Chap of the Beak . 5. By the blue colour of the legs and feet .

§. II. Of the common Buzzard or Puttock , called in Latine Buteo .

IT is about the bigness of a Pheasant or young Pullet . It s weight was thirty two It s Bigness , weight and measures . It s Head , Beak , ounces . It s length from the tip of the Beak to the end of the tail twenty one inches : Its breadth , the Wings being stretched out , fifty two inches . The Head great : The Crown broad and flat : The Beak short , hooked , and of a dark blue . A yellow skin covers the upper Chap from the root beyond the Nosthrils . The Bridle of the mouth , or the skin of the corners , is also yellow . The Nosthrils are round , Sear , Nares , [ yet in one Bird of this kind we observed them long and bending . ] It gaped wide . It s Tongue was thick , fleshy , blunt , as in the rest of this kind . Being angry it opened Tongue , its mouth , and held its Tongue stretched out as far as the end of its Bill . The roof of the mouth hath in it a hollow equal to the Tongue . The Angle of the lower Chap is Palate , circular . The Eyes are great , the Irides , or circles encompassing the Pupil , white , Eyes . with a dash sometimes of yellow , sometimes of red ; sometimes they are of a whitish colour without mixture of any other . The lower Eye-lid downy . The Membrane for Nictation blue .

The colour of all the upper part a dark fulvous approaching to black , or a ferrugineous The Colour of the upper side . black . In some birds of this kind we observed many white spots in the covert feathers of the Wings ; which in the Wings spread made a kind of white line : The like white spots it had in the long feathers springing from the shoulders , which cover the whole back . The edges of these feathers were of a dirty yellow . The lower side of the body was of a dilute yellow , or yellowish white ; the breast stained Colour of the lower side . with oblong ferrugineous spots , not transversely placed , but tending downwards , in each feather drawn according to the length of the shaft . The Chin is of a ferrugineous colour , the shafts of the feathers being black . Between the Eyes and Nosthrils grow long black bristles . On the middle of the back grow no feathers , but only down ; for the scapular feathers cover the whole back .

The flag-feathers in each Wing are about twenty four in number : The outmost The Flag-Feathers of the Wings . of which is shortest , the third and fourth ( counting from it ) longest . The tips of the four outmost are blacker and narrower than those of the rest : For the tips of the rest are white . The interiour webs of all are variegated with broad , transverse , dusky , and whitish strakes or bars , after the manner of those of a Woodpecker or Woodcock . The under-side of the Wings , excepting the tips of all the flags , and the third part of the five outmost feathers , is white varied with transverse parallel lines . The Wings closed reach almost to the end of the Train . The Train is nine or ten inches long , made up of twelve feathers , not forked , but when spread term inating The Tail . in a circular circumference . The utmost tips of its feathers are of an ash-colour ; then follows a transverse black line of an inch breadth , the remaining part being varie gated with black and cinereous transverse spaces or bars , only the bottoms of the feathers white .

The Thighs are long , strong , and fleshy : The Legs short , thick , and strong , feathered The Legs , Feet , down a little below the Knees . The Legs and Feet yellow , and covered with Scales . The outmost toe joyned below to the middlemost by a membrane for some Toes , and Claws . space . The Talons strong , long , and black ; that of the outmost fore-toe the least , that of the back-toe the biggest .

The Liver is divided into two lobes , having a large Gall : The Spleen of an Oval The entrails . figure . It hath but two Testicles . The stomach is large , not musculous but membranous , that is not fleshy , like the Gizzard of a Hen or Turkey , &c. but skinny like those of beasts .

It feeds not only upon Mice and Moles , but also upon Birds : For out of the stomach It s Food . of one that we opened we took a small Bird entire , and out of the stomach of another even a Thrush . It is a great destroyer of Conies : Yet for want of better food it will feed upon Beetles , Earth-worms , and other Insects .

The heads of these Birds are said to grow * * Ash-coloured . The difference in colour . cinereous with age , and the feathers of their backs white . But whether it come to pass by reason of Sex , or Age , or other accident , certain it is they differ very much one from another in this respect : For whereas some have no white feathers neither in head , back , nor wings ; others have very many .

Buzzards Eggs are white , stained with a few great reddish spots , yet sometimes all Their Eggs. over white without spots .

That sort of Hawk ( as Pliny witnesseth ) which the Romans named Buteo was by the Grecians called Triorches , from the number of its stones . Aldrovandus also saith Reason of the name Triorches . that in a Buzzard dissected he had observed three stones . The third stone appeared not to us , though we diligently sought it . Aldrovandus also himself saith , that he would not very much contend with him that shall obstinately deny that third glandulous body ( which besides the two stones he had noted , adjoyning to them ) to be a true Testicle .

§. III. The Honey-Buzzard .

FOr bigness it equals or exceeds the common Buzzard , is also like it in figure or The Bigness , Weight , Dimensions . shape of body , unless perchance it be somewhat longer . It weighed thirty one ounces . The length from Bill-point to Tail-end was twenty three Inches , to the points of the Talons not more than nineteen . It s breadth or the distance between the ends of the Wings spread fifty two Inches . It s beak from the tip to the Angles of the The Beak . mouth was an inch and half long , black , and very hooked , bunching out between the nosthrils and the head : The Basis of the upper Chap covered with a thick , rugged , black skin beyond the Nosthrils , which are not exactly round , but long and bending . The mouth , when gaping , very wide and yellow . The Angle of the lower The Mouth . The Eyes . Chap , as in other Hawks , semicircular . The Irides of the Eyes of a lovely bright yellow or Saffron colour .

The head is ash-coloured : The Crown flat , broad , narrow toward the Beak . The The Head . bottoms of the Plumage in the head and back white , which is worthy the noting , because Colou . it is common with this to many other Hawks . The back is of a ferrugineous colour [ or rather a Mouse-dun . ] The tips of the flag-feathers , as also those of the second The Remiges . and third rows in the wings white . The Wings when closed reach not to the end of the tail . The number of flags in each Wing twenty four . The Tail consists of The Tail . twelve feathers , near a foot long , variegated with transverse obscure and lucid , or blackish and whitish spaces , rings , or bars . The very tips of the feathers are white , below the white is a cross black line ; under that a broad dun or ash-coloured space or bed ( the like whereto also crosses the wings , which differ not much from the tail in colour . )

As for the lower side of the body , the feathers under the chin and tail are white ; The colour of the lower part . the breast and belly also white , spotted with black spots , drawn downward from the head toward the tail .

The Legs are feathered down somewhat below the knee , short , strong , yellow , as The Feet and Talons . are also the feet . The Talons , long , strong , sharp , and black .

The Guts and Stomach . The Guts shorter than in the former : The * * Blind Guts . Appendices thick and short . In the stomach and guts of that we dissected we found a huge number of green Caterpillars of that sort called Geometrae , many also of the common green Caterpillars and others .

It builds its Nest of small twigs , laying upon them wool , and upon the wool its The Nest . Eggs. We saw one that made use of an old Kites Nest to breed in , and that fed its Young with the * * Wasp-Maggots or Grubs . It s food . The Young . Nymphae of Wasps : For in the Nest we found the Combs of Wasps Nests , and in the stomachs of the Young the limbs and fragments of Wasp-Maggots . There were in the Nest only two young ones , covered with a white Down , spotted with black . Their Feet were of a pale yellow , their Bills between the Nosthrils and the head white . Their Craws large , in which were Lizards , Frogs , &c. In the Crop of one of them we found two Lizards entire , with their heads lying towards the Food . birds mouth , as if they sought to creep out .

This Bird runs very swiftly like a Hen. The Female as in the rest of the Rapacious kind is in all dimensions greater than the Male.

It differs from the common Buzzard , 1. In having a longer tail . 2. An ash-coloured How it differs from the Buzzard . head . 3. The Irides of the Eyes yellow . 4. Thicker and shorter feet . 5. In the broad transverse dun beds or stroaks in the wings and tail ; which are about three inches broad .

The Eggs of this Fowl are cinereous marked with darker spots .

It hath not as yet ( that we know of ) been described by any Writer , though it be frequent enough with us .

§. IV. Of the Ring-tail , the Male whereof is called the Henharrier .

THe Female , though lean , weighed sixteen ounces . From the point of the Beak It s Weight , to the end of the tail , it was by measure twenty inches long : From tip to tip of the wings extended was forty five inches . The Bill from the tip to the corners of Length , Beak . the Mouth an inch and half long . Above the Nosthrils and at the corners of the Jaw grow black bristles reflected forward .

From the hind part of the Head round the Ears to the Chin a ring or wreath of A Coronet . feathers standing up , having their middle dusky , and their edges of a reddish white , encompasses the head as it were a Crown . From this wreath hangs down a naked skin covering the ears . The back is of a dark ferrugineous colour , the edges of the neck Colour of the feathers . feathers reddish : In the crown of the head less red . The bottoms of the feathers in the hind-part of the head white . Under the Eyes is a white spot . The belly and brest of a dilute reddish colour [ or white with a Tincture of red ] marked with long dusky spots , tending downward along the shaft of the feather . The middle of the throat of a dusky or dark ferrugineous colour , the edges of the feathers being red . The Rump hath some white feathers , marked in the middle along their shafts with oblong ferrugineous spots .

The number of flag-feathers in each wing was twenty four , the exteriour webs The Remges , or prime Wing-feathers . whereof were of the same colour with the back , the interiour being variegated with transverse black and white stroaks alternately situate . In the exteriour and greater feathers the white stroaks are bigger and broader ; in the interiour and lesser the black : In the inmost the whole web is dusky , the white by degrees growing darker and darker , till at last it comes to be wholly brown or dusky . The tips of the exteriour feathers in the second row are white , of the interiour red ; the rest of them being of the same colour with the back .

The Tail is ten Inches long , made up of twelve feathers : The tips whereof are of a reddish ash-clour ; to which succeed alternately red and black bars , the black being The Train . much the broader . In the two middle feathers the red doth altogether disappear , the feathers being wholly black .

A yellow skin covers the upper Chap , reaching from the root of the Bill beyond The Sea . The Beak . the Nosthrils : Else the Bill is black , hooked , and prominent . The lower Mandible streight . The Mouth wide when gaping . In the Palate is a Cavity equal to the Palate , Tongue . The Tongue broad , fleshy , and undivided : Both Tongue and Palate Tongue . black . The Angle of the lower Chap , as in others of this kind , round . The border of the Eye-lids round the Eyes yellow .

The Feet yellow , the Talons black . The outmost Toe for some space from the The Feet , Toes and Talons . divarication is joyned to the middlemost by an intervening membrane . The middle Toe longest , the inmost shortest , but the Claw of the outmost least . The Legs long .

It hath a great Craw : Small , round , tumid , blind Guts : A large Gorge , in that The entrails . we opened full of feathers and bones of birds : A Gall joyned to the Liver . Its Eggs were as it were besmeared over with red , the white here and there appearing from Eggs. underneath it .

The Male or Tarcel of this kind differs very much from the described , not only in The description of the Tarcel called the Henharrier . magnitude , but also in colour . It is called in English the Henharrow or Henharrier . The head , neck , and back are of an Ash-colour , like that of a Ring-dove . The long feathers growing on the shoulders are somewhat dusky . The Rump not so white as in the Female . The Breast white , with some transverse dusky spots . The two middle feathers of the Tail cinereous , from the middle to the outmost the colour is more languid and dilute , inclining to white ; all but the middle ones marked with transverse blackish bars . The exteriour flag-feathers of the Wings are black , the tips being ash-coloured , and the bottoms white . The outside of the rest is cinereous , only their inner limbs or borders white . The covert feathers of the upper side of the Wings cinereous , of the nether side white ; the shafts of the interiour being black . The first row of the covert feathers of the inside of the Wing have transverse dusky spots . The Legs are long and very slender , beyond the proportion of other Hawks . In other points it agrees for the most part with the Female . We suppose this Bird may be the Pygargus of Bellonius . I suspect that Aldrovandus makes of this Hawk differing in Age or Sex two or three Species . The description of that carnivorous Bird he calls Palumbo similis agrees exactly to this : The description also of Lanarius in the Fifth Book , eleventh Chapter of his Ornithology answers in most particulars : And therefore we have taken the figure thereof for it .

§. V. The Kite or Glead : Milvus caudâ forcipatâ .

IT weighed forty four ounces . It s length from the point of the Beak to the end of It s Weight and measures . the Tail was twenty eight inches . The Wings extended were equal in breadth to sixty four Inches . The Beak from the tip to the corners of the mouth was two inches long . The upper Chap hung down half an Inch.

The Head and Chin are of a pale ash-colour , varied with black lines along the The colour of the upper part . shafts of the feathers . The Neck red , the middle part of the feathers being black . The Back dusky or brown like a Buzzards . The feathers next the Tail of the same colour with it , having their middle parts or shafts black . The lesser rows of Wing-feathers are party-coloured of red , black and white ; the middle part of each feather along the shaft being black . The long Scapular feathers covering the Back have black lines like the flags . The feathers covering the inside of the Wing are red , with black spots in their middles . The Plumage of the lower side hath the edges ash-coloured , The colour of the nether side . then follows red , the middle part being black : The black part is by degrees less and less from the Chin to the Tail ; so that under the Tail only the shafts of the feathers are black : The red colour is also more dilute toward the Tail .

The flag-feathers of the Wings are in number twenty four , of which the five outmost The first row of Wing-feathers . are black , the next six are of a dark cinereous colour ; all the rest to the last are again black ; the last are particoloured of red , white , and brown . All but the five or six exteriour feathers have in their outward webs black transverse lines , the spaces between the lines being whitish , especially from the sixth to the eleventh . The foremost of the second row of Wing-feathers are black ; as also the bastard Wing . The Wings closed are longer than the middle feathers of the Tail shorter than the outmost .

The Tail is forked , the middle feathers being eleven Inches long , the outmost fourteen . The Tail . The colour red [ ruffus . ] The extreme feathers blackish : All but the two middlemost have black , cross lines , the middle spaces or distances being whitish . The tips of all are white .

The Bill is black , having scarce any tooth-like Appendices : The Tongue broad and The Beak , Tongue . thick , as in other carnivorous Birds . In the Palate there is a Cavity equal to the Tongue . The Sear or skin about the Nosthrils is yellow . In the roof of the mouth Sear . is a double cranny or hole . The Eyes are great : The Irides of a pale , but lovely Eyes . yellow .

The Legs and Feet yellow : The outmost foretoe joyned to the middle one by a The Feet , Toes and Talons . Membrane , reaching almost half way . The Talons black ; that of the back-toe being the greatest . The Talon of the middle toe hath a sharp edge on the inside .

It hath a great Gall ; a large Craw. The streight gut below the Appendices is much The Entrails . dilated , as in other of this kind .

Spreading its Wings it so ballances it self in the Air , that it can rest as it were immovable Manner of flying . a long time in the same place ; yea , without at all , or but rarely moving its Wings , it glides through the Air from place to place ; whence perchance it took its English name Glead .

By the figure of its Tail alone it is sufficiently distinguished from all other Birds of prey we have hitherto seen .

This sort of Birds ( saith Pliny ) seems to have taught men the Art of steering a Ship by Her Tail serves her for a Rudder , to direct her flight . the turning of their Tails ; Nature shewing in the Air what was needful to be done in the Deep . For hence ( as Aldrovandus goes on ) it is probable that men learned to apply a Rudder ; viz. When they saw the Kite , by turning her Tail sometimes this way , sometimes that way , to direct or vary her course , and turn about her body at pleasure ; they also attempting somewhat like , added the Helm to the Ship , by winding and turning whereof to and fro they could direct and impel it whither they pleased , which otherwise would be driven uncertainly and at random by the Winds and Tides .

Kites they say are Birds of passage , shifting places according to the seasons of the Kites said to be Birds of passage . year . When I was once ( saith Bellonius ) on the shore of the Euxine Sea , on Thraceside , about the latter end of April , on a certain very high Hill , near to that Pillar which is at the mouth of the Bosphorus , where a Fowler had spread Nets for catching of Sparrow-Hawks , which came flying from the right side of the Sea ; we observed Kites coming thither in flocks , and that in so great numbers , that it was a miracle to us . For being as it were astonished at the strangeness of the spectacle , we could not conceive where such a multitude of Kites could get themselves food . For should they for but fifteen days space fly continually that way in such numerous squadrons , I dare confidently affirm , they would exceed the number of men living upon the Earth . Howbeit , with us in England they are seen all the year , neither do they fear or fly our Winters .

Pliny writes , that Kites feed upon no other meat but flesh : But Bellonius affirms , That Their food . and preying . in Cayro a City of Egypt he hath seen them light upon Palm-trees , and eat the Dates , But no question they do so only being compelled by hunger , and for want of their natural and familiar food . They are very noisom to tame birds , especially Chickens , Ducklings , and Goslings ; among which espying one far from shelter , or that is carelesly separated a good distance from the rest , or by any other means lies fit and exposed to rapine , they single it out , and fly round , round for a while , marking it ; then of a sudden dart down as swift as Lightning , and catch it up before it is aware , the Dam in vain crying out , and men with hooting and stones scaring them away . Yea , so bold are they , that they affect to prey in Cities and places frequented by men ; so that the very Gardens , and Courts , or Yards of houses are not secure from their ravine . For which cause our good Housewives are very angry with them , and of all birds hate and curse them most .

The Grecians call it , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , but more commonly 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

§. VI. The More-Buzzard : Milvus Aeruginosus Aldrov . an Circus Bellonii ?

IT is lesser than the Buzzard , of about the bigness of a Crow . The Head is not so great , nor the Crown so flat and broad as in a Buzzard . It s length from the point It s Bignest , and measures . of the Bill to the end of the Tail is more than twenty Inches . The distance between the tips of the Wings spread fifty Inches . The Beak about an Inch and half long , hooked , covered at bottom with a yellowish green skin or Sear ; else black . The Beak . Nosthrils not round but long , of the figure of a Guiny Bean or Kidney . The Mouth Nares . Mouth . Tongue . Eyes . withinside partly black , partly blewish . The Tongue broad , fleshy , soft , as in other birds of prey . The hole or cleft in the Palate wide and open . The Eyes of a mean size , having yellow Irides [ in the bird that I described at Rome : But Mr. Willughby writes , that they are between an Ash and Hazel colour . ]

The Crown of the head is of a kind of clay colour , [ of a pale fulvous , or between It s colour . yellow and * * A S●ndy red . ruffus ] variegated with black lines , viz. the shaft of each feather being black . The colour of the whole body , as well lower as upper side is a dark ferrugineous , only at the middle joynt of both Wings there is a spot of the same reddish clay-colour [ ex sulvo albicans ] with the head , and the feathers at the root or rise of the tail are fulvous .

The Wings closed reach almost to the end of the Tail . The number of flag-feathers The Wings and their prime feathers . in each Wing is twenty four . These are blacker than the rest of the feathers : The outmost is above a hand-breadth shorter than that next to it . The covert-feathers of the underside of the Wing are particoloured , brown and fulvous . The Tail is The Train . about nine Inches long , made up of twelve feathers of equal length when it is spread , terminated in a circular Circumference , being particoloured of a dark and light fulvous or bay . The Legs are about an hand-breadth long , feathered down a little below The Legs , the knee , longer and slenderer for the bigness of the bird than in others of this kind . The Legs and Feet yellow ; the Talons black . The outer Toe in joyned to Toes and Talons . the middle by an intermediate Membrane , reaching from the divarication up almost half way . The Talon of the middle Toe is thinned on the inner side into an edge . The Gall is large : The blind Guts short and small : The Stomach membranous ; in The entrails . that we dissected full of the limbs of Birds and other flesh .

The Bird here described we suppose to be that called in England the More-buzzard , The More-Buzzard described . common to be seen in Heaths and Wasts ; sitting upon small trees and shrubs : With long slender yellow Legs : The whole Body of a dark colour , the interiour Remiges being paler or whitish ; and which is said to build in Fenny places .

I take this Bird to be the same with that Bellonius describes under the title of Circus , as will appear to any one that shall compare the descriptions ; although Aldrovandus makes them to be distinct Species , treating of them in several Chapters .

This Bird is sufficiently characterized by its uniform brown-bay or ferrugineous colour all the body over .

§. VII . * The Brasilian Kite called Caracara , and by the Portuguese Gaviaon . Marggrav .

IT is a kind of * * Sparrow-hawk . Nisus of the bigness of a Kite ; hath a Tail nine Inches long . The length of the Wings is fourteen Inches ; which yet do not reach to the end of the Tail . The colour of the whole Plumage is tawny with white and yellow specks . The Tail is particoloured of white and brown . It hath a Hawks Head , a hooked Bill of a moderate bigness , and black colour . It hath yellow Legs ; Hawks Feet ; semicircular , long , sharp , black Talons . It is very noisom to Hens .

I had ( saith he ) another of the same magnitude and colour with the precedent , save that the breast and belly were white . The Eyes of a gold colour , and the skin about them yellow . The Legs yellow .

For the bigness , colour , and preying upon Poultry , we have subjoyned this to the Kites notwithstanding Marggravius maketh it a kind of Nisus or Sparrowhawk .

CHAP. IX . Of long-winged Hawks , used to be reclaimed for fowling .

§. I. * * Family or kind . Of the Peregrine Falcon.

MR. Willughby having left no description of a Falcon , and it having not been our hap since his decease to see any Hawk of that kind , lest the Ornithology we set out should be defective and imperfect in this particular , we have borrowed of Aldrovandus the descriptions of the several sorts of Falcons without omitting any . We are not a little troubled that we cannot give any light to this * * Family or kind . Genus : For we vehemently suspect , that Species are here multiplied without necessity .

Aldrovandus assigns the first place to the Peregrine Falcon for its courage and generosity . It took its name either from passing out of one Country into another , or because it is not known where it builds , its Nest having not been any where found . Of It s Name . this kind Belisarius makes two Species , Carcanui four , the difference being taken from the colour .

A Peregrine Falcon every way compleat must have these marks , Broad and thick shoulders ; long Wings reaching to the end of the Train ; the Train long , narrower Its Shoulders , Wings , Train . by little and little , and sharper toward the end , like a Sparrow-hawks , made up of large , thick , round feathers , the tip not altogether white ; the shafts running along the middle of the feathers of a lovely red ; the Feet of the same colour with those The Feet , of a Bittour , viz. of a pale green , or between a yellow and lead-colour ; the Toes Toes , Talons , slender ; the Talons large , black , and very sharp ; the colour of the Feet and Beak the same ; the Thighs long , but the Legs short ; the Beak thick ; the Mouth wide ; Thighs , Beak , Nares , Eyes , Head . the Nares large and open ; the Eye-brows high and great ; the Eyes great , and deep sunk ; the Head arched , the Crown being gently elevated and round . As soon as it can fly it should shew certain little bristly feathers , standing out as it were a beard . Let the Neck be long , the Breast broad , and about the Shoulder-blades where it It s Neck , Breast , joyns to the Neck somewhat round . Sitting upon the Fist it must bend its body a little backward , being brisk , mordacious and greedy . Let its Eye-brows and Cheeks Brows , be white with a little mixture or dash of red : The Eyes black , encompassed with a Eyes . Head , Circle or Iris that is sometimes blue ; the Head ash-coloured , like that of a Sacre : The Back of somewhat a livid colour , almost like that of a Goose ; covered with Back . round and broad feathers . The marks of the Wings agree to the second Peregrine Falcon of Belisarius , which he makes to be of a Copper [ Aeneo ] colour . For the first kind , which he saith is blacker , hath neither an ash-coloured Crown , nor a yellow ; and hath its throat spotted with long , direct , black lines ; and its Thighs marked with transverse ones : Its Legs also are of a Saffron colour , but more dilute .

Aldrovandus describes a Bird of this kind , taken in the Mountains of the Territory The black Peregrin Falcon of Aldrovand . It s Length , Head , Beak , of Bononia , in these words . From the top of the Head to the end of the Tail it was seventeen Inches long . The Crown of the head flat and compressed : The Beak an Inch thick , of a lovely sky-colour , bending downward with a sharp hook , short , strong , joyned to the head with a yellow Membrane of a deep colour , which compasses the Nosthrils ; the Eye blue , the edges of the Eye-lids round yellow . The Eyes , Head , Neck , Back , Wings of a dark brown , almost black , sprinkled with black Colour , spots in almost every feather , the great feathers being crossed with transverse ones .

The Throat was of a yellowish white , the lower part thereof being stained with The Throat , black spots , as it were drops drawn out in length from the corners of the Mouth on each side a black line was drawn downwards almost to the middle of the Throat or Gullet . The Breast , Belly , and Thighs white , crossed with broad , transverse , black lines . The tips of the Wings , when closed , reached almost to the end of the Train . The Train Wings . Tail , less dusky , marked also with black cross bars . The Legs and Feet yellow ; the Thighs long , the Shanks short ; the Toes slender , long , covered with scales , as are also Legs , and Feet , the Legs ; the Talons black , and very sharp . Talons .

Aldrovandus thinketh this black Peregrine Falcon not to differ at all from the black Falcon simply so called , or the Falconarius of the Germans , but to be the very same with it .

What Aldrovandus hath concerning the place , flight , conditions , manner of catching this Hawk , &c. See in his * Ornithology . It flies and preys upon Geese , Ducks , and other Water-fowl .

§. II. * The Sacre , Falco Sacer.

ALdrovandus brings several descriptions of the Sacre out of Albertus Magnus , Belisarius , the Emperour Frederick , Carcanus and Bellonius . The Emperour Fredericks Fredericks description of the Sacre . description ( which to me seems better than that of Albertus ) is as follows .

Sacres for bigness of body approach to Jer-Falcons ; being greater than other Falcons , but lesser than Jer-Falcons . They have a great round head : A shorter Beak , a slenderer and longer body in proportion , longer Wings , and also a longer Train , a Breast less fleshy and full in respect of their body than Jer-Falcons : And also shorter Toes .

Bellonius thus briefly describes it . The Sacre hath fouler feathers to look upon than Bellonius his description . any other Bird of prey . For they are of a colour between red and * * Sooty . fuliginous , very like to Kites . It hath short Legs and blue Toes .

Carcanus the Vicentine gives a fuller description of it in these words . The Falcons Carcanus his description . Their bigness , called Sacres are bigger than even the larger Peregrines . Their head is very grey ; their Crown flat , and like to that of a fork-tail'd Kite . Their Eyes black and great : Head , Eyes , Beak , Nares , Figure , Colour , Train , Wings , Legs . How the Sores differ from those that are mewed . Their Beak blue ; their Nares for the most part small : The figure of the body oblong : The spots of the Breast brown , as is also the back and upper side of the Wings : The inside of the Thighs white ; the Train long and varied with semicircular spots , resembling the figure of Guiny Beans or Kidneys : The Wings also large and long . The Legs and Feet are almost wholly blue : Compared with the rest of the body not very great . Those of one year commonly called Sores differ a little from those that have mewed their feathers . For these have the spots of their Breasts a little blacker and rounder than the Sores . Their Feet also are somewhat white , and in some spotted with a little yellow . Almost all of them have their Backs reddish , inclining to cinereous , as in Turtles . Yet in some , as well of the Sores as of those that have mewed their feathers , the Back and upper side of the Wings is black .

Which of these descriptions agrees best to the Sacre let them judge who have opportunity of seeing this Bird , and will , and leisure to compare them with it .

So great is the strength , force , and courage of this Hawk , that ( as Albertus reports ) there is no Bird so great which she doth not presently strike down : And not only one at a time , but as many as come in her way . She catches also Fawns , Kids , &c. She is supposed to be called Sacre , either from her bigness , or because all other birds fear her , and fly from her .

§. III. * The Jer-Falcon , whose Male or Tarcel is called the Jerkin .

IT seem to take its name from the High Dutch word Gyrfalc , i. e. a ravenous Falcon , The name . or Vulturine Falcon : for Gyr in High Dutch signifies a Vulture .

This , however Aldrovandus contradicts it , exceeds all other Falcons , even that It s Bigness , called the Sacre in magnitude . Of that which Aldrovandus described this was the shape : The Crown was plainand depressed , of an ash-colour . The Beak thick , strong , Crown , Beak . short , blue ; bowed downward with a mean-sized hook , but very sharp , strong , and blewish . The Pupil of the Eyes very black , the Iris or Circle encompassing the Eyes , Pupil blue . The Back , Wings , Belly , and Train were white : But the feathers of Colour of the feathers . the Back and Wings were almost every one marked with a black spot , imitating in some measure the figure of a heart , like the Eyes in a Peacocks tail . The flag-feathers of the Wings near their tips beautified with a bigger and longer black mark , which is yet enclosed with a white margin or border . The Wings very long , so that they The Wings . Colour of the Breast . The Train . wanted but little of reaching to the end of the Tail . The Throat , Breast , and Belly purely white , without any spots at all . The Tail not very long , yea , in respect of its body and those of other Falcons rather short , marked with transverse black bars . The Legs and Feet of a delayed blue . The Legs thick and strong . The Toes long , Legs and Feet . strong , broad-spread , covered all over with a continued Series of board-like Scales .

Of Gyrfalcons , according to Carcanus , there be divers kinds , distinguished by the colours of their feathers .

Frederick the Emperour doth thus describe the shape of a good Jer-Falcon . The The shape of a good Jerfalcon . It s Head , Forehead , Eyes , Nares , Beak , Neck , Body , Wings . upper part of the Head must not be raised upward into a bunch , but every where equal : The forepart of the Head large and broad ; that part also above the Eyes large : The Eye-brows high or standing out [ eminentia . ] The Eyes hollow : The Nosthrils great and open : The Beak thick , crooked , and hard : The Neck toward the Head slender , toward the shoulders thick . The Body must grow uniformly narrower and sharp all along to the very Tail , observing that form which Geometricians call Pyramidal . It must have Wings elevated toward the back , not hanging down , but when gathered up , near the Tail so lying one upon the other , that they intersect one another in form of a Cross . The beam-feathers of the Wings , as well those that Wing-feathers . cover , as those that are covered , that is , as well the upper as the under ones must be broad and hard . The covering feathers by how much the more they cover the others , by so much the more commendable are they . The Tail-feathers when it doth not fly Train feathers . are gathered up in a lump under the two uppermost [ that is , the middlemost ] which are called the coverers . The Gullet [ Gula , I suppose he means the Craw ] must be Craw. large and deep , and after much meat taken in , swell a little , and be round when full of meat : The Breast prominent outward , fleshy , and thick . The Thighs great : The Breast . Legs short and thick : The soles of the Feet also thick and large ; the Toes long , lean , Legs , Feet , Talons . rough , scaly , and well spread : The Talons slender , crooked , and sharp .

It is a couragious , fierce , and very bold Bird , catching all sorts of Fowl how great It s Nature and Game . soever , and is terrible to other Falcons and Goshawks . It chief Game are Cranes and Herons .

§. IV. * The Mountain Falcon.

THe greatest part of these Falcons are of a mean stature : Few found very big : Many of a small body , and that in some round , in some long . Albertus attributes to a Mountain Falcon almost the same bigness as to a Goshawk [ Asturi ] only makes it shorter bodied : Gives it a round Breast , and when it stands on its feet a It s figure , Pyramidal figure , resembling a Pyramid somewhat compressed on that side the back makes . Almost all of them have a round Head , a taper [ fastigiatum ] Crown , and Head , black , encompassed with a kind of ash-coloured Coronet : In the Forehead , not far from the Beak , stand up certain very fine and slender feathers , as it were hairs , among the black or brown ones , which yet are but few , and in some Birds none at all . They have a thick , short , black Bill ; narrow Nosthrils ; small Eyes and Eye-lids . The Beak , Nares , Eyes , Throat as far as the breast-bone is somewhat whitish , besprinkled with good great The Throat , Breast , spots . The rest of the Breast is beautified with certain marks , which are sometimes ferrugineous , sometimes red , sometimes blackish , and besides these with other smaller specks . In some the Throat and Breast are cloathed with black feathers ; the inside It s Colour , of the Thighs black : The Back and Loins covered for the most part with small brown feathers : Some of which below the middle of the back have certain whitish or reddish lines tending downwards . Others have their Backs purely ash-coloured , or of the colour of that sort of Wild Goose , which the Vicentines call Baletta : The Wings not long like a Peregrines : The Tail also shorter than theirs , and for the greater Wings . Tail . part variegated like that of a Kestrel . There are some whose Tail is like that of a Sacre , but they are very rare . They have for the most part their Legs and Feet of a Legs , and Feet , Saffron colour ; but some of a straw colour ; and covered with very thick-set Scales . Their Feet are lesser than the Peregrines : Their Toes great and fleshy : Their Talons black . It is easier to know them after they are mewed . Their Head is black like a Its colours when mewed . Crows , their Nosthrils covered with a Saffron-coloured skin ; the Eyes also encompassed with a Circle of like colour : Their Neck and Shoulders black ; the lower part of the Back toward the Rump blue . The Throat as far as the Breast-bone white ; but in some it shews an obscure red ; in others it is blackish , in all marked with round spots . The Train short and black : The feathers investing the Thighs brown . The Legs strong . It is to be observed , that by how much the oftner they have mewed their feathers , by so much is their Throat [ Gula ] whiter , and its spots smaller , and the feathers covering their Back and Loins of a deeper blue .

Tardivus writes , that it preys only upon great birds , neglecting the smaller ; that it is very ravenous , mordacious , and of an indocile nature . Aldrovandus describes Its conditions , and Game , Aldrovands grey Falcon. Its Head , Beak , a bird of this sort that was brought to him , in these words . It was eighteen Inches long : The Head great , the Crown gently towring up round : The Beak thick , short , black , strong ; of an Inch thickness , the point of the hooked part not very sharp , but it strong ; so that I doubt whether any other Falcon hath a stronger , thicker , and more strongly made and compacted Beak than this . The Nares are compassed with a Nares , Eyes . yellow membrane , The Iris of the Eye of a deep black . The edges of the Eye-lids encircling the Eyes yellow . The whole body in general is of one colour , viz. a Colour , cinereous tending to blue , lighter or darker , according to the different exposing of the parts to the light . The Neck , Breast , Belly , and Back , and consequently the whole Figure of the body . body is very gross , thick , round , and plump . The Breast very round and great : The beginning of the Wings above broad , and less sharp than in other Falcons ; their tips reaching to about the middle of their Trains , or a little further . The Train of a middle size , between long and short . Their Legs and Feet in respect of their bodies not very large or thick , covered with Saffron-coloured board-like Scales . Their Talons deep-black .

§. V. * The Falcon Gentle .

WHereas I find that some doubt , whether the * * Or Falcon Gentle . Gentile Falcon be a distinct kind from the Peregrine or no : And whereas the Emperour Frederick distinguishes Gentile Falcons into those absolutely and simply so called , and Peregrines ; omitting that prolix description of a Gentile Falcon , which Aldrovandus brings out of Frederick ; I shall only propound the marks whereby this is said to differ from the Peregrine .

Gentile Falcons are less than Peregrines , have a rounder and lesser Head ; a shorter How the Falcon Gentle differs from the Peregrine . Beak ; and Feet also for the proportion of the body smaller . Besides , the colour is less bright , lively , and fair in these than in those . When they have mewed their first feathers , they become very like the Peregrines , but more spotted in their Trains and Backs .

Belisarius makes the only difference between the Gentile and Peregrine Falcon to be in their manner or gesture in flying : For the frequent agitation of the Wings in flying shews the Hawk to be a Gentile Falcon : The motion of the Peregrines Wings being like that of the Oars of Gallies . Moreover , they differ from Peregrines in this , that they are not so swift . The description of the German Falcon ,

Aldrovandus thinks , that the Falcon which Carcanus calls the Dutch or German Falcon is the same with this : The which he thus describes . The Dutch Falcons are almost all great-bodied . The greater part of them of an oblong figure , and some moderately round : Very like to the Peregrine for Shape , Head , Beak , and Feet . The Thighs on the inside covered with white feathers . The Wings great : The Train long . Almost all the feathers are of a brown colour . For the greatest part of their bodies they are like a brown Peregrine , excepting the Head and Shoulder-blades , which in the Dutch are a little blacker . A white Coronet encompasses their Head near the Neck . The spots of the breast in most are brown and great , in some ferrugineous and oblong . But in such as are mewed , that is , have cast their first feathers , the Head , Neck and Shoulders are brown ; the Back of an Azure-colour , distinguished with transverse brown marks : The Throat white , spotted with great lines . The Breast darker than in the Peregrine : But the Feet like that of the Peregrine . The Males or The German Falcon differs little or nothing from the Peregrine . Tarcels of these Dutch Falcons can by no means be distinguished from the Males of the Peregrines , they are in all things so like the one to the other . Besides , they do so resemble the Peregrines , not only in the external shape of their bodies , but also in their nature and conditions ; that none but a very quick-sighted , cuming , and well practised Falconer is able to distinguish them .

§. VI. * The Haggard Falcon ; Falco gibbosus .

IT is so called because by reason of the shortness of the Neck , the Head scarce appears above the points of the shoulders , or Wings withdrawn and clapped to the sides of the Back ; so that it seems to have a bunch on its back . The Germans call it Ein Hagerfalck , or rather Hogerfalck , whence the Latine name Gibbosus : For the Germans call a bunch Hoger . Our English Writers of Falconry , as far as I understand them , call the Peregrine Falcon the Haggard Falcon , using those names promiscuously : Wherefore we shall not enlarge further concerning this Hawk ; especially seeing what Aldrovandus hath of it , is all taken out of Albertus Magnus ; on whose credit we do not much rely .

§. VII . * The white Falcon. Falco Albus .

OMitting again what Aldrovandus hath borrowed out of Albertus concerning the White Falcon : we will only transcribe out of him , the description of the Falcon sent him by his Nephew Julianus Griffonius , which he received from Angelus Gallus of Urbin , a Knight of Malta .

It s whole body was milk-white , only spotted with yellow spots , the which themselves It s Colour , Wings , also appeared white , unless one heedfully and intently beheld it . The Wings were like those of other the most beautiful Hawks , but purely white , and without spots . The Tail had twelve feathers alike white , and spotted with yellow ; the sight Train , whereof the uppermost feather ( which was wholly white , and covered the rest , hiding them as it were in a sheath ) took away . The Beak also was rather white than Beak , blue . The Feet , after the manner of other Hawks , yellow . The Eyes yellow and Feet , Eyes . black : And that yellow nothing deeper than in a Hawk not yet mew'd , which we commonly call a Sore ; although I cannot believe that this was a Sore . For it might so come to pass , that it might retain that yellowness from a certain temper of body peculiar to this kind : Otherwise it would , after it was mewed , necessarily incline to whiteness . It was of a tall stature , a great and stately bird : It eat not but with its Eyes usually shut , and that with great greediness . It killed Pullets .

§. VIII . * The Stone-Falcon , and Tree-Falcon . Falco Lapidarius & Arborarius .

OF the figure of the Stone-Falcon these few things occur in Albertus Magnus . It was of a middle quantity and strength between the Peregrine and Gibbose or Haggard Falcon.

A full description of the Tree-Falcon we have in Gesner , which ( as Mr. Willughby thinks ) agrees well to the Hobby . The Tree-Falcon ( saith he ) is a gallant and generous bird , not unlike to a Sparrow-Hawk . From the Bill to the end of the Tail it was four Palms , or sixteen Inches long . The Feet were of a pale colour , mixt as it were It s Length The Feet . The Colour . of yellowish and green . The Back black : But the tips of the feathers of the Head and Back ( especially the lower part of it ) were compassed with reddish Semicircles . The feathers of the Wings were blacker : And the inside of the Wings [ that which is toward the body ] spotted with great pale-red spots . The Breast varied with whitish and brown spots . Certain yellowish white feathers made up spots behind the Ears , and in the Neck . The Eyes were black ; the colour of the Bill blue . The Tail-feathers , The Eyes and Bill . all but the two middlemost , marked with spots .

§. IX . * The Tunis or Barbary Falcon.

THis Bellonius describes thus : This Barbary Falcon is large , approaching to the shape and likeness of a Lanner . For it hath like feathers , and not unlike Feet ; but it is lesser-bodied . Besides it flies more , and keeps longer on the Wing . It hath a thick and round Head . It is good for Brook-hawking , and stoutly soars on high in the Air : But for the Field it is not so fit as the Lanner .

The Falcon which our Falconers call the Barbary is lesser than the rest of this kind , viz. The Peregrine , Mountain and Gentile : If those do specifically differ , which we do not think .

§. X. * The Red Falcon.

IT is called red , not because it is all over red , but because those spots ( which in the rest are white ) in this kind are red and black , but not so disposed as in others , neither in the Back , nor in the outward part of the Wing . But it doth not appear to be red , but only when it stretches out its Wings : For then the dark red shews it self in them . It is said to be lesser than a Peregrine Falcon. But this , and whatever else Albertus and others have delivered concerning the red Falcon , are of that nature , that they leave us altogether uncertain , whether there be any such Falcon or no , specifically distinct from the rest of this kind .

§. XI . * The red Indian Falcons of Aldrovandus .

THe first of these ( which we suppose to be the Female ) hath a greater head than It s Head , the latter , a broad and almost flat Crown , without any rising in the hinder part of the head , as is seen in some . The head is of an ash-colour tending to brown , as is also the Neck , the whole Back , and the outside of the Wings . The Beak very thick ; next the Head both above and below all yellow ; having a moderate ash-coloured Beak , hook ; of which colour is also all that fore-part which is bare , beyond the Sear or investing Membrane . The Pupil of the Eye is of a deep black ; the Iris brown , or of a dark Chesnut-colour . The edges of the Eye-lids round about yellow . Eyes . From the exteriour and lesser corner of the Eyes on both sides is drawn a long stroak of the same colour with the Breast . The whole Breast , and also the upper part Breast . of the inside of the Wings , the Belly moreover and the Rump , the Hips and Thighs are all fulvous or red , of a pale Vermilion colour . But the Chin in this red colour Chin. is marked with a long cinereous spot , produced downwards . The Breast also before is besprinkled with small scattering specks of the same colour . The sides , that are covered with the middle part of the Wings closed , are tinctured with the same dark cinereous colour . The Wings are very long , their tips reaching much further Wings : than the middle of the Tail ; crossing one another about the lower end of the Back . The Train is long , each feather whereof is varied with alternate spaces of black Train . ( which are the narrower , of a Semicircular figure ) and of ash-colour , which are the broader . The Legs and Feet are yellow , pretty thick and strong : The Talons The Feet , and Talons , black and very sharp .

The other ( which we believe to be the Male ) is less by near a third part ; for variety The other red Falcon described . It s Colour . of colours almost the same with the former ; and those in the same parts , save that ( as we hinted also before ) the red colour in this is deeper and more evident : Likewise the same coloured Membrane as in the former [ I suppose he means that about the Eyes . ] Those parts also which in the former are coloured with a dark cinereous , in this are altogether black ; viz. the upper side of the Wings , the Head , Back , and Tail . Yet may we take notice of some marks peculiar to this , wherein it differs It s proper marks . Beak . Chin. from the other . For the Bill in this is wholly blue , excepting a small yellow membrane covering the Nosthrils , having uneven borders , as it were serrate . The Chin or beginning of the Throat in this is of a little paler red , something inclining to cinereous , but not marked with any spot as in the former . The interiour flag-feathers of the Wings are white , only crossed at due intervals with many transverse brown marks : Wings . The rest of the upper side of the Wings is of a very deep fulvous colour , like red Oker . The upper side of the Tail is also adorned with a double variety of transverse Train . spots , to wit , white and ash-coloured inclining to blue , alternately disposed . The Feet and Legs are of a more dilute , yellow , or Wax colour . Feet .

Both came out of the East-Indies .

What is delivered by Albertus and others concerning the blue-footed Falcon and bastard Falcon I omit , as being only general and uncertain ; referring the curious , and those that desire to know such things , to the Authors themselves , or to Aldrovandus , for satisfaction .

We have a sort of bastard Hawk common enough among us , called the Boccarel , and its Tarcel the Boccaret .

§. XII . The Crested Indian Falcon.

THis Bird brought out of the East-Indies we saw in the Royal Aviary in St. James It s bigness , Head . Crest . Neck . Park near Westminster , and thus described it . For bigness it was not much inferiour to a Goshawk : The Head flat , black , copped , the Crest hanging down backward from the hind part of the head , like a Lapwings , but forked . The Neck red . The Breast and Belly were parti-coloured of black and white , the alternate cross Breast . Beak . lines being very bright and fair . The Irides of the Eyes yellow . The Beak of a deep or dark blue , almost black , especially towards the point ; for the Base was covered with a yellow Membrane . The Legs feathered down to the Feet : The Feet Legs and Feet . Wings . Train . yellow ; the Talons of a dark black . The lesser rows of Wing-feathers had whitish edges . The Train was varied with transverse spaces or beds of black and cinereous alternately . The rest of the feathers were black .

§. XIII . * The Lanner , whose Tarcel is called the Lanneret .

Bellonius his description of it .

THe Lanner is less than the Gentile Falcon , adorned with fair feathers , and in that The description of the French Lanner . The colour of the Beak , and Feet , Breast , respect more beautiful than the Sacre . The most sure and undoubted notes whereby one may distinguish a Lanner from other Hawks are these ; That it have blue Beak , Legs , and Feet : The anteriour or Breast-feathers parti-coloured of black and white , the black marks [ or lines ] not crossing the feathers , but drawn long-ways down the middle of them , contrary to what they are in Falcons . The feathers of the back are not much variegated , as neither those of the Wings or Tail , in the upper or Back , Wings , Train . external part . And if perchance there be any spots seen in these , they are small , round , and whitish . But to one that shall view the lower or under side of the Wings extended there will appear marks of a different figure from those of other Rapacious Birds : For they are round , and like little pieces of money , dispersed through the Superficies : Although , as we said , the feathers of the Breast , and forepart of the body are varied with spots drawn downwards in length , and situate on their edges . It hath a thick and short Neck , and a like Bill . The Male or Lanneret is of a lesser body , but almost the same colour of the feathers . Both Male and Female have shorter The Male. Legs than the rest of the Falcons .

Carcanus his description differs in some things from this of Bellonius , which we shall therefore subjoyn . The Head of all Lanners is wholly yellow , with a flat The Head , Crown , Eyes , Nosthrils , Beak , Breast , Back , Wings , Legs and Feet . The description of those that are mewed . Crown . The Eyes black and great : The Nosthrils for the most part small : The Beak short and thick , lesser than that of a Peregrine Falcon , and also than that of a Mountain ; of a blue colour ; The Breast yellow , spotted with a few thin-set ferrugineous spots : The Back like a Peregrine Falcons : The ends of the Wings spotted as it were with round white Eyes . The Wings and Train long : The Legs short . The Feet much lesser than a Peregrines , and blue of colour . In those that are mewed the whole head is tinctured with yellow as far as the shoulders , but inclining to red , and varied with certain slender lines . The Back is blue , crossed with black lines and some golden : The Breast of a deep yellow and without any spots . But the feathers of the Thighs are varied with a few cross lines . The feet in these , which were blue , are changed into yellow . The Sores of this kind are very hardly distinguished from those that are mewed .

It seems to be called Lanarius à laniando , i. e. from tearing . It is of a gentle nature , Why called Lanarius . It s Nature and Game . of a docile and tractable disposition ( as Bellonius writes ) very fit for all sorts of Game , as well Waterfowl , as Land : For it catches not only Pies , Quails , Partridge , Crows , Pheasants , &c. but also Ducks , yea , and Cranes too , being trained up thereto by humane industry . All this is to be understood of the French Lanner , for the Italian described by Carcanus is of no worth or use . Carcanus writes , that he could never so train them up , as to make them good for ought .

The Lanner abides all the year in France , being seen there as well in Winter as in It s place . Summer , contrary to the manner of other Rapacious Birds .

§. XIV . The Hobby , Subbuteo , Aldrov .

THe Bird we described was a Female , and weighed nine ounces . The length It s Weight , Length , from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was thirteen Inches . The breadth or distance between the tips of the Wings extended two feet and eight Breadth , Inches . From the tip of the Beak to the Nosthrils was something more than half an Inch. The Beak like that of a Kestrel : The upper Mandible prominent , hooked , Beak , semicircular ; the Base covered with a yellow skin or Sear , the part next the skin white ; the rest of a dark blue . It hath also a tooth or Angle on each side at the beginning of the hooked part , which is received in a hollow dent or nick in the lower Chap. The Tongue broad and a little cleft or divided . The Palate withinside The Tongue . black , and having a Cavity impressed to receive the Tongue . The Nosthrils round : Nosthrils . Eyes . The Irides of the Eyes of a Hazel colour : The Eye-lids yellow .

As for the colour of the Plumage ; above each Eye passed a line of a clay-colour , The colour of the feathers . [ ex ruffo albicans . ] The feathers on the top of the head had their shafts or middle part black , their borders of a deep Chesnut : Those on the middle of the Neck again were of a clay-colour , the back and Wings of a dark brown , or cinereous black ; those on the Rump and the lesser Pinion feathers being lighter , the greater Pinion feathers , and those on the middle of the back darker . The Chin and upper part of the Throat were white , with a dash of yellow . * * This white on the sides of the head is a Characteristic note of this bird . To this white were drawn from the head on each side two lines ; one from the aperture of the mouth , the other from the hinder part or noddle .

The lower part of the Belly was reddish , the rest of the Belly and Breast clothed with feathers , spotted with black in the middle , and having their edges white . The Thighs red , spotted with black , but the spots less than those on the Breast . The number The prime Wing-feathers . of prime feathers in each Wing twenty four , whereof the second the longest . The extreme or outmost had their tips black ; all of them their interiour webs varied with transverse clay-coloured spots . The covert-feathers of the underside of the Wings were black , curiously painted with round spots of white diluted with red .

The Tail , as in all of this kind , consisted of twelve feathers , the middlemost The Train . whereof were the longest , and the rest in order shorter to the two outermost , which were the shortest . The length of the middlemost was about five Inches and an half , these were on both sides their shafts of one and the same colour ; the rest had their interiour Vanes marked with transverse reddish spots ; the utmost tips being whitish .

The Legs and Feet were yellow : The middle and outmost Toes connected as in The Feet and Talons . others of this kind to the first joynt : The Talons as black as Jet .

It had a great Gall : The length of the Guts was two foot lacking an inch : The The Entrails . Appendices or blind Guts short ; besides which it had another single Appendix or process , which was ( we suppose ) the remainder of the Ductus intestinalis shrunk up .

The Hobby is a bird of passage , yet breeds with us in England . It s Game is chiefly It s principal Game . Larks , for the catching of which Birds our Fowlers make use of it thus . The Spaniels range the field , to find the birds : The Hobby they let off , and accustom to soar aloft in the Air over them . The Larks espying their capital enemy , dare by no means make use of their Wings , but lie as close and flat upon the ground as they can ; and so are easily taken in the Nets they draw over them . This kind of sport is called , Daring Daring of Larks . of Larks .

To catch these Hawks , the Fowlers take a Lark , and having blinded her , and fastned To catch Hobbies . Lime-twigs to her Legs , let her fly where they see the Hobby is , which striking at the Lark is entangled with the Lime-twigs .

The Bird is called in Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , the lesser 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Buteo ; An account of the names . which Pliny renders in Latine , Subbuteo . It is called in English , Hobby , after the French name .

§. XV. The Kestrel , Stannel , or Stonegall , in Latine Tinnunculus or Cenchris .

THe Female is about the bigness of a Pigeon . That we described weighed nine It s bigness , Weight , Length , Breadth , ounces . It s length from the point of the Beak to the end of the Train was fourteen inches and a quarter : Its breadth , or the distance between the tips of the Wings extended two foot and an half . The Beak short , prominent , hooked , and Beak , sharp-pointed : The Base of the upper Chap covered with a skin or membrane , in which are the Nosthrils . The middle part of the Beak next the Sear is white , the rest of a dark blue : Where it begins to bend it hath a Tooth or Angle , which is received in a dent or cavity in the lower Chap. The Nosthrils round : The Tongue cleft : Nosthrils . Tongue . Eyes . Mouth . The Eye-lids yellow ; the Eyes defended by prominent brows . It hath a wide mouth , and the Palate blue .

The Head is great ; the Crown broad and flat , inclining to an ash-colour , and Head . marked with narrow black lines along the shaft of each feather . The back , shoulders , and covert-feathers of the upper side of the Wings ferrugineous , marked with black Colour of the back . spots , viz. each feather being reddish hath a black spot toward the tip . The Rump is cinereous , having the like transverse black spots . The lower or nether side of the Colour of the nether side . body , that is the Breast and Belly , was of a paler red or ferrugineous , varied with black lines drawn downwards along the shafts of the feathers . The Chin and lower belly without spots .

The flag-feathers of the Wing are in number twenty four : The exteriour of which Prime Wing-feathers . are of a brown or dusky colour , but their interiour Vanes are partly of a reddish white , indented with the brown like the teeth of a Saw . The six or seven next to the body are red , having their interiour Vanes marked with transverse brown stroaks . The inner or under side of the Wing is white , with black spots .

The Train made up of twelve feathers was above seven inches long . The outmost It s Train . feathers shortest , the rest in order gradually longer to the middlemost . The utmost tips of the feathers were of a rusty white . Then succeeds a black bar or ring of an inch broad ; the rest of the feather being of a rusty ash-colour , marked with transverse black spots .

The Legs and Feet are of a lovely yellow , and the Talons black . The Legs , and Talons . The Inwards .

It had a Gall. In the stomach we found Beetles and fur of Mice . The length of the Guts was twenty eight Inches . The single blind gut [ Appendix intestinalis ] was twice as long as the lower Appendices or blind Guts . The Male or Tarcel differs How the Male differs from the Female . from the Female chiefly in being less , and having the head and back of an ash-colour .

Kestrels are wont commonly with us in England to be reclaimed and trained up for fowling , after the manner of other Rapacious birds . They catch not only small birds , Their Game . but also young Partridge .

They build in hollow Oaks and other trees ; and that not after the manner of Nest and Generation . Crows , upon the boughs , but after the manner of Jackdaws , always in holes , as Turner saith he himself observed . Aristotle makes the Kestrel the most fruitful or best breeder among Birds of prey ; yet neither doth she ( saith he ) lay more Eggs than four at once . Her Eggs are whitish , all over stained very thick with red spots , whence Aristotle and Pliny write , that they are red like Vermilion : Indeed , they deserve rather to be called red than white .

It is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , signifying Millet , as if one should say the Millet-bird , The Names . for the same reason as Gesner thinks , that a kind of Tetter [ the Swine-pox ] is called Herpes miliaris , because it is marked or motled with specks like Millet seed .

This Bird is by some called the Wind-hover , of which name we have elsewhere given an account .

§. XVI . The Merlin , called in Latine Aesalon .

BEllonius hath recorded that the Merlin is the least of all those birds our Falconers It s Bigness . use for hawking ; and truly , if we except only the Matagesse or great Butcher-bird ( which is sometimes reclaimed for small birds ) so it is . It is not much bigger than a Black bird . The length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail in that we Length and Breadth . described was fourteen Inches , to the end of the Toes twelve and an half . The Beak was blue , and had an angular Appendix or tooth on each side : The Irides of the Beak . Eyes . The colour of the upper part , and Wings . The Train . Eyes of a hazel colour : The back and upper part were particoloured of a dark blue and a ferrugineous : The shaft and middle part of the feathers of the Head and Wings were black , the edges blue : The flag-feathers of the Wings black with ferrugineous spots . The Train five inches long , of a dark brown or blackish , with transverse * * Pale-red or clay coloured . Colour of the lower side . The Legs and Talons , white bars : Of these black and white spaces were fourteen in all in the Female ; in the Male or Tarcel but ten . The Breast and Belly were of a rusty white , with brown spots , not transverse , but tending downwards from the Head toward the Tail . The Legs were long , slender , and yellow : The Talons black . Below the Head it had a ring of yellowish white , encircling the Head like a Coronet . In the older Birds the back grows bluer as in other Falcons .

In the Males the feathers on the Rump next the Tail are bluer . By which note and How the Male or Tarcel differs from the Female . their bigness Falconers discern the Sex . For the Female in this , as in other birds of prey , is greater than the Male , being for colour less red , with a certain mixture of blue . In the Train of the Male we described were only five cross pale-red bars ( as we said before ) the intermediate black spaces being broader . The Train was five Inches long , the whole bird thirteen .

The Merlin , though the least of Hawks , yet for spirit and mettle ( as Albertus The Merlin a mettled bird . truly writes ) gives place to none . It strikes Partridge on the Neck , with a fatal stroke , killing them in an instant . No Hawk kills her prey so soon . They fly also Heath-pouts with it .

CHAP. X. Of short-winged Hawks .

§. I. The Goshawk , Accipiter Palumbarius .

IT is bigger than the common Buzzard : Of a dark brown or Buzzard colour on It s Bigness , the head , neck , back , and upperside of the Wings . The whole Breast and Belly white with transverse black lines standing very thick . The Thighs are covered Colour . over with reddish feathers , having a black line in the middle down the shaft . The Legs and Feet are yellow ; the Talons black . The Beak blue , and the Sear of a yellowish The Feet , Talons , and Beak . green .

The Wings , when closed , fall much short of the end of the Train , by which note The Wings , Train . alone and its bigness it is sufficiently distinguished from all other Hawks . The Train is long , of a cinereous or dun colour , with four or five cross blackish bars , standing at a great distance each from other . In each feather of the Breast there is a black circular line near the top , running parallel to the edges of the feather , and in some also the shaft and middle part of the feather is black .

It takes not only Partridge and Pheasant , but also greater Fowl , as Geese and Cranes : It s Game . Sometimes also it catches Conies . Our English Authors who have written of Falconry make this the same with the French Autour or Astur , although Aldrovandus would have the Astur , which he takes to be the Asterias of Aristotle , to be a different bird . But I suppose the Goshawk was not well known to Aldrovandus .

§. II. The Sparrow-hawk , Accipiter Fringillarius seu Nisus Recentiorum .

IT is almost as big as a Pigeon . It s length from Bill-point to Tail end about fourteen It s bigness , length , and breadth . inches : The distance between the tips of the Wings extended twenty six Inches .

It s Beak is short , hooked , blue , black toward the tip : The Basis of the upper Beak , Chap covered with a yellowish green skin , ( which they call the Sear or rather Cere from the Latine word Cera , signifying wax , because it is for the most part of a Wax-colour , ) having an angular Appendix or tooth on each side under the Nosthril . The Nosthrils are oblong ; the Palate blue ; the Tongue thick , black , and a little cleft : Nares , Tongue , Eyes , Crown . The Eyes of mean size , with yellow Irides , over-hung by brows , prominent like the Eaves of a house . The Crown of the head is of a dark brown : Above the Eyes , and in the hinder part of the head sometimes are white feathers . [ The bottoms of the feathers in Head or Neck are white . ] The rest of the upper side , Back , Shoulders , Colour of the upper side , Wings , Neck , are of the same dark brown , excepting some feathers of the Wings which are spotted with white . [ In another bird the Head and Wings were of a dark ash-colour or blue , ] The colour of the underside , viz. the Neck , Breast , Belly , Sides , Underside . and Wings various , of white and blackish , or russet : Russet waved lines thick-set crossing the whole Breast and Belly , and indeed , each single feather ; the white intermediate spaces are broader than the russet lines . The feathers under the Chin and by the Legs of the lower Mandible are white , only their middle parts about the shaft , especially toward the tip , brown or russet .

The Wings when closed scarce reach to the middle of the Tail . The flag-feathers The Wings , are twenty four , in whose under sides appear , on the interiour webs of each , dark transverse marks or spots .

The Tail is almost two Palms long , consisting of twelve feathers , having five or six Train , cross black bars . The tips of the feathers are white . The Thighs are strong and fleshy , as in all birds of prey ; the Legs long , slender , yellow ; the Toes also long ; the outmost , Legs and Toes , as in other Hawks , being joyned to the middlemost by a Membrane below . The Talons black . It lays about five white Eggs , spotted near the blunt end with a Circle , Number of Eggs. as it were a Coronet , of bloud-red speaks .

It feeds only upon Birds ( as our Fowlers affirm ) never touching Beetles or other It s Food . Insects .

For its bigness it is a very bold and couragious Bird , and is frequently trained up It s Mettle . and made for hawking .

Bellonius acquaints us with a common and familiar way of taking this kind of The manner of catching Sparrow-hawks near Constantinople . Hawks about the Streight of Propontis , in these words . Not far distant ( saith he ) from the outlet of the Euxine Sea , at the entrance of the Streight leading to the Propontis , having climbed up a very high Hill that is there , by chance we found a Fowler on the top intent upon the catching of Sparrow-hawks . Whereas it was now past mid-April , at which time all sorts of birds are wont to be very busie in breeding or building their Nests , it seemed to us wonderful strange and unusual , to see such a multitude of Kites and Hawks coming flying from the right side of the Sea . This Fowler did with such industry and dexterity lay wait for them , that not so much as one escaped him . He took at least twelve Hawks every hour , The manner thus : He himself lay hid behind a little bushet , before which he had levelled a square plat or floor , about two paces long and broad , being two or three paces distant from the bushet . In the borders of this floor he had pitcht down [ or thrust into the ground ] six stakes , at due distances , of about the thickness of ones thumb [ the word is Pollicis , and may possibly signifie an inch-thick ] of a mans height , two on each side : On the top of each , on that side which respected the floor was a nick cut in , upon which was hung a Net made of fine green thread . In the middle of the floor stood a Stake a Cubit high , to the top of which a Cord was bound , which reached as fas as the Fowler , who lay behind the bushet . To this same Line , lying loose , were many little Birds fastned , which picked up grains of Corn on the floor . Now , when the Fowler saw a Hawk coming afar off from the Sea-coast , shaking the Line , he made these birds to flicker up and down . Which the Sparrow-hawks ( as they are notably sharp-sighted ) espying at least half a League off , came flying full speed , and rush'd upon the Nets with that force , to strike at the birds , that being entangled therein they were taken . The Hawks being allured into the Nets , and caught by this Artifice , the Fowler thrust their whole wings up to the shoulders into certain linnen clothes , sown up for that purpose , which our Falconers call , mayling or trussing of Hawks . Thus mayld or trust up he left them upon the ground , so unable to help themselves , that they could not stir , nor struggle , much less disengage or deliver themselves . No man could easily imagine , whence such a multitude of Sparrow-hawks should come . For in two hours time that we were spectators of that sport , we saw more than thirty taken by this deceit , whence one may conjecture , that one Fowler in the space of one day might take more than an hundred . These Hawks do not usually stay so long in one place as Falcons , but are often changing place , whence it is more difficult to take them with a Net . For they will not readily give a Fowler time to spread a Net over them ; unless they be deceived in that manner Bellonius hath set down .

CHAP. XI . Of Butcher-Birds or Shrikes called in Latine Lanii or Colluriones .

THe new name of Lanius or Butcher was by Gesner imposed on this bird , because he thought it agreed to no description of the Ancients ; and because it is wont to prey on other Birds . Bellonius would have it to be the Collurio of Aristotle . Of the Europaean Rapacious birds it is the least ; having a streight Bill , only a little hooked at the point ; a Tail like that of a Mag-pie , viz. with the outmost feathers shortest , the rest in order longer to the middlemost ; whence the French do , not without reason , call it the Grey Pie . Turner suspects it to be the Tyrannus of Aristotle . In English it is called a Shrike .

§. I. The greater Butcher-bird or Mattagess . Lanius cinereus major .

THis Bird in the North of England is called Wierangle , a name , it seems , common The names , to us with the Germans , who ( as Gesner witnesseth ) about Strasburgh , Franckfort , and elsewhere call it Werkengel , or Warkangel , perchance ( saith he ) as it were Wurchangel , which literally rendred signifies a suffocating Angel . In other parts of Germany it is called Neghen-doer , that is , Nine-killer , [ Enneactonos ] because it kills nine birds before it ceases , or every day nine . Our Falconers call it the Mattagess , a name borrowed from the Savoyards , which is by Aldrovandus interpreted a murthering Pie.

It is for bigness equal to the common Black-bird , or the Song-Thrush . It weighs three It s weight and measures , ounces . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is more than ten inches : Its Breadth fourteen inches . It s Bill from the tip to the Angles of the mouth Bill . is above an inch long , black , hooked at the end , and furnished with an Angle or Tooth on each side , like that of the Kestrel , Sparrow-hawk , and lesser birds of this kind . [ Aldrovandus affirmeth , that his greater Italian Lanius , which they commonly call Regestola , wants these angular Appendices of the Bill , wherein it differs from ours . ] The Tongue is slit or forked at the end , and rough , [ In that described by Tongue . Aldrovandus , the tip of the Tongue is multifidous or jagged , ending in many sharp Fibres , as it were hairs , which perchance ( saith he ) is so framed by Nature for the striking of Insects . ] In the Palate is a sissure or cleft , and about the cleft a hollow Cavity equal to the Tongue . The Nosthrils are round , above which grow stiff black hairs or bristles . From the corner of the Mouth on each side through the Eyes to the hind part of the head is drawn a black stroak . The Head , Back , and Rump are The colour . ash-coloured : The Chin and Belly white : The Breast and lower part of the Throat varied with dark transverse lines .

It hath in each Wing eighteen prime feathers ; the tips of all which , excepting the The flag-feathers of the Wings . four outmost , are white : The second and third have also their exteriour edges white . Moreover , the first or outmost feather begins to be white at the bottom : In the rest in order as far as to the tenth the white part increaseth , so that more than the lower half of the tenth feather is white . From the tenth in the following feathers the white diminishes again , yet in their interiour edges it runs up to the top : in the last , that is , those next to the body , it fails quite : Else both the Beam-feathers and the first row of covert-feathers are black .

The Tail is made up of twelve feathers , of which the middlemost are the longest , The Tail . by measure four inches and a quarter ; the rest in order shorter to the outmost , which are but three inches and an half . The outmost feathers are all over white , the two middlemost have only their tips white , the rest of the feather being black ; in the intermediate feathers the black part gradually diminisheth to the outmost : Whence ( saith Aldrovandus ) when it flies the white part of the Tail shews like a Crescent . [ In the greater Lanius of Aldrovandus the four middle-feathers of the Tail are wholly black , and not two only . ]

The Legs and Feet are black : The outmost Toe at the bottom joyned to the middlemost . The Legs and Feet .

The Testicles are round and little , That we dissected had in the stomach Caterpillars , It s Food . Beetles , and Grashoppers .

In Germany between Heidelberg and Strasburgh , about a Village called Linkenom , It s Place . we killed this bird : It is also common elsewhere in Germany . Moreover , we are told , that it is found in the mountainous parts of the North of England , as for instance in the Peak of Derbyshire , where , ( as we said ) it is called Wierangel .

Gesner reports , that the Lanii of Switzerland do for the most part haunt and abide among thorny shrubs , sitting upon the highest twigs of dwarf-trees and bushes , setting up their tails as they sit . In them also they build , making their Nests of Moss , Wool , and certain downy herbs : But the bottoms thereof of Heath , upon which they lay withinside the soft and tender stalks of hay , Doggs-tooth , and other like herbs . In this Nest in summer time are to be found six Young , so unlike to the old ones , that they scarce resemble them in one mark , their Bills , Legs , and Feet only excepted ; yea , rather on the contrary the bottoms of all their downy feathers , ( which are as yet nothing else but certain rudiments of their future Plumage ) incline somewhat to green .

Although it doth most commonly feed upon Insects , yet doth it often set upon and kill not only small birds , as Finches , Wrens , &c. but ( which Turner affirms himself to have seen ) even Thrushes themselves : Whence it is wont by our Falconers to be reclaimed and made for to fly small birds , as we have before noted .

Gesner , besides this we have described , sets forth another sort of great Butcher-bird , The greatest Butcher-bird of Gesner . like to this , but twice as big , so that it is double the magnitude of a Black-bird . It is of the same nature , shape of body , and colour , except that the Wings are red .

§. II. The lesser Butcher-Bird , called in York-shire , Flusher , Lanius tertius Aldrov .

IT is of the bigness of a Lark , and hath a great head . The Cock weighed two Its measures , ounces and an half : From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail it was seven Inches and an half long , to the end of the Claws but six inches and an half : from tip to tip of the Wings spread twelve inches and an half broad .

The Bill was an inch long , black , and strong . The tip of the upper Chap hooked ; near the hooked part furnished with two angular Appendices , over-hanging the lower Bill , Chap when the mouth is shut , it having no dents or cavities to receive these Appendices : Wherein the Bill of this bird differs from that of a Hobby or Kestrel . The Mouth within yellow : The cleft of the Palate rough . The Tongue divided into many Filaments : The Nosthrils round : About the Nosthrils and corners of the Mouth , Tongue , mouth grew stiff , black hairs or bristles . The middle of the Back , and lesser rows of Bristles , feathers covering the upper side of the Wing reddish or ferrugineous [ rusty ] the Head Colour . and Rump cinereous . From the corners of the Mouth through the Eyes a black stroke is produced beyond the Ears : This black line is terminated and divided from the ash-colour by another whitish one . The lower belly is white : The Throat and Breast white , dashed with red .

There are in each Wing eighteen beam-feathers ; the first or outmost very short Quils of the Wing . and little , the third longest of all . The Wings shut much shorter than the Tail . The greater Wing-feathers dusky , the exteriour Vanes of those next the body being red , the edges of the middlemost white . The Tail is three inches long , composed of The Tail . twelve feathers , of which the outmost are the shortest , the rest on each side in order longer to the middlemost , which are the longest ; and almost wholly black ; of the next to these the bottoms or lower parts are white , especially the interiour Web ; of the four next on each side the lower half is white , as also the tips ; of the outmost the exteriour webs are wholly white .

The Feet are black , or of a dark blue colour . The outmost Toe joyned at bottom The Feet . to the middlemost .

The Testicles white and round ; the Gall large ; the Guts eleven inches long ; the The Entrails . and Food . blind Guts short and little : in the stomach dissected we found Flies and Beetles .

The Bird here described had built her Nest in a Holly-bush , of grass , bents , and The Nest and Eggs. feathers ; in which were six oblong , pretty great Eggs , toward the sharper end almost wholly white , toward the blunter encompassed with a circle of brown or dark red , as it were a Coronet .

At Florence I described a Lanius , which the Fowlers there called Vellia , very like to this ; only the bottoms or lower part of the eight outmost beam-feathers of the Wings were white , and that so far that some part of the white appeared above the covert feathers . Of which note I wonder that neither Aldrovandus nor Mr. Willughby have made any mention in their descriptions of this bird .

§. III. A Hen Butcher-bird like to the second Lanius of Aldrovandus .

IT is somewhat less than the precedent in all dimensions . It differs from the second of Aldrovandus in that its Bill is not red but black ; nor the feet cinereous , but like those of the Cock ; and also that it wants the white spot on the Wing . The Head is of an ash-colour inclining to red , as in Thrushes . The Back reddish , varied with semicircular black lines near the tip of each feather . The feathers next incumbent on the Tail are long , of a deeper red , and adorned with semicircular lines . The Throat and Breast elegantly variegated with the like black semicircles , almost after the manner of the Wryneck . The Belly is white . The prime feathers of the Wings dusky ; but those next the body , and the lesser rows of covert-feathers of the Wings have red edges . The Tail black , with a tincture of red . The outmost feathers have all their exteriour webs white ; the four next on each side have their tips white ; the two middlemost are of a dark red . The lower Chap of the Bill from the middle almost half way is white .

§. IV. Another sort of Butcher-Bird , perhaps the Lanius minor primus , Aldrov .

THis had a white spot on each shoulder : The bottoms of the nine outmost beam-feathers were white : Above the Bill was a cross black line : The Head of a pale red or russet : The Back first red , then ash-coloured : Under the Throat were transverse dusky lines , else the whole underside was of a dirty white . I also [ J. R. ] at Florence in Italy saw and described a Lanius like to this , differing only in that the Head and Neck were of a deeper red . Mr. Willughby also described another killed near the River Rhene in Germany , whose Head was of a lovely red : A line or white space of the figure of a Parabola encompassed the Tail , the interiour space or Area therein contained being black . The eleven exteriour Quils were white from the bottom almost to the middle . The Feet and Claws black .

In all the birds of this kind that I have seen and described the bottom of the nine outmost beam-feathers of the Wings were white .

The birds of this kind differ very much in colour , so that I am in some doubt , whether the above described differ in Species , or in Age and Sex only . I suspect they differ specifically .

The lesser Butcher-birds therefore may be divided into those that have a black line The Species of lesser Butcher-birds . in both cheeks passing through the Eye , and those that want it . Those which have this line may be subdivided into those which have a white mark upon the shoulders and those that have it not . The first sort may be called , the Lesser Butcher-bird variegated with black and white semicircular lines : The second , The lesser red Butcher-bird : The third , the lesser ash-coloured Butcher-bird .

CHAP. XII . Of the Bird of Paradise , or Manucodiata , in general .

THat Birds of Paradise want feet is not only a popular persuasion , but a thing not long since believed by learned men and great Naturalists , and among the rest by Aldrovandus himself , deceived by the birds dried or their cases , brought over into Europe out of the East Indies , dismembred , and bereaved of their Feet . Yea , Aldrovandus and others do not stick to charge Antonius Pigafeta , ( who gave the first notice of this Bird to the Europaeans ) with falshood and lying , because he delivered the contrary . This errour once admitted , the other fictions of idle brains , which seemed thence to follow , did without difficulty obtain belief ; viz. that they lived upon the coelestial dew ; that they flew perpetually without any intermission , and took no rest but on high in the Air , their Wings being spread ; that they were never taken alive , but only when they fell down dead upon the ground : That there is in the back of the Male a certain cavity , in which the Female , whose belly is also hollow , lays her Eggs , and so by the help of both cavities they are sitten upon and hatched . All which things are now sufficiently refuted , and proved to be false and fabulous , both by eye-witnesses , and by the birds themselves brought over entire . I my self ( saith * * In his notes upon Marggr . lib. 5. cap. ult. Joannes de Laet ) have two Birds of Paradise of different kinds , and have seen many others , all which had feet , and those truly for the bulk of their bodies sufficiently great , and very strong Legs . The same is confirmed by * Marggravius , Clusius in his Exotics , Wormius in his Museum , page 295. and especially Bontius in the fifth Book and twelfth Chapter of his natural and medic History of the East-Indies , where we have to this purpose ; It is so far from being true that these birds of Paradise are nourished by the Air , or want Feet , that with their crooked and very sharp Claws they catch small birds , as Green Linnets , Chaffinches , and the like , and presently tear and devour them like other birds of prey : No less untrue is it , that they are not found but only dead , whereas they sit upon trees , and are shot with Arrows by the Tarnacenses ; whence also , and from their swift * * To and fro , or backward and forward . reciprocal flying , they are by the Indians called Tarnacensian Swallows . We truly , before we had read these things in Bontius , had subjoyned these birds to the Rapacious kind , because they did seem to us in their Bill and crooked Claws very nearly to resemble them , and consequently in all likelihood to prey upon littlebirds . Hence also it appears how rashly some have believed , that they took their rest hanging by those two * * Shafts of feathers . cirri , which run out , as it were two long strings , beyond the rest of the feathers , twined about the boughs of trees : For those Cirri are nothing else but the naked shafts of feathers , having neither the structure nor use of Muscles . It were to be wished , that those who travel to those parts of the East Indies , where these Birds are found , would diligently enquire of the Inhabitants , where and how they build : And what those long feathers serve for , which springing in great numbers from both sides of the breast do both run out in length beyond the Tail , and also are spread out far in breadth ; and especially what may be the use of these two long naked shafts of feathers before mentioned , which ( to say the truth ) is to us as yet unknown .

These most beautiful birds ( as Aldrovandus reports ) are called by the inhabitants of the Molucca Islands Manucodiatae , that is , Gods birds , and had in great esteem and veneration . They are called Birds of Paradise , both for the excellent shape and beauty of their bodies , and also because where they are bred , whence they come , and whither they betake themselves is altogether unknown , sith they are found only dead upon the earth , so that the Vulgar imagine them to drop out of Heaven or Paradise . But this mistake we have before out of Bontius rectified .

CHAP. XIII . Of the several sorts of Birds of Paradise .

§. I. * Aldrovandus his first Bird of Paradise .

FOr bigness and shape of body , beheld singly , it comes near to a Swallow . The It s bigness , Colour , Head . feathers investing it are of several colours , very beautiful and lovely to behold . The Head like that of a Swallow , and great for the smalness of the body ; the feathers covering its upper part from the first Vertebre of the Neck to the beginning of the Bill were short , thick , hard , close-set , of a bright , glistering , yellow colour , shining like burnished Gold , or the Sun-beams : The rest which covered the Chin were of an admirable bluish green , such as we see in the heads of Mallards , when exposed to the Sunshine . The Bill was longer than that of a Swallow : The It s Bill , Wings : Wing-feathers for shape like those of Herons , only slenderer and longer , of a shining dusky colour between black and red : which together with the Tail being spread round represent the likeness of a Wheel : For they are absolutely immovable , sticking in the skin like so many darts . Besides which there are also other small feathers , and those verily not a few , which spring up just by the originals of the greater feathers that make up the Wings , and cover the lower parts of them . These are half red or Scarlet-coloured , half of a shining , Saffron , or Gold colour ; and by reason of that remarkable and singular disparity of colours contribute much to the beauty and elegancy of this bird . All the rest of the body was covered with * * Of the colour of gold . Colour of the rest of the body . fulvous feathers inclining to red [ ruffum , ] yet so , that still one might observe some difference between them . For those on the Breast and Belly , which stood thicker , and were likewise broader ( being of two or three inches breadth ) were of a fulvous or rather liver colour , and that very bright and resplendent . Those on the Back stood thinner , and were fewer , gaping moreover with large divisions , after the manner exactly of those growing on the backs of Herons . [ I suppose he means the several threads or filaments which compose the web of the feather stood thinner or at greater distances , as in those of a Peacocks Tail . ] Neither do they attain that eminent breadth , or match them in that excellent liver-colour ; but are rather of a purple , resembling flesh or somewhat more obscure . Those two filaments which spring out of the back are in a manner black .

§. II. * Aldrovandus his second Bird of Paradise .

THis differed from the rest , especially in that it had in its Rump two very long feathers , exceeding the rest about two palms length : The Head was almost Colour of the Head , white , besprinkled with yellow and golden spots : The eyes likewise yellow , the hairs of the Eye-lids red : The Bill of a middle colour between yellow and green , two inches long ; the upper part a little crooked : The Tongue red , long , sharp , not unlike Bill , that of Woodpeckers , very fit to strike Insects . The Breast was somewhat red : Tongue , The Belly , Back and Wings were white : Yet were their upper sides all over , and Breast , Wings , their ends ferrugineous . The Back at first seemed to incline somewhat to yellow , Back . but about the Rump it changed to a red or ferrugineous . In the length of the Wings , which equalled five Palms , it exceeded the first species . The Tail feathers at their The Tail ; insertion into the back were white , else ferrugineous , longer than in the first Species .

This Bird wanted those two threads , which ( as I said before ) grow out of the backs of all this kind . Wherefore it is to be thought that either by reason of the length of the journey , or continuance of time , they fell away and were lost ; not that it is therefore to be called a Female , as the Vulgar have been hitherto falsly perswaded . The use of the two forementioned long feathers may perchance be for swifter flight .

§. III. * Aldrovandus his third Bird of Paradise .

THis for the length of its body we thought good to call * * The great Bird of Paradise . Hippomanncodiata : As being from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail and Wings twenty seven inches long , and two Palms broad when the Wings are closed . The Bill was well hooked , especially the upper part ; three inches long ; the lower part a little shorter . The whole bird was white , except the Neck and Belly , which were of a Chesnut-colour . The upper part of the Head was ferrugineous ; to which succeeded a yellow , and to the yellow a green colour . Near the Back the feathers were very prominent , viz. the length of two or three inches , This Bird had only one string , and that rough and very flexible : Wherefore we think that the other was by some accident lost .

§. IV. * Aldrovandus his fourth or crested Bird of Paradise .

FRom the beginning of the Bill to the end of the Wings it was by measure full eighteen inches . The Bill for the smalness of the body was very long , black , and somewhat hooked . The feathers of the Head , Neck , and Wings were black , yet at the joyning of the Bill yellow . It had a crest or cop near the Neck almost three Inches high , rigid , of a yellow colour , and which seemed to consist rather of bristles than feathers : And in that chiefly did it differ from the following bird .

§. V. * Aldrovandus his fifth or common Bird of Paradise .

THis Gesner also hath figured , but not described , only he saith , it is very like that which was formerly graven , and published by it self , at Nurenbergh in Germany : To the Icon whereof he saith these words were added . The Bird of Paradise or Indian * * Footless . Apos is of the bigness of a Song-Thrush , wonderful light , and very long-winged , the feathers being rare , tender , and pervious to the light ; having besides two long , slender , black , horny feathers , if they may be called feathers and not rather bristles , for they are bare of filaments . It hath no feet ; flies perpetually , nor doth it ever rest but hanging in some tree , by those long strings or bristles twined about a bough . No Ship sails so swiftly , nor so far from the Continent , which it doth not fly round about . This Cut is very like to our last described : But they differ much in the bigness of the Bill and Head . Gesners figure shews the Bill to be little , and the lower Chap crooked ; whereas on the contrary ( as I said ) in ours the Bill was very long , and the upper Chap crooked . Besides , this hath no Crest , which is a manifest argument of diversity .

§. VI. * The King of Birds of Paradise , Marggrav .

IT shews to be as big as a Pigeon , but was indeed not greater than a Swallow . It had a small Head , little Eyes , a streight , indifferently thick and sharp Bill , an Inch and half long . The Neck was an inch long : The length of the Body from the Head to the rise of the Tail scarce three inches and an half . The Wings were above seven inches long : The Tail broad , and six inches long . It had two Legs , the lower part of each two inches long : Four Toes in the Feet , three standing forwards , and one backward , after the usnal manner ; the middle Foretoe was a little longer than the rest : The back-toe was also of a good length ; all armed with strong , crooked , Hawk-like Claws . Both Legs and Feet are thick and strong , made for rapine and preying . The Wings and Tail have broad and strong feathers , an inch wide . The whole back , tbe lower Belly , the Wings and Tail are of an elegant brown colour [ Brunni . ] Above next the Bill it hath feathers resembling Velvet , mingled of green and dusky : Beneath next the Bill it hath like feathers of a black colour . The Neck above is of a yellow or gold colour ; beneath of a green , with a gold-colour as it were shining through it . The Breast is of a deep brown . Under the Wings , in the sides between the Wings and the Legs grow many feathers , a foot long more or less , of a curious structure , which run forth a great way upon the Tail : Towards their rise they are of a deep yellow or gold colour , else of a whitish yellow , shadowed or dashed with brown . Among these feathers are extended two as it were threads or strings , each more than two feet long , near their rise of a yellow or gold colour , crooked towards their ends , and of a dark brown . Their Legs are dusky , their Talons being whiter . The Bill is of a colour mixt of green and blue , yet whitish toward the point .

§ VII . * Marggravius his other Bird of Paradise .

IN bigness it exceeded a Swallow . It hath a small Head , a little compressed or flat above , two thirds of an inch long , in thickness or compass two inches : very lit-Eyes , about the bigness of a grain of Millet or Mustard Seed . The Bill strong , above an inch long , streight , ( yet upwards towards its Base somewhat rising ) sharp , of a colour mingled of blue and green , with an oblong white spot in the upper Chap toward the point : wide , open Nosthrils . The Neck a little more than two thirds of an inch long , streight , and of equal thickness with the head . The body from the end of the Neck to the beginning of the Tail was scarce four inches long , the thickness almost three ; but it was covered with many feathers , which I do not here consider . The length of the Wings was five inches . Above on the head , at the rise of the Bill , it was adorned with very black , small , downy feathers , exactly resembling Velvet ; and in like manner near the rise of the lower Bill , the black here being broader than above . In the whole throat or lower side of the Neck , and as far as the Cheeks and also to the Eyes , it was covered with silken feathers , a little harder to the touch than those black ones , of a most elegant golden green , such as is wont to be seen in the necks of Peacocks and Mallards . The whole upper part of the Head as far as that silken clothing , was also covered with silken feathers , but hard to the touch , of a dark yellow colour . The whole Neck encompassed with short feathers resembling Plush , of a shining yellow colour like Gold . The back was all covered with feathers of the like shining golden yellow , to the touch resembling hairs , lying many one upon another , which below were of a pale brown colour . The Wing-feathers are all one longer than another . The Tail consists of a few the like brown feathers , extended a little beyond the ends of the Wings , and is above three inches and an half long . At the very rise of the Wings , and without the Wings in each side grow many very elegant feathers , supported by small white ones : Some of these are six inches long , some a foot ; but the middlemost and longest are a foot and half long , and white . All these feathers are most elegant , of a fine , thin , rare , or subtile texture . The number of feathers springing out of both sides amounts to about fifty in each ; among which there are forty , a foot and half long apiece . Clusius and others , who take these long feathers to belong to the Wings , are mistaken ; for they are not the Wing-feathers , but , as Marggravius truly hath delivered , spring out of each side under the Wings .

These two descriptions seem to be either of one and the same sort of bird , or of two very like ; and agree in most things with the first Species of Aldrovandus .

§. VIII . * Of Birds of Paradise out of Clusius .

I See that he [ Aldrovandus he means ] and all the rest who have treated of this bird , agree in this , that they judge it to want feet , because they had seen none but such as were bereaved of their feet . Hereupon they did not stick to charge Antonius Pigafeta ( who accompanying Magellane in the Ship Victoria , first sailed round the World ) with falshood and lying , because after his return from that long Voyage , giving the first notice of this Bird to the Europaeans in the Diary of his travel , he attributes to it slender Legs a * * An hand-breadth . Palm long . For my part , though hitherto , I confess , I have been in the same erroneous opinion with them , in thinking these birds to be footless ( contrary to the sentence and judgment of Aristotle , who affirms that no bird wants feet ) because those which I hapned to see , both in my Spanish Voyage , stopping two months at Lisbon , and also in the Low Countries , in the Cabinets of sundry persons delighted in such exotic things , were all without feet , and exenterated ; yet at that time , to say the truth , I was not at all curious in observing , whether there were any difference between them . But the last Voyages of the Hollanders into India have made me without difficulty to change my opinion ; it being certain that there have been some brought over entire , and retaining still their legs and feet : And by those who saw them I understood , that their Legs were very like those of a Magpie , but weaker , and not so thick , differing also in colour , as not being black , but tending to a Chesnut . Notwithstanding I had a great desire my self to see them , and if I could have got but one , presently to have taken a draught thereof , that I might expose it to the view of the Reader , and confirm the truth and faithfulness of Pigafeta . But they having been for their rarity presently bought up , and carried away to Francfurt on the Main , and one of them thence to the Emperour Rudolphus the second of that name ( his Majesty being , as I hear , greatly delighted in these kind of strange forein things , and in the knowledge of all the wonders of nature ) I was frustrated of my hope . But if it happens that there be any entire ones brought over , and that I get seasonable notice of it , I will do my endeavour to procure one , at least to borrow it , that I may set forth its figure , to confute and extirpate the commonly received opinion or conceit , that these birds want feet . Howbeit the Mariners that brought these Birds , though they went not to those Islands where the birds themselves breed and live , yet were informed ( as I was assured ) by those of whom they bought them , that they were all furnished with Feet , and did both walk and fly like other Birds : But that the Inhabitants so soon as they take them , do exenterate them , and cut off and cast away their Legs , and then expose them to the Sun , that they may dry the more readily , and so dried , either keep them to sell , or fasten them to their Helmets instead of Plumes of feathers . They added moreover , that those birds lived in Woods , and were wont to fly thirty or forty together in flocks , accompanied with their King or Captain , who always flies high above the rest ; and ( which seems to be fabulous ) if they be thirsty , use to send out one of their company first to the water , to make trial of it , which if it receives no harm from drinking it , then the whole flock fly thither and drink : But if it returns sick or indisposed , the rest avoid that water , and fly away to seek out some other . They further added , that the Islanders were wont to taint and infect this water , for to catch these Birds , after this manner . When they espy a flock of Birds , they mark diligently whither they betake themselves , and as soon as they see the bird that was sent out , after it hath drank flown back again , they presently cast poyson into that water , which the whole flock coming to drink of , is infected , and becomes their prey . Besides , that these Birds were wont sometimes to be shot with Arrows : And if their King happens to be killed and fall down , the rest that are in that flock fall together with him , and yield themselves to be taken , as refusing to live after they have lost their King .

Furthermore , they made two kinds of those Birds : The one of the Greater , which were more beautiful , and the other of the Lesser , which wereless beautiful : Affirming that both kinds have their peculiar King , and different in colour . That the birds of the greater kind ( whose King is of an elegant and beautiful colour ) were found only in the Isle Aru or Arou ( for so that Vowel u is to be pronounced : ) But that the Isles called Papuas , nigh to the Island Gilolo , did produce the birds of the lesser kind ; and that their King was less handsom , covered with black feathers , for bigness equal to a Starling , and having some feathers like horse-hairs . Perchance this black King may be the fourth Species set forth by Aldrovandus . Those that sold these Birds , being asked by the Mariners how they were called by the Inhabitants , answered Boëres , that is , Birds : For so they called all Birds , neither did they know how to distinguish them by peculiar names .

Now having seen a very elegant Bird of the greater sort , and bigger also than the rest of this kind , in the house of the famous Peter Paroias , Doctor of Physick , and primary Professor in the University of Leyden , I took care to get the figure thereof cut , that I might set it forth , subjoyning a short History , as faithfully taken as I could ; which should by right have taken up the first place in the fifth Book of Exotics : But seeing the six first Books are already printed off , I thought fit to insert it , with some other things I afterward got , into this Auctarium .

§. IX . * A Bird of Paradise of the greater sort . Clus .

THe bulk of the body of this bird came near for bigness to that of a Swallow . From the top of the Head to the Rump it scarce exceeded five inches length . The Crown from the Bill to the Eyes and Neck was covered with very thick-set , short , little feathers , resembling filaments or thrums of Silk ; their upper parts or ends being of a yellow colour , the lower , where they are inserted into the skin , dusky . The under-part of the Head , next to the lower Chap of the Bill , was very thick-set with thrums rather than feathers , being very short , and like to Velvet , of a deep black , from the Eyes as far as the Throat . The Throat as low down as the Breast was adorned with the like feathers or rather silken thrums , and those of a deep green , so beautiful and shining , that there cannot more elegant ones be seen in the Neck of the wild Drake or Mallard . The feathers covering the Breast were also exceeding fine and small , but longer , and very soft , of a black colour inclining to red , so that they seemed to be nothing but ends of Silk . The Bill was but small and sharp-pointed , an inch and half long , black in the part next the Head , the top being somewhat whitish . In the Head also near the Bill appeared very small footsteps of Eyes . The Back , Belly , and Tail-feathers were of a ferrugineous or dusky red colour . The Tail it self consisted of ten pretty broad feathers , and was six inches and an half long ; above which were two long and round feathers , somewhat like to Bow-string , or Shoo-makers threads , but stiff , and dusky , of two feet and three or four inches length , proceeding from the same original [ or root or ground , viz. the Rump ] with the feathers of the Tail , viz. being * * Close together . joyntly inserted into the Rump . These were pretty thick at their rise , about their Quills or hollow part , from which they were set with frequent [ thick-standing ] hairy or downy thrums [ stamina ] such as other feathers are compounded of ; for the space of four inches or a little more on the one side , and on the other for their third parts : Thence they grew slenderer by degrees to their very ends ; and though they were destitute of those hairs , yet were they rough , as if they had been cut off . The feathers in the Wings were of various length : For some ( to wit , the lowest which stood very thick ) exceeded not the length of six inches , yea , some were shorter than so : Others were eight or nine inches long ; others twelve ; but the longest a foot and half : There is also in them great variety of colours ; for some are of a shining golden colour , some , especially the narrower in the sides of the Wings , were of a dusky red , as it were a black sanguine , but shining : But those that covered the rest were of a pale ash-colour , and their sides thinner-set with villose or downy threads : In short , they were all very beautiful , which if I might I would willingly have got cut and set forth in a Table , but because they grew so thick , it could not conveniently be done without marring the shape of the whole Bird.

Another of the same kind I afterwards saw in the hands of that noble and learned Person Joseph Scaliger , somewhat lesser in bulk of body , as being but four inches and an half long from Head to Rump , but yet the feathers of the Tail were of the same length with those of that next above described ; yet those round and long feathers like to Nerves , joyntly springing out of the Rump , did not exceed the length of one foot and nine Inches , else about their Quils set with the like hairs and downy thrums , on the one side to the length of three inches from the Quill , on the other to almost five ; and thence they grew smaller to the very ends , and were something rough , especially about the ends , but not so as those of the precedent . The feathers in the Wings were likewise of a different length , as in the former : Neither was the bird very unlike to that , nor the variety of colours diverse from it ; so that it seemed to differ only in age . The Bill was an inch and half long , in part dusky , the rest being white .

Besides I saw at his house another , somewhat lesser in bulk of body , and not so flat , having a very little Head , the Bill being of almost equal bigness with the precedents , but narrower , and of a bluish dusky colour , having two holes for respiration in the upper part next the Head , like the precedent . The Crown of the head was cloathed with very short feathers , or rather hairs , like thrums of silk , but not of so elegant a colour as in the precedent , but of a kind of sooty yellow . Besides , the border of feathers compassing the Bill on the upper side was not of that breadth as in those , yet in like manner of a black colour : The Plumage also wherewith the Throat was covered was of a green shining colour as in the precedent , but not exceeding the breadth of ones little finger . The Back from the Neck to the Rump was indeed clothed with the like fine slender feathers ; but of a different colour , viz. a yellowish ash-colour : But the Breast-feathers were of like colour with those of the precedent : The Plumage also of that part next the Rump agreed with theirs . Of what colour the Tail-feathers were I cannot tell , for that it wanted a Rump : For which cause I know not whether it had or wanted those long , round Nerves , with which as many Birds of this sort as I have yet seen were furnished . The Wing-feathers were of different length as in the former : Nor were they much unlike to them in colour ; but those that were the longest had their sides thinner-set with downy filaments , and were of a much whiter colour than the feathers of the above described , being a foot and half long . Now whether that colour of the feathers covering the Back differing from the foregoing , makes or signifies diversity of Sex , as some think , I cannot say ; but John de Weely told me , that this was of the second kind , viz. of those that are bred in the Islands Papuae , and that such do indeed want those Nerves , but not the Tail , and for that cause * * I suppose he means those two long Nerves or naked shafts of feathers . they cannot make the difference of Sex , as the Vulgar think .

A certain Citizen of Leyden had a bird altogether like to this last of Scaliger , wanting the Rump and Tail , and also those two long Nerves ; which note whether it did distinguish all Birds of that kind from others , was to me unknown ( because I had only observed these two , that had this note , as far as I remember : Or if I did before happen to see the like , they slipt out of my memory , because at that time I was not so diligent and curious in taking exact notice of the forms of these and the like birds ) but ( as I said a little before ) John de Weely satisfied me and removed all doubt as to that point .

Further when I had proceeded thus far in treating of this Bird , the same John de Weely a Citizen and Merchant of Amsterdam , a very curteous and obliging person , who had sold the like Bird entire , with its Feet still remaining to it , to the Emperour , informed me this June , Anno 1605. ( for I had enquired of him the May foregoing ) that that Bird of Paradise was of the greater kind , which have those two Nerves growing out of their Rump , and that they have a flatter body , and not so round as those that are brought out of the Papuae Islands : That its Feet were like a Hawks or a Pullets , very foul and unhandsom , clapped close to the body of the bird , so that the Toes only appeared : And that he was of opinion , that all Birds of Paradise had the like feet ; but that the Inhabitants for their ugliness and deformity did together with their Legs cut them off and cast them away . The same thing about the end of June he confirmed to me being present by word of mouth .

§. X. * The supposed King of the greater Birds of Paradise .

THat little Bird which I understood to be called the King of the greater sort of Birds of Paradise , was a very rare one . For though ( as I said before ) I had often seen Birds of Paradise both at Lisbon and other places , and the Holland Pilots and Ship-masters , who are now wont to sail yearly into the East Indies , coming back from their Voyages , do almost always bring home some of these Birds , yet was it never my hap to see a King , till the year 1603. viz. at Amsterdam , in the hands of a certain Merchant , who was wont to buy up such like exotic things among the Mariners returned home , that he might make a great profit by selling them again to others . But in the beginning of the following year Emmanuel Swerts , a very honest man , and Citizen of the same City , gave me notice that he had the like : Whereupon I prevailed with him to lend me the Bird for a few days , that I might describe it , and get its figure cut in a table . And seeing I have mentioned it a little before , and no man hitherto ( as far as I know ) hath set forth the like , I thought my self obliged in this place to propose its description , annexing its figure .

This Bird was less than other Birds of Paradise , and of different feathers : For from the Head to the Tail it scarce exceeded two inches length . It s head was very small , which together with its Bill was but an Inch and half long , of which length also the Tail was . But the Wings were much larger than the whole body of the bird , as being four Inches and an half long , and reaching two inches beyond the end of the Tail . The colour of the Bill was white , the upper parts being an inch long , was covered half way with elegant , short feathers or hairs , of a red colour , like silken thrums , as also the whole forepart of the head : The lower part of the Bill was likewise an inch long , yet a thought shorter than the upper . The middle part of the Head about the Eyes on each side had little black spots impressed . The Neck and Breast were covered with fine slender feathers of a deep red or sanguine colour , so that they seemed to be no more than certain silken thrums or filaments . All the covert-feathers of the Back , Wings , and Tail were almost of one and the same colour . Each Wing consisted of thirteen prime feathers , which were on the upper side of a dusky red , on the under side of a dusky yellow . The Tail contained seven or eight dusky or brown feathers . The lower or under side of the body under the Breast was adorned with a kind of ring of the breadth almost of ones little finger , consisting of black feathers as it were silken thrums . The feathers on the Belly were white , but those next the Wings black ; and of those there were four or five in each side a little longer than the rest ; viz. equal to two inches , and which ended in a broad top of a curious shining green , not unlike that of a Mallards Neck . Out of the Rump among the feathers of the Tail proceeded two strings as it were horse-hairs , slender , but stiff , seven or eight inches long , altogether black , only their ends for an inches length were reflected round , and on one side set with very fine hairs or downy threads , which were on the upper side of a deep shining green , beautiful to behold , almost like the feathers on a wild Drake or Mallards Neck , adding a great grace to the whole body of the Bird ; but the underside of these feathers was of a dusky colour I understood also that there were some Birds , which had those bristly strings , crossing one another towards their ends .

CHAP. XIV . The Cuckow . Cuculus .

OUr Bolognese Fowlers ( saith Aldrovandus ) do unanimously affirm , that there are found a greater and a lesser sort of Cuckows ; and besides , that the greater are of two kinds , which are distinguished one from the other by the only difference of colour : But that the lesser differ from the greater in nothing else but magnitude . We shall give figures of both the greater ; the lesser we have not yet seen . So far Aldrovandus .

That wich is common with us in England differs from the first of Aldrovandus , in that its Bill is liker a Thrushes or Blackbirds than a Ringdoves . It s length from the tip It s length , Bill , of the Bill to the end of the Tail is twelve inches . The upper Chap of the Bill somewhat hooked , and longer than the lower , for the most part of a dark or blackish colour ; the nether of a pale or whitish yellow . The inside of the Mouth and the Tongue are of a deep yellow or Saffron colour : The Tongue not divided , the tip of it hard and pellucid . The Irides of the Eyes not yellow , as in Aldrovandus his second Tongue , Eyes , sort , but of a Hazel colour : The Nosthrils round , wide , extant above the surface of Nosthrils . the Bill ; wherein it differs from all other birds I have yet seen . The lower eye-lid is the greater ; the edges of the Eye-lids yellow .

The Throat , Breast , and Belly are white , with transverse dark lines , which are Colour of the underside , entire and not interrupted ; wherein it agrees with Aldrovandus his second Cuckow . The black lines are thicker upon the throat , and have less white between them . The feathers of the Head are of a dark brown with white edges , [ Aldrovandus saith , of a Of the upper side , cinereous tending to a Chesnut colour ) that we described had on the Head one or two white spots . The feathers on the middle of the Neck and Back , and also the long scapular feathers are brown with a tincture of red , having their edges whitish . The Rump ash-coloured .

The beam-feathers of the Wings are nineteen in number , the greater whereof are Of the Wing-feathers . the blacker . All from the second have their exteriour Vanes spotted with red : The interiour Vanes of the outmost have long , transverse , white spots ; the tips of all are white . The covert-feathers of the Wings are of the same colour with those on the Back , only the outmost darker .

The Tail in that described by Aldrovandus in the second place ( for Mr. Willughby The Tail , omitted that in his Description ) was made up of ten feathers , distinguished on both sides the shaft with white marks , somewhat resembling the figure of a heart , about an inch distant from each other , in a decent and lovely order , pleasant to behold . But the edges of the inner sides of all but the two middlemost , and the tops of all were adorned with white spots .

The Feet and Claws are yellow . It hath two back-toes ; of which the interiour is The Feet , Toes , and Claws . the least of all the Toes , and next to that the interiour of the fore-toes . The Claws are something hollowed on the inside , especially the greatest : The two fore-toes are connected from the divarication to the first joynt .

In the stomach dissected we found Caterpillars and other Insects . The Hedge-Sparrow It s Food . It s manner of breeding . [ Curruca ] is the Cuckows Nurse , but not the Hedge-Sparrow only , ( if Curruca be so rightly rendred ) but also Ring-Doves , Larks , Finches . I my self with many others have seen a Wagtail feeding a young Cuckow . The Cockow her self builds no Nest ; but having found the Nest of some little bird , she either devours or destroys the Eggs she there finds , and in the room thereof lays one of her own , and so forsakes it . The silly bird returning , sits on this Egg. hatches it , and with a great deal of care and toil broods , feeds , and cherishes the young Cuckow for her own , until it be grown up and able to fly and shift for it self . Which thing seems so strange , monstrous , and absurd , that for my part I cannot sufficiently wonder there should be such an example in nature ; nor could I have ever been induced to believe that such a thing had been done by Natures instinct , had I not with my own eyes seen it . For Nature in other things is wont constantly to observe one and the same Law and Order agreeable to the highest reason and prudence : Which in this case is , that the Dams make Nests for themselves , if need be , sit upon their own Eggs , and bring up their Young after they are hatcht .

What becomes of the Cuckow in the Winter-time , whether hiding her self in hollow What becomes of the Cuckow in Winter . Trees , or other holes and Caverns , she lies torpid , and at the return of the Spring revives again ; or rather at the approach of Winter , being impatient of cold , shifts place and departs into hot Countrys , is not as yet to me certainly known . Aldrovandus writes , that it is by long observation found , that she doth in the Winter enter into the hollows of trees , or the Caverns of Rocks and the earth , and there lie hid all that season . Some ( saith he ) tell a story of a certain Country-man of Zurich in Switzerland , who having laid a Log on the fire in Winter , heard a Cuckow cry in it . For being of a very tender nature , and impatient of cold ( as Aristotle witnesseth ) no wonder , if to avoid the Winter-cold , it hide it self in holes , especially seeing at that time it moults its feathers . We also have heard of the like stories in England , and have known some who have affirmed themselves in the middle of Winter , in a more than usually mild and warm season , to have heard the voice of the Cuckow . But seeing it is most certain , that many sorts of Birds do at certain Seasons of the year shift places , and depart into other Countrys , as for example Quails , Woodcocks , Fieldfares , Storks , &c. Why may not Cuckows also do the same ? For my part I never yet met with any credible person that dared affirm , that himself had found or seen a Cuckow in Winter-time taken out of a hollow tree , or any other lurking-place .

Since the writing of this , reading Jo. Faber his Expositions of the Pictures of some Mexican Animals of Nardi Antonio Recchi , I find alleged the testimony of a credible person and an eye-witness , one Theophilus Molitor , a Friend of Fabers , for this lurking of Cuckows in hollow trees . Molitor affirmed this to have hapned at his Fathers house . His Grandfathers Servants having stocked up in a certain Meadow some old , dry , rotten Willows , and brought them home , and cast the heads of two of them into the Furnace to heat the Stove , heard as they were in the Stove a Cuckow singing three times . Wondring at this cry of the Cuckow in the Winter-time , out they go , and drawing the heads of the Willows out of the Furnace , in the one of them they observed something move ; wherefore taking an Axe they opened the hole , and thrusting in their hands , first they pluckt out nothing but meer feathers : Afterward they got hold of a living Animal , that was the very Cuckow , and drew it out . It was indeed brisk and lively , but wholly naked and bare of feathers , and without any Winter-provision of food , which Cuckow the Boys kept two whole years in the Stove .

* Aldrovandus his first sort of Cuckow .

This differs in many respects from the precedent , as first , in that the transverse lines on the Breast are not continued , but interrupted . Secondly , In that the covert-feathers of the Neck , Back , and Wings are almost all parti-coloured of black and ferrugineous . Thirdly , The Remiges elsewhere black , in the middle and round the edges white . Fourthly , The Tail variegated with three colours , black , white , and ferrugineous . The black in each feather consists of two lines , concurring in the middle of the feather in an acute angle , and standing at equal distances in a certain Series or order to the end of the Tail : The ferrugineous takes up the outsides of the intermediate spaces , and the white the middle .

LIB. I. PART I. SECT. II. Of Nocturnal Rapacious Birds .

RApacious Nocturnal Birds are of two kinds , viz. Eared or horned , and such as want Ears . To these we shall subjoyn the Goat-sucker , which yet we believe not to be Rapacious , but to have it self so to Owls as the Cuckow to Hawks .

Of Rapacious Nocturnal Birds we have in England four sorts besides the Goat-sucker . 1. The Horn-Owl , in Latine Otus or Asio , so called from certain small feathers sticking out on the sides of the head , in forms of Horns or Ears . 2. The White-Owl , called also the Church-Owl or Barn-Owl ; by Aldrovandus Aluco minor . 3. The Brown Owl , Screech-Owl , or Ivy-Owl : Strix Aldrovandi . 4. The Grey Owl : Strix cinerea .

CHAP. I. Of Rapacious Nocturnal Birds Horned or Eared .

§. I. * The great Horn-Owl or Eagle-Owl . Bubo .

OF this Bird Aldrovandus gives us three figures , and three descriptions , which I suspect to be all of one and the same sort : The first is taken out of Gesner , the two last were composed by himself , of his own observation . The first ( they are Gesners words ) was as big or bigger than a Goose ; had great Wings , two Feet , and three inches long , when extended in a right line from their beginning to the end of the longest feather , from the top of the uppermost bone of the Wing , to the lowest end was in a right line thirteen inches . The Head both for shape and bigness was like a Cats , for which reason the French do not improperly call it Chat huant [ q. felis gemebunda . ] Above each Ear stuck out black feathers , three inches high . The Eyes were great : The feathers about the Rump thick and very soft , of more than a fingers length , or an handful high , if my memory fail me not . From the point of the Bill to the end of the Feet or of the Tail ( for they were both equally extended ) it was two foot and seven inches long . The Irides of the Eyes were of a deep shining yellow or Saffron-colour . The Bill short , black , and hooked . The feathers being put aside the Ear-holes came into sight , which were great and open . On both sides by the Nosthrils grew hair-like feathers , as it were beards [ barbulae . ] The colour of the feathers all over the body was various , of whitish , black , and reddish spots . The length of the Leg was thirteen inches : The part above the knee thick and brawny : The Claws black , hooked , and very sharp : The Foot hairy or feathered down to the very Claws , the feathers being of a pale red .

2. The second ( saith Aldrovandus ) for bigness agreed exactly with this , but differed in many other particulars . For though its Feet were indeed hairy down to the Claws , as in that , yet shorter and slenderer , neither so brawny above the knees , nor so thick and strong-shanked . The colour of the whole body was fulvous [ or of a rusty ash-colour ] especially of the Breast , where it was marked with blackish spots drawn long-ways , promiscuously here and there in no order . The Back and Wings are of a darker brown or ferrugineous dusky colour . But the main difference is that that of Gesner hath all the particular feathers of its whole body more variegated with certain transverse narrow lines like the feathers of some kinds of Ducks , Partridges , and Hawks . Besides , it differs in that the whole body , but especially the Back and Head are marked with certain black strakes , irregularly drawn , and as it were figured ; whereas mine ( saith he ) was not so painted , but in the great feathers of the Wings and Tail distinguished with broad , transverse , blackish lines or bars ; which lines are so formed , especially in the Tail , that each of the broader are terminated above and below by other narrower ones , like borders or fringes , disposed in a triple order , and at certain intervals distant from each other , as in Hawks . This had great and very sharp Talons , not black , as in that , but of a horn-colour . The Tail in both was very short .

3. The third was in all things like the second , save that the Legs were not hairy , and both Legs and Feet weak .

Of this kind of Owl we saw one in France at the Kings Palace of Bois de Vincennes : And two in his Majesties Park of St. James near Westminster . They were as big as Eagles : Their Legs and Feet hairy down to the Claws . They had three fore-toes in each foot ; but the outmost of them was so framed that it could be turned backward , and made stand like a hind-toe . So that in that respect there is no difference between this and other sorts of Owls , but this may as well be said to have two back toes as they ; whatever Aldrovandus hath delivered to the contrary . Their colour was much like to that of a Bittour , the feathers being marked with long black stroaks in the middle , the out-sides of a light bay . About the Belly some of the feathers were beautified with transverse lines . The Irides of the Eyes were of a reddish yellow or flame colour , [ rather of a golden . ]

That Owl which Marggravius describes under the name of Jacurutu of the Brasilians , seems to be altogether the same with this . It is ( saith he ) for bigness equal to a Goose : Hath a round Head like a Cat ; a hooked black Bill , the upper Chap being longer : Great , rising , round Eyes , shining like Crystal , compassed toward the outside with a Circle of yellow . The Circumference of the Eye something greater than a Misnian A piece of money so called , of the bigness of a two-pence or three-pence . gross . Near the Ear-holes it hath feathers two inches long , which stick up , and end in a sharp point like Ears . The Tail is broad ; the Wings reach not to the end of it . The Legs are feathered down to the Feet , in which are four Toes , three standing forward , and one backward , and in each a crooked black Talon , above an inch long , and very sharp . The feathers of the whole body are elegantly variegated with yellow , white , and black .

It is said to build on high and inaccessible Rocks : It preys not only on small birds , but also Conies and Hares like the Eagle . Yea , ( saith Aldrovandus ) there is no Animal gathers so much prey by night as this Owl , especially when she brings up her Young . For she not only provides sufficient for her self and hers , but is very advantageous to them that find her Nest . For while she flies out a pourveying for more , they privily steal away that she had before laid up , only leaving so much as may suffice for nourishing the Young .

§. II. The Horn-Owl , Otus sive Asio .

THat we described was a Female : It weighed ten ounces : Its length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail was fourteen Inches and an half : Its It s weight , length , and breadth . breadth , measuring from tip to tip of the Wings extended , three foot and four inches . The Bill was black , from the point to the Angles of the Mouth one inch and half quarter : The Tongue fleshy , and a little divided . The Irides of the Eyes of a lovely It s Beak , Tongue , Eyes , Hood of feathers . yellow : The covers of the Ears large . The ring of feathers , compassing the face like a womans hood , consists of a double row , the exteriour variegated with small white , black , and red lines ; the interiour under the Eyes red ; where they are contiguous both black . The forehead or ends of the two wreaths at the Bill more cinereous .

The feathers which cover the lower Belly and Legs are reddish ; in the Throat and Breast the middle parts of the feathers are black , the outer parts partly white , and Colour of the feathers . partly yellow : Those under the Wings are red . At the bottoms of the foremost beam-feathers is a great transverse black spot : Higher in the very bending , and under the bastard-wing a broad bed or border of black : The rest of the covert-feathers of the Wings are parti-coloured , of a dark cinereous and yellow . The Back was of the same colour with the Wings ; the middle of each feather being for the most part black . The Horns were above an Inch long , consisting of six feathers , the middle The Horns or Ears . parts of which were black , the exteriour edges being red , the interiour white , sprinked with dusky specks .

The Tail was made up of twelve feathers , six inches long ; the exteriour being The Tail , shortest , and the rest in order longer to the middlemost , so that when spread it was terminated in a circular Circumference ; crossed with six or seven black bars , but narrower than in other birds of this kind : The intermediate spaces above were of an ash-colour , below of a yellow .

The flag-feathers of the Wings , were in each twenty four , of the same colour The prime Wing-fea●●●● with those of the Tail , but in the outmost , especially the third , fourth , and fifth , there is a broad strake or bed of red toward the bottom , and in the greater feathers the black bars are much broader than in the less .

The Legs and Feet are feathered down to the very Claws , which are black ; that The Feet and Claws . of the middle toe on the inside flatted into an edge . The outmost of the fore-toes may be turned backwards , as in other Owls .

It had a large Gall. The Guts were twenty inches long , the Appendices or blind-guts The Guts . two inches and a quarter , longer and more tumid than in other carnivorous birds . In the stomach we found bones and fur of Mice .

About Bologna , and elsewhere in Italy , it is frequent : Found in England also , but The place ▪ more rarely . Francis Jessop Esq sent it to us out of Yorkshire .

This Bird is in all things exactly like the great Eagle-Owl or Bubo , save in bigness ; whence also the French call it by the same name with the only addition of less . Aldrovandus writes , that it agrees with the Bubo in the structure or rather situation of its Toes , both these having three fore-toes , and one back one , whereas all the rest of this kind have two fore-toes , and two hind ones : But in those we have observed both great and less Horn-Owls [ Otis & Bubonibus ] the Toes were disposed in like manner as in other Owls . For the outmost fore-toe may be turned to stand backward , and so imitate a hind-toe , and perform the same office .

Aldrovandus describes two sorts of Asio , or the lesser Horn-Owl . The description of the former doth in most particulars agree to the Bird we have described : See and compare both descriptions . Bellonius his Otus is without doubt the same with ours .

These do for the most part frequent and abide in mountainous places , whereas on the contrary , our Church-Owl and brown Owl , &c. delight in lower and plain Countrys .

§. III. * The little Horn-Owl , Scops Aldrovandi .

THe Bird which the Italians , especially about Bononia call Chiuuino is the least save one of all Rapacious Nocturnal Birds , bigger than a Thrush , and somewhat lesser than a Pigeon , full nine inches long . It differs from the Bubo only in magnitude , and something in colour . It s Head is round like a Ball , covered with small soft feathers , all over of a lead-colour . The Bill short , hooked , and black . The Ears or feathers standing up in fashion of Ears , scarce appear in a dead bird , but are more manifest in a living , and consist only of one feather apiece . The chief colour of the whole body , as far as appears to sight , is cinereous , having here and there something of plumbeous mingled with it , curiously speckled with many white spots , more elegantly than any other Nocturnal Rapacious bird . In the greater feathers of the Wings and Tail it is marked with transverse white spots : All the other feathers besides these transverse marks are distinguished long-ways with a black line running through their middles . It is also besprinkled all over with a lovely tincture of red , especially about the Neck and the beginning of the Wings . The feathers on the Belly are whiter than elsewhere , the bottom or lower part of them , as also of all the rest , being black : particularly , these are red about the middle , else white , powdered with very small black specks . The Eyes like most other night-birds of a fiery shining Saffron colour : The Legs feathered , and of a reddish ash-colour : The Feet small , naked , scaly , approaching to a dark lead-colour , divided into two fore , and two back-toes , armed with dusky Claws . This is common in Italy .

Of this sort Aldrovandus mentions another found in Germany , whiter , and having a longer Tail , and longer Ears or Horns than the Italian Chiuuino , in other respects like .

CHAP. II. Of Nocturnal Rapacious Birds without Ears or Horns .

§. I. The common brown or Ivy-Owl , Strix . Aldrov .

THe Bird we described was a Cock ; It was about the bigness of a Pigeon , but rounder-bodied , and seeming bigger than it was . It weighed twelve ounces and an half . It s length from the tip of the beak to the end of the Tail was fourteen inches : Its breadth , or the distance between the extremities of the Wings spread , two feet and nine inches .

The Bill from the point to the angles of the mouth was an inch long or more , of a horn-colour , or rather a light blue . The mouth was wider , but the Bill shorter than in the Barn-Owl . The Tongue not very fleshy , nor broad , a little divided at the tip . The Tongue , Eyes , In the Palate was a cavity equal to the Tongue . It hath huge Eyes , at least twice so big as those of the Barn or white Owl , and protuberant . It had Membranes for Nictation , drawn from above downwards , having black edges . The borders of the Eye-lids were broader than ordinary , and their edges red . The Ear-holes were Ears , three times as great as in the white Owl , and covered with Valves . A circle of feathers encompasses the Eyes and Chin , like a womans hood , as in the Barn-Owl , but Circle of feathers about the face . not standing up so high as in that . This circle or hood consists of a double row of feathers , the exteriour more rigid , variegated with white , black , and red ; the interiour consisting of soft feathers , of a white mingled with a flame-colour . The middle part of the head without the hood is of a dark brown . The exteriour circle of the hood compasses the ears ; the greatest part of the interiour feathers of it , where it passes the ears , grows out of the covers of the Ears . The Eyes in this Bird are nearer to the Ears than in any other Animal I know . Beyond the Nosthrils and below the Eyes grew bristly feathers having black shafts . The back and upper side of the Colour of the upper side , body was particoloured of ferrugineous and dark brown , the black taking up the middle part of each feather , and the ferrugineous the out-sides . If one curiously view and observe each single feather , one shall find them waved with transverse lines , cinereous and brown alternately succeeding each other . The belly and lower side of Underside . the body is of the same colour with the back , but more dilute with a mixture of white . The bottoms of all the feathers are black . In this and other Owls the feathers investing the whole body are longer or taller than in most other birds , so that the bird seems to be much bigger than indeed it is . The feet are covered almost down to the Claws with a thick dirty-white Plumage , sprinkled with small dark specks , [ rather waved with dark lines ] only two or three of the annulary scales bare .

The number of flag-feathers in each Wing was twenty four . The exteriour [ pinnulae ] The Wing-feathers . webs of the outmost whereof were terminated in slender points like bristles , separate from each other , and standing like the teeth of a fine Comb. The Wing and Tail-feathers were marked with six or seven cross bars of a dirty white , tincted in some with ferrugineous , and in some with brown . The Wings complicated fall very much short of the end of the Tail . The covert feathers of the Wings , chiefly those about the middle , and those long ones springing from the shoulders were spotted with white , especially their interiour Vanes .

The Tail was six inches and an half long , made up of twelve feathers , the middlemost The Tail . being the longest , the rest in order shorter to the outmost : All ending in sharp points , whereas in those of the Barn-Owl the tops were blunt .

The soal of the foot was callous , of a horny or blackish colour . That of the middle-toe The Feet , Toes , and Claws . had not the inner edge serrate , as in the white Owl . All the toes were separate to the very divarication . The outmost of the fore-toes is made to turn also backward , and supply the room of a back-toe , as in the rest of this kind .

The Guts were thirty inches long , and had many revolutions . The blind Guts The Guts and Entrails . were five inches and an half long , toward their ends tumid and full of excrement : The Liver divided into two Lobes . It had a large Gall ; great black Testicles . The stomach seemed to be more fleshy than in other carnivorous birds : and above it a granulated Echinus or ante-stomach . In the stomach we found the fur of Mice .

It differs remarkably from the white Owl in that the extreme feather of the Wing How it differs from the white Owl . is little , and at least a hand-breadth shorter than the third and fourth ; the second above an inch shorter than the third , and the fourth and fifth the longest of all ; whereas in that the second and third feathers are the longest , and the extreme or Sarcel wants not half an inch of them .

Aldrovandus writes , that the Country-people about Bononia told him , that his Strix or Screech-Owl used to suck their Goats : which ours ( as far as I have heard ) was never complained of for doing .

§. II. The Grey Owl , Strix cinerea .

ANother Bird of this sort we described , which we found first at Vienna in Austria , It s weight , length , and breadth . and afterward in England also . It weighed eleven ounces and an hlaf . The length from the Bill to end of the Tail or Feet ( for they were equally extended ) was fourteen inches and an half : The breadth between the tips of the Wings spread out two foot and eleven inches . The Bill was an inch and quarter long : The Tongue It s Bill , Tongue , Nosthrils , a little divided , not so fleshy as in Hawks . In the Palate it had a broad open fissure or cleft . The Nosthrils were oblong . The Sear or skin covering the Base of the Beak in diurnal Rapacious birds , was wanting in this , as in all other Owls . It had huge , round Eyes ; the Irides being of a dark Hazel colour . Both upper and lower Eye-lid Eyes , terminate in a membrane having black edges . The Ear-holes were great and furnished Ears . with Valves .

This Bird was for the apparent magnitude very light and full of feathers . A wreath or hood of stiffer feathers parti-coloured of white and black , beginning from the Bill The hood about the face . above , and reaching beyond the Ears , encompasses the Face and Eyes ; the ends meeting under the Chin like a womans hood . Within this greater hood another circle of feathers of an ash-colour , consisting of thinner and shorter hairs encompasses the Eyes . The body is all over variegated with cinereous and brown . The shafts of the feathers in the middle of the back are black . The interiour Vanes of the long scapular feathers are white almost to the shafts . The lower belly is white . On the Breast are long black spots .

The first row of Wing-feathers had cross bars of black and reddish ash-colour . In The Wing-feathers . In the third row of the covert-feathers of the Wings were one or two white spots .

The Tail had twelve feathers , seven inches and a quarter long , the middlemost feathers The Tail . being longest , and the rest in order to the outmost somewhat shorter .

The Feet were feathered almost down to the Claws , only two or three annulary The Feet . scales naked . The sole of the foot callous , and of a yellowish colour , as it were granulated with little knobs . The Toes , as in other Night-birds , two standing forward , Toes , and two backward . The inner side of the Claw of the outer fore-toe is flatted Claws , into an edge .

The length of the Guts was twenty two inches , of the blind Guts three and an Guts . half .

The name Strix some think is taken from the Verb stringere , because it strangles Reason of the name . people when they are asleep . Ovid will have it so called à stridore , from the screeching noise it makes :

Est illis Strigibus nomen , sed nominis hujus Causa , quòd horrenda stridere nocte solent .

This is like the precedent , and of equal bigness , from which yet it is distinguished How it differs from the precedent . by manifest notes , and which argue a specifical difference . The chief of those are : 1. That this is grey , that brown . 2. That this hath long spots on the Breast , which that wants . 3. That the interiour hood in this is particoloured only of dusky and white .

§. III. The common Barn-Owl , or White-Owl , or Church-Owl . Aluco minor , Aldrov .

THe Cock ( which we described ) was about the bigness of a Pigeon ; weighed It s bigness and measures . eleven ounces and an half . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was fourteen inches . The distance between the extremities of the Wings spread out three foot and one inch and half . The Bill white , hooked at the end , The Bill , more than an inch and half long : The Tongue a little divided at the tip ; the Nosethrils Tongue , oblong . A circle or wreath of white , soft , downy feathers encompassed with Hood , yellow ones , beginning from the Nosthrils on each side , passed round the Eyes and under the Chin , somewhat resembling a black hood , such as women use to wear : So that the Eyes were sunk in the middle of these feathers , as it were in the bottom of a Pit or Valley . At the interiour angle of each Eye the lower parts of these feathers were of a tawny colour . The Ears were covered with a Valve , which arises near Ear-valve . the Eye , and falls backwards . The interiour circle we mentioned of white , downy feathers passed just over this Valve , so that part of them grew out of it .

The Breast , Belly , and covert-feathers of the inside of the Wings were white , Colour of the feathers of the body . marked with a few quadrangular dark spots . The Head , Neck , and Back , as far as the prime feathers of the Wings , variously and of all Night-birds most elegantly coloured . The feathers toward the tips were waved with small whitish and blackish lines , resembling a grey colour ; but about the shaft of each feather there was as it were a bed or row of black and white spots , situate long-ways , made up in some of two white and two black spots , in some of three of each colour , in some of but one . Else the whole Plumage was of a dilute tawny or orange colour ; which same colour was also the field or ground in the Wings and Tail .

The master-feathers in each Wing were in number twenty four ; whereof the The Wing-feathers . greater have four transverse blackish bars . [ In these bars in the exteriour Vane of the feather there is also white mingled with the black , which makes an appearance of a grey spot . ] The intermediate spaces are fulvous , and powdered with small black specks ; the tips of these feathers incline more to an ash-colour . The Wings when shut up extend full as far or further than the end of the Tail . In the exteriour Vanes of the first or outmost feather of each Wing the ends of the * * Hair-like bodies compounding the web of the feather . The Tail . Pinnulae are not contiguous one to another , but stand at distance , like the teeth of a fine Comb.

The Tail is made up of twelve feathers , of the same colour with the Wings , having four transverse black bars : four inches and half long . The interiour margins of the feathers both of Wings and Tail are white .

The Legs are covered with a thick Down to the Feet , but the Toes are only hairy , The legs , feet , and toes . the hairs also thin-set The Claw of the middle Toe is serrate on the inside as in Herons , but not so manifestly . It hath but one Toe that stands backward ; but the outmost fore-toe may be turned so as to stand a little backward .

The Guts were eighteen inches long ; the blind Guts but two . It had a large Gall : The Guts . Its Eggs were white .

Aldrovandus his description agrees exactly with ours .

The Eye in this Bird , and I suppose in all the rest of this kind , is of a strange and singular structure . That part which appears outwardly , though great , is only the The strange figure of the Eyes . Iris. For the whole bulb or ball of the Eye when taken out somewhat resembles a hat or Helmet , the Iris being the Crown , the part not appearing and extending it self good way further , the brims . The interiour edges of the Eye-lids round about are yellow . The Eyes are altogether fixt and immovable .

The Bird is described by Marggravius under the title of Tuidara of Brasil ; so that it seems it is common with us to the New World .

§. IV. * Aldrovandus his former Aluco .

THis is bigger than the precedent , but ( saith my Author ) lesser than the Otus or Horn-Owl . This is peculiar to them all , that they cover the Eye only by drawing the upper lid over it downward . It hath a circle , as it were a Crown , made up of feathers , which encompass the whole face , passing above the Eyes like tall Eye-brows , descending on both sides by the Temples , and meeting under the Chin , somewhat like a womans black hood . The Eyes are great , wholly black , without any diversity of colour , sunk , as it were , in a deep cavity , made by this circle of erected feathers . The prone side , viz. the Breast and Belly spotted with indifferently great black spots . The Bill white , very much hooked , as also the Claws . The Legs covered with white feathers , but the Feet only with hairs . The Back is of a Lead-colour variegated with whitish specks . The whole body covered with a deep and thick-set Plumage ; which makes it appear to be of the bulk of a Capon , whereas when pluckt it is scarce so big as a chicken . The Wings are large , and reach beyond the end of the Tail . This out of Aldrovandus .

§. V. * Aldrovandus his grey Owl . Ulula Aldrov . as also Gesners , Ulula Gesn .

THe Bird signified by the name Ulula in Latine , Owl or Howlet in English , Hulot in French , Ul or Eul in Dutch was doubtless so denominated from the howling noise that it makes : Howl in English and Dutch signifying the same that Ululo or ejulo in Latine . Wherefore the Bird which Aldrovandus exhibits under this title , sith it makes a noise like a Chicken , he will not confidently aver to be the Ulula , but if it may be referred to any of the Species of Night-birds mentioned by the Ancients , he knows not whither more commodiously than to this .

From the Bill to the end of the Tail it was eighteen inches long . The Head , Back , It s length , Colour , Wings , and Tail were of an ash-colour , speckled with whitish and black spots . Under the Belly it was white , variegated with blackish spots . The Head was very Head , great , enormously thick , round , full of feathers : The Eyes being wholly black , and Eyes , encompassed round with white , soft feathers ; within the ring or Ambit whereof at the borders of the Eye-lids was seen as it were a red circle . In winking the Eye was covered only with the upper Eye-lid . The Bill was hooked and greenish : The Bill , Nosthrils great and patent : The Wings very large , eighteen inches long , reaching to Wings , the very end of the Tail . The Legs were hairy down to the Claws , which were ash-coloured , Legs and Claws . hooked , and exceeding sharp . It had four Toes , two standing forward , and two backward .

Aldrovandus kept this bird three months at his house .

This seems to be the same with our Grey Owl before described by the title of Strix cinerea .

Gesner describes his Ulula in these words . It was as big as a Hen or bigger ; the Gesners Ulula . colour red , sprinkled with black : The Bill white , short , as in other Night-birds , hooked , so that the upper Chap is much longer than the nether : The Eyes great , black , the Pupil being of an obscure red . The edges of the Eye-lids were red . Moreover , the Eyes were covered with a nictating Membrane . Between the Eyes and Back it was thick-feathered , of an ash-colour . The Neck was very agile , so that she could turn her head much backward . The Legs were whitish , sprinkled with livid specks , rough down to the Feet . The Toes stood two forward , two backward .

It hath not been our hap as yet to see a Bird of this kind , if it be distinct from our * * Strix cinerea before described . Grey Owl . For that bird which by us in England is called Owl , and Howlet , and Madge-howlet is the Aluco of Gesner and Aldrovandus . Although Owl be with us a general name attributed to all Night-birds .

§. VI. The little Owl . Noctua .

THe Bird we described of this kind we bought in the Market at Vienna in Austria , where they called it Schaffilt .

It was a Cock , scarce so big as a Blackbird . It s length from the Bill to the end of the It s bigness and measures , tail was almost seven inches : Its breadth , the Wings being extended , more than fourteen inches . The Bill was white , and like to that of other Owls . The Tongue a Beak , Tongue , Palate , little divided , as in the rest of this Tribe : The Palate below black , having a wide or gaping cleft , and below it a round hole : The Nosthrils oblong : The Ears great : The Nosthrils , Ears , Eyes . Eyes lesser and handsomer than in other Owls .

The wreath or circle of feathers encompassing the face , beyond the Ears lesser , Hood , and less easily discernable . The upper part of the body was of a dark brown , with Colour of the upper side . a mixture of red , having transverse whitish spots .

The Tail was 2 ¾ inches long , compounded of twelve feathers exactly equal , having It s Tail . five or six transverse white bars .

The feathers about the Ears were more variegated with black and white . The Colour of the under side . Chin and lower part of the belly white ; The Breast marked with long dusky spots .

The number of beam-feathers in each Wing was twenty four ; their interiour webs Wing-feathers , were spotted with round white spots .

It was feathered almost down to the Claws , excepting two or three annulary scales . Legs , Feet , and Talons . The Feet were of a pale yellow . It had two back-toes , and as many fore-ones . The soals of the Feet were yellow ; the Claws black : The inner side of the middle Claw is thinned into an edge .

It had a great Gall ; the length of the Guts was ten Inches ; of the blind Guts Gall and Guts . one inch and a quarter .

It is found in the Woods of Austria , but rarely ; resembles much Gesners figure of It s place . Noctua , which therefore we have taken for it . Afterwards we saw it exposed to sale at Rome . They use it for catching of small birds : See the manner in Olina . Use .

Aldrovandus saith that it was told him , that the Germans do sometimes take in their Country a sort of little Owl , which when come to its full growth is no bigger than a Lark , which they call by a diminutive name Keutzlin : but however Aldrovandus hapned not to see it , the same bird is doubtless also found in Italy ; for we observed them at Rome standing on Pearches to be sold ; and we can hardly believe , they brought them so far as out of Germany .

§. VII . * Aldrovandus his Noctua .

THat which Aldrovandus hath described and figured for the Noctua is about the bigness of a Dove , nine inches long , hath a great Head , flat above ; large , grey Eyes . The feathers of the whole body are partly of a pale Chesnut colour , partly distinguished with white . Through the extreme parts of the Wings , especially the prime feathers , it hath broad transverse lines or bars of a Chesnut colour . On the Belly it hath lines or spots of the same colour drawn longways , but inverted ; the rest of the space or ground ( the Heralds call it the field ) being white . The Wings when withdrawn and closed reach as far as the end of the Tail . The Legs are feathered and rough down to the Feet , of a colour compounded of cinereous and Chesnut . The Toes are of a dark cinereous , bare of feathers , two standing each way . The Claws black , sharp , and crooked .

* The Stone-Owl , another sort of Noctua , or perchance the same with the precedent .

This ( saith he ) which the Germans call Steinkutz , that is , Stone-Owl , is also about the bigness of a Dove ; hath the Legs and Toes rough , with white feathers , but the lower sides of the Toes are bare , the Claws black and hooked . The colour all over the prone or nether side of the body was a dark brown , with a sleight mixture of red , dapled with whitish spots . The Head in respect of the body very great : The Eyes large : The Bill short , and like an Eagles . In the dead bird the upper Chap of the Bill was red , which seemed not to be so before , while it was living . Between the Eyes and the Bill grew certain stiff , slender feathers , like bristles or beards . It had more white on the Belly than the other parts . I suppose it lives and frequents chiefly in Mountainous and Rocky places , and therefore to defend the cold hath its Feet and Toes feathered like the Lagopus and Grygallus . For the other Noctuae have not their Feet rough , neither are they of a reddish colour . They seem to be less brisk and lively than our Italian Noctuae , and almost blind in the day time .

§. VIII . * The Brasilian Noctua called Cabure by Marggrav .

IT 's about the bigness of a Throstle : hath a round Head , a short , hooked , yellowish Bill ; two Nosthrils ; fair , great , round , yellow Eyes , with a black Pupil . Under the Eyes , and on each side the Bill it hath many long , dusky hairs . The Legs are short , wholly cloathed with feathers , yellow , as are also the Feet , which are cloven into four Toes , standing after the usual manner , armed with semicircular , crooked , sharp Talons : The Tail broad , nigh the rise whereof the Wings end . In the Head , Back , Wings , and Tail it is of a dilute Umber colour , and variegated in the Head and Neck with very small , in the Wings with greater white spots . The Tail is waved with white . The Breast and lower Belly are white , and variegated with spots of a dilute Umber colour . It is easily made tame . It can so turn about its Neck , that the tip of the Beak shall exactly point at the middle of the Back . It plays with men like an Ape , making many mowes and antic mimical faces , and snapping with its Bill . Besides , it can set up feathers on the sides of its head , that represent Horns or Ears . It lives upon raw flesh .

CHAP. III.

§. I. The Fern-Owl , or Churn-Owl , or Goat-sucker , Caprimulgus .

IT s length from the Bill to the end of the Tail was between ten and eleven inches : It s Length , Head . Bill , Mouth . Its Head great , but much lesser than in the Owl-kind : Its Bill in proportion to its body the least of all birds , and a little crooked . It hath a huge wide mouth and swallow . In palato appendices nullae , sed primùm longa fissura , fundo tenui ossiculo seu septo per medium diviso : insra eam fissuram alia latior & brevior , & ad hujus fundum linea appendicum transversa . These words I do not well understand , and therefore have not put them into English . On the sides of the upper Chap of the Bill , as also under the Chin it had stiff black hairs like bristles .

The under side of the body was painted with black and pale-red lines , transverse , The colour . but not continued : The hinder part of the Head of an ash-colour , the middle of each feather being black ; which colours also reach lower down the Back .

The Wings are particoloured of black and red : The covert-feathers of the Wings The Wings , are some of them powdred with cinereous . The Tail near five inches long , made up of ten feathers , the outmost whereof are something shorter than the rest ; the middlemost Tail , ash-coloured , with very narrow , transverse , black bars ; in the rest the cross bars are broader , and the intermediate spaces of an ash-colour , powdered with black , and a little tinctured with red .

The Legs were very small in proportion , feathered on the fore-side half way , but Legs , Feet , and Claws . the feathers hung down almost to the Toes . The Toes were blackish , and the Claws black and little ; the middlemost Toe the longest , the inner and outer shorter , but equal to one another , and joyned to the middlemost by a Membrane from the divarication to the first joynt . The interiour edge of the middle Claw is serrate , as in Herons . The back-Toe ( if it may be so called , standing like one of the fore-toes ) is scarce a quarter of an inch long .

In the stomach it had some Seeds and Beetles . The Eggs were long , and white , but a little clouded and spotted with black . It s food and Eggs.

It is a very beautiful bird for colour , more like to a Cuckow than an Owl ; and it is easily distinguished from all other birds by the structure of its Bill and Feet .

In another bird of this kind , perchance differing only in Age or Sex , the three first or outmost great Wing-feathers had a large white spot in their interiour Vanes , which in the third feather reached also to the exteriour : The tips also of the two outmost feathers of the Tail were spotted with white . There was some shew of these spots of a pale yellowish colour in the first described .

It is found in the Mountainous Woods , especially in many places of England , as in York-shire , Derby-shire , Shrop-shire , &c.

§. II. * The American Goat-sucker , called Ibijau by the Brasilians , Noitibo by the Portugues . Marggrav .

THis is a small bird , of the bigness of a Swallow : Hath a broad flat Head : Great , lovely , black Eyes , with a black , shining Pupil , of an elliptical figure : Outwardly a circle or ring of yellowish white compasses the Eyes . It hath a very little Bill , not exceeding the thickness of the tooth of a * * The word in Latine in Arantus . Shrew-mouse , and not so long : yet hath it patent Nosthrils in the Bill : An exceeding wide Mouth , which when shut cannot be seen ; but when she opens her Bill , appears slit up to the Eyes , so that it is almost an inch wide . It hath a very little Tongue : White Legs , and small for the bigness of the body , scarce half an inch long : Four Toes in the Feet , three standing forward , and one backward , armed with black , crooked Claws . Along the Claw of the middle Toe of each foot on the inside it hath as it were a fin , much jagged or toothed , so that the Claw seems feathered in a manner on the inside : But there are no feathers on it but a certain skinny rough matter . It hath a handsom Tail , two inches long , which it can spread wide ; to the end whereof the Wings reach . In all the lower part of the body the feathers are mixt white and black , as in a Sparrow-Hawk : In the Head , Back , Wings , and Tail they are black , white being interspersed with a grateful variety ; and something also of yellow mingled with the white : In a word , it is black , and speckled here and there with white .

There is also found another Species of this , of the same colour and make with this , but as big as an Owl . The mouth opened will easily admit a mans fist .

§. III. * Marggravius his Brasilian Guira querea , approaching to the Goat-sucker , or Swift .

IT is of the bigness of a Lark , but because it hath long Wings and a Tail much longer , it seems greater . It hath a broad , flat , and pretty great Head ; great black Eyes : A small , triangular , compressed Bill , the upper Chap being hooked : A wide Mouth , much wider than the Bill , and which being opened represents a Triangle . At each end of the upper Mandible on both sides , for the length of an inch in either , it hath about ten or twelve thick bristles like Swines , stretched forth both forward and sideways . It s body is not long , but almost round . Each foot hath four Toes standing after the usual manner , the middle whereof is longer than the rest ; and furnished with a Claw finely serrate , or toothed like a Comb. All the Claws are black . It hath long Wings , viz. half a foot : The Tail eight inches long , having in the outsides two feathers longer than the rest . The whole Bird is of a dusky ash-colour , with dark yellow or whitish spots intermingled after the manner of a Sparrow-Hawk . Round the Neck , behind the Head , it hath a ring of a dark golden colour . The Legs are cinereous or dusky . The Toes connected by a little skin , not so broad as in Ducks ; for it is no water-fowl .

This latter Bird doth more resemble a Swallow than a Goat-sucker : The former also is not unlike the Hirundo apus or Swift . Indeed the Goat-sucker and Swift agree in many particulars , as the smalness of the Bill , the wideness of the Mouth , the shortness of the Legs , and situation of the Toes .

BOOK I. PART I. SECT. III. Of Frugivorous Hook-bill'd Birds or Parrots .

CHAP. I. Of Parrots in general .

THe Parrot hath a great Head , a hard Beak and Skull . But why Nature gave it a hooked Bill , whereas it is rather a Frugivorous than a Carnivorous or Rapacious Bird , Aldrovandus gives this reason : Because for the weakness of the Feet , descending or climbing up boughs or grates , it could not commodiously sustain the weight of its body , were not the Bill of that crooked semicircular figure , that it can as it were with a hook or grapple catch hold of whatever is near . For the Parrot in climbing Walls or Trees first catches hold with her Bill , as it were with a Hook , then draws up her body , then fastens her Feet ; then reaching up higher claps on her Beak again , and so puts forward her body and feet alternately .

The Parrot alone with the Crocodile moves the upper Jaw , as all other Animals do the lower . The Tongue is broad , which is common to it with other Rapacious birds , of the figure of a Gourd-seed , as Scaliger notes . Hence it is called in Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , both because its Tongue resembles a mans , and also because it imitates humane speech . The Feet are of a singular fashion , for they have not three Toes standing forward and one backward , but two each way , like Woodpeckers . Jo. Faber , in his Expositions of Nardi Antonio Recchi his Animals found in New Spain , hath noted and observed concerning the Toes of Parrots something not mentioned by any Author , viz. That when they walk , climb up , or descend down the sides of their Cages , they stretch two of their Toes forward , and two backward ; but when they take their meat , and bring it to their mouths , they make use of three Toes to hold it till they have eaten it up . Yea , ( which may seem wonderful ) they do so dexterously and nimbly turn the greater hind-toe forward and backward , that on sight of it you would confess your self not to know , whether it were given them by Nature to be used as a fore-toe in feeding , or a back-toe in walking . So that it seems in this respect they resemble Owls . It hath crooked Claws , wherewith it holds its meat like Rapacious birds , and brings it to its mouth , after the manner of men . For taking it in its Toes it lifts it up to its mouth , not turning the foot inward , but outward , after a fashion not only usual and ridiculous , but one would think also incommodious . It doth not only first of all with its Bill as it were with Teeth break or divide entire Almonds , but rolling them up and down within the Cavity of its Bill , doth as it were champ and chew them , softning them before it swallows them . Parrots while they are yet wild and at liberty do eat all sorts of grain and pulse . And this is peculiarly observed of them above other creatures , that as Swallows feed upon Hellebore , and Starlings upon Hemlock , so do they upon the seed of * * Cuicus or Carthamus . Bastard Saffron ( which to man is a purgative ) not only without receiving harm thereby , but growing fat with it . Moreover , they eat all sorts of fruits , as well such as are covered with a soft rind , as those with a hard shell , viz. Nuts , &c. and are greatly delighted in them .

They do not only imitate mans voice , but in wit excell all other birds , as Aldrovandus proves by many Histories and examples . I shall not think much to set down one very pleasant story , which Gesner saith was told him by a certain friend , of a Parrot , which fell out of King Henry VIII . his Palace at Westminster into the River of Thames that runs by , and then very seasonably remembring the words it had often heard some whether in danger or in jest use , cried out amain , A Boat , a Boat , for twenty pound . A certain experienced Boatman made thither presently , took up the Bird , and restored it to the King , to whom he knew it belonged , hoping for as great a reward as the Bird had promised . The King agreed with the Boatman that he should have as the Bird being asked anew should say : And the Bird answers , Give the Knave a Groat .

They are very frequent in both Indies , as well East as West . They breed not in cold Countries ; for they are impatient of cold , so that they can hardly bear our Winters , unless they be kept in Stoves or hot places : And whereas in their own Country , to wit , the Indies , they are much upon the Wing , with us by reason of the inclemency and sharpness of the Air they grow torpid and unactive , and less fit for flight . They are said to be very long-lived .

They breed in hollow trees ( witness Marggravius , Lerius , and Piso ) where they make a round hole outwardly , and lay two or three Eggs , like to Pigeons , without any made Nest , as Marggravius saith : Lerius affirms , that they do build Nests sufficiently firm and hard , of a round orbicular figure . Whence it is manifest that they do not hang their Nests upon the slender twigs of Trees , as Cadamustus and others have delivered . For that bird which hangs its Nest on this fashion , called by the Brasilians Guira tangeima , as Marggravius writes , is much different from the Parrot . Though you touch her Eggs yet will not the Parrot forsake them , but hatch them notwithstanding . Parrots are made of several colours by the * * A people of Brasil . Tapuyae , by plucking them when they are young , and then staining their skins with divers colours . These the Portugues call counterfeit Parrots . Which thing if it be true ( for to me indeed it seems not probable ) it is to no purpose to distinguish Parrots by the diversity of colour , sith therein they may vary infinitely .

In all Parrots that I have hitherto observed the Nosthrils were round , situate in the upper part of the upper Chap , close by the feathers , and very near one to another .

Parrots in respect of bigness may be divided into three kinds , viz. the greatest , mean-sized , and least .

The greatest are equal in bigness to our common Raven : or ( as Aldrovandus saith ) to a well-fed Capon ; and have long Tails : In English they are called Macaos and Cockatoons . The middle or meansized and most common Parrots are as big or bigger than a Pigeon , have short Tails , and are called in English , Parrots and Poppinjayes . The least are of the bulk of a Blackbird or a Lark , have very long Tails , and are called in English Parakeetos .

CHAP. II. Of the greatest sort of Parrots called Maccaws and Cockatoons .

§. I. * Aldrovandus his greatest blue and yellow Maccaw .

THe body of this equals a well-fed Capons . From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail it was two Cubits long . The Bill hooked , and in that measure that it made an exact semicircle , being outwardly conformed into the perfect roundness of half a ring , a full Palm long ; and where it begins as thick within half an inch , if you measure both Mandibles . The upper Mandible is almost two inches longer than the nether , which on the lower side downward is convex and round . The whole Bill is black . The Eyes white and black . Three black lines drawn from the Bill to the beginning of the Neck , representing the figure of the letter S lying , compass the eyes underneath . The Crown of the Head is flat , and of a green colour . The Throat adorned with a kind of black ring . The Breast , Belly , Thighs , Rump , and Tail underneath all of a Saffron colour . The Neck above , Back , Wings , and upper side of the Tail of a very pleasant blue or azure . The Tail eighteen inches long more or less . The Legs very short , thick , and of a dusky or dark colour , as are also the Feet , the Toes long , armed with great , crooked black Talons .

§. II. * The other Maccaw or Macao , of Aldrovandus .

THis is nothing less than the foregoing , of the same length , but seemed not to be so thick-bodied . It s Bill is shorter than the precedents , being not drawn out into so long a hook , yet almost three inches long ; and as many broad , where it is joyned to the head ; the upper Chap being white , the nether black . The region of the Eyes and the Temples are white . The crown of the Head more than a Palm long and flat . The Back , beginning of the Wings , Throat , Breast , Belly , Thighs , and finally the whole Tail above , are beautified with a most lovely * * The Latine word is Puniceo signifying a light crimson or blush colour . Scarlet or red colour , as is also the inner side of the flag-feathers of the Wings . The second row of the covert Wing-feathers are yellow with scarlet edges , each adorned with a kind of eye of blue near the tip . The outer surface of the flag-feathers and the Rump [ I suppose he means the Tail ] underneath tinctured with a deep blue . The Legs are short , the Feet divided into long Toes , armed with crooked Claws : Both of a duskish or dark ash-colour .

§. III. A Maccaw described at London , the same I suppose with the precedent , called by Marggrav . Araracanga .

AT London we observed and described a certain Macao , either the same with the precedent ( I mean in kind ) or very like it . It was of the same bigness , had a huge Bill , the upper Mandible being almost wholly white , the lower black . The skin about the Eyes was bare of feathers , and rough or rugged . The whole head , Breast , and Belly red [ like minium : ] The Wings and Tail parti-coloured of red , yellow , and blue . The Tail of a great length , especially the two middlemost feathers , which do much exceed the rest , and are of a blue colour .

I take that which Marggravius describes Book 5. Chap. 9. to be the same with this . Let the Reader compare the descriptions : His runs thus . It is bigger than our common Marggravius his Araracanga . Raven : Hath a great Head , broad and flat above ; fair * grey Eyes [ * Coesius ] with a black Pupil . A white Membrane encompasses the Eyes , as also the Jaws and lower Bill : [ I suppose he means , that the skin thereabouts is white and bare of feathers : ] This under the Eyes is produced in a semilunar form : The Bill is great , hooked , white above , black underneath . It hath a Tongue like a Parrot , and eats after the same manner . It learns also to pronounce some words . The upper Chap of the Bill is about three inches long , broad or deep . It hath black Legs and Feet like a Parrot . The whole Head , Neck , Breast , Belly , Thighs , and Tail underneath , as also the beginning of the Wings above are cloathed with most lovely and elegant red feathers : The middle part of the Wings is adorned with green , and the lower half of them from the middle to the end with blue . The Rump or lower part of the Back , and the Tail are blue , some brown feathers being also intermingled . The Tail is about ten inches long , running out much beyond the ends of the Wings .

§. IV. * The Macao called Ararauna by the Brasilians , Marggrav . the same with Aldrov . his first .

IT is in shape like the precedent , but of a different colour . It s Bill black ; Eyes grey , Pupil black . The skin about the Eyes white , variegated with black , as if it were wrought with a Needle . The Legs and Feet dusky [ fusca . ] The forepart of the Head above the Bill hath a copple or tuft of green feathers . Under the lower Bill black feathers compass the Throat . The sides of the Neck , the whole Breast and lower Belly are covered with yellow feathers : The hinder or extreme part of the Head , the backside of the Neck , the whole Back and outsides of the Wings with blue . The ends of the Wings have yellow feathers mingled with the blue . The Tail consists of long blue feathers , wherewith some yellow ones are mingled . The inner or underside of all the blue feathers in general is black : These feathers do also cast a shew of blackness from their sides .

Upon comparing the descriptions I find , that this is the very same bird with Aldrovandus his first Macao .

§. V. * The former Brasilian Maracana of Marggrav .

IT is a Bird altogether like a Parrot ( of which also it is a Species ) but bigger . All its feathers of a bluish grey . It cries like a Parrot . It loves fruit , especially Murucuja .

§. VI. * The other Maracana of Marggrav .

THis is also a sort of Arara [ he means by this word a Maccaw , for so it seems the Brasilians call Maccaws ] but lesser , about the bigness of a Parrot , It is of the shape of a Maccaw , [ Arara ] hath such a long Tail , a like Bill and skin about the Eyes . The Bill is black ; the skin about the Eyes white and speckled with black feathers : The Eyes yellowish , the Pupil black . The whole Head , Neck , and Wings are of a deep green as in Amurucurica : The top of the Head is more dilute , and in a manner inclining to blue . The Tail consists of feathers above green , underneath of a deep red , having their ends blue . The Wings likewise are read on the inside , green on the outside , having their ends blue . At the rise of each Wing it hath a red spot . At the rise of the Bill above it hath a dusky spot . The Legs and Feet are dusky . It cries Oe , Oe , Oe.

CHAP. III. Of middle-sized Parrots , properly called Parrots and Poppinjayes .

§. I. * The white cresled Parrot of Aldrovandus .

IT was about thirteen inches long , as big as an ordinary young Pullet , or the greatest sort of tame Pigeon . N. B. I here measure the length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Wings , for measuring to the end of the Tail it is about eighteen inches . It s Tail contrary to the manner of other Parrots , is not stretched out directly backwards in length , but erected after the fashion of the common Dunghill-Cock and Hens . It hath an ash-coloured Bill , inclining to black , having wide open Nosthrils near the Head , and rising up , with a round ridge or bunch between them . The Tongue is broad and red : The Irides of the Eyes yellow , the Pupil black . The whole body cloathed with white feathers . The crown of the Head is adorned with fair feathers , a handful and half high , bending somewhat backward , ending in sharp points again reflected forwards , ten in number , as it were a crest . The Tail in like manner is erected on high , consisting of a great many white feathers , nine inches long , such as are seen in the Tails of Dunghil-Cocks . The Legs and Feet are yellowish : The Claws small , scarce hooked and black .

§. II. The most common green Parrot having the ridge of the Wing red . Aldrov .

THis is nothing less , if not bigger , than the white crested Parrot , almost fifteen inches long , of the bulk of the greatest tame Pigion or a Pullet of the first year . [ With us they are not ordinarily so big . ] The upper Chap of the Bill is black at the point , then bluish , the remainder being red ; the lower Chap white : The Iris of the Eye of a Saffron colour , or rather red , the Pupil black : The crown of the Head yellow : All the rest of the body is green , the under side more dilute and yellowish ; the Back and Wings darker , and the greatest and outmost Pinion feather inclining somewhat to blue . Only the uppermost ridge of the Wings is red ; as also the Tail , which is but short : In the lower part on each side it is marked with a long , red spot , but above it is yellow . The Legs and Feet are ash-coloured : The Claws black , and not much hooked .

This kind is the most common of all with us . In those I described at London there was a white circle about the Eyes : and the upper Chap of the Bill had on each side a tooth-like process or Appendix , to which answered a dent or nick in the lower .

§. III. * Aldrovandus his Parrot with a particoloured Bill .

FRom the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail it was eighteen inches long . The upper Chap in the upper part was of a bluish green , of a yellow Oker colour in the sides ; the tip-crossed with a white spot : The lower Chap of the Bill of a lead-colour round about , and yellow in the middle , the crown of the Head adorned with yellow or golden feathers . The rest of the body was for the most part green , the Back darker , the Belly and Breast lighter , with a gloss of yellow , the roots or bottoms of the feathers being every where cinereous . The flag-feathers on their outer webs toward the belly were first green , then by little and little growing blue , terminate in a purplish colour , being elsewhere black . The second row of Wing-feathers were wholly yellow . Those which grew about the middle of the Wings , at their beginning , on the outer web , which respects the belly , were first green , then of a dark red , then green again , and lastly at their tips partly of a violet colour , partly black , with so great variety . The Tail is composed of twelve feathers , of which four on each side at their rise or beginning are first green on the exteriour web , yellow on the interiour , then of a red or Scarlet colour , thirdly green again , and lastly yellow . The four remaining middle feathers are wholly or all over green , only at their very ends shew something of yellow . The Feet are of a lead-colour , having four toes , two standing forward , and two backwards , as in Woodpeckers ; the interiour being much shorter than the exteriour . The Claws crooked as in Rapacious birds . The Legs not above an inch long , but pretty thick .

§. IV. * The black-billed green Parrot of Aldrovandus .

THis is thirteen inches long , hath a great , thick Bill , like the rest , but wholly black . At the beginning of the Bill , on the Crown , and under the Throat it is of a blue colour , tending to green . The Iris of the Eye is of a dark Saffron , the Pupil black : The rest of the Head and the Breast yellow : The Belly of a middle colour between yellow and green ; as also the upper side of the Tail . The Neck and all the Back with the Wings are of a deep green : So that it would be almost wholly green , but that the very extreme ridge of the Wing , where it is joyned to the body , is of a Scarlet red ; and then follows a black feather in the outside or extremity of the Wings which respect the belly , and lastly the tips of the flag-feathers are red . Besides these also the lower part of the Rump is tinctured with a Scarlet red . The Feet are dusky : The Talons black , and somewhat crooked . The Tail is about a Palm long more or less .

§. V. * The white-headed Parrot of Aldrovandus .

IT is ten inches long : The Bill white , and two inches thick : That part of the Head next to the Bill is also white : The Pupil of the Eye black , the Iris ferrugineous . The forehead and crown of the head are white , variegated with black spots . The hinder part of the Head , Neck , Back , Wings , and Rump above are tinctured with a dark green : The Throat and uppermost ridge of the Wings with a Vermilion red . The Breast and Thighs again are green . The part of the Belly lying between the Thighs and the Breast is of a dusky colour obscurely red , or of that the Painters call Umber [ terrae Umbriae . ] Some of the covert-feathers of the Wings , viz. the outmost , are blue , but with some mixture of white . The lower part of the belly next the Rump yellow . The Tail is red in the middle ; the sides being variegated with red , yellow , and blue . Almost all the feathers have their utmost tips black , but else are green : The Legs and Feet cinereous . This Bird from the great variety of its colours might well be called the particoloured or many-coloured [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] Parrot ; it being of no less than seven several colours , of which yet the chief is green .

Mr. Willughby doth thus briefly describe either this same Parrot , or one very like it . It is of a green colour , lesser than a Pigeon : The Irides of the Eyes of a Hazel colour . The Bill is white : From the Bill to the middle of the crown it is also white . Under the Eyes and the under Chap it is of a Vermilion colour . The middle of the Breast and Belly between the Legs is reddish . The outer webs of the Tail-feathers to the shaft are of a flame-colour . Towards the crown of the Head the edges of all the feathers are dark or blackish . The outmost flag-feathers are bluish . The exteriour border of the Tail-end is bluish . A dark spot covers the Ears . The lower part of the Belly is of a yellowish green .

§. VI. * The red and blue Parrot of Aldrovandus .

THis bird is nine inches long , sufficiently corpulent . The Bill not so great as in the precedent , blackish : The Head , Neck , and Breast are blue : The top of the crown remarkable for a yellow spot . The region of the Eyes white ; the Pupil black ; the Iris dusky . The sides of the Belly under the tips of the Wings yellow : The Belly green . The Thighs white , with a shadow of green . The Rump yellow . The top of the back of a pale blue . The covert feathers of the Wings particoloured of green , yellow , and rosie . The end of the back or region of the loins yellowish . The Legs and Feet are ash-coloured , the rest of the body is of a rose-colour or bluish .

§. VII . Aldrovandus his ash-coloured or bluish Parrot .

THis according to Aldrovandus is ten inches long : Of the bigness of a tame Pigeon , or the common green Parrot . The Bill is black : The Nosthrils near to one another , in the upper part of the Bill next to the Head ; which part is covered with a naked white skin [ we afterwards observed the same figure and situation of the Nosthrils in all other Parrots . ] The whole body is of an uniform colour , viz. a dark cinereous : Yet the lower part of the Back and Belly and the Rump are paler than the rest of the body , and almost white . The Tail is red of a Vermilion colour , very short , and scarce reaching further than the ends of the Wings . The region of the Eyes [ sides of the head round the Eyes ] is white and bare of feathers . The feathers of the Head and Neck are shorter than the others . They say that all of this kind are brought from Mina , an Indian City of St. Georges . We have seen many of them at London .

§. VIII . * The red and white Parrot of Aldrovandus .

IT is equal to an indifferent great Capon , seventeen inches long . The Head and Neck thick . The whole body white , but moderately shaded with dusky , so that it seems to be ash-coloured . It s Bill is black , the hooked part being longer than in others . The hinder part of the Back , the Rump , the whole Tail , and prime feathers of the Wings are of a Scarlet colour [ Miniaceo colore . ] The Feet , as in others , blackish . In bigness of body it gives not place to that greatest sort which are less vocal , called Maccaws : In this only it is inferiour to them , that it hath a shorter Tail : For which cause , notwithstanding its magnitude , we have placed it in this Classis or rank .

§. IX . * Marggravius his middle-sized Parrots .

THe first Species called AJURUCURAU is a very elegant bird . Above the Bill on the head it hath a tuft or cop of a lovely blue . The throat , sides , and upper part of the Head are cloathed with feathers of a delicate yellow : The whole body of pleasant green . In brief , it is elegantly variegated . The Tail is green , but when it spreads it appears edged or fringed with black , red , and blue . The Legs and Feet of an ash-coloour : The Bill more dusky : The Eyes black , with a golden circle about the Pupil . The Tongue of all is broad and thick .

The second Species is like to the former , a little differing in the variegation of the colours , viz. On the top of the Head it hath a yellow cop , wherewith white is mingled . Above the Eyes , and under the Throat it is of a clear or bright yellow . About the upper Bill is a Sea-green spot .

The third Species called AJURUCURUCA hath a tuft on its Head of a colour mingled of blue and a little black ; and in the middle of the tuft a yellow spot . Below the Eyes is a yellow , and on the Throat a blue spot . The Breast is green , as are also the Wings and Back , but somewhat deeper or darker , the ends of the Wings and the Tail again being more dilute : the tips of the Wing-feathers are yellow and red , mingled with blue . The Tail underneath is particoloured of green and yellow , above of a pale green . The Legs of a bluish ash-colour . The Bill above cinereous , in the extremities black . The Claws black .

PARAGUA is a black Parrot of the bigness of Ajurucariu : The Breast , Back , and anteriour half of the belly remarkably red : The Eyes black , encompassed with a red circle or Iris : The Bill dusky , or of a dark ash-colour .

The TARABE of the Brasilians is a green Parrot bigger than a Paragua , with a red Head and Breast , of which colour is also the beginning of the Wings . The Beak and Feet are of a dark ash-colour .

AJURUCATINGA of the Brasilians is a Parrot of the bigness of a handsom Pullet : All green , with red Eyes , and the skin about the Eyes white : The Bill and Legs white . It hath a long green Tail . This in colour and length of the tail agrees with the Parakeet , but differs from it in bigness .

AJURUPARA agrees in all respects with the precedent , only it is less .

CHAP. IV. Of the lesser sort of Parrots , called Parrakeets .

§. I. * The Ring-Parrakeet or Psittacus of the Ancients , Aldrov .

THis was the first of all the Parrots brought out of India into Europe ; and the only one known to the Ancients for a long time , to wit , from the time of Alexander the Great to the Age of Nero , by whose searchers ( as Pliny witnesseth ) Parrots were discovered elsewhere , viz. in Gagaude an Island of Aethiopia . It is fourteen inches long ; hath a thick Bill , all over red : A yellow Iris or circle encompasses the Pupil of the Eye , which is , as in most birds , black . The head and all the body besides is green ; but the neck , breast , and whole underside more dilute or pale : the upper side deeper-coloured . From the lower Chap of the Bill under the Chin a black line is drawn downward as far as the beginning of the Breast , which then divides , and goes away to each side of the neck , till it meet with that red circle or ring , which compasseth the backside of the Neck . This ring is behind of the breadth of ones little finger , but grows narrower by degrees towards the sides . The belly is of so faint a green , that it seems almost to be yellow . The outmost feathers of the Wings next the belly are of a dark dusky green about the middle , in the upper part distinguished with a red mark . The Tail , which is about two Palms long , is also of a yellowish green : The Legs and Feet ash-coloured . Whence Solinus doth not rightly affirm , that it hath no difference of colour but only the ring of red about the Neck : Nor Apuleius , that the out-sides of the feet are red , [ extimas palmulas rubere ] they being cinereous : Unless we can think they described another bird of this sort .

§. II. * The wholly green Parrakeet of Aldrovandus .

THis is of equal length with the former , but less-bodied ; being not bigger than a Throstle or Mavis . The Bill is red , especially the upper part ; for the * * Perchance he means the point . edges [ acies ] and lower part are blackish : the Pupil of the Eyes black , the Irides of a red and Saffron colour . The rest of the body is of a pleasant grass-green , yet the belly more pale , the master-feathers of the Wings of a deeper colour . The Tail narrow , ending almost in a point , near nine inches long . The Feet and Legs of a different colour from all other Parrots , viz. a red or * * Flesh-colour . carneous . This is peculiarly by a distinct name called Scincialo in Hispaniola an Island of America , where it is found . The Italians for its small stature and bulk call it Parochino , and the Frenchmen ( as Bellonius saith ) Perroquet .

The red and yellow or pale green Parrakeet of Aldrovandus described by the Picture thereof sent with many others out of Japan to Pope

I suspect to be fictitious , at least in many particulars , as are doubtless the rest of those Pictures , therefore I have omitted it , referring the Reader , who desires further knowledge of it , to Aldrovandus .

§. III. * The crested red and green Parrot of Aldrovandus .

THe Wings , Tail , and Crest of this bird were red , the rest of the body green . It s Crest resembled that of the crested Parrot above described . It had very fair Eyes , with a black Pupil and red Iris. The Crest consisted of six feathers , three greater , and as many less .

§. IV. * Marggravius his Parrakeets , called by the Brasilians Tui .

THe first Species is of the bigness of a Swallow : all over green : Having a very long long Tail , and a black hooked bill . This may be the second sort .

The second Species , called TUIAPUTEJUBA , is also all over green ; the Wings darker , the rest of the body paler , save the belly , which is yellowish : The Tail is very long . The Bird is of the same bigness with the former : Hath great , blackish Eyes : A circle of yellow feathers about the Eyes , and above the Bill , which is black and hooked . On the head it hath a great spot of orange-coloured feathers .

The third , called TUITIRICA , is somewhat bigger than those of Guiny , of a green colour all over , which for the most part is deeper in the Back and Wings , paler in the other parts : The Bill crooked , of a Carnation colour : The Eyes black , the Feet bluish . The Tail reaches a little beyond the ends of the Wings . These become very tame , so that they will take meat out of ones mouth , and permit one to stroke and handle them . They learn also to talk like Parrots .

The fourth is of the bigness of a Stare , of the same colour with the second Species , but having a shorter Tail .

The fifth , called JENDAYA , is of the bigness of a Blackbird or Throstle , hath a black Bill and Legs ; black Eyes , with a golden Iris or circle encompassing the Pupil , outwardly white . The Back , Wings , and Tail , as also the lower belly are covered with green feathers , with which a Sea-colour is mingled . The * * I cannot say whether he means the end , or outside . extremity of the Wings is in a manner black . The whole Head , Neck and Breast are of a yellow colour , partly deeper , and partly paler .

The sixth , called TUIETE , is of the bigness of a Lark : The whole body of a light green : But the beginning of the Wings of a bright blue . The borders also of all the feathers of the Wings are blue , so that when they are closed , these borders altogether make an appearance of a long green stroke near the outsides of the Wings . In the back also at the rise of the Tail there is a blue spot . The Tail is short : the Bill hooked , of a Carnation colour . The Legs and Feet cinereous .

The seventh , called TUIPARA by the Tupinambi , is also of the bigness of a Lark , and all over of a pale green . The Tail shorter , so that it ends with the Wings [ being equally extended . ] The Bill of a Carnation colour , the Legs grey or grisled . Near the rise of the Bill , in the forehead it hath a Scarlet spot of a semilunar figure , as it were a Crown . [ The following words corrupted , I suppose , by the errour of the Transcribers or Printers , not understanding , I have omitted . ] They build in Ant-heaps left by the Ants , which are found in trees .

ANACA of the Brasilians , is again of the bigness of a Lark . It s Bill dusky and hooked . The feathers on the top of the head are of a Liver-colour : On the sides of the Head about the Eyes of a brown . The Throat is ash-coloured : the Neck above and the sides green . The Belly hath reddish brown feathers . The back is green , and hath a spot of a light brown . The Tail is also of a dilute brown . In the beginning of the Wings is a crimson spot or border : The rest of the Wings green ; the ends only of a Sea-water colour . The Legs above covered with green feathers , below bare , and of an ash-colour , having black Claws . In fine it is a very elegant bird .

QUIJUBATUI is all yellow , of the bigness of Tuiapara : with a hooked grey Bill , and black Eyes . The end of the Wings is of a dark green : The Tail long and yellow . It easily becomes very tame .

§. V. The Scarlet Parakeeto with green and black Wings .

IT is bigger than a Blackbird : The whole body of a Scarlet colour : The covert feathers of the Wings green ; the prime feathers black ; having their exteriour webs green above , and of a Crimson colour underneath . The ridges of the Wings yellow . The Tail a Palm long , consisting of twelve feathers , whose lower halves are red , the upper being green or yellow . The Bill yellow , very much hooked , hanging down half an inch . The Irides of the Eyes yellow : The skin of the sides of the Head round the Eyes is bare , and of an ash-colour . The Legs very short and black . A ring of green feathers compasses the legs above the knees . We saw this at London in the shop of a certain trades-man , who told us that it was brought out of the East-Indies .

CHAP. V. * Clusius his Discourse and Account of Parrots .

THe Noble Philip Marnixius of St. Aldegond had a Parrot , whom I have oft heard laugh like a man , when he was by the by-standers bidden so to do in the French Tongue , in these words : Riez , Perroquet , riez ; that is , Laugh , Parrot , laugh . Yea , which was more wonderful , it would presently add in the French Tongue , as if it had been endued with reason , but doubtless so taught , O le grand sot , qui me faict rire ; that is , O great fool , who makes me laugh : And was wont to repeat those words twice or thrice . But among others I saw one of those great ones in the house of the illustrious Lady , Mary of Bremeu , Dutchess of Croy and Areschot , of happy memory , before she went out of Holland , the like whereto for variety and elegancy of colours , I do not remember to have ever seen . For though almost all the feathers covering the body were red , yet the feathers of the Tail ( which were very long ) were partly red , and partly blue ; but those on the Back and Wings particoloured of yellow , red , and green , with a mixture also of blue . It s Head about the Eyes was white and varied with waved black lines , like the Head of the Canida . I do not remember the like Parrot described in any Author . Moreover , this Bird was so in love with Anna the Dutchesses Neece , now Countess of Meghen , and * * The Latine word is Domina , Lady . Baroness of Grosbeke , that where ever she walked about the Room it would follow her , and if it saw any one touch her cloaths , would strike at him with its Bill ; so that it seemed to be possessed with a spirit of jealousie . That Parrot of the greater kind , called by the Brasilians Arat , as Lerius writes , must needs also be a very handsom one . For he saith , that the prime feathers of the Wings and Tail ( which are a foot and half long ) are half Scarlet-coloured , half of an elegant blue ; the shaft or Nerve which cuts the feather through the middle long-ways distinguishing those colours [ that is , each feather being on one side the shaft blue , on the other side red ] but that the rest of the feathers of the whole body are altogether blue . He adds , that both those sorts of greater Parrots , viz. Arat and Canide , were in great esteem among the Brasilians , because they pluckt their feathers three or four times a year , to make Clothes , Caps , Bucklers , and Curtains : And though they are not kept tame , yet are they wont more to frequent and abide in great trees in the middle of the Villages than in Woods . Besides , those two huge ones , the same Lerius reports , that there are found three or four sorts of Parrots among the Brasilians . The first , of those great and thick-bodied ones , which the Tououpinamboutii , a people of Brasil , call Aicurous , having its head adorned with feathers particoloured of yellow , red , and violet , the ends of the Wings of a lovely red , and the feathers of the Tail long and yellow ; the rest of the body being wholly green : That this kind is seldom transported into forein Countries ; and yet there is none that may more easily and perfectly be taught to speak . He adds further , that a certain Brasilian woman , living in a Village two miles distant from the Island , in which he with other Frenchmen dwelt , had a Parrot of this kind , which she made much of ; which seemed to be endued with that understanding and reason , that it could discern and comprehend whatever she said who brought it up . For , saith he , walking forth sometimes to refresh our selves as far as that Village , when we passed by that womans house , she was wont to call upon us in these words , Will you give me a Comb , or a Looking-glass , and I will presently make my Parrot sing and dance before you ? If we agreed to her request , as soon as she had pronounced some words to the Bird , it began not only to leap upon the Perch on which it stood , but also to talk and whistle , and imitate the shoutings and exclamations of the Brasilians , when they prepare themselves for the battel . In brief when it came into its Dames mind to bid it sing , it sang , to bid it leap , it leapt : But if taking it ill , that she had not obtained what she asked , she said to the bird Auge , that is , be still or silent : It stood still , and held its peace ; neither could we by any means provoke it to move either foot or tongue . The second kind is called by the Brasilians Marganas , and is like those Parrots that are wont to be brought into Europe ; of no great account among them , by reason of their multitude or abundance , they being not less frequent there , than Pigeons with us . The third sort of Parrots , called by them Tovis , are not greater than a Starling , and have their whole body covered with feathers of a deep green : But the feathers of the Tail ( which are very long ) have a mixture of yellow . He added further , that he had observed , that the Parrots of that Country did not build Nests hanging down on the boughs or twigs of trees , as some by their Topographical Tables would persuade us ; but in the hollows of trees , of an orbicular figure , sufficiently hard and firm . Then Clusius tells us that he saw Parrots brought from Fernambuco of the Brasilians , not exceeding the bigness of a Stare , covered with feathers wholly of a green colour , but all having a short Tail , and white Bill : and they who brought them over reported , that this kind was very noxious to fruit : That they fed them by the way with grains of Maiz , that is , Indian Wheat . In the second Voyage the Hollanders made into the East Indies , in Java and certain neighbouring Islands , they observed Parrots far more elegant than those they were wont to bring out of Brasil , and they understood that they were called Noyras by the Portugues that frequented Java and the Moluccas : That they were not very big-bodied , but of so elegant a colour , that they thought more beautiful could not be painted by the hand of Man . For the Breast and Belly were covered with feathers of a florid , shining red colour ; the Back with golden-coloured Plumes ; the Wings adorned with feathers particoloured of green and blue : Underneath the Wings the feathers were of a lovely shining red . But that the price of those birds there was very great ; so that they were not rated at less than eight or ten German Dollars . Linscotius writes , that the Portugues had often made trial to bring over of them to Lisbon , but could never effect it , because they were too tender and delicate . But the Hollanders with a great deal of care and industry brought one alive as far as Amsterdam , which though it were not of the choicest , yet might have been sold for one hundred and seventy Florens or Gilders of that Province , that is somewhat more than seventy Dollars , as I find recorded in the Diary of that Voyage . That bird by the way had learned to pronounce many Holland words , which it had heard of the Mariners , and its Master had made it so tame , that it would put its Bill into his Mouth and Ears without doing him any harm , and would put in order the hairs of his beard if discomposed : And if any one else offered to touch him , it would presently snap or peck at him , as if it had been some Dog . Furthermore ( saith he ) in the year of Christ 1605. Jacob Plateau sent me the figure of a certain Parrot , drawn to the life in colours , the like whereto seeing I have not as yet seen , nor remember to have met with any where described , I thought fit to subjoyn the figure of it Printed , in this Auctarium to my History of Exotics . He wrote that he had kept it above two years , that it was of the bigness of a Pigeon : That it had a Head almost like a Hawks , to wit , covered with such coloured feathers : Sparkling Eyes . The Neck and Breast were beset with particoloured feathers ; which when it was angry , or any one molested it , by bringing any Animal near to the Cage in which it was shut up , it would set an end , so that it seemed to be in a manner crested . Those feathers were of a reddish colour , and in the outward part , [ I suppose he means round the borders or edges ] of a most elegant blue . The feathers of the Belly were almost of like colour , yet moreover clouded with dusky . The feathers of the Back were green , and the master-feathers of the Wings bluish . The Tail was composed of many green feathers , but not long . I could not neglect to propose to the Readers view a small sort of Parrot , brought these last years from Aethiopia and the places bordering on Manicongo , by the Holland Skippers , with the figure of the Male , ( but the Female is much more elegant , for there was one brought of both Sexes . ) The bulk of the body was equal in bigness to a Chaffinch : That is , was two inches and an half long from the bottom of the Neck to the Rump . All the feathers covering the body were of a green colour ; among which yet there appeared a manifest difference : For those on the Back were deeper coloured ; those on the Belly paler . The flag-feathers of the Wings were three inches long ; and though on the upper side ; on that side the shaft which hath the shorter Villi , as far as they cover one another , they were tinctured with a deep green ; yet on the other side which hath longer Villi , and on all the under-side they were dusky or brown . The feathers of the Tail were most elegant , well nigh two inches long , little less than half an inch broad , on that part next the Rump of a green colour mingled with yellow , next of an elegant red , then of a black , and last of all of a green . And these three last colours were distinct from one another , as is to be seen in the Tail-feathers of some green Parrots , of the great kind [ called Maccaws , ] But these feathers are scarcely seen unless when she spreads her Tail , because they are covered with others of the same length , which are wholly green . The Neck is short and thick : The feathers covering the Head very short and green ; except those on the crown above the Bill , and on the whole throat , for they are of a lovely florid red colour . I speak of the Male , for the feathers of the Female were of a paler red , and did not take up so large a space as in the Male . The Eyes were very black , the Bill thick and strong ; the upper Chap hooked and sharp-pointed , as in other sorts of Parrots : Its colour reddish . The Legs short , scarce attaining the length of half an inch , covered with ash-coloured scales , as the feet of other common Parrots , and those divided into four Toes ; of which two stood forward , and were of unequal length , two backward , and they also unequal : The shorter , which were the inner , having two joynts , the longer ; which were the outer , three . The Claws were white , and of a good length . I observed it to have a very small voice , and only to peep like a Chicken . It delights in company . When it eats , it doth not hold its meat in one foot , like other Parrots , but picks up its meat with its Bill by jobbing : But its meat for the most part is Canary seed ; for I observed it to feed more willingly upon that than any other kind of Seed . I saw some that were so taught that they would pick up crums of bread dipt or moistned with water . It s drink is water . I observed further in this bird , that the Females , when they grew old , would scarce eat any meat , but what had been pickt up by the Male , and kept a while in his Crop , and there mollified or macerated ; the which they received with their Bills , as young Pigeons are wont to be fed and nourished by the old ones .

§. VII . * Bontius his small Parrakeet .

IT is of the bigness of a Lark , hath a hooked Bill , grey of colour , as is also the throat ; black Eyes , encompassed with a silver circle [ I suppose he means the Iris. ] The Tongue is like a Parrots with solid ligaments . It can set up specious feathers on the crown of its Head like a Crest . Its Legs and Feet are of an ash-colour . It hath a very long Tail , reaching about ten inches beyond the ends of the Wings . Both the Belly underneath , and also the Head , Neck , and Tail above are of a beautiful red colour : But the Breast and lower feathers of the Tail are of a pale rose-colour , which [ Tail-feathers ] end in a lovely blue , or colour mingled of white and green . The Wings are chiefly green , but interwoven with red feathers , the one half whereof is so variegated on each side with yellow and rose colour , that exposed to the Sun it represents a thousand varieties of shining colours , and can hardly be expressed by a Painter : So that this bird deserves to be highly prized by great persons .

These Parrots are found chiefly in the midland Countries : They roost and build on the highest trees . They fly in companies , and with a great noise , as doth the whole tribe of Parrots . They are also garrulous , and learn to pronounce some words if they be kept tame .

§. VIII . * Marggravius his Brasilian Ani of kin to the Parrots .

THis Bird is of the bigness of a Throstle or Mavis , wholly black , Wings , Bill , Eyes , and Feet . It hath a long , erect Tail , of six inches length . It s Bill is high , broad , an inch long or something more ; the lower part almost streight , the upper high , broad , of a semilunar figure and compressed , so that above it is almost edged . The Legs and Feet slender . It hath four Toes , two standing forwards , two backwards , after the manner or Parrots . It cries with a loud voice , in one tone yiiiiy , in the middle more elevated . They are frequent in all Woods , but not good to eat .

THE SECOND PART OF THE FIRST BOOK . Of Birds with streighter or less hooked Bills .

THE FIRST SECTION . OF GREATER BIRDS .

CHAP. I. Birds with thick , streight , and large Bills .

THese either feed indifferently upon Insects and Fruit , some of them also are carnivorous and rapacious , being very greedy of dead Carkasses and Carrion ; or upon Insects only . The first may be divided into such whose body is for the most part of one colour , and that black , which we call the Crow-kind : Or such whose body is particoloured , and who chatter much , viz. the Pie-kind . Of those which feed upon Insects only there is but one family , to wit , Wood-peckers . Yet the Reader is to take notice , that when we affirm Woodpeckers to feed only upon Insects , we understand Woodpeckers properly and strictly so called : For there are some birds which we have referred to this Genus of Woodpeckers largely taken , which feed also upon fruit , as for example , the Nuthatch , Wall-creeper , &c.

CHAP. II. Birds of the Crow-kind .

§. I. The Raven , called in Latine Corvus , in Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

THe Bird we described weighed two pounds and two ounces : Its length from It s weight , length and breadth , the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was two feet and one inch . The distance between the extremities of the Wings extended was four feet and half an inch . The Bill long , thick , sharp , and very black : The upper Chap something The Bill , Tongue , hooked , but not so as in Hawks , the lower streight : The Tongue broad , cleft at the tip , rough , and black underneath . The Iris of the Eye or ring encircling the Eye . Pupil consists as it were of a double circle , the exteriour being of a light cinereous or ash-colour , the interiour of a dark cinereous . Black hairs or bristles bending from the Head downwards cover the Nosthrils . The Plumage is black all over the body , Nosthrils , Colour of the feathers . having a blue splendour or gloss ; which is seen especially in the Tail and Wings . The Belly is something paler , inclining to brown . On the middle of the Back grow only downy feathers : For the Back is covered with those long feathers that spring from the shoulders , as in many other birds . The number of prime feathers in each Wing The Prime Wing-feathers or quils . is twenty , of which the first is shorter than the second , the second than the third , and that than the fourth , which is the longest of all . In all from the sixth to the eighteenth the shaft extends further than the Vanes , and ends in a sharp point .

The Tail is about nine inches long , made up of twelve feathers , the exteriour being The Tail . gradually somewhat shorter than the interiour .

It hath large crooked Claws , especially those of the back-toes . The outmost fore-toe The Claws and Toes , is joyned to the middlemost from the divarication to the first joynt .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes . It hath a large Gall sticking to the Guts . Entrails . The length of the Guts is forty three inches ; of the blind-guts one inch .

The Gullet below the Bill is dilated into a kind of bag , wherein she brings meat to feed her Young . The stomach within is wrinkled . The Raven feeds not only upon It s Food . Fruits and Insects , but also upon the Carkasses of beasts , birds , and fishes ; moreover , it sets upon , kills , and devours living birds , after the manner of Hawks .

We have seen one or two milk-white Ravens : Aldrovandus mentions divers ; and White Ravens . saith that they are often found in England : But without doubt he was mistaken or misinformed ; for they are seldom seen among us ; insomuch that they are carried up and down to be shewn for money . I rather think , that they are found in those Mountainous or Northern Countries , which are for the greatest part of the year covered with snow : Where also many other Animals change their native colours , and become white , as Bears , Foxes , Hares , Blackbirds , &c. whether it proceeds from the force of the imagination heightned by the constant intuition of Snow , or from the cold of the Climate , occasioning such a languishing of colour ; as we see in old Age , when the natural heat decays , the hair grows grey , and at last white .

They say that a Raven may be reclaimed and trained up for fowling , after the manner Ravens reclaimed for fowling . The place . of a Hawk .

Ravens are found not only in one part or Region of the World , but abound in all Countries : Do easily bear all changes of weather , fearing neither heat nor cold , enduring well to abide and live where-ever there is plenty of meat for them . And though they are said to love solitude ; yet do they very often live and build in the midst of the most populous Cities , as Aldrovandus delivers , and experience confirms . They build in high Trees , or old Towers , in the beginning of March with us in England , and sometimes sooner . They lay four or five , and sometimes six Eggs before they begin to sit . Their Eggs are of a pale greenish blue , full of black spots and lines .

What is reported by Hesiod and others of the Ancients , of the long lives of Ravens Their longevity . is without doubt fabulous . But that all Birds in general compared with Quadrupeds are long-lived we have already proved by divers examples in several kinds : And that Ravens are in the number of the longest lived we will not deny .

§. II. The common or carrion Crow , Cornix .

THe Cock , which we described , weighed twenty two ounces [ another but It s weight , length , and breadth . twenty . ] It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Feet was eighteen inches and an half , to the end of the Tail about an inch more : Its breadth between the extremities of the Wings spread two feet and two inches . The Bill strong , Bill , thick , streight , from the tip to the Angles of the Mouth two inches and almost an half long ; the lower Mandible being somewhat the shorter : The Tongue cleft , and Tongue , as it were jagged or torn . The Eyes great , having Irides of a Hazel colour . The Eyes , Nosthrils round , covered with black bristles reflected toward the end of the Bill . Nosthrils , The Plumage of the whole body is black , only the ground or bottom of the feathers Colour . of a Lead or dark ash-colour .

The beam-feathers are in number twenty in each Wing ; whereof the first is shorter The Wing-feathers or Quils . than the second , the second than the third , that than the fourth , which is the longest of all , being by measure ten inches three quarters : The inner of these feathers end in sharp points .

The Tail was seven inches and an half long , composed of twelve feathers of equal Tail , length .

The Legs and Feet black : The Claws black and strong : The outmost fore-toe is Feet and Claws . joyned to the middle one from the bottom as far as the first joynt .

The Liver divided into two Lobes ; of which the right is the greater . It hath a Bowels and entrails . large Gall , which empties it self by a double channel into the Guts . The Muscles of the stomach are but small . The Guts have many revolutions : The blind's no more than half an inch long . Scarce any foot-step to be found of the * Ductus intestinalis . [ channel conveying the Yolk to the Guts . ]

This Bird delights to feed upon Carrion , that is the Carkasses of dead Animals It s Food . when they begin to putrefie . Neither doth it feed only upon Carrion , but also set upon , kill , and devour living birds , in like manner as the Raven : Moreover , it eats Grain and all sorts of Insects in England at least . For beyond Seas they say it meddles with no kind of Grain .

This kind of Bird abounds with us in Britain , as Cardan and Turner truly observe , It s place . because here is plenty of food for them . They build upon high trees , and lay four or Where it builds . five Eggs at a time , like Ravens , but less . They are very noisom to Lambs new-yeaned if they be weak and feeble , first picking out their eyes . They are said to have a very sagacious sent , so that it is difficult to shoot them , they smelling the Gunpowder at a great distance .

Ravens , Crows , &c. roost ( as they say ) upon trees with their Bills directed toward the Sun-rising .

That the Crow it self ( saith Aldrovandus ) is capable of humane speech , and hath Crows taught to speak . been taught to pronounce several words , both we our selves do certainly know , and Pliny , a Witness beyond exception , testifieth , writing thus : There was also in the City of Rome , whilest I was recording these things , a Crow belonging to a Roman Gentleman , brought out of Baetica , first admirable for its colour , which was exceeding black , then pronouncing many words in connexion , and still learning more and more . As for its pace , it is reckoned among those birds which neither run , nor leap , but walk . Aldrovandus .

The Females only sit , and that diligently , the Males in the mean time bring them Their manner of incubation . They feed not their young newly hatched . food , as Aristotle saith . In most other birds which pair together , the Male and Female sit by turns . They do not ( saith Aldrovandus ) as I hear , feed their Young till they begin to be feathered ; the same also is reported of Ravens , and many other birds that are much on the Wing . You will say , wherewithal are they nourished in the mean time , and how do they grow ? I answer , with the Yolk of the Egg remaining in the Belly after exclusion . For we have elsewhere shewn , that a good part of the Yolk is received into the cavity of the belly in birds newly hatched , which being by degrees conveyed into the Guts by a certain passage called by us ductus intestinalis , serves to nourish the Young newly excluded .

§. III. Cornix frugivora seu frugilega : The Rook.

IT weighed nineteen ounces : Its length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the It s weight and measures . Tail was twenty inches , to the end of the Claws eighteen . The breadth or distance between the tips of the Wings extended thirty eight inches . It hath no Craw , but instead thereof the Gullet below the Bill is dilated into a kind of bag , wherein it brings meat to feed its Young .

In the old ones of this sort the feathers about the root of the Bill as far as the Eyes The Bill . are worn off , by often thrusting the Bill into the ground , to fetch out Earth-worms , &c. So that the flesh thereabouts is bare , and appears of a whitish colour : By which note this bird may be distinguished from the common Crow . Howbeit the Bill it self is not white , as Bellonius writes , and others believe . It differs also from the How it differs from the Crow . Crow , 2. In that it is somewhat bigger : 3. In the purple splendour or gloss of its feathers : 4. In that it is gregarious , both flying and breeding in company .

The number of beam-feathers in each Wing is twenty , of which the fourth is the The Wing-feathers or Quils . The Tail , longest , being by measure ten inches and a quarter . The shafts of the middle Wing-feathers end in bristles or spines . The Tail is seven inches and an half long , made up of twelve feathers ; the exteriour whereof are a little shorter than the middle ones .

The Bill from the tip to the Angles of the mouth is two inches and an half long . Bill , Nosthrils , Tongue , Toes . The Nostrils round : The Tongue black , horny , and cloven at the end . The hind-toe hath a large strong Claw . The outmost fore-toe is joyned to the middlemost , as in the Crow .

It hath a large Gall ; short blind-guts like the Crow , of about half an inch . The stomach The Guts and Entrails . It s Food . is great and musculous as in granivorous birds : The Guts wide and variously reflected . They are most greedy of Corn , yet feed also upon Earth-worms and other Insects , refraining from garbage and carrion .

They build many together upon high trees about Gentlemens houses , who are Manner of breeding . much delighted with the noise they make in breeding time . Both Cock and Hen sit by turns . Their Eggs are like Crows , but lesser , spotted with greater spots , especially Eggs. about the blunt end .

I have been told by a worthy Gentleman of Sussex , who himself observed it , that when Rooks build , one of the Pair always sits by to watch the Nest , till it be finished , whilst the other goes about to fetch materials . Else if both go , and leave the Nest unfinished , ( as sometimes they venture to do ) their fellow-Rooks ere they return again , will have rob'd and carried away to their several Nests all their sticks , and whatever else they had got together . Hence perhaps the word Rooking with us is used for cheating or abusing .

These Birds are noisome to Corn and Grain : So that the Husbandmen are forced How to fright them away . to employ Children with hooting , and Crackers , and Rattles of Metal , and finally , with throwing of stones to scare them away . Such as have no Servants or Children to spare for such a purpose , make use of other devices ; either of Mills made with Sails , to be turned by the Wind , making a continual snapping as they turn , wherewith they fright the birds , or of Bugbears , or ( as we call them ) Scare-Crows placed up and down the fields , and dressed up in a Country habit , which the birds taking for Country men dare not come near the grounds where they stand .

I was also told by the fore-mentioned Gentleman , that if Rooks infest your Corn , they will be more terrified by taking a Rook and plucking it limb from limb in their sight , and then casting the several limbs about your field , than if you hang up half a dozen dead Rooks in it .

§. IV. The Royston Crow . Cornix cinerea frugilega .

THat we described weighed about twenty two ounces . Its measures were from It s weight and measures . the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail twenty two inches ; to the Angles of the mouth two inches and an half : Between the Wings extended , three feet and three inches .

The Bill long , strong , smooth , black , but having the tip whitish ; the upper Chap It s Bill , Nostrils , somewhat longer than the lower , and a little bowed or crooked . The Nosthrils round , covered with bristly hairs . The Tongue broad , black , a little cloven , and rough on Tongue , the sides . The Irides of the Eyes of a cinereous Hazel colour . Eyes .

The Head , Wings , and Throat , as far as the Breast-bone black , with a certain The colour of its feathers . bluo gloss : The Breast , Belly , Back , and Neck cinereous or grey , the shafts of the feathers being blackish . The feathers on the Throat where the black and cinereous meet have their exteriour sides cinereous , and their interiour black . The Back is of somewhat a darker ash-colour than the Belly .

It hath in each Wing twenty master-feathers , of which the first is the shortest , the The quils or prime Wing-feathers . The Tail . third , fourth , and fifth equal . From the sixth the shafts being produced above the feathers , end in sharp points . The Tail consists of twelve feathers , the exteriour whereof were gradually something shorter than the interiour to the middlemost , which were seven inches and an half long .

The back-toe and Claw are large : The exteriour and interiour fore-toes equal , The Toes and Claws . and their Claws reach as far as the root of the Claw of the middle Toe . The outmost and middle Toe are joyned at the bottom asin the Crow .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes : The Stomach or Gizzard large , and in that Its Entrails , Food , we dissected was full of Wheat , Barley , and other Grain . It is infested with Lice and Ticks .

In Summer time ( saith Aldrovandus ) it lives in high Mountains , where it also builds : In the Winter ( compelled as is likely by the cold ) it descends into the Plains . Place . On the Heaths about Newmarket , Royston , and elsewhere in Cambridge-shire , it is frequently seen in Winter time .

§. V. The Jack-daw , Monedula .

IT weighed nine ounces and an half ; being in length from the tip of the Bill to the It s weight , length , and breadth . The Bill . end of the Tail thirteen inches and an half , in breadth between the tips of the Wings spread two feet four inches and an half . The Bill is strong , from the point to the Angles of the mouth an inch and a quarter long . The Nosthrils round . Little Nosthrils , Tongue , Eyes . hairy feathers cover the Nosthrils , and half the Bill : The Tongue cloven ; the Irides of the Eyes whitish ; the Ears large .

The hinder part of the Head as far as the middle of the Neck inclines to an ash-colour , Colour of the feathers . as also the Breast and Belly , but less ; else the whole Plumage is black with a kind of blue gloss : the fore-part of the Head is of a deeper black .

The number of prime feathers in each Wing is twenty : Of which the first is shorter . Prime Wing-feathers or quils . by half than the second , the third and fourth the longest of all . From the eleventh , the six following have the tops of their Vanes so running forth on each side above their shafts , that these feathers seem to be * * Notched . crenate in their tops ; and from the Angle of that notch the shaft of the feather is continued in form of a bristle . The number of Tail-feathers is twelve , whereof the exteriour are somewhat shorter . The The Tail . length of the Tail five inches and an half .

The back-toe and Claw greater than in other birds is usual . The outmost fore-toe The Toes and Claws . joyned to the middlemost at the bottom , as in the rest of this kind .

It hath no Craw : The stomach is musculous : The length of the Guts was twenty Its Entrails , Food . four inches . It feeds upon Nuts , Fruits , Seeds , and Insects . The Appendices or blind Guts small , and scarce an inch long .

The Head of this Bird , in respect of its body , is great ; which argues him to be ingenious Jackdaws ingenious . and crafty ; which is found true by experience .

Jackdaws usually frequent and build in ancient Castles , Towers , Houses , and Stone-walls , Where it haunts and breeds . especially if they be desolate and ruinous , in great numbers . They build also sometimes in Trees , as we can testifie upon our own experience , though Aldrovandus be unwilling to believe it . They lay five or six Eggs , lesser , paler , and having fewer Eggs. spots than those of Crows .

Aldrovandus makes the Latine Graculus , which answers to the Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a The names . common or general name , containing under it four Species , viz. the Coracias or Chough , the Lupus or Jackdaw , the Scurra or and the Graculus palmipes or Shag . But the words 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Graculus are sometimes appropriated to the Jackdaw , as he acknowledges .

Besides the common Jackdaw we have now described , Aldrovandus sets forth a figure The Ring-Jackdaw of another , difiering from this , only in that it hath a white ring about its neck . Gesncr also writes from the report of others , that about Zug in Switzerland there is found a Jackdaw distinguished from the common by a ring of white encompassing his neck . As for that Species of Daw [ Graculus ] in Rhaetia known by the name of Tulla , which Gesner also mentions , having a blue head ; he giving us no other notes of it , I cannot tell what to determine concerning it . The Vulgar and ignorant Fowlers love to tell wonders , and amplifie things , and therefore their relations are not much to be confided in . What Gesner delivers of his own sight or knowledge , I readily believe and accept for true , he being an Author of great judgment , and no less fidelity and integrity : But what he hath from the relation of others I do often suspect . Besides it is to be observed , that short , rude , imperfect , and general descriptions , made by such as were not practised and skilful in describing and observing the certain and characteristic notes of each Species , have occasioned great confusion , and multiplication of more kinds of birds and other Creatures than Nature hath produced .

§. VI. The Cornish Chough , Coracias seu Pyrrhocorax .

THe Female weighed twelve ounces and an half , the Male thirteen . The length It s weight and measures . from the point of the Bill to the end of the Feet sixteen inches and an half , to the end of the Tail seventeen . The Wings spread were thirty three inches and an half wide .

It is like a Jackdaw , but bigger , and almost equal to a Crow . It differs chiefly from How it differs from the Jackdaw . It s Bill , Nosthrils , Tongue , Palate . the Jackdaw in the Bill , which is longer , red , sharp , a little bowed or crooked : The upper Mandible being something longer than the lower . The Nosthrils round : The Tongue broad , thin , and a little cloven , shorter than the Bill . The sides of the fissures of the Palate and Windpipe and of the root of the Tongue are rough , and as it were hairy . Feathers reflected downwards cover the Nosthrils . The Feet and The Feet . The colour of the feathers . Legs are like those of a Jackdaw , but red of colour . The Plumage of the whole body all over is black .

The number of prime feathers in each Wing is twenty : Of which the first is shorter The prime Wing-feathers . than the second , that than the third , the third than the fourth , which is the longest of all , being by measure ten inches and an half . The Wings complicated extend as far as the end of the Tail . The Tail-feathers are in number twelve , all equal , or The Tail . if any difference be , the middle a little the longer , as in the rest of this kind , being by measure 5⅜ inches .

The Liver was divided into two Lobes , of which the left was the less : The Spleen The Entrails . long , soft , and round : The Stomach fleshy , and full of Insects .

It frequents Rocks , old Castles , and Churches by the Sea-side . It is found not only It s place . in Cornwal , but also in Wales and all along the Western Coast of England , about the Cliffs and Rocks near the Sea . Its Voice is like that of the common Jackdaw , but more hoarse .

Aldrovandus will needs have the Pyrrhocorax to be a different bird from the Coracias , Pyrrhocorax and Coracias the same . following therein Aristotle . Bellonius makes these names Synonyma of the same bird ; we must needs confess , that if there be such a bird as Aldrovandus describes v. g. less than a Crow , equal to a Jackdaw having yellow Bill and Feet , it is distinct from our Chough . But I am sure the Bird frequent on our Western Shores , and commonly known by the name of the Cornish Chough , is that which Bellonius and Turner make to be the Pyrrhocorax , and hath red Legs and Feet . Wherefore I take the Coracias and Pyrrhocorax of Gesner and Aldrovandus to be one and the same bird , notwithstanding the Bill and Legs in this are said to be yellow ; which perchance may be so in the Coracias or Chough when young .

§. VII . Bontius his Indian Raven .

THere is a strange kind of Raven in the Molucca Islands , and especially in Banda , which resembles our Country Raven in the Bill ; but in the Temples is coloured like those * * Birds of the Turkey kind . Meleagrides which the Low Dutch call Kalcoutse hanen . It hath a great thick Bill , a little pointed , and made for Rapine ; wide Nosthrils ; great , black , ill-favoured Eyes : The Head and Neck long , decently covered or adorned with blackish feathers . Its Feet and Toes strong , armed with long , crooked , and very hard or solid Claws . It walks after the manner of our Raven : But differs from it in nature and disposition ; in that it feeds not upon Carrion or dead Carkasses , but chiefly upon Nutmegs , of which it is very greedy , making great destruction of that fruit , to the no small detriment of the Owners . It s flesh is very delicate , and being roasted hath a plain aromatical rellish , contracted from its food .

§. VIII . * * Corvus Indicus cornutus seu Rhinocerot avis Bontii , Aldrov . The horned Indian Raven or Topau , called the Rhinocerot Bird.

THis horned Bird as it casts a strong smell , so it hath a foul look , much exceeding the European Raven in bigness . It hath a thick Head and Neck , great Eyes ; the Bill but moderate in respect of the body : The longer and more acuminate part bending downward argues the Bill to be made and designed for rapine : But the upper part , which is shorter , thicker , and bending upward doth resemble a true Horn , both to the sight and touch : The one moity whereof , viz. that toward the Head , is * * Rather continuous . contiguous to the Bill , so that both together after the same manner grow to [ or rather spring out of ] the end of the Head : The other moity is separate from the Bill , bending the contrary way , viz. upwards , so that * * The bill and horn together . they seem to be like the forked tail of a Fish . It lives upon Carrion and Garbage , i. e. the carkasses and Entrails of Animal .

Aldrovandus describes the Bill thus : It is almost twenty eight inches long , crooked , not after the manner of rapacious birds , but like a Bow . All the lower part is of a pale or whitish yellow , the upper part toward the Head of a red or Vermilion , else of the same colour with the lower . The upper Mandible only within is serrate or dented after the manner of the * * The Brasilian Pie . Toucan . The horn springs out of the forehead , and grows to the upper part of the Bill , being of a great bulk , so that near the forehead it is a Palm broad ; not unlike the Rhinocerots horn , but crooked at the tip : The colour both in the upper and lower part is Vermilion , in the middle yellow . If the rest of the parts of the body are answerable to the Head ; I am of Cardans and Plinies opinion , that this Bird is bigger than an Eagle .

Of this sort of Bill we have seen three varieties , all which we have caused to be engraven and exhibited to the Readers view .

CHAP. III. Of the Pie-kind .

§. I. The Magpie or Pianet . Pica varia caudata .

IT weighs eight or nine ounces . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the Claws It s weight and measures . It s Bill , is twelve inches and an half , to the end of the Tail eighteen . The Bill about an inch and half long , black , thick , and strong , the upper Chap being somewhat crooked and sharp-pointed ; the Tongue cloven at the end , and blackish , like to that Tongue , of a Jay . The sides of the fissure of the Palate rough with hair-like excrescencies . The Nosthrils round , and beset with reflected bristly hairs . Excepting the whiteness Nosthrils . of the Breast and Wings , and the length of the Tail , this Bird is very like the Jack-daw . It is like the Jackdaw . The Irides of the Eyes are of a pale Hazel colour . In the nictating membranes is seen a yellow spot .

The Head , Neck , Throat , Back , Rump , and lower Belly are of a black colour ; The colour of its feathers . the lower part of the Back near the Rump is more dilute , and inclining to cinereous . The Breast and sides are white , as also the first joynt of the Wing . The Wings are smaller than the bigness of the body would seem to require . The Tail and prime feathers of the Wings glister with very beautiful colours ( but obscure ) of green , purple and blue mingled , only in the exteriour Vanes . The number of beam feathers The Wing-feathers . is twenty ; of which the outmost is shorter by half than the second ; the second also shorter than the third , and that than the fourth , but not by an equal defect ; the fourth and fifth are the longest of all . The eleven foremost about their middle part , on the inside of the shaft are white , the white part from the extreme feather gradually decreasing , till in the tenth it be contracted into a great spot only .

The Tail is made up of twelve feathers , of which the two middlemost are the The Tail . longest , being by measure eight and an half or nine inches ; the next to them above an inch shorter , and of the rest the exteriour than the interiour in like proportion . The greatest and longest , that is the middle feathers of the Tail , have their bottoms green , their middles blue , and their tops purple .

The Feet and Claws are black : The lowest bone of the outmost fore-Toe is joyned Its Feet . to that of the middle .

The length of the Guts was twenty four inches , of the blind Guts half an inch . It Entrails . hath a Gall-bladder , and a long Spleen : The Stomach not very fleshy , and having its Echinus .

There are sometimes found of this kind all over white , but rarely . In the King's It varies sometimes in colour . Aviary in St. James's Park we saw brown or reddish ones .

This Bird is easily taught to speak , and that very plainly . We our selves have known many , which had learned to imitate mans voice , and speak articulately with They may be taught to speak . that exactness , that they would pronounce whole Sentences together so like to humane Speech , that had you not seen the Birds you would have sworn it had been man that spoke .

They build their Nests in Trees with that Art and cunning as is admirable , fencing them round on the outside both above and below with sharp thorns , leaving only one It s Nest . hole , and that a very narrow one , for themselves to pass in and out . He that desires an exact description of the Nest let him consult Aldrovandus : With us in England they are so common every where , that we thought it not needful to insist longer on the describing of them . It lays five or six , and sometimes seven Eggs at once , seldom It s Eggs. more ; greater and paler than Crows Eggs , and very thick spotted with black .

It s Food is the same with that of the Jackdaw . Its sets upon , kills , and devours Sparrows , and other small birds : Yea , we have sometimes seen a Magpie strike at a Blackbird .

§. II. The Brasilian Pie of Aldrovandus , lib. 12. cap. 19. The Toucan of Marggrav . and others , The Xochitenacatl of the Mexicans , Nieremb .

IT is of a middle size between a Pie and a Blackbird . Thevetus reports , that the It s bigness . Bill , Bill is thicker and longer than almost the whole body besides . The Bill is near two Palms long , and one broad , being measured from the beginning of the lower Chap to the end of the upper . The lower Chap where it is thickest , viz. near the Eyes , is twice as little as the upper , and near the end , where it is crooked , thrice . It is of a very thin substance like Parchment , but bony , shining , very light , hollow , and inwardly capable of a great deal of Air : For which reason I think , contrary to the manner of other Birds , its wants Nosthrils : The Bill being so thin that the Air It want ; Nosthrils . can easily penetrate it . And if Nature had made any aperture in it , it would have rendred it obnoxious to fracture . Hence also perchance it is , that she hath furnished it with certain teeth , so disposed that the Bill cannot be shut exactly close , but easily admits the ingress of the Air. The Bill , I say , is serrate , and as it were composed of certain little scales , which may easily by the fingers be plucked off , [ or asunder . ] The colour of the Bill is yellowish , more in the lower than the upper part [ inwardly it is of a pleasant red ] toward the end ( saith Nierembergius ) of a Scarlet colour . The Head in proportion to the body is great and thick , as is sutable and requisite to sustain It s Head . a Bill of that length and bigness ; black ; yet the Crown , whole Back , and Wings shew something of whiteness . The Eyes are great , placed in the middle of the Head : Eyes . The Pupil very black , encompassed with a white circle , and that again with a yellow . The Neck , Back , and Wings are black . The Breast shines with a most bright and Colour . lovely Gold or Saffron colour , with a certain redness near the beginning ; the Belly and Thighs with a most beautiful Vermilion . The Tail again is black , but in the end of a notable red .

It is made so tame , as to sit and hatch its Young in Houses . Thevetus reports , that this bird feeds upon Pepper , which it most greedily devours , gorging it self therewith , It s food Pepper . so that it voids it again crude and unconcocted ; and that the Natives make use especially of that Pepper , preferring it before that which is fresh gathered from the This story Faber discredits because none of his American friends spake a word of it . Plant , because they persuade themselves that the strength and heat of the Pepper is qualified and allayed by the Bird , so that afterwards it is less noxious . All this out of Aldrovandus . Faber suspects the story of the Pepper , because his American friends , whom he consulted about this Bird , made no mention of any such thing . I suspect that the Toes in this Bird are disposed after the manner of the Woodpeckers , viz. two forwards , and two backwards . For such is the conformation of the Feet of the Aracari of Marggrave , a bird near of kin , and very like to this . And Thevetus in his figure expresses only two foretoes .

Since the writing of this , hapning to read in John Faber his Expositions of some Pictures of New-Spain Animals of Recchas , I found there mentioned a bird of this sort seen and described by Carlo Antonio dal Pozzo at Fontain-bleau in France , with its Toes so disposed as I imagined , viz. two forwards two backwards , as in Woodpeckers , to the genus whereof the Toucan , as Faber in this place proves , doth undoubtedly belong . For it not only hath a like situation of Toes , but also in like manner hews holes in trees to build its Nest in , as Frier Peter Alvaysa , and other Indians and Spaniards , who had long lived in America , told Faber for a certain truth ; and Oviedus , in the forty third Chapter of his Summary of the History of the West Indies published in Italian , writes ; adding , that he thinks there is no bird secures her young ones better from the Monkeys , which are very noisom to the Young of most Birds . For when she perceives the approach of those Enemies , she so settles her self in her Nest as to put her Bill out at the hole , and gives the Monkeys such a welcom therewith , that they presently pack away , and glad they scape so . From this quality of boring trees this Bird is by the Spaniards called Carpintero , and by the Brasilians Tacataca , in imitation I suppose of the sound it makes .

Because the Bird exactly described by Dal Pozzo , seems to be specifically different from that of Aldrovandus , I shall here add his description .

It was ( saith he ) a little bigger than the common Magpie . [ Lerius maketh it of the bigness of a Dove ; Oviedo , not bigger , or but little bigger than a Quail . ] It s Bill , which is very broad , had its upper part [ or Chap ] whereit grew to the Head , tinctured with green , a line of green being also thence produced to the point ; but its lower Chap at its setting on to the Head a blue colour . All the rest of the Bill was of a dark red , like Serpentine wood , with many intercurrent black spots and lines . N. B. Its Bill was empty and hollow , and upon that account very light [ Oviedo makes it very heavy , and to weigh more than the whole body besides , which is certainly a mistake ] so that it had little strength in it , neither could the bird peck or strike smartly with it . It s inside was of a Saffron-colour , but blue toward the tip .

It had a very flat thin Tongue , not much unlike those long feathers on the Neck of a Dunghil-Cock : This it moved up and down , and stretcht out to the length of the Bill . It was of a true flesh-colour , and which you would wonder at , fringed , as it were , on each side with very small filaments , which made it shew like a true feather . [ This Oviedus also confirms . ]

Its feathers on the Neck down to the middle of the Breast were whitish , terminating in a sooty colour ; on the Head and Back blackish . Round the Eyes was a space bare of feathers , but curled with hair , of a Violet-colour , as is seen also in Parrots . The rest of the body was covered with feathers of a Weasel-colour [ mustelini coloris . ] It had no Tail , [ having been , I suppose , plucked off ] but one ready to come ; the beginning whereof consisted of feathers of a dark white , particoloured with black , weasel , and Vermilion colour . It also frequently flirted up that rudiment of a Tail , as Wrens and Wagtails are wont to do .

Each foot was divided into two Toes standing forward , and two backward ; above of a Violet-colour , underneath of an ash or grey .

It often hopped and leapt up and down , and cried with a voice not unlike the chattering of a Magpie .

It fed upon almost all the same things that Parrots do , but was most greedy of Grapes , which being pluckt off one by one , and tossed to it , it would most dextrously catch in the Air before they fell to the ground . The flesh of the whole body was of a deep Violet colour .

Faber doth not undeservedly enquire how , seeing the Bill is so light and thin , the Bird can pierce trees with it ? Which difficulty he thus satisfies ; that though it be thin and light , yet is it of a bony substance , and therefore it is not to be wondred at that , dextrously used by the living Animal , it should therewith by many repeated strokes pierce a tree , having perchance the instinct to chuse a rotten one , as we see drops of rain wear holes in Flints , nay , the very feet of Pismires walking often over them , as Pliny observes , make impressions on them . * * Chap 10. of his Voyage into Brasil . Lerius writes , that this Bird is of the colour of a Raven except the Breast , which is of a Saffron-colour , compassed beneath with a line of Vermilion ; the skin of which part pluckt off the Indians dry , and use for an ornament of their Cheeks , gluing it on with Wax .

This same Bird is described by * * Americae descript. lib. 15. cap. 7. John de Laet , out of a Portugues Author , and out of the same by * * Hist. rerum naetur . Brasiliae , lib. 5. c. 15. Marggrave . It is of the bigness ( saith he ) of a Pie or Dove , hath a Crop under the Breast three or four inches broad , of a Saffron-colour , and compassed about the borders with Vermilion feathers . The Breast is yellow , the rest of the body black . One would wonder how so little a bird could carry so great a Bill , but it is exceeding light , and very tender .

We have seen in several Cabinets the Bill of this Bird , and our selves have also one of them .

§. III. The Jay . Pica glandaria .

IT weighed seven ounces . It s length from the point of the Bill to the end of the It s weight and measures . Tail was fourteen inches ; to the end of the Feet but twelve and an half : The distance between the extremities of the Wings spread twenty one and an half . The Bill black , strong , from the tip to the Angles of the mouth about or near an inch and Bill , half long : The Tongue black , thin , pellucid , and cloven at the tip : The Irides of Tongue , Eyes , Feathers , Colour . the Eyes white . The feathers of the Head and Body in this bird are taller , slenderer , and stand more staring or erect than ordinary . Near the lower Chap of the Bill are two black spots , on each side one : The Chin and lower part of the Belly whitish : Else the Breast and Belly are of a colour mixt of cinereous and red . The Rump above is white : The Back red , with a certain mixture of blue : The feathers on the crown of the Head variegated with black and white .

The Sails of the Wings are in number twenty : Of which the first is shorter by half Wing-feathers . than the second : The fourth the longest , being by measure six inches and a quarter . As for their colours , the first or outmost is black , the bottom or lower part being white , which is proper to it alone : The six next-following have their exteriour Vanes of an ash-colour ; the three next likewise , but more obscure and mingled with blue , being also marked toward their bottoms with transverse black and white strokes . The five succeeding have their exteriour Vanes half white , half black , viz. the lower half white , the upper black , but so that each extremity of the white is terminated with blue . The sixteenth in place of the white of the four precedent hath transverse blue , black , and white spots : The seventeenth is black , having one or two blue spots : The eighteenth is black , with some little red : The nineteenth red , with the tip black . The undersides of all the feathers of the Wing are of a dark or dusky colour . The covert-feathers of the fifteen exteriour Sails are very beautiful , being variegated or chequered with black , white , and lovely shining blue lines : The rest of the covert-feathers being black .

The Tail is six inches and a quarter long , consisting of twelve feathers , wholly It s Tail . black , except toward their roots : Under the Rump there is something of blue mingled with cinereous .

The Feet and Toes are of a ferrugineous , dusky colour . The middle Toe is the Feet and Toes . longest , the outmost is equal to the back-toe . The lower internodium of the outmost Toe is joyned to the middlemost . The back Claw is greatest .

The Eggs are cinereous , with darker spots scarce appearing . The Guts twenty Eggs , Guts . four inches long ; the blind Guts but half an inch . It hath a Gall , and a long Spleen : The Stomach or Gizzard not very fleshy , and having its Echinus : Wherein we found Gizzard . Acorns , &c. Yet it feeds not only on Acorns , ( whence it got the name of Pica glandaria ) It s Food . but also upon Cherries ( of which it is very greedy ) Goose-berries , Rasps , and other fruit .

It differs from that described by Aldrovandus , in that it hath no transverse spots in How it differs from Aldrovands Jay . the Tail .

The Female differs little or nothing from the Male either in bigness or colour , so that it is very difficult to know them asunder .

It learns to imitate mans voice , and speak articulately as well as a Jackdaw . It learns to speak .

§. IV. The Roller , Garrulus Argentoratensis .

THe bird we described was a Cock , and weighed six ounces . It s length from It s weight and measures , the tip of the Bill to the Claws eleven inches and an half , to the end of the Tail thirteen and an half : The breadth or distance between the tips of the Wings spread twenty six inches .

The Bill was black , sharp , something hooked , otherwise like to that of a Jay , from Bill , Eyes . the point to the Angles of the mouth 1 ⅝ inches long . The Irides of the Eyes were of a pale hazel-colour . Near the Eyes , toward the hinder part of the Head , were Bare Wart-like bunches . Tongue , Palate . two bunches , as it were Warts , void of feathers . The Tongue black as in Jays , jagged or torn , but not cloven : The roof of the mouth green , and having a double cleft or fissure . The bottom of the Palate is rugged or rough with little bunches . At the Base of the Tongue there is only a little forked excrescency on each side . The circumference of the Eyes is bare or void of feathers . Skin about the Eyes bare . Its Colours .

The Rump and lesser rows of covert feathers of the Wings are of a lovely blue or ultramarine colour ( as the Painters call it . ) The middle of the Back between the shoulders red : The Head of a sordid green , mingled with blue ; of which colour is also the Throat , with white lines in the middle of each feather . The Breast and Belly are of a pale blue , like those of a Pigeon .

The number of Sails in each Wing is twenty , of which the first , second , and third Wing-feathers . are equal , and from the tenth all the rest . Almost all of them have their lower half blue , and the upper black . The foremost are black almost down to the bottom , only in their exteriour Webs they have a mixture of blue . The covert feathers of the Wings are of a pale blue , of which colour also , but paler are those that invest the underside of the Wing .

The Tail consists of twelve feathers , of which the ten intermediate are equal , each Tail . being four inches three quarters long : The two extreme longer than the rest by three quarters of an inch . The two middlemost are of a dark ash-colour , the next to them have their tips of a bluish white , which colour gradually increases in the rest , till in the outmost it takes up half the feather . Below the white the interiour webs of the feathers are black , and the exteriour blue : The tips of the outmost feathers are black . The tail-feathers and sails of the Wings where ever they are blackish above , are blue underneath . The outmost feather of the * * Bastard-Wing . Ala notha is black , the rest blue .

The Feet are short , and like those of a Dove , of a dirty yellow colour : The Feet , Toes , and Claws . middle Toe the longest , next to that the outmost fore-toe . The Claw of the middle Toe in the inner side is edged . The Claws are black ; and the Toes divided to the bottom .

The Stomach within was of a Saffron colour , and therein we found a large Grass-hopper : Gizzard and Guts . The Guts thirteen inches and an half long ; the blind Guts two and an half .

We found of these Birds not only in Germany , but also in the Isles of Sicily and It s place , Malta , to be sold in the Markets , and in the Poulterers shops .

There are many singular and characteristic marks in this bird ; as 1. The knobs or wart-like bunches under the eyes . 2. The figure of the Tail , the outmost feather on each side being longer than the rest . 3. The Toes divided down to the bottom . 4. The Tongue having only two forked Appendices .

* Gesners blue Crow ; the same I suspect with the precedent .

The blue Crow , whose figure Jo. Kentmannus , sent to Gesner , but the History thereof George Fabricius out of Misnia ; is a wild bird , and not easie to be tamed ; called by the Misnians , * * That is , a wild Wood Crow . Ein wild Holtzkrae , of others , Galgen-regell , or Halck-regel . It is found beyond the River Elb , in the Luchovian Forest , and in the neighbouring Woods : It haunts and abides in desart and unfrequented places . Some from the colour call it Ein Tentschen Pappagey , that is , The German Parrot . It is transported into Forein Countries for no other commendation but the colour . So far George Fabricius . The Bill ( as the Picture shews ) is black : The Legs dusky , and for the proportion of the body small . It is here and there all over the body , viz. on the Head , Wings , Tail , about the Rump , and all the underside of a shining blue colour , in some places more sincere , in some mixt with green . The colour of the Back and upper side of the Neck is dusky : The greater feathers of the Wings black . I am verily perswaded , that this bird is no other than the Strasburgh Roller .

§. V. * The Sea-Pie . Pica Marina .

ALdrovandus in the twelfth Book and fifteenth Chapter of his Ornithology doth thus briefly describe this bird . The whole Bird , excepting the Head , Neck , Feet , and also part of the Wings , is of a greenish colour . The Bill is strong , a little longer than a Pies , very sharp . The top of the Head , and down as low as a third part of the Neck , is of a delayed Chesnut colour . The lower part of the Head to the Temples and Eyes yellow . The Eyes black , with yellow Irides , encompassed again with a black circle . The Feet dusky ; the Toes long ; the Nails very crooked and black : The rest of the body green , except the second row of Wing-feathers , which are of a dilute Chesnut , having their ends blue .

Whether he himself saw this Bird , or described it from a picture , he tells us not : But in that he affirms , that the Strasburg Roller never lives in maritime places , and so without reason challenges the name of the Sea-pie , which the Bolognese ( as Gesner witnesseth ) attribute to it , he is without doubt deceived : Sith we our selves ( as we said before ) saw at Messina in Sicily , and in the Isle of Malta several of them .

§. VI. * The Persian Pie. Aldrovandus .

THe bird which Aldrovandus calls by this name , and describes from a Picture , sent him from Venice , hath a strong , thick , short , whitish Bill : Also white Eyes with a black Pupil . The second row of Wing-feathers , the Rump , and foremost feathers in the Tail are yellow . The Feet are bluish with black tabulary scales : The Claws small , but crooked and black : Else it is all over of a dusky colour . Besides these Dr. Charleton in his Onomasticon Zoicon , p. 68. mentions another sort of Pie , viz. * * Mimus sive Picus Garrulus Iudicus . The Indian Mock-bird , not much unlike the Jay , but somewhat smaller . We have not as yet had the hap to see this bird : Nor is there any thing written of it by others , that we know of .

§. VII . Caryocatactes , Gesn . and Turn .

IT weighed five ounces three quarters . It s length from the Bill to the end of the Toes was thirteen inches and an half , to the end of the Tail the same . The breadth between the tips of the Wings spread twenty two inches and an half .

The Bill from the tip to the corners of the mouth is almost two inches long , black , strong , and like that of a Pie , save that it is not sharp pointed , but blunt at the end , and the upper Mandible a little prominent . The Tongue is short , scarce reaching beyond the Angle of the lower Mandible , cloven with a deeper incision than in any other Bird I have observed . In the lower Chap from the Angle is a wrinkle exactly equal to the fissure or cleft of the Tongue ; so that the Tongue seems never to extend further , the wrinkle filling up the fissure . The bottom of the Palate and sides of the fissure therein are rough . The Irides of the Eyes are of a hazel colour : The Nosthrils round , and covered with whitish , bristly , reflected feathers .

The whole body , as well lower as upper side , is of a dusky red ; all over , except the Head , beautified with triangular white spots in the tops of the feathers ; these spots on the Breast are greater than elsewhere . The Head is not spotted at all . The upper side of the body partakes more of red . Between the Eyes and Bill it is white . The feathers under the Tail , beyond the vent are milk-white .

The sails in each Wing are about twenty , of a black or dark colour , the Tail-feathers twelve , all of equal length , being by measure four inches three quarters , except the outmost on each side , which are a little shorter . And for their colours , the outmost on each side are three quarters white , and from them the white part is gradually less and less in the succeeding feathers to the middlemost , in which it doth wholly disappear : The rest of the Tail-feathers is of a shining black .

The Feet and Claws are black : The outmost Toe , as in the rest of this kind , is joyned to the middlemost at the bottom .

It hath a Gall ; its Guts were eighteen inches long : The blind Guts half an inch : The Testicles small . It feeds on Nuts , &c. It hath a note or voice something like a Magpie .

We found this Bird in the Mountainous part of Austria , near the way leading from Vienna to Venice , not far from a great Village called Schadwyen , where there is a very steep , difficult , and craggy ascent up the neighbouring Mountains whereupon there stand always ready there certain Yokes of Oxen , to draw the Coaches or Waggons of such as travel that way up the craggy Cliffs and Rocks , which Horses could not at all , or with great difficulty climb and struggle through , drawing a Coach after them .

§. VII . * The Bohemian Chatterer . Garrulus Bohemicus , * * Lib. 12. cap. 17. Aldrov . eidem Ampelis .

IT is almost as big as a Blackbird , but bigger than the * * Coccothranstes . Hawfinch . It s length from Bill-point to Tail-end nine inches : Its breadth , viz. the Wings being spread , four Palms . Whence it is manifest , that Gesner is mistaken , in that he writes that for shape , and size of body , and colours it approaches to the common Garrulus . It s Bill is of a deep black , of the bigness of a House-Sparrows . Gesners figure represents it too long , and too crooked . The Nosthrils are encompassed with hairs of the same colour , which make , as it were , a transverse black spot : In which are included the Eyes , that are round , and of a most beautiful colour , to wit , Vermilion ; resembling that of the Chalcedonian Carbuncle , commonly called the Granate : Which perchance gave occasion to some to believe that they shine in the Night . It s Head is after a sort compressed , being by Gesner represented too round ; of a Chesnut or ferrugineous colour , adorned with a crest or tuft , bending backward , after the manner of the crested Lark . The colour of the Crest toward the Bill is a delayed Chesnut , but backward cinereous , inclining to dusky , not unlike to the colour of * * A kind of earth called Terra Umbria , used by Painters . Umber . The Neck is short , black in the fore and hind part , red on the sides , near the Bill white . The Breast is of a chesnut or ferrugineous colour , but dilute and inclining to rosie . The whole Belly is ash-coloured , except towards the vent , where are some white feathers , whose roots or lower parts , v. g. from the middle to the flesh , are black , and softer than their upper parts . The Back inclines to a chesnut or bay , but toward the Rump it is cinereous or dun . The outer feathers of the Wings are black , the inner ash-coloured , but declining to black . The outer Wing-feathers are marked with spots very pleasant to behold : Some of these feathers , viz. the first , seven in number , are white , their Appendices being red like to Cinnabar or Vermilion . Gesner was told by a certain person , I know not who , but untruly , that these feathers were horny [ I suppose he meant their shafts ] Yet are they pretty hard and solid , long , and after a sort Cartilagineous . To these succeed other feathers adorned in like manner with spots , but of a pale yellow , resembling in some measure the figure of the Letter L : Which are so disposed , that in some feathers appear seven , in some six , and in some but five only . Again , the last feathers have white spots , which by how much they are situate nearer the outside , by so much do they become less conspicuous ; so that of the last feathers of all sometimes three , sometimes two , and sometimes only one is so spotted . The covert feathers are also tipt with white . Concerning the yellow spots it is to be noted , that in the Females they are white , and that over against them are to be found other white spots . I have learned by inspection , that the Tail of the Cock consists of ten feathers only , the Tail of the Hen of twelve ; which near their roots are of a dark cinereous or Mouse dun , but above are black . The end of the whole Tail is yellow , but more resplendent in the Male than in the Female . Near the vent are some other feathers of a Chesnut-colour , making as it were another Tail , but far less . The colour of the Legs is dusky , inclining to blue . The shape and bigness of the Feet answer to those of a * * Coccothranstles . Hawfinch : The colour differs , being black in the Garrulus , flesh or rose-coloured in the Hawfinch , It hath black and crooked Claws .

See the description of the Entrails and Bowels in Aldrovandus . This Bird is said to be peculiar to Bohemia . It feeds upon Fruit , especially Grapes , of which it is very greedy . Wherefore it seems to me , not without reason , to be called by that name [ Ampelis . ] It is a Bird of a very hot temperament , and exceedingly voracious : flies in companies , and is easily tamed . What else Aldrovandus hath of its disposition and manners , food , flight , use , &c. See in his Ornithology . It is wonderful , and to me scarce credible , what he saith he learned by * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . ocular experience , to wit , that the Tail of the Cock is made up of ten feathers , the Tail of the Hen of twelve .

CHAP. IV. Of Woodpeckers in general .

TO Woodpeckers , if under this name we comprehend the Nuthatch , the Wall-creeper , the great Reed-Sparrow , and the Ox-eye creeper , there are very few notes common , viz. to climb or run up trees , sticking to their bodies or boughs ; and for that purpose to have strong and musculous thighs . But if we exexclude the foresaid Birds , and restrain the name to Woodspites , properly so called , there are many and remarkable notes whereby they may be distinguished from all other kinds of birds : As for example , 1. To have a streight , hard , strong , angular , and sharp Bill , very fit and proper to pierce and bore holes in trees . 2. A Tongue of a very great length , round , ending in a sharp , stiff , bony thorn , dented on each side , to strike Ants , Cossi , and other Insects withal . This Tongue they can at pleasure put forth to a great length , thrusting it deep into the crannies , holes , and clefts of trees , to stab and draw out Insects lurking there . 3. Short Legs , but very strong . 4. Toes standing two forwards , and two backwards : Which is common to these and Parrots . Such a disposition of Toes ( as Aldrovandus rightly notes ) Nature , or rather the Wisdom of the Creator , hath granted to Woodpeckers , because it is very convenient for the climbing of trees . Their Toes also are close joyned together ; that they may more strongly and firmly lay hold on the tree they climb upon . 5. All of them , unless perchance you except the Wryneck , have a hard , stiff Tail , bending also downwards , and its feathers ends often broken , and their shafts almost bare ; on which they lean , and so bear up themselves in climbing . Their Tail consists of but ten feathers . 6. To feed only upon Insects . 7. To want the blind Guts , which is peculiar to this kind , agreeing to no other bird or beast beside , that we know . 8. To lay white Eggs.

Whether all these marks agree to those American Birds which we have ranked under this head we know not . We have referred them to this kind , for the like disposition of their Toes , two forward , two backward ; especially seeing they belong neither to Parrots nor Owls .

Albertus writes that all Woodspites build in the hollows of trees , which before him Pliny also hath recorded . They themselves are said to hew out for themselves a place to build in ; making such an artificial hole , so exactly round , that the most skilful and experienced Geometrician could not with his Compass make a rounder . They hatch and bring up six or seven Young at once . The Eggs of all kinds of them that we have hitherto seen are white . The Woodspite is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from striking or piercing of trees . The Latine name Picus some think to be derived from the French and Italian word Becco , signifying a Bill or beak of a bird . Aldrovandus thinks that it was rather deduced from the Flemmish word Picken , signifying to strike or knock with the Bill . The word Pick with us is variously applied , but originally seems to have the same signification as in Flemmish , viz. either to strike with the Bill , or gather up with the Bill . Hence in the North of England these Birds are called Pickatrees , a word exactly of the same signification with the Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

That Woodpeckers will learn to speak I can hardly be perswaded , though Albertus Magnus and Scaliger affirm it .

The Woodpecker was not only by the ancient Latines , called Pluviae avis , the Rainsowl , but is so also by our Country men now adays , because by its voice more loud and frequent than usual it is thought to presage rain .

CHAP. V. Of several sorts of Woodpeckers .

§. I. The greatest black Woodpecker .

THe Cock , which we described , weighed ten ounces and an half : being in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail eighteen inches and an half ; in breadth between the tips of the Wings spread twenty nine inches and an half .

It s Bill from the point to the Angles of the mouth was two inches and an half long , strong , hard , triangular , as in the rest of this kind . Above the Nosthrils a hard wrinkle is produced beyond the middle of the Bill . That part of the Bill which is below the wrinkle is white , the rest black . The Tongue , when extended , is of a very great length . It can shoot it out and draw it back at pleasure , which is common to it with the rest of this kind . Its Nosthrils are round , covered with reflected hairs : Its Head very great . The Irides of the Eyes are of a pale yellow .

The colour of the whole body is black , excepting the crown of the head , which down to the Nosthrils is of a lovely red or Vermilion colour .

The number of flag-feathers in each Wing is nineteen , of which the fifth and sixth are the longest ; the Sarcel or pinion feather is very short , and not greater than those of the second row .

The Tail is made up of ten feathers , of which the outmost are the shortest , the rest on both sides gradually longer to the two middlemost , which are the longest of all . All but the outmost ( which as we said are the least and shortest ) are stiff , sharp-pointed , bending inward , about seven inches long , upon which in climbing trees they lean and support their bodies .

The Legs on the forepart are feathered down half way , behind no longer than the knees . The Feet are of a lead colour , It hath two back toes , as the rest of its kind : The Claws strong and great , except that of the lesser back-toe , which is very small .

The Gall of a dark green : The Testicles yellowish : The Guts seventeen inches long , great and lax : The stomach also lax and membranaceous , full of Hexapods and Ants. It altogether wants the Appendices or blind Guts , as the rest of this Tribe .

This Bird we found in the Market at Ratisbone in Germany to be sold , killed not far from that City . It is not found in England that we know of .

§. II. The green Woodpecker , or Woodspite , called also the Rain-fowl , High-hoe , and Hew-hole .

THe Cock weighed six ounces three quarters . It s length from the Bill to the Toes was eleven inches , to the end of the Tail thirteen and an half . The Wings extended were equal to twenty one inches and an half . The Bill from the point to the Angles of the mouth was almost two inches long , black , hard , strong , triangular , ending in a blunt point . A reddish dusky circle immediately encompasses the Pupil of the Eye ; the rest of the Iris being white . The Tongue when stretched out is of a very great length , ending in a sharp , bony substance , rough underneath , wherewith , as with a Dart , it strikes Insects . The top of the Head is of a Crimson or Vermilion colour , spotted with black . The Eyes are encompassed with black , under the black on each side is another Vermilion spot . The Throat , Breast and Belly are of a pale green : The Back , Neck , and lesser rows of covert feathers of the Wings green : The Rump of a pale yellow or straw-colour , as Aldrovandus rightly expresses it . The feathers under the Tail are crossed with transverse dusky lines .

In each Wing are nineteen prime feathers , beside the outmost ( which is very short ) of a dusky colour , and marked with semicircular white spots . But more particularly , the outer Webs of the * * Those next the body . interiour flags are green , the inner Webs dusky , with semicircular white spots : The outer Webs of the exteriour flags dusky , and painted with white spots , the inner Webs of the same colour with the precedent . The feathers covering the roots of the flags underneath are of a pale green , with transverse dusky lines . The Tail consists of ten feathers , stiff , and bending inwards , which by reason the shaft reacheth not to the end of the Webs , seem to be forked . The two middlemost feathers are the longest , by measure four inches and an half , have their tips black , else they are marked with cross bars , above of a dark green , and underneath whitish , the three next on each side differ not from these . Of the two outmost ( which are blunter than the rest ) the greater are all over varied with transverse bars of black and dark green alternately placed , the lesser or outmost have their tops green , and bottoms black .

The Feet and Toes are of a pale green , and sometimes of a lead colour : The Claws dusky . The Toes placed as in the rest of this kind , two forward , two backward . The lowest bones of the fore toes are joyned together .

It hath a large Gall , an Inch and half long : The right Testicle round , the left oblong , and bent almost into a circle , which lest any one should think accidental , I observed in three several birds . It hath no blind Guts , but in their stead the streight Gut is dilated in that place . It s Crop was full of Ants and Ants Eggs. It feeds also upon Caterpillars and Cossi . It sits more upon the ground than other Woodpeckers , and seeks its food there .

It s Tongue is round , ending in a stiff , sharp , bony tip , dented on both sides . This Tongue the Bird can dart out to a great length , viz. some three or four inches , and draw up again , by the help of two small round Cartilages , fastned into the forementioned bony tip , and running along the length of the Tongue : These Cartilages from the root of the Tongue take a circuit beyond the Ears , and being reflected backwards to the crown of the Head , ( where they both meet again , and are kept down down by a Ligament going over them ) make a large bow . Below the Ligament they run down the Sagittal Suture , and then declining a little to the right side , pass just above the orbit of the right Eye , and along the right side of the Bill into a hole excavated there , whence they have their rise or original . The musculous spongy flesh of the Tongue encloses these Cartilages like a sheath , and is so made that it may be extended or contracted like a Worm . That part also of these Cartilages , reaching from the hind part of the Head to the end of the Bill , is covered with the like musculous flesh that may be contracted or extended like the Tongue , only both Cartilages are not enclosed in one muscle , but have each its several distinct musculous sheath , like two small strings or worms . On the ends of these Cartilages ( for I could without much force draw them out of their socket in the Bill ) there was a white glutinous or mucous matter . On the inside the flexure of these Cartilages reaching from the root of the Tongue to the top of the Head , was a broad thin muscle , which served to move the Cartilages to and fro . For by contracting it self it streightens the bow of the Cartilages ( almost after the manner as the Tunica Uvea dilates the Pupil ) and so necessarily forces the Cartilages forward through the Tongue , and thrusts out the Tongue : But we leave these things to be more curiously weighed and examined by others .

The tips of the shafts of the Tail-feathers in this and other Woodpeckers seem to be broken or worn off by their resting upon them in climbing .

This kind lays five or six Eggs at once . I have seen six young ones together in a Nest .

* Bellonius his greatest green Woodpecker .

Bellonius makes this Bird ( which he would have to be Aristotles third kind of Woodpecker ) far greater than the common green Woodspite now described . He gives him a crooked Bill , contrary to the manner of the rest of this Tribe : Feet after the fashion of others : Divers spots in the Wings , such as are seen in the Wings of the rest , but different in colour .

§. III. The greater spotted Woodpecker or Witwall , Picus varius major ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Arist.

IT is as big or bigger than a Blackbird . The Female weighed two ounces three quarters . It s length from the Bill to the Claws was eight inches , to the end of the Tail nine and an half : the distance between the tips of the Wings extended sixteen inches .

The Bill in the Cock was an inch and a quarter long , measuring from the tip to the corner of the slit of the mouth , streight , black , thicker at the head , and slenderer by degrees , ending in a sharp point , being of a triangular Pyramidal figure , and channel'd with a furrow or two . The Nosthrils round and covered with black bristles . The Irides of the Eyes red . The Tongue made like that of the green Woodpecker .

On the hind part of the Head is a line of Crimson or Vermilion red , reaching from white to white in each cheek ; [ in the Cock , not in the Hen. ] In the Hen the Throat and Breast were of a dirty yellowish white : The lower Belly under the Tail of a * * Phoenic●o colore . Crimson colour . lovely red or Crimson colour . Hence the Italians call it Cul rosso , the Welsh by a name signifying Fire-tail . the feathers encompassing the Base of the upper Chap , and those about the Eyes and Ears are white . The Head is black , with a dash of shining green , the Back also black . At the insertion of the Wings on each side is a great white spot . From the corners of the mouth a broad , black stroak reaches own to the Back : just below the Head another black stroak crosses this .

The flag-feathers of the Wing are in number twenty ( of which the first or outmost is the shortest ) black , and marked with semicircular white spots . The interiour covert feathers of the Wings are white , and make up part of those white spots we mentioned on the shoulders ; the middlemost are wholly black , the exteriour have one or two white spots . The ridge or Base of the Wing is white .

The Tail is three inches and an half long , made up of ten feathers ; of which the two middlemost are the longest , being strong , stiff , sharp-pointed , and bending inwards : The shaft , as in others , is not produced to the utmost tip ( perchance worn or broken off with climbing ) by reason whereof the feathers appear forked . The outmost Tail-feather on each side is small , black , and having a white spot in the exteriour Web. In the two next the lower part is black , and the rest white , with two transverse black spots or stroaks , of which the upper cuts both Webs of the feather , the lower only the interiour . In the third the black reacheth higher , and the white part hath only one transverse black stroak . The fourth pair are all black , having only a semicircular spot of white toward the top , the very tip being of a reddish white : The two middlemost are wholly black .

Annot. I think it is not needful so scrupulously to describe every particular spot in each feather : for that nature takes a latitude , sporting her self , as they call it , in these lesser things , not observing always the same number , figure , and situation of spots . In the Bird I described , the flag-feathers of the Wings were spotted on both sides the shaft with white spots , which when the Wing was extended stood in rows crossing the feathers : The four middle feathers of the Tail wholly black , the rest variegated with white and black transverse spots . The feathers stand so that the Tail , when shut , seems a little forked .

The Feet are of a lead colour . It hath the Toes so situate as the others of this kind , viz. two forward , two backward : The two fore-toes likewise connected from the divarication place to the first joynt .

It hath a small Liver with a Gall annexed . The Breast-bone is very long , produced almost to the vent : A small Gizzard or stomach , in that we dissected full of * * A great Insect with six feet , resembling a Caterpillar found in rotten wood . Cossi , Spondyli , and Beetles . The Guts lie deep within the body , that they be not hurt when the Bird turns her head downward , and strikes trees with her Bill . It is common to this , with the rest of its kind , to want the blind Guts .

§. IV. The lesser spotted Woodpecker or Hickwall , Picus varius minor .

THis is for shape and colour like to the last described , but much less , weighing scarce an ounce ; being in length from Bill to Tail not more than six inches ; though the Wings extended were no less than eleven inches broad from tip to tip .

The Tail consisted of ten feathers , from the exteriour to the middlemost gradually longer each than other , the two middlemost being the longest . Of these the four middlemost are wholly black , strong , sharp , and bending inward , as in the rest of this kind , so made to sustain the body when she climbs trees : The three exteriour are less sharp , of which the outmost and least hath the bottom black , and the upper part white , with two transverse black spots . In the next the black part is extended in the inner Web as far as the second transverse black spot ; in the outer the white reacheth lower , yet hath it only one transverse black spot toward the top . The third is black , having only the tip white .

The Throat , Breast , and Belly are of a sordid white , above the Nosthrils it is of a dusky colour , and on the head it hath a white spot . The hinder part of the head is black . From the Eyes to the middle of the Neck two broad lines of white feathers terminated on both sides with black are produced , concurring about the middle of the Neck [ only the feathers that cover the Ears are of the same colour with the Breast . ] The upper part of the Back , and upper covert feathers of the Wings are black . The prime feathers and rest of the covert feathers are elegantly spotted with white semicircular spots . The middle part of the Back is white with cross lines of black . The Bill , Tongue , Irides , Feet and Toes like those of the last described . The Legs feathered , but not down to the Toes : The Claws black and crooked . The same number of prime feathers in Wings and Tail . The Stomach dissected was full of Insects .

It wants the Appendices or blind Guts , like the rest of this kind .

The Cock differs from the Hen in that instead of a white spot on the head is hath one of a lovely red or Crimson .

Aldrovandus writes , that this kind wants those red spots on the Head and Rump ; which is true of the Female , but not of the Male , for his Head , as we said , is marked with a red spot .

§. V. * The Brasilian parti-coloured Woodpecker , called Ipecu , Marggrave .

THis Bird is about the bigness of a Dove . The length of the Neck was two inches , of the body four , of the Tail also four , of the Legs almost an inch and half . It hath four Toes in its Feet , two standing forwards , and two backwards , as in Parrots . The Head is covered with feathers of a Vermilion colour , on which also it hath a Crest like a Dove . The Neck underneath is black to the very Bill , as also above : But in both sides there is a broad white line produced toward the Back [ divisim . ] The Wings are outwardly all over black , inwardly white : The Tail black . In the Belly and upper part of the Legs the feathers are black and white . It s Bill is streight , sharp-pointed , an inch and half long , wherewith it pierces the barks of trees , as the Woodpecker .

§. VI. The Wryneck : Iynx sive Torquilla .

THis Bird is of the bigness of the common Lark , or somewhat less : It weighs more than an ounce . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail seven inches and an half : The breadth of the Wings spread eleven inches . The Bill is short , smaller , and less triangular than in the rest of this kind , of a lead-colour . The Tongue round , ending in a sharp bony thorn , which it can dart out to a great length , and withdraw again , like the rest of this kind . The Irides of the Eyes of a yellow hazel colour . The Feet and Legs short , of a pale lead colour [ or , as I described them of a flesh colour . ]

It could ruffle up the feathers of its Head , so as to make them appear like a Crest , as doth the Jay . The Plumage is so elegantly and curiously coloured , that it is very difficult in words to describe it ; the upper part of the body being variegated with white , black , reddish , dusky , and grey or ash-colour . From the crown of the Head all along the middle of the Back runs a list of black . The Head is cinereous , with transverse white , black , and red lines : The Throat and lower Belly yellow with transverse black lines ; the middle of the Breast is whiter , with fewer lines . The feathers covering the bottom of the prime Wing-feathers are yellow , with transverse black lines . The Rump is more ash-coloured than the Head , with white spots and transverse black lines .

The prime Wing-feathers are in number nineteen , the first or outmost being something shorter than the second , black , but spotted with great red spots ; which spots , especially in the feathers next the body , are powdered with small , black specks . The tips of the second row of Wing-feathers are white . The Tail-feathers are ten , not sharp-pointed , nor stiff , nor bending inwards , as in the above described Woodpeckers ; two inches and an half long , of a cinereous colour , crossed at large intervals with bars of black : To speak exactly , the part next the cross bars is of a dark ash-colour , the rest of the intermediate spaces of a paler cinereous , sprinkled , and as it were bedewed with black specks .

The Toes are so disposed as in the rest of this kind , two forward , two backward : The outmost Toes in each Foot are equal , and twice so long as the inmost .

It wants the blind Guts like the rest of this kind . The length of the Guts was nine inches .

It strangely and ridiculously turns its head back to its shoulders , whence it is by Gaza called Torquilla . It feeds upon Ants , which darting out its Tongue it stabs through with great celerity , with the thorny point we mentioned ( as Children are wont to catch Frogs with an Iron Dart , shot out of a Bow , and drawn back again ) and so swallows them , never touching them with its Bill , as other birds are wont to do their meat : Witness Gesner , who tells us , that himself kept one five days in a Cage , and affirms upon his own experience that it feeds upon no other food but Ants.

The Hen is paler and more cinereous than the Cock . Aldrovandus observed a long black spot behind the Eyes in the Cock .

Annot. ] I described this Bird thus . The Quils or prime feathers in each Wing were eighteen , of a dusky colour , marked in their exteriour Webs with red spots , in their interiour with pale ones : so situate as in the pied Woodpecker . The Throat and upper part of the Breast were yellow , and the Belly white , from Bill to Tail variegated with thick-set , cross black lines . At each corner of the mouth grew white feathers , varied with the like transverse lines .

§. VII . * The Brasilian Jacamaciri of Marggrave .

FOr the conformity of its Feet we have subjoyned it to the Woodpeckers . It is of the bigness of a Lark . It hath a streight , sharp-pointed , black Bill , almost two inches long : A short Tongue , [ wherein it differs from Woodpeckers ] blue Eyes ; short Wings ; which end a little beneath the rise of the Tail . The Tail is almost three inches and an half long , streight , composed of seven or eight feathers . The upper Legs are feathered , the lower bare , the skin being of a colour mingled of yellow and green ; of which colour are also the Feet . In each foot it hath four Toes , two standing forwards , and two backwards ; both the inner Toes in each Foot , as well the fore as the back one , are but half so long as the outer . The Claws are black . The whole Head , upper part of the Neck , Back , Wings , and Tail above are of a green colour mingled with golden or igneous , so that they shine wonderfully . A ring of the same colour doth also encompass the Neck . Under the Throat , on the Breast , the lower Belly , and under the Tail it is of a dark yellow colour , like yellow Way .

§. VIII . * The Brasilian Curucui of Marggrave .

IT is a very elegant and beautiful bird , almost of the bigness of a Pie : Hath a short broadish Bill , of a brimston colour : A wide mouth , and , when open , or a triangular figure : Fair blue eyes with a golden circle [ I suppose he means encompassing the Pupil ] and under each Eye a spot of white skin , like a Hen: In the Eye-lids above and beneath black , stiff hairs : The Neck not long : The Legs short and feathered almost to the Feet , with black feathers . It hath a Tail five inches and an half long , of a good breadth . Under the lower Bill , in the middle , and at both sides , is as it were a beard , made up of black bristles , yet shining with a gloss of blue as in the Necks of Mallards . Under the Throat the feathers are only black . The whole Breast and lower Belly are of an excellent Vermilion colour : The whole Back and upper side of the Tail are of a shining green , with a gloss of blue , and golden , or igneous colour , The end of the Tail hath a black border . Underneath the Tail it hath white feathers elegantly straked with cross black lines . The beginning of the Wings is of that shining green we mentioned : The middle part is hoary , the black feathers being poudered with very little grey specks , as Mallards use to be : The utmost part , that is , the longest feathers , are of a dark dusky or blackish colour . The Legs , as I said , are almost wholly cloathed with black feathers : What is bare , together with the Feet , is of a dusky ash-colour . The Toes are so disposed as the Parrots . The feathers under the Wings are grey .

§. IX . * Guira acangatara of the Brasilians , Marggrav .

THis Bird is about the bigness of a Magpie . It hath a Bill an inch long , the upper Chap whereof is a little hooked , the whole of a dark yellow : The Eyes Crystalline , with a dusky circle : The Neck two inches long , the body three . The Tail very long , viz. eight inches , consisting of eight streight feathers . The upper Legs are an inch and half long , as also the lower . The Toes in each foot four , standing as in Parrots , the two inward in each foot being shorter , the two outward longer . The whole Head is cloathed with feathers , which in their middles longways near the shaft are dusky , in their sides yellow , as is the Crest . The Neck and Wings ( on the other side ) have their feathers yellow in the middle , and dusky in the sides . The ends of the Wings are almost wholly dusky . The whole Belly , Back , excepting the Wings , upper Legs , and rise or base of the Wings to three inches and an half length , are covered with feathers of a pale yellow . The end of the Tail hath white feathers , the rest of the Tail is dusky . The lower Legs and Feet are of a * * Sea-green we call it . Sea-water-colour . On the Head are long feathers erected like a Crest . It makes a great cry in the Woods .

§. X. * The Brasilian Aracari of Marggrav . the other Xochitenacatl of Nieremberg .

IT is of the bigness of a Woodpecker [ I suppose he means the common green one ] hath a Bill four inches long , an inch and half broad or deep , three inches and an half thick where thickest , [ I suppose he means so much by measure round ] a little bending downward like a Turkish Scymitar , and sharp-pointed like a Parrots ; the upper Chap being a little longer than the lower : Both upper and lower are for above half way reckoning from the end , serrate or toothed . The upper part of the Bill is greater than the lower . The Bill is hollow , very light , [ lighter than a Spunge : ] The upper Chap white , distinguished by a black line running along the middle or ridge from head to point , the lower Chap wholly black . The whole Bill is inserted into the Head triangle-wise , and where the insertion is , compassed about with a triangular white line . It hath a Tongue four inches long , very light , and plainly resembling a feather to see to : Or else is feathered and black , ( if the Tongue may be said to have a feather . ) It hath a Head not very big , broad , and compressed ; great Eyes , with a black Pupil , yellow Irides , and the * * Reliquas extremitates . rest of the outsides of the Eyes black . The Neck is not longer than a Parrots . The body from the rise of the Neck to the Tail is about five inches long . The Tail is broad like a Woodpeckers , and six inches long , or somewhat more . The Legs and Feet are of a dark green or black , like to those of Parrots , having two fore-toes , whereof the one longer than the other , and two back-toes likewise of unequal length . The Claws crooked , and dusky or black . The length of the upper Legs is two inches , of the lower one and an half . The whole Head and Neck as far as the beginning of the Breast are covered with black feathers , which where they end are terminated in a circle . The Breast , and all the lower Belly elegantly cloathed with yellow feathers mingled with pavonine . Cross the Breast from the one side to the other is a broad line drawn , of a sanguine colour . The whole Back , Wings , Tail , and upper Legs are covered with dark green feathers , [ or black with a gloss of green ] like the colour usual in our Magpies . The end of the Back above the beginning of the Tail is of a sanguine colour to more than the Circumference of a Crown piece . The Wings end at the rise of the Tail , and within side are of a dark ash-colour . The Bill is black within . This Bird doth , as it were , pronounce its own name , crying with a sharp voice , but not very shril , Aracari .

This Bird is very like the Toucan or Brasilian Pie . The conformation of its Feet argues it to belong to the Woodpecker-kind . We saw the Bill of this Bird in the Repository of the Royal Society , London , our selves also have one of them : It is much less than the Toucans Bill , not so compressed side-ways , but rounder . The upper Chap wholly white , without any line of black in the top , ( wherein it differs from the Aracari's Bill described by Marggrave ) the lower black .

§. XI . * The yellow blue-footed Persian Woodpecker of Aldrovandus .

THis Bird communicated to me by Tartaglinus the Venetian , ( who shewed me many exotic Animals painted ) at first sight , from the constitution of the Bill and Feet I judged to be of the Woodpecker-kind . In bigness it differs little or nothing from the green Woodspite ; only it hath a thicker Head and Neck , and a longer Bill . The feathers from the middle of the Crown to the end of the Tail have something of ferrugineous : But the Bill is altogether ferrugineous . The Feet are of a pale blue . The Claws are black : The rest of the body is yellow , save that all the Wing-feathers ends or tips incline somewhat to ferrugineous ; and that a spot of the same colour encompasses the Eyes . He said it was an exotic Bird , and bred in Persia .

§. XII . * The American Hang-nest , called by the Brasilians Guira tangeima . Marggr .

IT is a Bird somewhat bigger than a Lark , equal to the spotted Woodpecker . It s body is about three inches long ; Its Neck an inch and half : The Head is small , the Bill streight , sharp-pointed , an inch long . Its Legs and Feet are like those of other birds , its Tail streight , four inches long . The colour of its Bill is black , except the lower part , where it is inserted , which hath something of dusky : The Head and Neck , as low as the beginning of the Breast , very black . The upper part of the Neck from the Head almost to the beginning of the Back is of a * * Uranici coloris . Sky-colour . Through the beginning of the Back it hath a transverse black spot , reaching as far as the Wings : But the Wings themselves are of a deep black , only in the middle they have a white spot situate longways the feathers , of an inch and half long . The Tail also is wholly black : The rest of the body is of a Sky-colour . The Legs are bluish : The Pupil of the Eyes black , with a yellowish white Iris. These Birds build admirable Nests of a Cylindrical figure , and hand them in great numbers on the ends of the boughs and twigs of trees . These Nests are made of the small Fibres of roots and twigs of trees and herbs , curiously platted and interwoven .

§. XIII . The Brasilian Jupujuba or Japu of Marggrave .

THis is of the same figure with the precedent , and builds after the same manner , in the same tree [ one of these is a Male , the other a Female ] but hath somewhat a shorter Tail . The whole body is invested with very black feathers . In the middle of each Wing it hath a yellow spot , an inch long : In the end of the Back , and near the vent it is all yellow . [ I have seen also that were wholly black , with their Backs of a sanguine colour . ] The Tail below from its rise half way is yellow , the other half being black ; above it is wholly black , only it hath on both sides a feather half yellow . The Legs and Feet are black : The Bill of a Brimstone-colour . The Eyes of a Sapphire colour , with a black Pupil . It hath a blue Tongue , cleft or doubled at the top . Near the house of the Owner of the Engine Tapucurai is planted the tree Uti , in which hang more than four hundred Nests of these Birds ; of which there are there a very great number , which hatch and bring up three broods of young in a year . Each Nest is made of dry grass and horse-hair , or hogs bristles mingled , of a dusky colour , of the figure of a narrow Cucurbite with its Alembick , long , in the whole about a foot and half , and from the bottom for one foot upwards hollow like a Purse , the remaining or upper part of it for half a foot being solid , and hanging by its tip on the tip of a little branch of the tree . All these Nests hang down on this fashion from the tips of the twigs of trees .

We have often seen the Nest of this Bird artificially built kept among other rarities in the Cabinets of the curious . I persuade my self that this was the very Bird , which the Ancients understood by the name of Picus nidum suspendens , i. e. the Hang-nest-Woodpecker . I am sure there is a great deal more reason why this should be so called , than the Oriolus , which Aldrovandus takes to be the Picus nidum suspendens , Antonius Pigafeta writes , that Parrots do on this fashion hang their Nests on the extremities of the branches of trees ; falsly imagining that the Nests which he saw hanging on the twigs of trees were Parrots Nests .

CHAP. VI. Of Woodpeckers less properly so called .

§. I. The Nuthatch or Nutjobber , Sitta seu Picus cinereus .

IT is somewhat less than a Chaffinch . The Cock weighed almost an ounce . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was five inches three quarters , to the end of the Toes six inches .

The Bill was streight , triangular , black above , underneath toward the Throat white , almost an inch long , measuring from the tip to the Angles of the slit of the mouth . The Tongue broad , not longer than the mouth , horny at the end and jagged : The Nosthrils round , and covered with small bristles . The Head , Neck , and Back of an ash-colour : The sides under the Wings red : The Throat and Breast of a pale yellow [ or rather Chesnut-red . ] The lower Belly under the Tail hath some red feathers with white tips . From the Bill through the Eyes to the Neck is extended a long black stroak : The Chin is white .

The number of flag-feathers is nineteen , of the which the first is very short and little . The interiour , or those next the body , have their Webs cinereous ; the exteriour dusky : The shafts of all are black . The Wings underneath are marked with a double spot , the one white at the roots of the exteriour quils , the other black and larger , beginning at the insertion of the bastard-wing .

The Tail is short , scarce two inches , made up of twelve feathers , all of equal length , unless the outmost be somewhat the shorter , not sharp-pointed , nor stiff as in Woodpeckers , but flexile and limber : The two middlemost cinereous ; the two next to them black with cinereous tips ; the two succeeding have the inside of their tips white , the outside cinereous . The outmost have their tips of a dark ash-colour , and under that a transverse whitespot , the rest of the feathers being black .

The Legs are short ; both Legs and Feet of a dark flesh-colour . It hath but one back-toe , equal to the middle of the fore-toes . The Claws are great , crooked , and of a dusky colour ; that of the back-toe the biggest . The outmost fore-toe the least : Both outmost and inmost joyned to the middle toe at the bottom .

It had a musculous Stomach or Gizzard , in which we found Beetles ; short blind Guts . The length of the Guts was six inches and an half .

It builds in the holes of trees , and if the entrance be too big , it doth artificially stop up part of it with clay , leaving only a small hole for it self to pass in and out by .

It feeds not only upon Insects , but also upon Nut-kernels . It is a pretty spectacle to see her fetch a Nut out of her hoard , place it fast in a chink , and then standing above it , with its head downwards , striking it with all its force , breaks the shell , and catches up the Kernel .

This bird is by Aristotle called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , who makes two kinds of it , a greater , and a lesser . Gaza retains the same name , calling it in Latine , Sitta , Later Writers stile it Picus cinereus , i. e. the ash-coloured Woodpecker ; because like them it climbs and runs up the bodies and boughs of trees . It is called by some 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , because it moves and flirts up the Tail .

§. II. * The Wall-creeper , or Spider-catcher . Picus murarius , Aldrov . l. 12. c. 37.

IT is somewhat bigger than a House-Sparrow , almost as large as a Stare . The colour of the whole body is best seen when the Wings are spread . It hath a long , slender , black Bill . The Head , Neck , and Back cinereous : The Breast white : The Wings partly cinereous , partly red , viz. toward the Belly : The Tail short : The long feathers of the Wings , the lower part of the Back , the Belly , and Legs , ( which , after the manner of Woodpeckers , are short ) black : The Toes long , three standing forward , and one backward , though Bellonius attributes to it two fore-toes , and so many back ones : Wherefore it is to be suspected , that either he knew not the Wall-creeper , or else set forth one different from ours , which I do not believe , because the rest of the description he gives of it , agrees exactly to our Bird. Thus far Aldrovandus ; who writes , that this Bird is frequent and obvious enough in the Territory of Bologna ; in flying like to the Hoopoe , almost always shaking its Wings like that , never resting in one place . By later Writers it is called Picus murarius , because as Woodpeckers cling to trees , and hang on them , so this sticks to all Walls , especially those of Towers , and seeks Insects in their chinks : Whence in Winter-time it is often seen in Cities . It is a brisk and chearful bird , and hath a pleasant note . It flies alone , and sometimes two in company . It builds its Nest in the holes of trees . They say it is found in England ; but we have not as yet had the hap to meet with it .

§. III. The greater Reed-Sparrow , Junco Aldrov . Cinclus Turneri .

THe Cock , which we described , was for bigness not much inferiour to a Thrush . The Bill was great , somewhat crooked ; from the tip of the Angles of the mouth , more than an inch long . The upper Chap of a dusky colour , the lower whitish . The Tongue cloven , and divided into many filaments . The inside of the mouth of a deep yellow or Saffron colour . The Nosthrils are round and great : The Irides of the Eyes of a red hazel colour . Not far from the Angles of the mouth in the upper Mandible grow four or five black hairs . The Throat , Belly , and Breast are white , with a kind of yellowish tincture , more yellow about the vent : The supine or upper side of the body of a dusky yellowish colour . Above each Eye is a whitish line .

The number of prime feathers in each Wing is eighteen . The Plumage covering the roots of these feathers underneath is yellow . The Tail is three inches and a quarter long : I mean the middle feathers , for the extreme are but two and three quarters ; They have a strong shaft , and are stiff like those of a Woodpecker .

The Legs and Feet are great , strong and musculous , which is especially remarkable in this bird . It hath but one back-toe , which toward the root or rise of it is broad and torose . The outer fore-toe is joyned to the middlemost at the bottom .

It had a yellow Gall , large Testicles , a shorter Breast-bone than Woodspites ; short blind Guts : Reed-Beetles in the stomach .

It is always conversant among Reeds , and sings sweetly . It sticks to , and climbs up Reeds , as Woodpeckers do up trees .

The Alcedo vocalis of Bellonius seems to be the same either with this or the lesser Species ; the description whereof see in Aldrovandus , lib. 20. cap. 62.

§. IV. The lesser Reed-Sparrow . An Cannevarola Aldrovandus ? An Ficedula cannabina Olinae ?

IT is equal to , or somewhat less than a Redstart . It creeps and sings among Reeds . From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was five inches three quarters : From tip to tip of the Wings extended eight inches . The Bill , measuring from the point to the Angles of the mouth , was three quarters of an inch long : The lower Chap almost white , the upper blackish , the Mouth , within yellow : The Tongue cloven , and divided into filaments , the Irides of a hazel colour . The Back toward the Rump is of a dark olive or dusky green , toward the Head more cinereous . The middle of the Breast is white ; the Throat and lower Belly have a mixture of yellow . The sides are of a dirty , greenish colour .

The prime feathers of the Wings are in number eighteen , of which the second is the longest . They are of a dark brown or dusky colour , as in the Redstart , and other small birds . The Tail is 2⅛ inches long , and composed of twelve feathers . The soles of the Feet are of a greenish yellow . The outmost Toe adheres to the middlemost below , as in others . The Bill and Feet in this Bird are greater than the proportion of the rest of the body seems to require . The Female differs little or nothing from the Male .

Annot. This Bird I bought in the Market at Florence , where they call it Beccasigo : which name they give to many small birds that feed fat . I suppose it is that described and figured in Olina by the title of Beccasigo Cannabino . My description differs something from this of Mr. Willughby , but not considerably , viz. The Back was of a pale green inclining to yellow , which just above the Tail was more yellow . The feathers of the Wings and Tail were of a Mouse-dun , having their edges of the same colour with the Back . The Tail , when spread , terminated in a circular Circumference . The Breast , Belly , and Throat were white , dashed with yellow . The Bill long , streight , flat , or depressed ; The lower Chap of a horn-colour , the upper more dusky , but not black : The Legs long , and of a light blue , with a little dash of yellow . The Mouth within yellow : The soles of the feet yellow .

It is common in the Low Countries among the Reeds .

Another Bird of this name , but different in kind , we shall describe afterwards .

§. V. The Creeper . Certhia .

IT is a very small bird , scarce bigger than the copped Wren . It hath a long , slender , sharp Bill , bending downwards like a Bow . The upper Chap of a dark colour , the nether white at the base , and black at the tip . The Tongue not longer than the Bill , wherein it differs from the Woodspites , yet hard and stiff at the point , and sharp like a Goad . The Irides of the Eyes of a dark hazel colour .

The Throat , Breast , and Belly white : The Head , Back , and Wings inclining to a Fox-colour ; the middle parts of the feathers being whitish . Above the Eyes on each side is a white spot . The beam-feathers of the Wings are eighteen , the first of which is very short , the fourth the longest , and by measure two ½ inches : The three outmost are dusky , the rest have white tips , and a broad white line through their middle , something inclining to fulvous . The edges of those next the body are likewise fulvous , and have white only on the exteriour side of their shafts . The covert-feathers of the Wings are more black , the middlemost have their middle part fulvous ; all their tips white . The Tail consists of ten feathers only , as in Woodspites , is very long for the bigness of the bird , viz. two inches and an half , sharp-pointed , stiff , of a dusky red , or reddish dun colour .

The Feet are of a light brown : The Legs short : The Feet have long Toes , all armed with very long , sharp , white Claws , especially the back-toe , which hath it extraordinarily long like a Lark .

It is sufficiently characterized and distinguished from all other birds by its littleness and bow-bill .

Aldrovandus attributes to his Certhia a short Tail , wherein it differs from ours .

It runs up the bodies and boughs of trees , having its Feet and Tail , fitly disposed and formed for such a purpose .

It is frequent in England ; and as Aldrovandus reports , builds in the hollows of trees after the manner of Woodpeckers ; It lays a great number of Eggs , sometimes , they say , not fewer than twenty .

§. VI. The Hoop or Hoopoe , Upupa Latinis , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Graecis .

IT weighs three ounces . It s length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail was twelve inches and an half : Its breadth , the Wings being stretched out , nineteen inches .

It s Bill is two inches and an half long , black , sharp , and something bending . The Tongue small , as Aldrovandus rightly hath it , deep withdrawn in the mouth , triangular , being broad at bottom , and sharp at top , like a perfect equilateral triangle . The shape of the body approacheth to that of a Plover . The Head is adorned with a most beautiful Crest , two inches high , consisting of a double row of feathers , reaching from the Bill to the nape of the Neck , all along the top of the Head : Which it can at pleasure set up , and let fall . It is made up of twenty four or twenty six feathers , some of which are longer than others ; the tips of them are black ; under the black they are white , the remaining part under the white being of a Chesnut , inclining to yellow . The Neck is of a pale red : The Breast white , variegated with black strokes tending downward . The older birds had no black strokes in their Breasts , but only in their sides . The Tail is four inches and an half long : [ Aldrovandus saith six ] made up of ten feathers only , black , with a cross mark or bed of white of the figure of a Crescent or Parabola , the middle being toward the Rump , the horns toward the ends of the feathers . The Tail is extended further than the Wings complicated .

There are in each Wing eighteen quils or master-feathers , of which the ten foremost are black , having a white cross bar , which in the second , third , fourth , fifth , sixth , and seventh is more than half an inch broad . The seven following feathers have four or five white cross bars . The limbs or borders of the last are something red : The Rump is white . The long feathers springing out of the shoulders and covering the back are varied with white and black cross lines or bars , after the same manner as the Wings .

The Irides of the Eyes are of a hazel colour : The lower Eye-lid bigger than the upper : The Legs short : The outmost toe at bottom fastned to the middle , without any intervening membrane . The Windpipe ( as Aldrovandus describes it ) at the beginning of the divarication or division into two branches which go to the Lungs , hath two little bones outwardly supplying the use of the * * Head of the Windpipe . Larynx , between which is spread a very thin skin : The annulary-Cartilages beyond the divarication in each branch in our observation were only semicircular , as in Herons .

In the Stomach dissected we found Beetles ; whence it is manifest that it feeds upon Insects , but whether also upon Grapes and other Berries , as some of the Ancients have delivered , we know not . I hear ( saith Aldrovandus ) that among other things it feeds upon Ants. It hath no blind Guts .

In the number of Tail-feathers , want of the blind Guts , cross lines of the Wings , and partly also in its food it agreeth with Woodpeckers , to which therefore we have subjoyned it .

About Collen and elsewhere in High Germany it is very frequent , where they call it Widehuppe . It sits for the most part on the ground , sometimes on Willows . Turner saith , that it is found no where in Britany : But he is deceived ; for we are assured by credible persons , that it is sometimes , though more rarely , seen in Northumberland , and also in Surrey .

Aristotle witnesseth that it makes its Nest of dung , especially mans dung , daubing it therewith instead of Clay .

It took its name in both Languages [ Greek and Latine ] from the sound of its voice . The most of our English Grammarians ( ( saith Turner ) call that bird Upupa , which those that speak barbarously from the noise it makes with its Wings are wont to call Vannellus , and they in their own Language a Lapwing . This inveterate error our Grammar Schools do still retain .

They say the Hen is always greater than the Cock .

CHAP. VII . Of Land Birds that feed upon Fish .

§. I. The Kingfisher . Ispida an Veterum Alcyon ?

IT weighed an ounce and a quarter : In length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail exceeded seven inches . The ends of the Wings extended were eleven inches distant .

The Bill was almost two inches long , thick , strong , streight , sharp-pointed , black , yet whitish at the Angle [ of the lower Mandible . ] The upper Chap is for the most part longer than the lower , yet in some birds the lower is longer than the upper . The Tongue is short , broad , sharp-pointed , and undivided : The Mouth within of a Saffron-colour , the Nosthrils oblong . The Chin is white with a certain mixture of red ; the middle also of the Breast or Belly is of the like colour . The lower Belly under the Tail is of a deep red , as are also the sides and feathers under the Wings . The Breast is red , the outmost borders of the feathers being of a dirty bluish green . From the Neck through the middle of the Back to the Tail it is of a most lovely bright , but pale blue , which by its splendour is said to hurt their Eyes that look long and intently upon it . If you heed this colour attentively you may observe the blue crossed with obscure or dark-coloured lines . Between the Nosthrils and the Eyes is a red spot , and another beyond the Eyes : to which succeeds a white mark , tinctured with red . The crown of the Head is of a black green , with cross blue lines .

In each Wing are twenty three Quils , of which the third is the longest ; both quil-feathers , and those next to them have their exteriour Webs blue , their interiour dusky . The lesser rows of Wing-feathers , all excepting those covering the base of the Wing , have blue tips . The long-feathers springing from the shoulders , and covering the Back , are of a bluish green . The Tail is short , about an inch and an half in length , made up of twelve feathers , of a dark blue , with somewhat of black .

The Legs and Feet are very short and little , black before , red behind , as are also the soals of the feet and the back-toes . The structure of the Feet in this Bird is singular and different from all others , for the three lower joynts of the outmost toe are joyned to the middlemost ; of the inmost only one : This inner toe is the least , and shorter by half than the middlemost , the outer almost equal to the middlemost : The back-toe is somewhat bigger than the inner foretoe . The third or lowest bone of the Leg is greater than is usual in other birds . The toes seem as it were joynted with many cross lines . The bones of the Tongue are lesser and shorter than in other birds .

The Stomach is great and lax , as in carnivorous birds ; in that we dissected was full of the bones and scales of fishes . The Guts are slenderer toward the vent . Gesner affirms , that the fat of this bird is red ; which we found to be true . The same Author tells us , that in one Nest are often found nine young ones : In a Nest in a hole about half a yard deep in the bank of a River we observed but five young ones .

It is a Vulgar persuasion , that this bird , being hung up on an untwisted thread by the Bill in any room , will turn its Breast to that quarter of the Heaven whence the wind blows : They that doubt of it may try it .

Dr. Charleton , in his Onomasticon , makes mention of another Kingfisher brought out of India , which scarce exceeds a Wren in bigness . We have not as yet hapned to see this Bird , neither do we remember to have elsewhere read any thing of it .

§. II. The Brasilian Jaguacati guacu , Marggrav . akin to the Kingfisher .

IT is by the Portugues called Papa peixe , because it lives upon fish . It is equal in bigness to a Throstle or Mavis : For the figure of its body like to the greater Woodspite . It hath a black , streight , and sharp-pointed Bill , almost three inches long : Black Eyes , and very short black Legs : The upper Legs are in part bare of feathers . The Feet have four toes ( one standing backward ) of unequal length : For the two outer are short and contiguous , but the third or inner is much the shorter , and more remote . The Claws are black . The Tail is two inches long , reaching further than the ends of the Wings . The superiour feathers of the whole body , viz. the Head , Neck , Wings , and Tail , are of a rusty , but shining , colour . About the Neck it hath a ring of pure white feathers . The Throat , underside of the Neck , Breast , and Belly are also cloathed with white feathers . Near both the Eyes it hath also a spot of white . In the Tail some of the feathers are sprinkled with white spots , which yet are scarce seen , unless when they spread their Wings and fly .

§. VII . The Bee-eater , Merops sive Apiaster .

FOr the shape of the body it is like the Kingfisher , for bigness equal to a Blackbird : From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail eleven inches and an half long ; the Wings , being spread , eighteen inches broad .

The Bill is great , from the tip to the Angles of the Mouth almost two inches long , black , and for the proportion of the body very like that of a Kingfisher , save only that it is a little more arcuate or bending downward : The Tongue slender , deeply cut in or torn at the tip : The * * Circles encompassing the Pupils . Irides of the Eyes of a lovely red , and in some of a hazel colour .

The Head is great and oblong . The colour of the feathers at the Base of the upper Chap is a greenish blue , but in the middle between the Nosthrils white . The crown of the Head red , but in some birds having something of green mixt . From the corners of the mouth through the Eyes on each side is extended a black stroak ; contiguous whereto under the Chin are bright , but pale yellow feathers . The Neck and Shoulders are green , with a certain mixture of red . The whole Belly and Breast , as far as the Chin , are blue , this colour is deeper near the Chin , fainter on the Breast and Belly . In some the colour of the underside inclines more to green : Perchance these are Cocks .

The number of beam-feathers in each Wing is about twenty one or twenty two ; decreasing by degrees to the tenth . All to the twentieth have black tips . The first or outmost ten beneath the black are of a bluish green : The next nine beneath the black are of a lovely Orange colour , as are also the lesser rows next to them : Those above near the ridge of the Wing are blue . The long feathers springing from the shoulders are of a pale yellow .

The Tail is near an hand-breadth long , made up of twelve feathers , of a blue colour , the exteriour Webs having something of green intermixt : The underside of the Tail was of a dun colour . The two middle feathers run out in length beyond the rest , and end in sharp points .

The Legs are very short , but thick for the length : Both Legs and Feet exactly like those of the King-fisher . For the fore-toes , as in that , are all joyned together to the first joynt , as if they were but one toe , the outmost and middle to the second or third . The Claws are black , the Feet and Toes of a dusky red .

The Liver was of a pale yellow : The Stomach rather membranous than musculous , in that we dissected filled with Beetles and other Insects . The colours of the Wings varied in several birds , in some was more blue , in some more green , in some more red , and in some less .

It is strange that Aldrovandus should not take any notice of , or not mention at least the connexion of the Toes in this Bird.

It is not unfrequent in the Campagn of Rome : For that we saw it there to be sold in the Market more than once . It is not found in England that we know of Bellonius writes , that it is so common in Candy , that it is seen every where in that Island .

Aristotle tells us , that it feeds upon Bees , whom all other Writers of the History of Animals do therein follow . But it feeds not only upon Bees , but also upon Cicadae , Beetles , and other Insects . Yea , as Bellonius relates , upon the Seeds of Nipplewort , Bastard Parsley , Turnep , &c. not abstaining from Wheat and other grain . From its exact agreement in the shape and make of its Body , Bill , and Feet with the Kingfisher , we suspect that it likewise preys upon fish .

Bellonius , in the first Book of his Observations , writes thus concerning the Merops . Flying in the air it catches and preys upon Bees , as Swallows do upon flies . It flies not singly , but in flocks , and especially by the sides of those Mountains where the true Thyme grows . It s Voice is heard afar off , almost like to the whistling of a man . It s singular elegancy invites the Candy Boys to hunt for it with Cicadae , as they do also for those greater Swallows called Swifts , after this manner : bending a Pin like a hook , and tying it by the Head to the end of a thread , they thrust it through a Cicada , ( as Boys bait a hook with a fly ) holding the other end of the thread in their hand . The Cicada so fastned flies nevertheless in the Air , which the Morops spying , flies after it with all her force , and catching it , swallows Pin and all , wherewith she is caught .

§. IV. * The other Bee-eater of Aldrovandus . Merops alter , seu Meropi congener Aldrov .

THe Germans call this Bird the Sea-Swallow , both because at first sight it seems to resemble a Swallow , partly in the shortness of its Legs , and partly in its flying , and also because like the Swallow it catches Insects as it flies . I should rather make it congenerous to the Bee-eater than the Swallow , because it differs widely from the Sea-Swallow [ so much as to have little common with it . ]

This Bird is a little longer than the precedent , and ( as its picture shews ) a little grosser or thicker-bodied : Its Bill is black , long , sharp-pointed , and approaching somewhat more to the figure of a Sithe than in that . The Head , Neck , Breast , and almost the whole Belly yellow . From the bill it hath a great black spot , which is carried on backwards through the Eyes to the beginning of the Neck . The Back is of a Chesnut colour , but mingled with green and yellow . The Wing-feathers are painted with divers colours : For the first [ the uppermost ] are blue , the second mixt of blue and yellow , the third altogether yellow ; the fourth , viz. the prime or beam-feathers black , with red tips . The upper part of the Tail is of a bright green , the lower of a very fair yellow , so that it seems to be half green , half yellow . It hath yellow Feet and black Claws .

§. V. * The Brasilian Guira guainumbi of Marggrave , of kin to the Merops .

IT is a Bird to see to of the bigness of a Pigeon , because it is thick and deep-feathered , but the bulk of the body , the feathers pluckt off , is indeed no bigger than that of a Thrush . It hath a head somewhat bigger than a Throstle ; a black Bill about two inches long , the upper Chap whereof is a little longer than the nether : Both upper and nether Chap are on both sides toothed like a Saw . It hath short Legs , not much exceeding an inch in length , for colour black : Four Toes in each Foot , one situate backward , three forwards , as is ordinary : But the first or inmost foretoe is shorter , the middlemost longest , and the third again short , but not of equal rise with the rest : For the rise of the first is from the middle of the foot , and also of the second ; but the rise or beginning of the third is near the third joynt of the middlemost : The first hath three joynts , the second four , the third again three , the back-toe but two . The Claws are black , and bending downwards . The Tail is very long , streight , consisting of a few streight feathers , about an inch broad , but ten inches long : Indeed only two feathers make up the end of the Tail , which for two inches have naked shafts , and again have their ends web'd for two inches . The whole body is about six inches long . The feathers very beautiful : viz. on their Head they have as it were a Mitre or Crown of Sapphire-coloured feathers , which near the rise of the Bill resemble the colour of the Turcois stone : In the middle of this Mitre is seen a black spot of the bigness of a Gross of Misnia . Beneath the Eyes ( which are yellow with a black Pupil ) it hath also black feathers mingled with Sapphire-coloured . The Throat , and the whole Breast and Belly are of a dark yellow . The upper part of the Neck , the whole Back , Wings , and Tail are of a green or grass colour , but wherewith a Sea-green is mixt , as in the Necks of Mallards and Peacocks . From the Knees to the Belly the upper Legs are covered with green feathers . In the middle of the Neck underneath it bears as it were a badge of three or four black feathers , and about them Sapphirine ones , which make a kind of spot or mark .

This Bird for the like constitution of its Feet , and some agreement in colour , we have subjoyned to the Merops .

§. VI. The Water-Ouzel or Water-Crake : Merula aquatica .

THis Bird is well nigh as big as the common Blackbird : Weighs two ounces and an half ; is in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail eight inches and an half , to the end of the Claws nine : In breadth between the tips of the Wings stretcht out twelve inches and an half .

It hath a shorter body than the Blackbird , and a thicker Neck . It s Bill is streight , sharp-pointed , slenderer than a Blackbirds , measuring from the point to the Angles of the mouth about an inch long , or somewhatless , black-coloured .

The Head and upper side of the Neck are of a dark , dusky colour , or black with an eye of red . All the Back , and both prime and covert-feathers of the Wings are particoloured of cinereous and black , the middle parts of the feathers being black , the edges blue . The underside of the Neck and forepart of the Breast are milk white : The feathers contiguous to the white are reddish : The lower Belly towards the Tail black . The Eyelids white round about .

It hath in each Wing eighteen quills . The Tail is shorter than in the rest of this kind [ that is , Merula ] scarce two inches and an half long , composed of twelve feathers of equal length . The Legs , Feet , and Claws are black : The outmost foretoe at bottom joyned to the middlemost . The Tongue is black , slender , and a little cloven at the tip . The circles encompassing the Pupils of the Eyes great , broad , and of a fair hazel colour . The Eyes are furnished with nictating membranes . The Nosthrils are long . The Plumage covering the wholebody thick-set , as in water-birds .

It frequents stony Rivers and Water-courses in the Mountainous parts of Wales , Northumberland , Westmoreland , Yorkshire , &c. That I [ J. R. ] described was shot beside the River Rivelin near Sheffield in Yorkshire : That Mr. Willughby described near Pentambath in Denbighshire , in North-Wales . It is common in the Alps in Switzerland ; where they call it Wasser-Amzel .

It feeds upon fish , yet refuseth not Insects . Sitting on the banks of Rivers it now and then flirts up its Tail . Although it be not Web-footed , yet will it sometimes dive or dart it self quite underwater . It is a solitary Bird , companying only with its Mate in coupling and breeding time .

CHAP. VIII . The greatest Land-birds , of a peculiar kind by themselves , which by reason of the bulk of their bodies , and smalness of their Wings cannot fly , but only walk .

§. I. The Ostrich : Struthiocamelus .

WHat occurs in Ancient and Modern Writers concerning this Bird see in Gesner and Aldrovandus .

It is the greatest of all birds , except perchance the Emen , which though it be not so tall , yet in bulk of body is well nigh equal to it . Mr. Willughby saith , it is either equal or bigger , but I think that , if either have advantage of other in magnitude , it is the Ostrich . When it holds up its Head it approacheth to the height of two Yards . Pliny writes , that it exceeds the height of a horseman sitting on horseback : Which is to be understood when it stretches its Neck forth , and reaches upwards as high as it can . The Head is small , depressed or flat-crown'd , and ( as Aldrovandus truly ) like a Gooses : The Bill also is compressed , and compared with the body very small , of a triangular figure , and horn colour , the tip being black . The skin at the Nosthrils ends in a semicircle . The slit of the mouth is large , reaching so far that its extremes or Angles lie directly under the Eyes . The Eyes are great , with hazel-coloured Irides . Of all great birds this alone hath both Eye-lids [ upper and lower ] as Pliny witnesseth . Which whether it be true or not we leave to be examined by others that have opportunity of seeing the bird . The Head and Neck , almost as far as the Breast , are bare of feathers , as are also the Thighs . The Head and Neck are covered with a certain Down , or thin-set hairs instead of feathers . The sides under the Wings , and the Thighs are absolutely bare . The lower part of the Neck where the feathers begin is white . The Wings are small , and altogether unuseful for flying , designed by Nature only to assist the bird in running , being spread and moved . The feathers of the Back in the Cock are cole-black , in the Hen only dusky , so soft that they resemble a kind of Wool . The Wing-feathers are of the same colour [ with the Back ] beneath , but above in their upper part purely white . The Tail is thick , bushy , and round , not as in other Birds , to be spread out in breadth , the component feathers in the Cock being whitish , in the Hen duskish , with white tops ; which feathers are in great request for Souldiers Hats , Helmets , &c.

It s Neck and Legs are very long : It hath but two toes , wanting the back-toe and inmost foretoe . The outer toe in that we described was five inches and an half long , the other eight : The length of the whole Foot from the end of the heel eleven Inches . The longer Toe was covered with twenty four great , disjoyned , annulary scales . This Toe is armed with a great , strong , black Claw ; the other or outer Toe had no Claw in the Bird we described . The Toes are connected with a thick , strong membrane as far as the first joynt .

It swallows Iron , Leather , Grass , Bread , Hair , and whatever else you offer it , promiscuously : Howbeit it doth not concoct Iron and other hard things , but avoids them entire by siege . That we saw at Bruxels was usually fed with bread mixt with hair . Africa produces this bird ; in the Desarts whereof are sometimes seen such multitudes of them in company , that to them that behold them afar off they seem to be Troops or Armies of horsemen . They are also found abundantly in Arabia ; and not less plentifully in America , but of a different kind ; as will appear by and by .

They lay very great Eggs , viz. sometimes as big as a young Childs head , and of fifteen pound weight , covered with a very hard and stony shell , which being buried in the sand , are cherished only by the heat of the Sun till the Young be excluded . For the Writers of Natural History do generally agree , that the old birds after they have layed and covered their Eggs in the sand forsake them , and take no more care of them .

That Ostrich-feathers were much used by the Ancients for the adorning of Caps , Helmets , &c. is manifest by the testimony of Pliny : And that still they retain their esteem , being also used now adays for the same purposes every body knows . They were also formerly wont to be employed , not only in Italy , but in England , for to make Fans for Gentlewomen , to cool themselves withal in the Summer time .

§. II. * The American Ostrich , called Nhanduguacu by the Brasilians , Marggrav .

THis sort is somewhat less than the African : Their Legs are long , the lower about a foot and half , the upper a foot . They have three Toes in each foot , armed with thick , black , but not sharp Claws . One Toe standing backward , which is round and gross ; so that they can hardly walk on a smooth or boarded floor , but easily slip and fall . They carry their Necks bending like a Swan or Stork , being about two foot in length . Their Heads are like those of Geese . They have fair black Eyes : A compressed or flat Bill , not very broad , two inches and an half long . They have little Wings , unfit for flight , one of which they spread and set up like a sail , to assist them in running , which they do with that speed and swiftness , that a good Greyhound can hardly overtake them . Their whole body is covered with grey feathers , which are longer and more beautiful on the Back . The body with the feathers appears almost round . They have not such a Tail made up of crested feathers , as is represented commonly in the Pictures of Ostriches ; but the feathers are stretched forth along the Back even to the vent . It swallows bits of Iron , Brass-mony , Dice , or any the like things you offer it , but concocts them not , casting them out again by siege . It feeds on fruits and flesh . It is frequent in the fields of the * * Captainship . Capitania of Serigippo , and the Capitania of Rio grande . In Fernambuco it is not found . It s flesh is good to eat .

§. III. The Cassowary or Emeu of Aldrovandus , Clusius , Nierembergius , Bontius and Wormius

WE have seen four birds of this kind at London ; three Males , and one Female : viz. one Male among his Majesties birds kept in St. James's Park near Westminster ; two Males and a Female at Mr. Maydstons , an East-India Merchant in Newgate-Market , brought out of the East Indies . It hath a horny Crown on the top of the Head . The Head and Neck are bare of feathers , only thin-set with a hairy down . The skin is of a purplish blue colour , excepting the lower part of the backside of the Neck , which is red , [ or of a Vermilion colour . ] In the lower part of the Neck hand down two Wattles or Lobes of flesh as low as the Breast . It hath a very wide mouth . The Bill is near four inches long , of a moderate thickness , and streight . The Legs are thick , and strong . It hath three Toes in each foot , all standing forward , for it wants the back-toe . The Claw of the outmost Toe is much longer than the rest . It hath some rudiments of Wings rather than Wings , consisting of only five naked shafts of feathers , somewhat like Porcupines quils , having either no Webs and feathery parts , or which were in the Bird we described broken and worn off . It hath no Tail ; a great body invested with blackish or dusky feathers , of a rare texture , which to one that beholds the Bird at a distance seem rather to be hairs than feathers . It is a gentle-natured bird , and easily made tame . We shall give the Reader a more full and accurate description of all its parts out of Clusius his Exotics . This Bird ( saith he ) as it walked , holding up its head , exceeded the height of four foot by some inches : For the Neck from the top of the Head to the beginning of the Back was almost thirteen inches long ; the body two foot over ; the Thighs with the Legs to the bending of the Feet seventeen inches long . The length of the body it self from the Breast to the Rump was almost three foot . The feathers covering the whole body , with those on the lower part of the Neck next to the Breast and Belly , and the Thighs were all double , two coming out of the same small short pipe or hose , and lying the one upon the other ; the upper being somewhat the thicker or grosser , the nether the more fine and delicate : They are also of a different length , as I observed in the case of the like Bird. For those on the lower part of the Neck were shorter ; those on the middle of the body and sides longer ( viz. of six or seven inches : ) But those on the extreme or hind-part of the body about the Rump ( for it wanted the Tail ) nine inches long , and harder than the rest . Although they are all hard or stiff , yet are they not broad but narrow , with thin-set filaments opposite one to another on each side ; of a black colour , but about the Thighs tending to cinereous , the shaft only remaining black , as in the rest . These feathers had that form and situation , that to those that behold the Bird afar off , its skin might well be thought to be covered not with feathers , but only with hairs , seeming like to a Bears ; and to want Wings ; though indeed it had Wings , lying hid under the feathers covering the sides , furnished with * * We observed five shafts of feathers in each Wing . four greater feathers of a black colour , as I observed in the case , though they were so broken at the tops , that I could determine nothing certainly concerning their length . But their broken shafts were pretty thick , hard and solid , and ran deep down into the outmost part of the Wing . The upper part of the Wing next the body had its covert feathers like those on the Breast . For it is to be thought , that this kind of Wings are given to this Bird to assist her and promote her speed in running : For I believe she cannot fly , nor raise her self from the earth : [ He might have been more positive in this , for it is most certain . ] The Legs in compass exceeded five inches , and were covered with many as it were barks or broad scales , especially above the bending of the foot . It had thick , hard Feet , divided into three thick Toes , on the upper part covered with scales , underneath altogether callous : The middle ( which was longer than the rest ) consisted of three joynts , the interiour of one , the exteriour of two . The Claws of all were very great , almost two inches long , thick , hard , and horny . The Head was small for the bigness of the bird , and almost bald or smooth , of a dark Purple colour , together with the upper part of the Neck , in which appeared thin-set , black hairs . The Eyes a little above the slit of the Bill , great , and firy , almost like to those of Lions , compassed with black hairs , as are also those small , open Ear-holes which it had behind the Eyes . The upper Chap of the Bill was as it were arched or bent like a Bow , a little above the point perforate with two holes , serving for Nosthrils ; from the middle whereof , reaching to the top of the Head , arises a kind of towring Diadem or Crown , of a horny substance , near three inches high , of a dusky yellow colour ; which , as I understood , falls off at moulting time , and grows up again with the new feathers . The nether Chap of the Bill from the * * I suppose he means from the corners of the slit of the mouth . slit to the utmost point was five inches long . The fore-part of the Neck , almost four inches below the Bill , had as it were two membranous Wattles hanging down like a beard , two inches long , of a red Vermilion colour . The back-part of the Neck was likewise destitute of feathers , from the Head all along , being also of a red Vermilion colour : The lower part was covered with some few red feathers , wherewith black ones were intermingled .

This Bird , although it seem to have some marks common with the Ostrich , as a small Head , almost bald ; and that without choice it swallows whatever you offer it ; yet hath it not feet divided into two Toes like them , but into three , wanting the back-toe , after the manner of the Bustards : And therefore so firm and strong , that I have seen a tree of the bigness of a mans thigh wholly crushed , and its bark taken away ( as its Master told me ) by the Feet and Claws of this bird . For it was not wont to assault those with whom it fought , with its Bill , running forward ; but turning it self obliquely or sideways , to strike backward with its Feet .

But although it devoured indifferently whatever was offered , as Oranges entire , and the like , yet its ordinary food was white bread , which it swallowed divided into great lumps or morsels . But I was informed , that it was especially delighted with new-laid Hens Eggs , which it swallowed whole together with the shell . But if it were not in perfect health , it avoided them again entire , and then swallowing them anew the second time , it retained and concocted them . Moreover they affirmed to me , that this bird was a Cock , and that it was sometimes seen to put forth a penis from behind like a Camel . An Egg of this bird , the greatest and fairest among many that I saw , being measured longways was fifteen inches in circuit , cross-ways but twelve , or a little more : So that for its bigness it might be imployed and used for a vessel , as well as an Ostriches , which , ( as Pliny testifies ) the Ancients did sometimes use , and our Age also still doth for that purpose . For I remember that I have more than once seen Ostriches Eggs , tipt with , and set in Silver , made use of for drinking Cups . Howbeit the Shell of this Birds Egg was not very thick nor white , like the Shells of Ostriches Eggs , but in the outside of a greenish ash-colour , adorned with continuous , at least very thick-set small protuberances of a deep green . Of the rest which I saw one was almost of the same bigness , form , and colour with that described ; but some were more round , others lesser ; the colour also of some was more dilute , and less elegant . Moreover , it was told me , that this sort of Bird is not peculiar to the Molucca Islands , but found also in Sumatra or Taprobane , and the neighbouring Continent to those Islands . Thus far Clusius .

The Hen is much less than the Cock , of a dark Olive or dusky colour . It seems to be a miracle in nature ( saith Aldrovandus , who borrowed his description out of the Journal of a Holland Voyage ) that this bird wants a Tongue . Whatever it eats it swallows . This is not so very wonderful ; for we know other Birds besides this which want the Tongue , as for example , The Pelican , &c. Whatever other Authors have concerning the Emeu , as far as I have read , is all transcribed out of Clusius : Excepting Dr. Harvey , who doth briefly describe this Bird from ocular inspection ; adding , that it swallows even live coals : And I have observed a Cut of it in the Tables of birds set out by Visscher , with this Inscription , Avis ignem devorans ; i. e. The bird that eats or devours fire .

§. IV. The Dodo , called by Clusius Gallus gallinaceus peregrinus , by Nieremberg Cygnus cucullatus , by Bontius Dronte .

THis Exotic Bird , found by the Hollanders in the Island called * * That is the Swan Island . Cygnaea or Cerne by the Portugues , Mauritius Island by the Low Dutch , of thirty miles compass , famous especially for black Ebony , did equal or exceed a Swan in bigness , but was of a far different shape : For its Head was great , covered as it were with a certain membrane resembling a hood : Beside , its Bill was not flat and broad , but thick and long ; of a yellowish colour next the Head , the point being black : The upper Chap was hooked ; in the nether had a bluish spot in the middle between the yellow and black part . They reported that it is covered with thin and short feathers , and wants Wings , instead whereof it hath only four or five long , black feathers ; that the hinder part of the body is yery fat and fleshy , wherein for the Tail were four or five small curled feathers , twirled up together , of an ash-colour . Its Legs are thick rather than long , whose upper part , as far as the knee , is covered with black feathers ; the lower part , together with the Feet , of a yellowish colour : Its Feet divided into four toes , three ( and those the longer ) standing forward , the fourth and shortest backward ; all furnished with black Claws . After I had composed and writ down the History of this Bird with as much diligence and faithfulness as I could , I hapned to see in the house of Peter Pawius , primary Professor of Physic in the University of Leyden , a Leg thereof cut off at the knee , lately brought over out of Mauritius his Island . It was not very long , from the knee to the bending of the foot being but little more than four inches ; but of a great thickness , so that it was almost four inches in compass , and covered with thick-set scales , on the upper side broader , and of a yellowish colour , on the under [ or backside of the Leg ] lesser and dusky . The upper side of the Toes was also covered with broad scales , the under side wholly callous . The Toes were short for so thick a Leg : For the length of the greatest or middlemost Toe to the nail did not much exceed two inches , that of the other Toe next to it scarce came up to two inches : The back-toe fell something short of an inch and half : But the Claws of all were thick , hard , black , less than an inch long ; but that of the back-toe longer than the rest , exceeding an inch . The Mariners in their dialect gave this bird the name of Walghvogel , that is , a nauseous , or yellowish bird : Partly because after long boyling its fleshbecame not tender , but continued hard , and of a difficult concoction ; excepting the Breast and Gizzard , which they found to be of no bad relish ; partly because they could easily get many Turtle-Doves , which were much more delicate and pleasant to the Palate . Wherefore it was no wonder that in comparison of those they despised this , and said they could well be content to be without it . Moreover they said , that they found certain stones in its Gizzard : And no wonder , for all other birds as well as these swallow stones , to assist them in grinding their meat . Thus far Clusius .

* * Hist. Natur. & Medic. Indiae Oriental . lib. 5. cap. 17. Bontius writes , that this Bird is for bigness of mean size , between an Ostrich and a Turkey , from which it partly differs in shape , and partly agrees with them , especially with the African Ostriches , if you consider the Rump , quils , and feathers : So that it shews like a Pigmy among them , if you regard the shortness of its Legs . It hath a great , ill-favoured Head , covered with a kind of membrane resembling a hood : Great , black Eyes , a bending , prominent , fat Neck : An extraordinary long , strong , bluish white Bill , only the ends of each Mandible are of a different colour , that of the upper black , that of the nether yellowish , both sharp-pointed and crooked . It gapes huge wide , as being naturally very voracious . It s body is fat , round , covered with soft , grey feathers , after the manner of an Ostriches : In each side instead of hard Wing-feathers or quils , it is furnished with small soft-feathered Wings , of a yellowish ash-colour ; and behind the Rump , instead of a Tail , is adorned with five small curled feathers of the same colour . It hath yellow Legs , thick , but very short ; four Toes in each foot , solid , long , as it were scaly , armed with strong , black Claws . It is a slow-paced and stupid bird , and which easily becomes a prey to the Fowlers . The flesh , especially of the Breast , is fat , esculent , and so copious , that three or four Dodos will sometimes suffice to fill an hundred Seamens bellies . If they be old , or not well boyled , they are of difficult concoction , and are salted and stored up for provision of victual . There are found in their stomachs stones of an ash-colour of divers figures and magnitudes ; yet not bred there as the common people and Seamen fancy , but swallowed by the Bird ; as though by this mark also Nature would manifest , that these Fowl are of the Ostrich kind in that they swallow any hard things , though they do not digest them . Thus Bontius .

We have seen this Bird dried , or its skin stuft in Tradescants Cabinet .

CHAP. IX . Of the Poultry kind .

THe characteristic notes of the Poultry kind are : 1. To have a short , strong , and somewhat crooked Bill , very fit to pick up grains of Corn , Pulse , and other Seeds , on which this kind chiefly feeds : 2. A thick and fleshy body : 3. Short , hollow Wings ; whence this sort of birds flies not high , and makes but short flights for the most part : 4. A Stomach furnished with thick muscles , whose use is to grind the grains of Corn , and other hard meat swallowed whole , which they perform by the help of little stones which the birds now and then swallow ; and so supply the defect of Teeth : 5. Very long blind guts : 6. White flesh , especially that of the muscles of the Breast , which colour after boyling discovers it self more manifestly . This note is peculiar to this kind , not agreeing to any other bird that I know . This is a sign that their flesh is of all other most wholsom , and affords best nourishments : So that it is not undeservedly had in highest esteem , and sold dearest of any other . 7. To breed many young at a time . 8. To build their Nests upon the ground ; the reason whereof is because 9. The young ones newly hatched are not fed by their Dams with meat put into their mouths , but are covered with a thick Down , forsake their Nests , and running up and down follow the old ones , and feed themselves , picking up their meat with their Bills . 10. Because they are ( as we said ) corpulent , and cannot fly long , they seek their food walking up and down upon the earth , and for that reason have broad Toes , that they may stand firmer and surer , and are for the most part good runners . 11. The most , if not all birds of this kind , dust themselves . 12. The Poultry kind only , but not all the several Species of this kind , are armed with Spurs .

We shall distinguish the birds of this kind into tame and wild : the wild we shall subdivide into those that have the back-toe and those that want it : Those again that have the back toe , into granivorous and phytivorous , or by a more evident mark , such as have scarlet red Eye-brows .

Birds of the Poultry kind are either Tame and domestic , as the Peacock , Turkey , Dunghil Cock , &c. Wild which either Have the back toe being Granivorous , as the Pheasant , Partridge , Quail , &c. Phytivorous , with red Eye-brows , as Cock of the Wood , &c. Want the back-toe , as the Bustard , &c.

CHAP. X. Of tame Poultry .

§. I. The Dunghill Cock and Hen. Gallus gallinaceus & Gallina domestica .

THis Bird called by the Grecians 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and of old by a general name 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , is and hath been so well known in all Ages and places , that it would be but lost labour to bestow many words on the describing of it . By its erect Tail having the component feathers so situate as to make an Angle or ridge ; its fleshy , naked , serrate Comb , and Gills or Wattles hanging down under its Chin , and lastly , by its long Spurs , it is abundantly distinguished from all other birds of its kind , and easily known at first sight . The Dunghil Cock alone of all diurnal Birds ( excepting the Nightingale ) sings or crows by night , viz. after Midnight two or three times at intervals before break of day . The number of quill-feathers in each Wing , computing all to the very least , is twenty seven . The Tail consists of fourteen , which as far as I know , is peculiar to this Species : For the rest of the Poultry kind have eighteen , or at least sixteen feathers apiece in their Tails . Of these the two middlemost are in Cocks the longest , and elegantly reflected or arcuate ; Sickle feathers the Vulgar call them .

The Cock being a most salacious bird doth suddenly grow old , and becomes less fit for generation . For his spirits being spent , and the radical moisture , as they call it , consumed , by the immoderate use of Venery , his body must necessarily wax dry , and his heat of lust be extinguished . Aldrovandus writes , that himself hath found by experience , that Cocks when they are above three years old do indeed impregnate Hens , but that they become more impotent and insufficient for such exercises . Hens also , sith they do for the greatest part of the year daily lay Eggs , cannot long suffice for so many births , but for the most part after three or four years become barren and effete . For when they have spent all the Seed-Eggs which from the beginning were in their bodies , they must needs cease to lay , there being no new ones generated within .

How long these Birds would live , were they let alone , I cannot certainly determine , though Aldrov . limits their age to ten years . For they being kept only for profit , and within a few years ( as we said before ) becoming unfit for generation , who is there that without all hope of gain will keep them only to make experiment how long they will live ? But that they are in their kind short-lived we may rightly infer from their salaciousness and intemperate lust , which infeebles the body , wastes the spirits , and hastens the end .

Cocks , being very couragious and high spirited birds , that will rather die than yield , are wont by our Countrymen to be with great care and exact diet fed and trained up for the combat . For in Cities and great Towns there are frequent Cock-fightings , yet not upon set days , but appointed by the Cock-masters at their pleasure , or when they agree among themselves . Yea , in many places there are Theaters built , ( Cock-pits they call them ) where such shows are exhibited , to which there is commonly a great concourse of people . There are matches made , and great Wagers laid , besides bettings on either side of great sums of money , which they carry away whose Cocks get the victory . Right and well bred Cocks of the Game , will sooner die upon the spot , than yield and give over the fight , or turn tail and run away .

No better flesh in the world ( in my opinion ) than that of a year-old Pullet well fed , or a fat Capon ; nothing inferiour to , not to say better than that of a Pheasant or Partridge , Some there are that think , and we also incline to their opinion , that the flesh of those Hens is most sweet and delicate , which are fed at the Barn-door , running about , and exercising themselves in getting their food , by scraping with their feet : And that the flesh of those is less pleasant and wholsom , that are shut up in Coops and cram'd . Some are so curious that they think those limbs most wholsom which are most exercised , and therefore in Wild-Fowl they prefer the Wings , in Tame the Legs .

A particular Anatomical description of the Cvarium , or Egg-cluster , the womb and other parts of generation in a Hen may be seen in Aldrovandus his Ornithology , tom. 2. p. 199 , &c. but a more exact in Dr. Harvey's Exercitations De Generatione . Of the Coition of Cock and Hen , laying of Eggs , sitting , and hatching of Chickens the same Authors may be consulted ; as also that great Anatomist and Naturalist Marcellus Malpighius , in his little Tractate de Ovo , who of all others doth most exactly describe the process of generation , or of the formation , and growth of the Chicken in the Egg , during the whole time of incubation , and hath also illustrated his descriptions with Figures . Of the use of the flesh , Eggs , and all other parts of Pullen both in Food and Physic , Gesner and Aldrovandus have writ sufficiently ; to whose works we refer those who desire to know all those particulars .

That the Lion is afraid of a Cock , cannot endure the sight of him , yea , is terrified by his very crowing , hath been delivered and received by Ancients and Moderns with unanimous consent and approbation , and divers reasons sought and assigned for this antipathy : When as the thing it self is by experience found to be false .

We have beheld more than once , not without pleasure and admiration , a Capon bringing up a brood of Chickens like a Hen , clocking of them , feeding of them , and brooding them under his Wings , with as much care and tenderness as their Dams are wont to do . And we were told , that he was trained and induced to perform this office , almost after the same manner that Jo. Baptista Porta prescribes , lib. 4. Magiae Nat. cap. 26. First , they make him very tame , so as to take meat out of ones hand , then about Evening-time pluck the feathers off his breast , and rub the bare skin with Nettles , and then put the Chickens to him , which presently run under his breast and belly , and ( it is likely ) rubbing his breast gently with their heads allay the stinging and it ching of the Nettles ; and this they do for two or three nights , till he begin to love and delight in the Chickens . Perchance also the querulous voice of the Chickens may be pleasant to him in misery , and invite him to succour the miserable . A Capon once accustomed to this service will not give it over , but when one brood is grown up , you may take them away , and put another to him of newly hatcht Chickens , and he shall be as kind to them , and take as much care of them as of the former , and so others , till all being grown up or removed , he hath been for some time idle and disused the employment .

I might be infinite should I prosecute at large all that might be said of this bird , or write a full , exact , and particular History of it . If any Reader desires to know more of it , let him consult Aldrovandus whose design was , to omit nothing in his History which was either known to himself , or had been before published by others .

This same Author in his Ornithology gives us many kinds , or rather rarities , of Hens . 1. A common Hen , but white and copped , lib. 14. cap. 2. 2. A dwarf Hen , or short-leg'd Hen: Which variety is also found in England , kept by the curious , and called Grigs . 3. A Padua Cock and Hen: Which ought rather to be called a Pulverara Cock and Hen ; from Pulverara a Village some miles distant from Padua , where they are found . These are larger and fairer Fowl than the common sort , else differ in no particular : Whence also if they be removed into other Countries , they do by degrees degenerate , and in a short time [ in some few generations ] come to be of the size and and shape of the Natives of such places . 4. A rough-footed Cock and Hen , lib. 14. cap. 5. 5. A Turkish Cock and Hen , different from ours especially in the variety and beauty of their colours , cap. 6. 6. A Persian Cock and Hen , whose characteristic is the wanting of a Rump or Tail . This kind is also kept by some among us , and called Rumkins . The first five varieties , in my opinion , differ not specifically . For these Birds by reason of the difference of Climate , soil , food , and other accidents , vary infinitely in colours , differ also in bigness , and in having or wanting tufts on their heads , &c. Those birds which he describes and gives figures of in the tenth and eleventh Chapters , under the titles of Another Indian Cock and Hen , and in the twelfth Chapter under the title of two other Indian Hens , are the same with the Mitu and Mituporanga of Marggravius , of which we shall give an account § . IV.

The Wool-bearing Hen I take to be altogether fabulous , and its figure in Aldrov . lib. 14. cap. 14. taken out of a certain Map , fictitious . Perchance it was no other than the frisled or Frisland Hen , which Odoricus de Foro Julii and Sir John Mandevil call the Wool-bearing Hen. The birds which M. Panlus Venetus makes mention of in these words , In the City Quelinfu , in the Kingdom of Mangi are found Hens , which instead of feathers have hairs like Cats , of ablack colour , and lay very good Eggs , seem to be Cassowaries .

Besides those set forth by Aldrovandus , we have often seen , and our selves also have now at Middleton another kind or variety of Hen , called in English the Frisland Hen , not ( as I suppose ) because it was first brought to us out of Frisland , but because the feathers of the body are curled or frisled : By which Epithete I believe this Bird was at first called , the word being afterward by the mistake of the Vulgar corrupted into Frisland , of like sound . For knowing this to be an outlandish Hen , they thought it could not be more fitly denominated than from its Country , and thereupon imagined it to be called a Frisland Hen , instead of a frisled Hen. Nor did they want a probable argument to induce them to think it to be of a Frisland breed or original , viz. the curling of the feathers , which one would be apt to attribute to the horror of cold . I suppose this to be the same bird which Aldrovandus hath put in the Chapter of monstrous Hens , in the last place , whose figure he saith was sent him by Pompilius Tagliaserrus of Parma , with this description . I would have you to understand , that there are two things especially found in this Cock worthy of admiration . The first and chief is , that the feathers of its Wings have a contrary situation to those of other birds , for that side which in others is naturally under most or inmost , in this is turned outward , so that the whole Wing seems to be inverted : The other is , that the feathers of the Neck are reflected towards the head like a crest or ruff , which way the whole Tail also turns up .

A Hen cut asunder in the middle ( in this case they prefer a black one ) and applied The Physical uses of a Hen and its parts . hot to the head , in the phrensie , headach , &c. usually helps , and gives ease : They say also , that used in like manner , it heals the bitings of venomous beasts . Laid upon Carbuncles it draws out the venom ; nor must we omit , that it stanches the bleeding of green wounds . A live Hen [ or Cock ] pluckt about the Fundament , and so applied to Pestilential swellings called Bubones , draws out the venom .

1. The Jelly of an old Hen , made of a Hen cut with Calves feet , and Sheeps feet , or Beef , boiled six or seven hours in a close vessel , to which you may add Spices , or Cordial waters , is a great strengthener and nourisher .

2. Cock-Ale is made of Hensflesh , boiled till the flesh falls from the bones , then it is beaten with the bones , and strained for Wine or Ale with Spices . Note . The flesh of Hens is better than that of Cocks , except Capons . The flesh of a black Hen , that hath not laid , is accounted better and lighter .

3. Cock-broth is thus made : Tire and old Cock till he fall with weariness , then kill and pluck him , and gut him , and stuff him with proper Physic , and boil him till all the flesh falls off , then strain it . This broth mollifies , and by means of the nitrous parts wherewith that decrepite Animal is endued , and which are exalted by that tiring of him , cuts and cleanseth , and moves the belly , the rather if you boil therein purging Medicines . It is famous for easing the pains of the Colic ( boiled with purgers and discutients ) good against a Cough and Tartar of the Lungs ( boiled with breast herbs . )

4. The Brain thickens and stops fluxes , as that of the belly ( taken in Wine , ) Women anoint therewith the gums of Children , to make them breed teeth .

5. The inward tunicle of the stomach , dried in the Sun , and powdered binds and strengthens the stomach , stops vomiting and fluxes , and breaks the stone .

6. The Stones are said wonderfully to restore strength after sickness , and to yield prolific seed , to provoke and increase lust ( taken fresh ) and to cure Fevers .

7. The Gall takes off spots from the skin , and is good for the Eyes .

8. The Grease of Hen or Capon is hot , moist , and softning , between the Goose and Hogs grease , and obtunds A crimony , cures chapt lips , pains in the Ears and pustles in the Eyes .

9. The Weasand of a Cock , burt and not consumed , given before Supper , cures pissing of bed . Solenand . s . 4. Cons. 11.

10. The Dung doth all the same that the Pigeons , but weaker : and besides , cures the Colic and pain of the Womb. Moreover , it is good especially against the Jaundise , Stone , and suppression of Urine .

Note . The white part of the Dung is esteemed the best .

Give half a drachm Morning and Evening for four or five days . Quercet . Pharmac . Rest . c. 21.

Outwardly it dries running heads , and other scabs ( the ashes sprinkled on . )

The yellow dung cures the Ulcers of the Bladder , fried in fresh Butter or Oyl olive , and cast into cold water , to let the filth settle , that the Oyl may swim , which * * The Oyl thus impregnate . is to be cast into the Yard .

11. The Eggs are used , the Shells , Membranes , Whites , Yolks .

The Shells break the Stone , and cut tartareous mucilage .

The membranes are diuretic , given inwardly , or outwardly applied , ( and are laid on the prepuce of infants . )

The White cools , binds , and conglutinates . It is of frequent use in the redness of the Eyes , and for healing of wounds ( with bole ) and fractures , &c.

Note . Hippocrates gives three or four Whites in Fevers to cool and cleanse .

The Yolk is Anodyne , ripens , digests , loosens , and is very much used in Clysters . Moreover , mingled with a little Salt it is wont to be laid on Childrens Navels ( in a Walnut shell ) to give a stool .

There is an Oyl made of it , which is of frequent use in consolidating and closing up wounds , and chaps , and the ripening of tumors .

§. II. A Peacock , Pavo , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

THis Bird is so well known every where , and so sufficiently characterized by the length and glorious eye-like spots of his Tail alone , that it may perchance seem superfluous to bestow many words on describing of it . I shall therefore only present the Reader with Aldrovandus his description .

In the Cock ( saith he ) the Head , Neck , and beginning of the Breast are of a deep blue . The Head in proportion to the body little , and ( as Albertus notes ) in a manner Serpentine , adorned with two oblong white spots , the one above the Eyes , the other , ( which is the lesser , but much the thicker ) under them , which is also succeeded by a black one ; else , as I said , blue . It hath a tuft on the top of its head , not entire , as in some other birds , but consisting of a kind of naked , but very tender , green stalks or shafts of feathers , bearing on their tops as it were Lily-flowers of the same colour . Of which most beautiful tuft or crest thus Pliny , Pavonis apicem crinitae arbusculae constituunt : And indeed they seem not to be feathers , but the tender shoots of Plants newly put forth . The Bill is whitish and * * The slit of the mouth he means . slit wide , being a little crooked at the tip , as it is in almost all granivorous birds , and in it wide Nosthrils : The Neck long , and for the bigness of the Fowl very slender . The Back of a pale ash-colour , besprinkled with many transverse black spots . The Wings closed ( for spred I cannot see them , who describe it painted by the life ) above towards the Back are black , lower towards the Belly and withinside red . The Tail is so disposed , that it is as it were divided into two . For when he spreads it round , certain lesser feathers making as it were an entire Tail by themselves , and being of another , to wit , a dusky colour , do not stand up like those long ones , but are seen extended as in other birds : So that without doubt the longer must needs be inserted into another muscle , by help whereof they are so erected and spread . These long feathers , ( as Bellonius writes ) spring out of the upper part of the Back near the vent , that is , out of the Rump : And those other lesser ones are made by Nature to support the longer . The Rump is of a deep green , which together with the Tail it erects ; the feathers whereof are short , and so disposed , that they do as it were imitate the scales of an Aethiopian Dragon , and cover and take away the sight of part of the long feathers of the Tail . The longer feathers are all of a Chesnut colour , beautified with most elegant gold lines tending upward , but ending in tips of a very deep green , and those forked like Swallows Tails . The circular spots , or ( as Pliny calls them ) the eyes of the feathers , are particoloured of a deep green , shining like a Chrysolite , a Gold and Sapphire colour . For those Eyes consist of four circles of different colours , the first a golden , the second a chesnut , the third a green : The fourth or middle place is taken up by a blue or Sapphire coloured spot , almost of the figure and bigness of a Kidney-bean . The Hips , Legs and Feet are of an ash-colour besprinkled with black spots , and armed with spurs after the manner of Dunghil-Cocks . The Belly near the Stomach is of a bluish green , near the vent it is black , or at least of a dusky colour .

In the Peahen there is little variety of colours . The whole Wings , Back , Belly , Thighs and Legs are of a dusky colour , inclining to cinereous . The Crown of the Head and Crest are of the same colour ; yet in the top of the Head are some small spots , as it were points of green dispersed . Those white spots we noted in the Cock are in the Hen far greater . The circle encompassing the Pupil of the Eye in the Cock is yellow , in this of a lead-colour . The Chin is wholly white . The feathers of the Neck are waved and green ; near the Breast they have their extremities white .

Their Food is the same with that of the common Cock and Hen : But they do especially delight in Barley . Albertus saith , that Peacocks eat Serpents , whence it is no wonder that Serpents should be terrified with their voice . That they were originally exotic birds , and of old time brought out of India into Europe is most probable , though now adays they are every where very frequent .

It is proper to this Bird only , the Turkey excepted , to erect his Tail , and spread it round , as if it delighted and took pride to have the glistering Eyes thereof beheld : But that he doth it upon being commended , and that so soon as he casts down his Eyes and sees the deformity of his Feet , out of shame he presently lets fall and contracts his Tail , as if he were not altogether devoid of reason , is without doubt false and fabulous .

It s flesh is esteemed harder , colder , drier , and of more difficult concoction than that of Hens . That being boiled or roast it will not putrefie , but keep a year or more uncorrupt , is commonly believed , and proved by an experiment made by St. Augustine , who in his 21. Book of the City of God , Chap. 2. writes thus : Who but God the Creator of all things gave to Peacocks flesh a faculty of not putrefying : Which thing at first hearing seeming to me incredible , it hapned that at Carthage there was set before us a roasted Peacock ; of the brawn of whose breast we caused to be kept so much as we thought convenient : Which being produced after so many days space as any other roasted flesh would corrupt in , did not at all offend our Nose . Being laid up again , after more than thirty days it was found the same as before , and likewise the same after a year , save that it was somewhat drier , and a little contracted or shrunk . To us it seems not so wonderful that the flesh of a Peacock , which is of it self sufficiently hard and solid , being rendred harder and drier by roasting should continue a long time uncorrupted in a hot Country , such as Africa is , especially if care be taken , that in moist and rainy weather it take no wet , but be kept always dry ; and I doubt not but the same would happen to Turkeys flesh , or even to Pullets flesh boiled or roasted . Let them abstain ( saith Aldrov . ) from eating Peacocks flesh who live a sedentary or idle life , using no exercise : For it is more agreeable , or at least less hurtful to those that exercise much , [ I mean the flesh of young Peacocks only , as being more tender ] but to those that are liver-grown , or troubled with the Spleen , or with the Piles very noxious . But in my opinion , and to my Palate the flesh of young Peacocks is very tender , delicate , and well tasted , purely white , and deservedly had by the Romans of old in high esteem , and price , nothing inferiour to that of Hens or Partridge .

Aristotle writes , that Peacocks lay twelve Eggs , but with us they seldom lay more than five or six before they sit .

They are pestilent things in Gardens , doing a world of mischief : They also throw down the Tiles , and pluck off the Thatch of houses . The Peacock ( saith Aldrovandus ) though he be a most beautiful bird to behold , yet that pleasure of the Eyes is compensated with many an ungrateful stroke upon the Ears , which are often afflicted with the odious noise of his horrid , or , as he calls it , * * Tartareous voice . hellish cry . Whence by the common people in Italy it is said to have the feathers of an Angel , but the voice of a Devil , and the guts of a Thief . It is said ( and I can easily believe it ) to produce its life to an hundred years . The Peacock , saith Columella , is no less salacious than the Dunghil-Cock , and therefore requires five Hens : Yea , if there be no other Female for him to couple withal he will run upon and tread the sitting Hen , and break her Eggs , whereof she being conscious , endeavours as much as she can to hide her Nest from him . This bird is said to love cleanliness . It sometimes varies in colour , being found white , especially in Northern Countries .

§. III. The Turkey . Gallopavo , sive Meleagris & Numidica avis .

THe Turkey being now so well known , and become so common every where in Europe , needs no very minute and operose description , wherefore we shall content our selves with that of Peter Gyllius , sufficiently exact of it self , and made up and perfected by Aldrovandus , by the addition of whatsoever worthy the observation was by him omitted ; which runs thus :

It is as tall as a Peacock . It s Neck together with its Head is altogether bare of feathers , and only covered with a purplish-coloured skin ; so very thick , that when it cries , or prides it self , it so stretches , and as it were blows up the skin , that before hung loose and flaggy , that it approaches to the bigness of a mans arm . The Crown of the Head is particoloured of white , blue , and purple . It hath no Crest or Comb like a Cock , but a certain red , * * Worm-like Caruncle . fleshy Appendix , arising above the upper Chap of the Bill , which is sometimes extended to that length , that it not only reaches all along the declivity of the upper Chap , but hangs down below the tip of the Bill at least an inch , so that the Bill is covered with it , that it cannot be seen but sideways . This Appendix when it walks or feeds it contracts to that shortness , that whereas before it hung down an inch lower than the Bill , now being shrunk up it falls short of the length of the Bill it self . The feathers of this bird do somewhat resemble a Hawks , and have their ends white . It hath very long Legs . Its Toes and Claws have the same distinction and figure with the Dunghil-Cock . The body of that I saw was round , and taller than a Peacocks . Round about the Eyes it was of a florid blue and purple colour . The Eyes themselves were indued with a very quick and sharp sight , like those of Hawks . The Cock when any one came near the Hen , bristled up his feathers , and by his superb gate , strutting up towards him , endeavoured to drive him away . The Hen was white , and resembled a Peacock when he hath cast the feathers of his Tail . Thus far Gyllius : In which description , saith Aldrovandus , are two notes of no small moment wanting : viz. That its Legs * * In our observation they want not spurs , though they have indeed but short and blunt ones . want Spurs , and that the Cock is differenced from the Hen , when they are come to their full growth and maturity , by a bristly bush or beard before his Throat , or in the upper part of his Breast : Add hereto , that the worm-like Caruncle on the Head is in the Hen very small . What he saith of their feathers being like Hawks , is to be understood by reason of their many spots , wherein the likeness consists .

To this we may further add , that the Tail of a Turkey is made up of eighteen feathers ; that each Wing hath twenty eight prime feathers or quils : That the Legs have small Spurs , or rather certain rudiments of Spurs , and those very conspicuous and plain to be seen , however Aldrovandus writes that they do altogether want Spurs . Their Eggs are white , but thick-speckled with sordid yellowish red spots , much like to the freckles of the face of a man .

This stately Fowl at first sight from the shape of its body , and also from its conditions , one would take to be rather of the Hen than the Peacock kind , saith Aldrovandus : To me it seems to be more like the Peacock than the common Cock , in its bigness and stature or tallness , in the manner of carrying its Tail , but especially of setting it up and spreading it , as if both it self admired it , and took pride in shewing it to others .

That these birds were the Meleagrides of the Ancients , as also their Gallinae Africanae & Numidicae guttatae , Aldrovandus takes much pains to prove . In English they are called Turkeys , because they are thought to have been first brought to us out of Turkey .

Turkeys love hot Countries : yet they can bear cold ones well enough , after they are grown up and have been used to them : But their young Chickens are very nesh and tender , and not to be reared without great care and attendance .

Their flesh is very white and delicate , a dish becoming a Princes feast , saith Aldrovandus , if it be well concocted yielding a plentiful and firm nourishment ; of the same taste and quality with that of a Peacock , and as difficult to concoct , unless its hardness be before by some means corrected . This is to be understood of old and well grown Turkeys , for Turkey-pouts and young Turkeys are tender enough , and of easie concoction .

The antipathy this Fowl hath against a red colour , so as to be much moved and provoked at the sight thereof , is very strange and admirable .

§. IV. The Brasilian Mitu or Mutu of Marggrave .

THis Bird , saith Marggrave , is of the Pheasant kind ; the Spaniards also ( as Nierembergius tells us ) call it a Pheasant . But we , partly for its bigness , partly for its colour , partly also for its gentle nature , easily becoming tame , but chiefly for that it spreads its Tail in like manner * * If I understand Marggrave aright . circularly , think that it ought rather to be ranked with the Peacock and Turkey , to which we have therefore subjoyned it . It is bigger than the common Cock or Hen. The length of its body from the Neck to the rise of the Tail is ten inches : The length of the Neck six inches . It is all over covered with black feathers , except on the Belly and under the Tail , whereit is of a brown colour , almost like that of a Partridge . The feathers on the Head , Neck , and Breast are finer than the rest , and for softness and beauty comparable to black Velvet . On the top of the Head it hath black feathers complicated into a very low and flat cop , which one that carelesly beheld the Bird would scarce take notice of , but when it is angry , or on other occasions it can erect them into a conspicuous crest . It hath a remarkable Bill , not thick , crooked , about an inch and half long : The lower Chap is small , the upper almost four times bigger . The Bill is of a very bright carnation colour , but toward the tip white . Its * * Under this word he comprehends also the thighs . Legs are like a Hens , ten inches long , to wit , four from the Feet to the Knees , and six above them , where they are covered with black feathers . It hath also four Toes , like a Hens , which from their rise to the first joynt are connected by an intervenient skin , as in some other birds . It hath a Tail a foot long , like a Turkeys , which it always moves in breadth ; crying Kit Kit like them : A well-shaped Head like a Gooses ; a Neck about six inches long , as was before said : Brave , great black Eyes ; and behind the Ears a white naked spot like a Hen. It is easily made tame ; it roosts willingly on high upon trees like Turkeys . Finally , it hath very good and savoury flesh .

The Pauxi of Nieremberg , the Indian Hen of Aldrovandus , lib. 4. cap. 12. a variety of the Mitu .

It was ( saith Nieremberg out of Fr. Hernandus ) of the bigness of a Dunghil-Cock , or something bigger : Its feathers were of a black colour , but shining , and almost like a Peacocks : Its Bill red , crooked , and like a Parrots , &c. What was most remarkable in , and peculiar to this Bird was a certain tumour fastened to the root of its Bill , where it was more slender , of the shape of a Pear , of the hardness of a stone , and of a blue colour , like that of the stone called Cyaneus or the Turcois .

Aldrovandus describes his * * Ornithol . lib. 14. cap. 12. Indian Hen , from a Picture , as I suppose , in this wise . From the Bill to the end of the Tail ( which was white , and striped with black lines ) it was black , which blackness yet did every where incline to blue . The vent and beginning of the Tail underneath were white . It s Bill was strong , crooked , and red . Its Legs were almost of the same colour , but much paler , and in their hind part inclining to blue . The Claws were black . It carried on its forehead a great protuberance , of the shape of a Fig , and of a bluish colour . The Tail was long , not erect , as in our common Cocks and Hens , but extended in length , as in a Pie .

These birds differ not from the Mitu in any thing almost but that protuberance or excrescence at the beginning of the Bill . Nierembergius also makes mention of this variety in his tenth Book , Chap. 75. The Pauxi , saith he , ( for so he there calls this Bird ) hath a great head , which in some is plain or smooth , in others crested ; in others instead of a crest of feathers arises a stone or globular body ( a stone they call it though it be not over-hard ) like an Egg , or bigger , of the colour of Soder . I wonder that Marggrave should make no mention of this bunch : Surely it was wanting in all the birds he saw . Whether this Bird be a Species distinct from the Mitu , or only accidentally different , we refer to further inquisition .

§. V. The other Indian Cock of Aldrovandus , Mituporanga of Marggravius , Tepetototl of Nierembergius .

THere is also found ( saith Marggrave ) another kind of * * The Mitu . this Bird , which the Brasilians call Mituporanga , differing only in the Bill and feathers of the Head . This kind hath no long Bill , but an indifferently thick one , yet not so * * Or perchance deep , altum the word is . high as the Mitu , nor so crooked : The tip of both Chaps is black , all the rest of the Bill covered with a Saffron-coloured skin ; the like whereto it hath also about the Eyes . It hath goodly , black Eyes . The Head and Neck covered with feathers of a deep black , like Velvet . On the top of the Head it hath curled feathers , twisted or turning up spirally , as far as the beginning of the Neck ; which it can erect in the manner of a curled or frisled crest . All the rest of the Bird is black , wherewith is here and there mingled a gloss of green . About the vent it hath white feathers . The Legs are cinereous , and of the figure of the Mitu's . The Tail black , but the extremities of its feathers white . This Bird also easily becomes very tame and familiar .

Of this Bird Nierembergius * * Lib. 10. cap. 68. writes thus . The fawning and familiarity of Dogs doth not exceed the officiousness of the Tepetototl or Mountain Bird , which others call , Tecuecholi , and the Spaniards Natives of America a Pheasant , which is very tame and domestic : It is a bird of the bigness of a Goose , of a black shining colour ; yet having some feathers white underneath , about the Tail , at the ends of the Wings ; ash-coloured Legs and Feet ; a crooked Bill , partly cinereous , and partly yellow , and about its root as it were swelling out ; a folded or curled crest ; black Eyes , but a pale Iris. It is fed with Corn , made up into a mass or loaves , and baked , and with such like meat . It s flesh is fat , and good to eat , and not unlike that of well-fed Turkeys . It is a very gentle Creature , and loving to man , and begs its food , when an hungry , by catching hold of the cloths of those that it lives in the house with : And when it hath occasion to go into any Room , if the door be shut , it knocks at it with its Bill . If it can , and be permitted , it follows its Master ; and when he comes home , receives him with great expression of joy and clapping its Wings .

Aldrovandus * * Lib. 14. cap. 10. describes and sets forth the figure of this Bird under the title of Another Indian Cock . The whole body ( saith he ) of this Bird was of a deep black : It wanted both Spurs and Tail , as also the Comb : Instead of which it had on its Head curled feathers . It s Bill was of two colours , partly yellow , to wit , toward the Head , partly black . The upper Chap of its Bill hooked . Where in other Cocks the holes of the Nosthrils are , there this Bird had a certain yellow protuberance , of the bigness of a Cherry . The Legs and Feet were covered with whitish * * Tabellae he calls them . annulary scales . Also some small feathers near the vent were white .

If this Bird be rightly described by Aldrovandus , it seems so to differ from the Mituporanga of Marggrave , as his Indian Hen above described doth from the Mitu , viz. by the Cherry-like protuberance on its Bill . Moreover , it differs also in that it wants a Tail , whereas the Mituporanga hath a sufficient long one . But Aldrovandus saw not the bird it self , but only its Picture , which whether or no it were exact , and not taken when the bird had lost its Tail , there is some reason to doubt .

§. VI. The Guiny Hen.

IT is for bigness equal to a common Hen : But its Neck longer and slenderer . The figure of its body almost like a Partridges . It is of an ash-colour , all over chequered with white spots . A black ring compasses the Neck : The Head is reddish . On the Crown or top of the Head grows a hard horny cap , [ a horn Mr. Willughby calls it ] of a dusky red colour . The Cheeks beneath the Eyes are blue , and bare of feathers , under which is a red Gill. They say , that these Birds are gregarious , and feed their Chickens in common . So far Mr. Willughby . But because this description is very short and succinct , ( though sufficient for the knowledge of the bird ) I shall present the Reader with a full and exact one out of Gesner . The * * So Dr. Key called it , who sent him this description . Mauritanian Cock is a very beautiful bird , in bigness and shape of body , Bill , and Foot like a Pheasant . [ Those that we have seen , as also those described by Bellonius and Marggrave were as big as ordinary Hens , ] armed with a horny Crown , rising up into a point , on the backside * * Very steep behind , and much inclining before . perpendicularly , on the foreside with a gentle ascent or declivity . Nature seems to have intended to fasten and bind it down to the lower part by three as it were * * Laciniae . Labels or slips proceeding from it ; between the Eye and the Ear on both sides one ; and in the middle of the forehead one , all of the same colour with the Crown ; so that it sits on the head after the same manner as the Ducal Cap doth upon the head of the Duke of Venice , if that side which now stands foremost were turned backward . This Crown below is wrinkled round about : Where it rises upright in the top of the Neck , at the hinder part of the head grow certain erect hairs ( not feathers ) turned the contrary way . The Eyes are wholly black , as also the Eye-lids round about , and the Eye-brows , excepting a spot in the upper and hinder part of each Eye-brow . The bottom of the Head on both sides all along is taken up by a kind of callous flesh of a sanguine colour , which that it might not hang down like Gills or Wattles , Nature hath taken care to turn backward and fold up , so that it ends in two acute processes . From this flesh arise up on both sides certain Caruncles , wherewith the Nosthrils are invested round , and the Head in the forepart separated from the Bill , which is pale-coloured ; of these also at the Bill the lower edges are lightly reflected back under both Nosthrils . What is between the Crown and this flesh on the right and left side is marked with a double scaly incisure , but behind with none .

It s colour under the Jaws or Throat is exactly purple , in the Neck a dark purple : In the rest of the body such as would arise from black and white fine powder , sprinkled or sifted thin upon a dusky colour , but not mingled therewith : In this colour are dispersed and thick-set all over the body oval or round white spots , above lesser , below greater , comprehended in the intervals of lines obliquely intersecting one another , as is seen in the natural position of the feathers ; in the upper part of the body only , not in the lower . [ I suppose he means , if we should fancy lines to be drawn in the manner of Network all over the back , the spots would stand in the middle of the Meishes of that Network . ] This you may find to be so , not only from viewing the whole body , but even single feathers plucked off . For the upper feathers , in oblique lines intersecting one another , or if you please , certain circumferences , made ( as I said ) of black and white powder , and having their extremities joyned together as in Honey-combs or Nets , do comprehend oval or round spots in dusky spaces ; but so do not the lower . * * Or the position of both observes a like rule . Yet both are placed in a like manner . For in some feathers they are so joyned together in order , that they do almost make acute triangles , in others so as to represent an oval figure . Of this kind there are three or four rows in each single feather , so that the lesser are contained within the greater . In the end of the Wings and in the Tail the spots stand in equidistant right lines , long ways of the feather . Between the Cock and Hen you can scarce discern , the similitude is so great ; save that the Head of the Hen is all black . It s voice is a divided or interrupted whistle , not louder , nor greater than that of a Quail , but liker to that of a Partridge , except that it is * * Sublimior . higher , and not so clear . This description was sent to Gesner by our Dr. Key [ Cajus . ]

Marggravius saw others brought out of Sierra Lyona like to the above described , whose Neck was bound or lapped about with , as it were , a membranous cloth of a blue ash-colour . A round many-double tuft or crest consisting of elegant black feathers covers the Head . The white points or spots round the whole body are variegated as it were with a shade .

§. VII . Macucagua of the Brasilians , a bird of the Hen-kind . Marggrave .

IT is of the bigness of our Country Hen , or bigger ; hath a black Bill , more than an inch and half long , forward a little crooked , like a Partridges : In the middle of the Bill are two large holes for Nosthrils . The Eyes are black ; and behind them at a little distance are the Ears , as in Hens : The body thick and great , wherewith the Wings end , for it hath no Tail . The lower Legs are bare , two inches and an half long . It hath in its Feet three Toes standing forward , thick , with short and blunt Claws ; a round heel like an Ostrich , and a little above that a short Toe toward the inside of the Leg , with a blunt Talon . The whole Head and Neck is speckled with a dark yellow and black : Under the Throat it is white . The Breast , Belly , and Back are of a dark ash-colour . The Wings are all over of an Umber-colour waved with black , except the prime feathers , which are wholly black . The upper Legs are clothed with feathers of the same colour with the Belly ; the lower , together with the Feet , are blue : The Claws grey . It is a very fleshy bird , and hath so much flesh as scarce two ordinary Hens have , and that also well tasted . Under the outer skin , which is thick and fat , it hath another membrane wherewith the flesh is covered . It lives upon divers fruits that fall from wild trees . I found in its stomach wild Beans , the Seeds of Araticu , &c. It runs upon the ground ; for its Feet are unfit to climb trees . It lays Eggs a little bigger than Hens Eggs , of a bluish green colour . This might have been put in the next Chapter among the wild birds .

CHAP. XI . Wild Birds of the Poultry-kind , and first of all , the Granivorous .

§. I. The Pheasant . Phasianus .

THis Bird is supposed to be so called from Phasis a River in Colchis , from whence it was first brought ito Europe . Aldrovandus , not improbably , takes this word to be rather derived from the Hebrew 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , of the same sound , and ( as he supposes ) signification . They differ much in weight , according as they are fatter or leaner . One Cock we made trial in weighed fifty ounces , another but forty five ; a Hen thirty three . It s length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail was thirty six inches , to the end of the Claws twenty four . The distance between the tips of the Wings extended thirty three inches . The Bill like to that of other granivorous birds , from the tip to the angles of the mouth an inch three quarters long , in old birds whitish : It hath on both sides a fleshy and tuberous membrane , by which it is above joyned to the Head , under which the Nosthrils are as it were hid . The Irides of the Eyes are yellow . A red or Scarlet colour [ according to Aldrovandus powdered with black specks ] compasses the Eye round for a good breadth . In the forepart of the Head , at the Basis of the upper Chap of the Bill , the feathers are black with a kind of purple gloss . The Crown of the Head and upper part of the Neck are tinctured with a dark green , shining like silk , which colour yet is more dilute on the Crown of the Head . [ Aldrovandus writes , that the Crown commonly is of a very elegant , shining ash-colour , at the sides and near the Bill being green , and either in Sun or shade very changeable : Which most beautiful colour doth also take up the * * All the upper end of the Neck . whole Neck above . Mr. Willughby makes the Crown of the Head to be of a shining blue , with a certain mixture of red , and as well the Head as the upper part of the Neck to appear sometimes blue , sometimes green . ] It hath moreover on both sides the Head about the Ears feathers sticking out , which Pliny calls horns . There grow also to the Ears in their lower angle black feathers longer than the rest . The sides of the Neck and the Throat are of a shining purple colour , Note , that as well the green as the purple colour inheres only in the exteriour part or borders of the feathers , the rest , i. e. the middle and lower part , of the feather being on the top of the Head dusky , on the Neck black . The feathers under the Chin , and at the angles of the Mouth are black , with green edges or borders .

Below the green the rest of the Neck , the Breast , Shoulders , middle of the Back , and sides under the Wings are clothed with most beautiful feathers , having their bottoms black , their edges tincted with a most beautiful colour , which , as it is diversly objected to the light , appears either black or purple : Next to the purple in each feather is a cross line or bed of a most splendid gold colour : Below the gold a fulvous , which reaches as low as the black bottom we mentioned . Howbeit the gold colour is not immediately contiguous to the fulvous , but divided by an intermediate narrow line of a shining purplish . On the underside of the Neck the extremities [ tops ] of the feathers are painted with a black spot of the figure of a Parabola . The shafts of all are fulvous . The feathers themselves about the shaft in the lower part of the under side of the Neck are marked with an Oval white spot in the black bottom we spoke of . The feathers on the shoulders and middle of the Back are variegated with these colours : First , their edges are fulvous , next succeeds a narrow purplish line , then a pretty broad black line running parallel to the edges of the feathers , wherein is included another broad white line : This Aldrovandus calls an Oval line . The space comprehended within this line , and the rest of the feather , to the very bottom , are black . Yet in the middle of the Back the space comprehended is various , of dusky and black . The shafts of the feathers are fulvous or yellow . The lower feathers of the Back are almost wholly ferrugineous , inclining to a Fox colour , want that white spot , are longer than others , and end as it were in small filaments . Yet they have this common with the fore-mentioned , that in the light , about their middles they seem to * * Cast forth some shew . have an appearance of that green colour , which else is not seen in them ; that their shafts approach to a gold colour , and that their bottoms or lower parts are all dusky . The Tail ( if you measure the middle feathers , which are much longer than the rest ) is full twenty six inches long , almost of the figure of an Organ ; for as in that the Pipes on each side are gradually longer and longer , or bigger and bigger , the biggest being the middlemost , so is it in this Tail : Those two middlemost feathers ( which , as we said , are the longest of all ) have on each side them eight , all of different magnitude , the exteriour shorter and lesser than the interiour in order to the outmost . They are of an ash-colour , on the sides ferrugineous , near the shafts adorned with black spots , in the longest feathers in both Webs , opposite one to another , in the lesser in one Web only , or if there be any mark in the interiour Web it is more obscure , and scarce observable . The Wings closed are nine inches long , spread * * Here is some mistake for the breadth is double of eighteen inches . eighteen inches broad . The Wing-feathers that are next the body are variegated with the same colours as those on the middle of the Back : The subsequent are liker those on the lower part of the Back : Yet the ridges of the Wings resemble those of the common Partridge , whose colour the prime feathers or quils of the Wings do almost exactly represent , viz. being of a dusky ash-colour , and all over spotted with whitish spots . The Breast and Belly whereabout the Gizzard lies , and that part thereof which the Wings cover glister with the same colours wherewith the Neck is beautified , but more obscure , and the feathers here are much bigger . Near the vent and on the Thighs it is of a dark ferrugineous . The Legs , Feet , Toes , and Claws are of a horn colour ; yet the Toes and Claws are darker than the Legs . A thick membrane , and perchance not unfit for swimming , connects the Toes : The like whereto ( that I know of ) is not found in any other pulveratricious bird . The Legs are armed with Spurs , shorter than in a Cock , but sharp , and of a black colour . The Hen is nothing so beautiful as the Cock , almost of the colour of a Quail .

It lives in the Woods ; and feeds upon Acorns , Berries , Grain , and Seeds of Plants . It frequents rather Coppice Woods , than where there are only Timber-trees .

The Books of all Writers of Animals , Ancient and Modern , celebrate the Pheasant , for the goodness of its flesh , assigning to it the first place among birds at Table . Physicians make it the standard wherewith they compare , and accordingly judge of the temperament and goodness of other meats , saith Longolins , as he is cited by Aldrov . Aldrovandus by many arguments proves , that Pheasants are better meat than Pullen ; which who desires to know , may consult him in the Thirteenth Book , and Fifth Chapter of his Ornithology : At last he thus concludes , Pheasants therefore , as well because they are rare , as because they are of a most delicate taste , and yield so excellent a nourishment , as we have proved , seem to be born only for great mens Tables , and have been always had in highest esteem of all Birds .

Pheasants , Partridges , Quails , and some other Birds , are taken in great numbers with a Net they call commonly * * I know no particular English name for this Net . Expegatorium , by the help of a Setting-dog , trained up for this sport , who finds out the birds , and when he sees them , either stands still , or lies down on his belly , not going very near them , least he should spring them ; but looking back on the Fowler his Master , wags his Tail , by which the Fowler knows that the Birds are near the Dog ; and so he and his Companion run with the Net , and cover both Birds and Dog .

That all Birds , but particularly Pheasants , Partridge , and Quails , are far more savoury and delicate , when killed by a Hawk than if they be caught in snares , or by any other fraud , many have written , and most think . And indeed , there is no doubt but by this means their flesh becomes more short and tender : For that violent motion of the bloud occasioned by their flight , and its fervent heat consequent thereupon , macerates the flesh , and disposes it to corruption , but that it thence becomes more savoury and delicate , all men now-adays are not agreed . But the old rule forbids me to dispute about tastes . Boterus reports , that Ireland wants Pheasants and Partridges .

§. II. The Brasilian Jacupema of Marggrave .

IT is a sort of Pheasant , something less than a Pullet . It s Head is not great , like a Hens , as is also the Bill . The Eyes are black ; the Neck about seven inches long : The length of the body from the bottom of the Neck to the rise of the Tail about nine inches : Of the Tail ( which is broad ) a whole foot . The Legs are long [ which he divides into upper and lower , ] the upper five inches long , the lower three , or a little more . In each Foot four Toes like those of Hens , of which the middle of the three foremost is two inches long . The whole bird is clothed with black feathers , with which something of brown is mixed . The feathers of its Head it can erect in form of a Crest , and those black feathers [ I suppose he means those on the Head which make the Tuft or Crest ] are encompassed with other white ones . The Throat under the Head , and for an inch and half down the Neck is bare of feathers , and covered with a red skin . The whole Neck below is variegated with white feathers dispersed among the black ones ; as also all the lower Belly , and the hindmost half of the Wings . The upper Legs and the Tail are wholly black , without the admixture of any brown . The lower Legs and Feet are of an elegant red colour . They are made tame ; and their flesh is good . This bird took its name from its voice , for it cries , Jacu , Jacu , Jacu . This might as well have been ranked among the Domestic birds .

§. III. The common Partridge . Perdix cinerea .

THe Cock weighed fourteen ounces and a quarter ; the Hen thirteen and an half . The length [ of the Cock ] from the Bill to the Claws was fourteen inches and a quarter , to the end of the Tail twelve and three quarters . The Bill from the tip to the corners of the aperture of slit of the mouth three quarters of an Inch , to the Eyes an inch . The breadth was twenty inches .

The Bill in young Partridges is of a dusky colour , but in old ones it grows white . The Irides of the Eyes are a little yellowish . Under the Eyes are certain red excrescencies . The Chin and sides of the Head are of a deep yellow or Saffron-colour . The Cock hath on his Breast a red mark of a semicircular figure , resembling a Horse-shooe . The Hen hath not so much red on her Breast . Below the Chin , as far as the Horse-shooe mark , it is of a blue cinereous , adorned with transverse black lines : Beneath the mark the colour fades into dirty or yellowish cinereous . The longer feathers on the sides of the Breast and Belly have each of them a great transverse red spot , their shafts being white . The upper side of the body is particoloured of red , cinereous and black . This Naturalists call a testaceous or potsheard colour .

The Prime feathers in each Wing are about twenty three in number , of which the foremost are dusky , with transverse yellowish white spots . The longest feather is five inches and a quarter . The interiour covert-feathers of the Wings , and the long feathers springing from the shoulders have their shafts of a yellowish white .

The Tail is composed of no less than eighteen feathers , and is in length three inches and an half : The four middle feathers are of the same colour with the rest of the body ; the other seven on each side of a sordid yellow , with cinereous tips .

The Legs below the Knees are bare ; they have no footstep or appearance of any Spur. Both Legs and Feet are in young ones of a greenish colour , but in old ones they grow white . The Toes are joyned together with a membrane as in Heathcocks .

It hath a great Craw , a musculous Stomach or Gizzard , and a gall-bladder . For the taste and wholsomness of its flesh it is deservedly preferred before all other birds . It feeds upon Ants and Ants Eggs , upon the grains of Corn , and also upon the green leaves . But in Winter-time , when it feeds upon green Corn , its flesh is less commendable , than in Summer and Autumn when it feeds upon the Kernel or grain .

The Common Partridge is a multiparous bird , laying sixteen or eighteen Eggs ere it sits . With us in England it is most frequent . The Italians call it Starna , as much to say as externa , or outlandish ; and in some places also Pernice . It is more rare with them . and sells dearer than the red-leg'd Partridge .

The Partridge ( understand it of all the several sorts ) by reason of the heaviness of its body , and shortness of its Wings , can neither fly high , nor long continue its flight , howbeit for those short flights it makes it flies very swift and strongly .

In Winter-time they fly in company : For they are of that nature , that they breed and bring up fifteen or sixteen young together , which company all Winter with the old ones . But in the Spring time , when they pair together , they fly by two and two ; for then the old ones beat away the Young from them . This out of Bellonius : Which is true , not only of birds of this kind , but also of Pheasants , Heathcocks , &c.

Bellonius saith , that the singing of Partridges is a certain sign of day approaching . We have often heard them crying and calling one another after Sun-set .

Partridges ( saith Aristotle ) when any one comes near their Nest , cast themselves down before his feet that looks for it , running and flying as if they were lame , by that means drawing him away from their Nests , and enticing him to follow them ; which when they have done , themselves fly away , and afterwards call together their Brood , which so soon as they hear the voice of their Dams presently run to them .

§. IV. The Brasilian Partridge called Jambu by Piso .

OF these in the Woods by the Sea-shore are found two kinds , greater and lesser , These are lesser than our Europaean Partridge , those both for figure and bulk of body and goodness of flesh are equal and like to ours . The feathers of both all over the body are of a dark fulvous colour , but mingled and spotted with dusky .

§. V. The Damascus Partridge of Aldrov .

IN the shortness , thickness , and roundness , and whole shape of its body it approaches to our Partridges . The colour is so like to the lesser Partridges , that at first you can hardly distinguish them : But the Feet in this are in a manner yellow : The Bill is also longer , though else the Bird be much less .

§. VI. The Red-leg'd Partridge , Perdix ruffa Aldrov . called in Italy Coturnice & Coturno .

THe Cock weighed more than thirteen ounces : His length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws was eighteen inches : His breadth between the tips of the Wings extended twenty two . The Irides of the Eyes were red : The Bill almost an inch long , and red : The Legs and Feet also red : The Claws dusky : The Toes as far as to the first joynt connected by a membrane intervening . It had small Spurs [ others had none , perhaps these were young ones . ] The soles of the Feet were of a dirty yellow .

The Head , Neck , Back , and Rump were ash-coloured , as also the outer part of the Thighs . The lower part of the Neck tinctured with a vinaceous colour . The Cheeks under the Eyes , and the Chin to the middle of the Throat white : Yet in the very angle of the nether Chap was a small black spot . A black border beginning from the Nosthrils , and produced above the Eyes encompasses this white space . The Craw below the black line is cinereous : The Breast of a dilute red , inclining to yellow . The feathers on the sides are painted with very beautiful colours . For the tips of some of them are black ; and next the black they have a transverse line , the shorter and nearer to the Head of a whitish colour , the longer and more remote of a yellow : Below this a black line again . Of others the tips are red , the colours we have mentioned in order succeeding . The bottoms of all are cinereous .

The beam-feathers in each Wing are in number twenty five , the exteriour whereof are dusky , the interiour of a dark cinereous : But yet the outer edges of the third , and succeeding to the fifteenth , are of a white , tinctured with red . The Tail is four inches long , the two middle feathers being cinereous , the exteriour five on each side having their upper half red , their lower cinereous .

It hath a large Craw , a musculous Stomach , or Gizzard , in which dissected we found Caterpillars and Snails .

The Back of the Hen is not all out so cinereous , but rather inclines to red , the middle parts of the feathers being black . The line running above the Eyes is somewhat red . The Cheeks are of the same colour with the Back : Else it doth not much differ from the Cock . This kind is a stranger to England : Howbeit they say it is found in the Isles of Jersey and Guernsey , which are subject to our King . It is of a more gentle nature than our common Partridge , and easily made and kept tame : Whereas the common Partridge can hardly be induced to put off his wild nature , and to go out and return home again like tame fowl : Yet I have been told by persons of good credit , that a certain Sussex man had by his industry and application made a Covey of Partridges so tame , that he drave them before him upon a wager out of that Country to London , though they were absolutely free , and had their Wings grown , so that they might if they would have made use of them to fly away .

That this Bird feeds upon Snails Aristotle hath delivered , and our experience confirms : Yet not on Snails only , but also on Caterpillars , Seeds of Wheat and other Grain .

Partridges , to speak of them in general , are very salacious birds , infamous for masculine Venery , and other abominable and unnatural conjunctions . The Ancients have left many fabulous things concerning them , viz. That the Cocks , if they can find them , break the Eggs , lest the Hens being detained by sitting upon them should not be ready or willing to yield themselves to be trodden ; for which cause the Hens lay privately , concealing their Nests , as much as they can , from the Cocks . That the Cocks when they want the Hens , to wit , when they have withdrawn themselves to sit , do not only manifest their petulancy and salacity , by their voices and fighting , but also defile one another promiscuously by that nefarious coition , interdicted mankind by no less than a capital punishment . Which things Pliny after his manner hath wittily and elegantly comprised in a few words . Illae [ i. e. foeminae ] quidem & maritos suos fallunt , quoniam intemperantiâ libidinis srangunt earum ova , nè incubando detineantur . Tunc inter se dimicant mares desiderio foeminarum . Victum aiunt venerem pati . That they make two Nests , wherein they lay their Eggs , half in one , and half in the other ; in one whereof the Female sits , and in the other the Male : and that both do hatch and bring up their part of Young . That the Hens without being ever trodden by the Cocks , if they do only stand opposite to them , and the wind blow from thence upon them , will conceive Eggs , and those prolific : Of which thing some Modern Writers have indiscreetly indeavoured to give an account , before they had any assurance of the truth of the matter of fact . That the Hens are so intemperately lustful , that contrary to the manner of other birds , they cannot abstain from the use of Venery so much as while they are sitting : Which particulars also Pliny briefly and ingeniously thus words : Neque in ullo animali par opus libidinis . Si contra mares steterint foeminae , aurâ ab his flante praegnantes fiunt . Hiantes a. exertâ linguâ per id tempus aestuant , concipiúntque supervolantium afflatu , saepe voce tantùm audita masculi : Adeoque vincit libido etiam foetûs charitatem , ut illa furtim & in occulto incubans , cùm sensit foeminam aucupis accedentem ad marem , recanat , revocétque , & ultro se praebeat libidini . That the Cock being overcome in fight dares never so much as come in sight of his Mistris or Mate . That the Partridge when her own Eggs are broken , or any ways marred , or lost , steals another Partridges Eggs , sits upon them , hatches them , broods and brings up the Young , which yet when they are a little grown , hearing their Dams voice , [ that is , the voice of that Partridge that laid the Eggs , ] do by instinct presently know it , and leaving their Foster Mothers , betake themselves to their own Dams . That she often turns her upon her back , and so , lying with her belly upward , covers her self with clods and straws , and by that means deceives and escapes the Fowlers . But it is not worth the while to insist long upon rehearsing or refuting these particulars .

These Birds ( saith Aldrovandus ) in the Feasts and Entertainments of Princes hold the principal place , without which such Feasts are esteemed ignoble , vulgar , and of no account . Indeed , the Frenchmen do so highly value , and are so fond of Partridge , that if they be wanting they utterly sleight and despise the best spread Tables , and most plentiful and delicate Treatments ; as if there could be no Feast without this dish . As the flesh of Partridge ( saith Bellonius ) is very delicate and grateful to the Palate , so in like manner is it greatly commended , for that it nourishes much , is easily digested , and breeds good bloud in the body . The flesh of the greater kind is more solid and hard , ( though hard only comparatively ) of the lesser more tender , and consequently yields a finer , more dissipable and spirituous nourishment , is also of easier concoction , but yet is not so white as that of the greater . Palate-men , and such as have skill in eating , do chiefly commend the Partridges Wing , preferring it much before the Leg , as indeed it is much better . Hence that English Proverbial Rhythm :

If the Partridge had the Woodcocks thigh , 'T would be the best bird that e're did fly .

He that desires yet further information concerning the quality and temperament of Partridges flesh , let him consult Aldrovand .

§. VII . Bellonius his Greek Partridge , or great red Partridge , the same with the precedent .

THe great Partridge which the Grecians , following the Italians , commonly call Coturno , seems to us to be different from the Partridges both of France and * * Gothia . Gothland : For it is twice as big as our Country Partridge , hath red Bill and Legs , is spotted on the Breast and sides in like manner as ours , of the bigness of a * * Or indifferent , mean-sized . handsom Hen. This kind of Partridge is so frequent in the Rocks of Colme , the Cyclades Islands , and the Sea-coast of Candy , that there is not such plenty of any other bird . Their cry is different from that of our Partridge , being great and sonorous , especially in breeding and coupling time , when they express and often repeat the sound of this word [ Cacabis ] whence it should seem that the Latines were taught by the Greeks to express the note of a Partridge by the word Cacabare . We also borrowed the name Cacabis , whereby we in some places call a Partridge from their voice or cry . They follow one another on the Rocks . Of this kind , in my judgment , Aristotle is to be understood when he saith , If Hens couple with Partridges they generate a different kind . They build in an open place without cover or shelter in May-time , among certain herbs , what time they come down from the Rocks , seeking convenient places to build and bring up their Young . They lay their Eggs upon the ground , under some great stone , sometimes eighteen , sometimes sixteen , more or less , like Hens Eggs , but less , white , and speckled thick with small red spots , very good to eat as Hens Eggs , but their Yolks congeal not . After they have hatcht their Young , they lead them out into the Champain or open fields to seek their food . Wherefore we think this kind of Partridge to be altogether different from ours : for in some places of Italy both kinds are found , and called by divers names , viz. This by the name of Coturno the other by the name of Perdice or Pernice . Thus far Bellonius .

Aldrovandus thinks that this bird differs from the greater red Partridge or Coturnice of the Italians only in bigness : and truly I am now wholly come over to his opinion ; sith Bellonius himself makes them all one . What Partridges Bellonius means by the Partridges of Gothia I know not .

§. VIII . The Quail , Coturnix .

IT is the least bird in this kind ; of a flatter or broader body , and not so narrow or compressed sideways as the Land-Rail or Daker-Hen . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is seven inches and an half : Its breadth between the extremities of the Wings spread fourteen inches .

It s Bill from the tip to the corners of the mouth half an inch long : its figure more depressed and plain than in the rest of this kind : The lower Chap black , the upper of a pale dusky . The Irides of the Eyes are of a hazel colour : The Eyes have a nictating membrane .

The Breast and Belly are of a dirty pale yellow : The Throat hath a little mixture of red [ ruffi . ] Under the lower Chap of the Bill is a long and broad stroke of black tending downward . Above the Eyes , and along the middle of the Head are whitish lines . The head is black , only the edges of the feathers reddish or cinereous . The middle part of each covert-feather of the Back and lower part of the Neck is marked with a yellowish white stroke , the rest of the feather being particoloured of black and reddish ash-colour . Under the Wings is a bed of white terminated on each side with a border of red mingled with black .

The beam or quill-feathers of the Wings are dusky , crossed with pale red lines : The lesser rows of hard feathers in the Wings are almost wholly of one and the same reddish colour . The Tail is short , not above an inch and half long , consisting of twelve feathers , of a blackish colour interrupted with pale-red transverse lines .

The Feet are pale-coloured , covered with a skin divided rather into scales than entire rings : The soals of the Feet yellow . The outer Toes , as far as the first joynt , are connected with the middlemost by an intervening membrane .

It hath a Gall-bladder . The Cock had great Testicles for the bigness of its body , whence we may infer that it is a salacious bird . It hath a musculous Stomach or Gizzard ; and just above the Stomach the Gullet is dilated into the bag , which we call the Ante-stomach , the interior Superficies whereof is granulated with papillary Glandules .

For catching of Quails they use this Art : The Fowler betimes in the Morning having spread his Net hides himself under it among the Corn : then calls with his Quail-pipe , The Cock Quail , thinking it to be the note of the Hen that he hears , comes in a trice with all speed to the place whence the noise comes . When the Bird is got under the Net , up rises the Fowler and shews himself to him , he presently attempting to fly away , is entangled in the Net and taken .

The Quail is a bird no less salacious than the Partridge , infamous also for obscene and unnatural lust . The Cocks are of high spirit and courage ; and therefore by some are wont to be trained up and prepared for the combate , after the manner of Cocks : And Aelian tells us , that of old time at Athens Quail-fightings were wont to be exhibited as shews ; and so grateful and delightful they were to the people , that there was as great flocking to them as to a spectacle of Gladiators . In some Cities of Italy , especially Naples , they do also now adays keep fighting Quails , as Aldrovandus reports . The manner how they induce and provoke them to fight see in him .

Quails are birds of passage : for being impatient of cold , when Winter comes they depart out of Northern and cold Countries into hotter and more Southerly ; flying even over Seas ; which one would admire , considering the weight of their bodies and shortness of their Wings . When we sailed from Rhodes to Alexandria of Egypt ( saith Bellonius ) many Quails flying from the North toward the South were taken in our Ship , whence I am verily perswaded that they shift places : For formerly also when I sailed out of the Isle of Zant to Morea or Negropont , in the Spring time I had observed Quails flying the contrary way from South to North , that they might abide there all Summer : At which time also there were a great many taken in our Ship .

Among the Ancient Greeks and Latines Quails were condemned and banished Tables as an unwholsom dish ; for being reported to feed upon Hellebore , and to be obnoxious to the falling sickness , they were thought to produce the like disease in those that eat their flesh : But undeservedly , for now adays they are eaten without any danger , and esteemed a choice dish : And being somewhat rare with us in England are sold very dear : Indeed their flesh both for delicacy of taste , and wholsomness of nourishment is nothing inferiour to that of Partridge or Pheasant . Poulterers , and such as feed them in Coops do not permit them a high place to be in , because leaping up they hurt their heads against the top : nay , though their Coops be so low that they can hardly stand upright in them , yet by striking their heads against the top , they will rub off all the feathers ; as we have observed .

§. IX . The Rail or Daker-hen , Ortygometra Aldrov . lib. 13. cap. 33. Crex Aristotelis .

THe weight of that we described was five inches and an half : Its length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Claws was fifteen inches , to the end of the Tail eleven and an half ; its breadth between the extreams of the Wings stretch'd out nineteen inches : Its Bill 1 ⅛ inch long , measuring from the point to the end of the slit . The body of this bird is narrow or compressed side-ways , and like to that of Water-hens , The lower part of the Breast and the Belly are white ; the Chin also is white , else the Throat is of a more sordid or dirty colour . On the Head are two broad black lines : Also a white line from the shoulders as in the Morehen . The middle parts of the covert feathers of the Back are black , the outsides of a reddish ash-colour . The Thighs are variegated with transverse white lines . In each Wing are twenty three quil-feathers . The lesser rows of Wing-feathers both above and below are of a deep yellow , as also the borders of the prime feathers . The Tail is almost two inches long , made up of twelve feathers . The Bill is like the Water-hens , the upper Mandible being whitish , the nether dusky . The Legs bare above the Knees : the Feet whitish . In the Stomach dissected we found Snails .

It is called Rallus or Grallus perchance from its stalking [ à gradu grallatorio ] or perchance from Royale , because it is a Royal or Princely dish .

Aldrovandus describes his Rail thus , Its Bill is less than a Water-fowls , but much bigger than a Quails : Its Tail also is very little , and next to none : Its Legs and Feet in proportion to its body long , of a middle colour between Saffron and green . The colour of almost the whole Head , the Neck , Back , and also the greater part of the Wings respecting the Back of a * * Testa signifieth a Potsheard , so a testaceous colour is a reddish brown . testaceous colour , in brief very like to that of a Hen-Quail , wherefore it is by the Italians rightly called the King of Quails [ Il re delle Qualie ] which is as much to say as a great Quail . The Wings where they are contiguous to the Belly are red . The fore-part of the Neck and the beginning of the Breast are wholly testaceous : The Belly and Hips like the Goshawks [ Accipitris stellarii . ] The Female is all over of a paler colour .

Bellonius describes this Bird by the title of the other Rail that lives in Broom fields . [ Ortygometrae alterius in genistis degentis . ]

It is said to be the Quails Leader or Guide when they go from one place to another . In the whole shape of its body it resembles the Water-fowl , especially the Morehen . Its Legs are long , its Body slender , its Belly white , its Tail short , its Bill pretty long ; all which are marks of Water-fowl : Wherefore , in my judgment , it more properly belongs to that Tribe , and ought thither to be referred .

This , if I much mistake not , is the Bird which Dr. Turner takes to be the Crex of Aristotle . There is ( saith he ) a certain Bird in England with long Legs , else like to a Quail , save that it is bigger , which among Corn and Flax in the Spring and beginning of the Summer hath no other cry than Crex , Crex ; but this it often iterates : Which I think to be the Crex of Aristotle : The English call it a Daker-hen , the Germans Ein Schryck . I never saw or heard it any where in England save in Northumberland . But seeing ( as Gesner rightly ) it is manifest by the testimony of the most ancient Writer Herodotus , that the Crex is as big as the black Ibis , the English Daker-hen cannot be the Crex . Although this Bird be more rare in England , yet is it found every where in Ireland in great plenty .

§. X. The Indian Quail of Bontius .

THis Bird feeds by Coveys , like Partridges , in the Woods of Java , although it be also made and kept tame , and its Female , accompanied with her Brood , walks up and down the Yards of houses like the common Hen ; the Cocks also are no less stout , and given to fighting among themselves till they kill one another , than the Dunghil-Cocks . In the colour of their feathers they very nearly resemble the true Quail : But their Bill is a little longer : They also make such an interrupted noise or cry by intervals as Quails are wont to do ; but of a far different sound from that of Quails , more like to that horrid drumming noise which Bittours make among Reeds in fenny places , which in Low Dutch we call Pittoor . The longer these Birds continue or draw out that cry , the more generous are they thought to be . They are of so cold a nature , that when shut up in Cages or Coops , if you do not expose them to the Sun-beams , and strow Sand under them , they presently languish , and run a hazard of dying : And therefore by night after Sunset , they shrink up on a heap , as the Cuckow doth with us in hollow trees in Winter-time , and in the trunks of trees cover themselves with their feathers . But when the Sun rises they presently sing , and that sound is heard many paces off , that you would wonder so little a bird ( for they do not exceed a common Pigeon or Turtle in bigness ) should have so deep and loud a cry . I have sometimes kept of them in Cages , which would give me notice of the approach of Morning or break of day , if I had any serious business to do . For if any business be to be done , it is most commodiously dispatcht either in the Morning or Evening . For the day time , while the Sun roasts all things with his scorching heat , is unfit for action , and very unhealthful to stir much in .

CHAP. XII . Wild Birds of the Poultry-kind that feed on Leaves and Berries , &c. having Scarlet Eye-brows .

§. I. The Cock of the Mountain or Wood , Urogallus five Tetrao major , Aldrov . called by the Germans Orhun , by the Venetians Gallo di montagna .

FOr bigness and figure it comes near to a Turkey . The Cock we measured from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail was thirty two inches long : The Hen but twenty six . The ends of the Wings extended were in the Cock forty six inches distant , in the Hen no more than forty one .

It had such a Bill as the rest of this kind , an inch and half long , measuring from the tip to the angles of the mouth ; its sides sharp and strong . It s Tongue is sharp , and not cloven . In the Palate is a Cavity impressed equal to the Tongue . The Irides of the Eyes are of a hazel colour . Above the Eyes is a naked skin of a scarlet colour , in the place and of the figure of the Eyebrows , as in the rest of this kind . The Legs on the forepart are feathered down to the foot , or rise of the Toes , but bare behind . The Toes are joyned together by a membrane as far as the first joynt , then they have on each side a border of skin all along , standing out a little way , and serrate .

The Breast is of a pale red , with transverse black lines , the tips of the feathers being whitish . The bottom of the Throat is of a deeper red : The Belly cinereous . The upper side of the body is particoloured of black , red , and cinereous , the tips of the feathers being powdered with specks , excepting in the Head , where the black colour hath a purple gloss if beheld in some positions . The Chin in the Cock is black , in the Hen red . The Tail is of a deeper red than the other feathers , and crossed with black bars ; the tips of the feathers being white . The Tail of the Cock is black , the tips of the feathers being white , and their borders as it were powdered with reddish ash-coloured specks . The middle feathers especially , and those next to them are marked with white spots . The feathers covering the bottom of the Tail have white tips , else are variegated with alternate black and reddish ash-coloured transverse lines . After the same manner the whole Back is also painted with black and white cross lines , but finer , and slenderer . The feathers under the Tail are black , but their tips and exteriour edges white . The Head [ in the Hen ] is of the same colour with the back . The tips of the Breast-feathers are black .

Each Wing hath twenty six quill-feathers , the greater whereof are of a more dusky and dark colour : The rest have their exteriour Vanes variegated with red and black . The tips of all beside the ten outmost are white . The longer feathers springing from the shoulders are adorned with angular beds of black , wherewith a little red is mingled below . The lesser rows of hard feathers of the Wings are variegated with dusky , red and white , their tips being white . In the Cock the shoulders and lesser rows of hard feathers above are variegated with red and black lines , underneath are white , except those under the first internodium , which are black . The longer feathers under the shoulders are white , which when the Wings are closed make a large white spot . The Wings under the second internodium are black , with transverse lines of white . In the Cock the Neck is of a shining blue . The Thighs , Sides , Neck , Rump , and Belly are in like manner variegated with white and black lines . The Head is blacker : About the vent it is of an ash-colour .

It hath very long blind Guts , straked with six white lines . The Stomach musculous , as in the rest of this kind , full of little stones . The Craw was stuft with the Leaves , Tops , and Buds of the Fir-tree . The skin of the stomach sticking to the muscles is soft and hairy like Velvet .

But for the knowledge of this Bird , and distinguishing it from all others , there is no need of so prolix and particular a description of colours , which vary much by age , and perchance also place , and other accidents , when as the bigness alone is sufficient for that purpose .

This Bird is found on high Mountains beyond Seas , and as we are told in Ireland , ( where they call it , Cock of the Wood ) but no where in England . At Venice and Padua we saw many to be sold in the Poulterers Shops , brought thither from the neighbouring Alps.

I take the Grygallus major of Gesner and Aldrovandus ( who also calls it the Tetrax of Nemesianus ) to be the Female of this Bird. For the Females in this kind of Birds in variety and beauty of colours excel the Males . Whereas Gesner taking it for granted , that the Females do in no kind of creature excell the Males in variety of colours , being deceived by this presumption , took and described for different Species the different Sexes in both these kinds , viz. the Cock of the Mountain , and the black game : And so of two Species made four ; to wit , 1. Urogallus major . 2. Grygallus major . 3. Urogallus minor . 4. Grygallus minor . The second and fourth being the Females of the first and third . Moreover , being himself mistaken , he thought Turner to be so : Who makes the Male Morehen , that is the lesser Tetrao , or lesser Urogallus of Gesner , to be black ; the Female all variously spotted , so that if it were not bigger and redder than a Partridge , it could hardly be distinguished from it . Aldrovandus follows Gesner , making the Grygallus major of Gesner ( that is , the Female of the Urogallus major ) the Tetrax of Nemesianus ; without cause reprehending Longolius , who indeed was of the same opinion ; whereas he himself erroneously makes the Male and Female of the Cock of the Mountain [ Urogallus major ] diverse or distinct kinds . So then the case stands thus :

1. Cock of the Mountain the Male — 1. The greater Urogallus , Gesn . Aldrov . Cock of the Mountain the Female — 2. The greater Grygallus , Eorund . 2. Black game or Grous the Male — 3. The lesser Urogallus , Eorund . Black game the Female — 4. The lesser Grygallus , Eorund .

The flesh of this bird is of a delicate taste and wholsom nourishment , so that being so stately a bird , and withal so rare , it seems to be born only for Princes and great mens Tables .

§. II. The Heathcock or Black game or Grous , called by Turner the Morehen . Tetrao , seu Urogallus minor .

THe Cock weighed forty eight ounces : was in length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail twenty three inches , [ The Hen was but nineteen inches long . ] It s breadth thirty four inches [ the Hens thirty one . ]

The Cock is all over black , but the edges of the feathers , especially in the Neck and Back , do shine with a kind of blue gloss . His Legs are grey . The Female is of the colour almost of a Woodcock or Partridge , red with black transverse lines . The Breast and Belly are hoary , The Wings underneath and the long feathers are white , as in the Cock . The middle of the Back is of a deeper red . The Rump and edges of the feathers on the Throat are hoary . The feathers under the Tail white .

In each Wing are about twnety six beam-feathers : In the Cock the bottom of the fifth of these is white , of the eighth and succeeding to the twenty sixth the whole lower half . Of the eleventh and following feathers to the two and twentieth the tips are also white . The long feathers under the shoulders are purely white . In the Hen the ten outmost feathers are dusky , the rest of the same colour with the body , saving their tips , which are whitish . The bottoms of all but the first six are white . Moreover , those great quil-feathers , which , as we said , are dusky , have something of white in the outer borders . The Wings underneath , and those longer feathers in both Sexes are white , which when the Wings are closed appear outwardly on the Back in the form of a white spot .

The Tail consists of sixteen feathers , and is in the Cock near seven inches long ; [ Understand this of the exteriour feathers , for the interiour do not exceed four inches . ] In the Cock the three exteriour feathers on each side are longer than the rest , and stand bending outward , the fourth on each side shorter , and less reflected . In the Female the outmost feathers are indeed longer than the rest , but not reflected . The Tail is of the same colour with the body , only the tips of the feathers of a hoary white .

The Bill is black and crooked ; the upper Chap somewhat prominent and gibbous . Under the Tongue is a kind of glandulous substance : In the Palate a Cavity impressed equal to the Tongue . The Tongue is undivided , soft , and somewhat rough . The Eyebrows bare and red . The Ears great both in Male and Female . The Legs rough with feathers growing on their fore-part : The Toes naked , and connected by a membrane as far as the first joynt . On each side the Toes are the like borders of skin as in the precedent Fowl , standing out from the Toe , and pectinated . The Claw of the middle Toe is on the inside thinned into an edge . It hath no spurs .

Its Guts are * * Understand it of the bird we described . fifty one inches long : It s blind Guts ( which is strange ) twenty four , striate with six lines . The Craw large . They feed upon the tops of Heath , Acorns , &c. The Pouts do a long time accompany their Dams even after they be come to their full growth , as do young Partridges . They are infested with Lice and Ticks .

This kind is frequent in the sides of high Mountains ; sometimes it descends into the plains , not rarely occurring in the lower Heath-grounds . The Male differs so strangely from the Female , that to one unacquainted with them they might well seem to be of different kinds ; yea , to Gesner himself they seemed so , as we shewed in the foregoing Chapter .

This is Turners Morehen , which he thinks to be so named from the colour of the Cock , which is black , as in Moors , though he is mistaken in that he writes , that it hath on its Head a red fleshy Crest , and about the Cheeks two as it were red fleshy Lobes , or Gills , for it hath no other red flesh about the Head but the Eye-brows , which all the rest of this Genus have . See Aldrovand . lib. 14. cap. 15. Gesner calls it Gallus Scoticus Sylvestris , that is , The wild Scotch Cock. I suspect also that the Gallus Palustris Scoticus of the same Gesner is no other than this Bird. The Histories of these Birds you have in Aldrovands Ornithology , lib. 14. cap. 15 , 16.

§. III. * The Attagen of Aldrovandus , called by the Italians Francolino .

IN bigness and the whole habit and fashion of its body it approaches to a Pheasant . It hath a short , black Bill , crooked at the end . The colour is various almost the whole body over . The Head especially hath a very beautiful aspect , a yellowish Crest variegated with black and white spots , being erected in the middle of its Crown . The Pupil of the Eyes is black , the Iris yellow . It hath Eye-brows , like the Heathcock , of naked scarlet-coloured skin . Under the Bill and in the beginning of the Throat hangs down as it were a beard of very fine feathers . It s Neck is of the longest , and in comparison with the bulk and make of its body slender , of an ash-colour , besprinkled with black and white spots ; which in this respect differ , that here the white , in the Head the black are the deeper . The spots of the Breast are of the same colour , wherewith are other ferrugineous ones mingled . The Belly , Tail , Hips , and Legs [ which are covered with feathers ] are of a lead colour , and also besprinkled with black spots . The fore-toes of the Feet are long , the back-toe short , all armed with crooked Claws .

They are by the Italians called Francolini as it were Franci , that is , Free Fowl , because the common people are forbidden to take them , and Princes grant them freedom of living .

Olina describes this Francolino a little otherwise . In the figure ( saith he ) and proportion of its body it resembles a common Partridge , but in bigness something exceeds it . The Breast and all the Belly are spotted with black and white . The ends of the Wings and Tail are black . The Head , Neck , and Rump are fulvous , inclining to red , with a little and black intermixed . But neither his figure represents , nor description mentions any Crest . The Legs also in Olina's figure are naked .

This Bird is either the same with our other Lagopus , called the Red-game , or very like it ; but differs from it , in that it hath a Crest upon its Head . But the Attagen of Bellonius ( as may be seen by its Picture ) is destitute of a Crest . Indeed I should think it to be the same , did not the place forbid it . For our red Game lives upon the tops of the highest Mountains in Northern Countries , whereas the Attagen of Aldrovandus is found plentifully in the Mountains of Sicily , which is a very hot Country . Yet I make no question , but the Bird , which Bellonius and Scaliger understand by this * name , that lives in the Pyrenaean Mountains , and the Mountains of Auvergne , and which , Bellonius saith , comes not down into plain Countries , is the very same with our Red Game : And perchance also the Attagen of Aldrovandus is no other , sith Francolinus is a name common to both Aldrovandus and Bellonius his Bird : And Aldrovandus writes , that his Attagen is a Mountain Bird. Neither is it a sufficient argument to prove the contrary , that Sicily where it is found is a hot Country : for Mount Aetna in Sicily is so cold , that the top of it for the greatest part of the year is covered with Snow . I am sure when we went up it in the year 1664 , in the beginning of June the Snow was not melted . But if the Legs thereof be bare , ( for Aldrovandus doth not affirm it in his description , though his figure represents them bare ) and the Head always crested , it cannot be our Red Game .

The flesh of this Bird is most excellent , of easie digestion , and yielding plentiful and very good nourishment : And therefore among the Ancients was preferred before all other , and placed in the highest degree of dignity .

§. IV. The Hazel-hen , Gallina corylorum , Attagen , Gesh .

THe Bird we described was a Cock , * * This Bird was exenterated , for it was bigger than a Partridge , and equal to a handsom Pullet , and would else have weighed more . weighed but a pound , being from Bill point to Tail end fifteen inches long ; and twenty two broad .

The Bill , as in Hens , is blackish , from the tip to the angles of the slit of the mouth almost an inch long : The upper Chap a little prominent and crooked . In the Palate is a Cavity equal to the Tongue . Above the Eyes a naked red skin takes up the place of Eye-brows , as in the Heathcock , and others of this kind . The Eye-brows of the Female are not so red , but paler . The Legs before are feathered half way down , behind bare as high as the knees . The fore-toes are joyned together by a membrane from the divarication to the first joynt : And have besides such like serrate borders , or welts , standing out on each side , as were observed in the precedent Birds . The inside of the Claw of the middle Toe is thinned into an edge .

The whole Belly is white . The Breast white , spotted with black spots in the middle of the feathers : The several feathers having some one spot , some two or three cross lines : The lower part of the Throat red , but the Chin of a deep black , encompassed with a white line . The Hen wants this black spot under the Chin. From the Eyes to the hind-part of the Head a white Line is produced . The Head is of a reddish ash-colour : The Back and Rump are yet more cinereous , of a colour like that of a Partridge . The lower part of the Throat or Gullet is variegated with transverse black lines . The sides under the Wings are red or fulvous , the tips of the feathers being white . The long feathers springing from the shoulders , that cover the Back , are all white .

The Wings are concave as in Partridges and the rest of the Poultry kind : The beam-feathers in each Wing are twenty four in number , the foremost or outmost whereof on the outside the shaft were parti-coloured of dusky and white , on the inside dusky . The greater rows of covert Wing-feathers were variegated with red , white , and black .

The Tail was made up of sixteen feathers all equal , of about five inches long . The seven exteriour on each side had their tips of a dirty white ; next the white a bar or bed of black an inch broad ; the rest of the feather to the very bottom particoloured of black and white . The two middlemost of the Tail are of the same colour with the body , having cross bars of white powdered with dusky specks . The tips of the long feathers under the Tail are white , the middle part black , the lower red .

The Stomach is musculous : The Guts thirty six inches long : The blind Guts fifteen , which in this Bird also are striate . The flesh boiled or roast , as in the rest of this kind , is white , very tender also and delicate .

Most learned men ( saith Aldrovandus ) are of opinion , that this is the Bird which by the Ancient Greeks and Latines was called Attagen ; from whom yet he dissents . It is wont ( saith Georg. Agricola as he is quoted by Aldrovandus ) to live in thick and shady woods . The same also writes that it is found plentifully in the Mountainous Woods about the foot of the Alps , especially where hazels and briers abound . We saw them in the Market at Nurenberg to be sold : Whence we gather that they are found in the great Woods near that City , though they be not mountainous : What they live chiefly upon we cannot certainly say , but we verily believe that their food is the same with the other Birds of this kind , viz. Bill-berries , Crow-berries , Black-berries , &c. and in the Winter-time the tops of Heath , Fir , and other ever-green shrubs : But whether they do eat the Catkins of Hazel ( as Albertus affirms , and from whence they seem to take their name ) we know not .

§. V. The white Game , erroneously called the white Partridge , Lagopus avis , Aldrov .

FOr figure and bigness it comes near to a tame Pigeon , save that it is something bigger ; weighs fourteen ounces : From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail or Feet ( for they are equally extended ) is about sixteen inches long ; between the extremities of the Wings spread twenty four inches broad . The Bill short , black , like a Hens , but less : The upper Chap longer and more prominent . The Nosthrils are covered with feathers , springing out of a skin on the lower side the holes . Above the Eyes , in the place of the Eyebrows is a naked skin of a scarlet colour , and of the figure of a Crescent .

In the Cock-birds a black line drawn from the upper Chap of the Bill reaches further than the Eyes towards the Ears ; which in the Hens is wanting : All the rest of the body , excepting the Tail , is as white as Snow .

Each Wing hath twenty four prime feathers , of which the first or outmost is shorter than the second , the second than the third . The shafts of the six outmost are black . The Tail is more than a Palm long , compounded of sixteen feathers , the two middlemost whereof are white ; the outmost on each side without the shaft also white , all the rest black . [ Those that I ( J. R. ) described in Rhoetia had the two middle feathers of their Tails only white , all the rest black . ] The feathers next the Tail , incumbent on it , are of equal length with the Tail it self ; so that they do wholly cover it . The Legs , Feet , and Toes , to the very Claws , are covered with soft feathers , thick-set , like Hares feet , whence it took the * * Lagopus signifies a Hares foot . name . The Claws are very long , not unlike the nails of some Quadrupeds , as for example Hares ; of a dark horn or lead colour . It s back-toe or heel is small , but its Claw great and crooked . The fore-toes are joyned together by an intervening membrane , as in the other fowl of this kind . The Claw of the middle Toe is something hollow all along the middle , the edges of this furrow or channel being sharp . Under the Toes grow long hairs very thick .

The Craw is great , and in that we dissected full of the tops and leaves of Fir , Heath , Bill-berry , &c. The Stomach or Gizzard musculous : The Guts forty inches long : The blind Guts long , great , and striate .

In the Alps of Rhoetia , and in other high Mountains , which are for a great part of the year covered with Snow , it is frequently found . Wherefore Nature , or the Wisdom of the Creator , hath fenced its Feet against the sharpness of the cold with a thick covering of feathers and down .

These Birds , for the excellency of their flesh , are commonly called White Partridges , and thought to be so by the Vulgar ; whereas indeed the Partridge and Lagopus are far different Birds . Yet the Savoyards , and other Alpine people , who are not ignorant of their difference , call them so still ; at first perchance by mistake from their agreement in figure and magnitude they began to be so called , and now they continue the old name .

§. VI. * The other or particoloured Lagopus of Gesner .

THere is another sort of Lagopus found on the Mountains of Switzerland . The Bird we described of this kind was a Male. Its Belly white , its Wings also milk white : Yet on the hinder part were some feathers partly dusky , partly spotted . The Head , Neck , and Back particoloured , with dusky and spotted feathers . The Neck underneath had a great deal of white , and but a little black ; above was covered partly with pied , partly with white feathers . Above each Eye was a semicircular skin of a red colour . It s Bill was very short , and black , the upper Chap whereof was crooked , and received [ within its edges ] the nether , which was channelled . The Tail was five inches long , consisting of twelve black feathers , and two white ones in the middle , and three or four particoloured ones . The Legs and Feet , down to the very Claws , were covered with white feathers growing very thick and close together , so that nothing at all appeared bare but the black Claws . Only the soal of the Foot and inner part of the Toes were without feathers : Yet might the Toes be wholly covered with the hair-like feathers meeting underneath . It was as big as a Pigeon , or something bigger : The length of the whole about five Palms . I suppose this Bird is called in Italian about Trent Otorno ; about the Lake called by the Ancients Verbanus , now Maggiore , [ or the greater , ] Colmestre : Our Country-men [ the Switzers ] Stein-hun [ or Stone-hen ; ] as some do also the precedent . Others for distinction sake add the bigness . I guess this second kind to be a little the bigger . As for the former kind I doubt not but it is the first Lagopus of Pliny , white , &c. But this second , although perchance it may be doubted , whether it be the second Lagopus of Pliny , which , as he writes , differs from Quails only in bigness , yet ought by all means to be referred to the same Genus with the first . Thus far Gesner . I am of opinion that this Bird is not only generically , but even specifically , the same with the former or first Lagopus of Pliny : For , except some marks and spots on the upper side of the body , it agrees perfectly therewith : But those are not sufficient to infer a difference of kind : Seeing that the first Species also is said to change colour in Summer , and become dusky : Yea , those which ascend not up the Mountains are reported not to be white , no not in Winter . But I dare not pronounce any thing rashly ; referring the matter to the determination of the learned and curious , that live in those Countries , or have opportunity of travelling and sojourning there .

§. VII . The Red Game , called in some places the Gorcock and More-cock , Lagopus altera Plinii .

IT is near half as big again as a Partridge , for the figure of its body not unlike : Somewhat [ yea , considerably ] bigger than the Lagopus : Its Feet and Claws exactly like his . It s Bill is short and blackish : Its Nosthrils elegantly covered with feathers , as in the Lagopus . But especially remarkable are the scarlet-coloured naked skins above each Eye , of the figure of a Crescent , in place of Eye-brows , which in the Cock are much broader , and have in their upper Circumference a border of loose flesh snipt , as it were a fringe or Crest . In the Cock the Plumage about the basis of the Bill is powdered with white specks ; and at the basis of the lower Chap , on each side is a pretty great white spot ; but not so in the Female . Moreover , the Male differs from the Female , in that it is much redder than she : So that in the Throat and upper part of the Breast it hath no mixture at all of any other colour . All the upper side of the Body , Head , Neck , Back , and covert-feathers of the Wings are particoloured of red and black , each single feather being painted with red and black transverse wayed lines . Howbeit in the Cock the red exceeds the black ; yet hath he in the middle of the Back and on the Shoulders great black spots , which the Female hath not .

In each Wing are twenty four quil-feathers , all dusky , except the exteriour edges of those next the body , which are red . The outmost feather of the Wing is shorter than the second , the third the longest of all . The interiour bastard Wing is made up of white feathers . The feathers also on the under side of the Wings next to the flags are white . The Breast and Belly are almost of the same colour with the Back in both Sexes : Yet in the middle of the Breast and Belly are some pretty great white spots . The Legs and Feet are clothed with a long thick Plumage or Down to the utmost ends of the Toes . The Tail is more than a handful long , not forked , consisting of sixteen feathers , all black except the two middlemost , which are varied with red . The flesh is very tender , especially in the younger ones , not so white as a Hens .

It is frequent in the high Mountains of Derbyshire , Yorkshire , Westmorland , and Wales . It lays five , six , seven , or eight Eggs , seldom more , one inch three quarters long , sharper at one end , all speckled with dark red specks or points , only towards the sharper end are one or two beds void of sports . The younger are infested with belly-worms , which sometimes as they fly hang down a foot length from behind . We take this Fowl to be the Lagopus altera of Pliny , lib. 10. cap. 48.

It delights to abide in the highest tops of the highest Mountains , and with us never comes down into the Plains , yea , seldom into the sides of the Mountains .

This is the Bird which Bellonius call the Attagen , as we said before in the Chapter of the Attagen of Aldrovandus , and takes that Bird which the Savoyards call , the white Partridge , and Pliny , Lagopus , to be a variety of this ; for it is all over white , and hath the Legs covered with feathers ( though finer ) like the Attagen : The Italians also call both kinds Francolino . And indeed the colour and bigness excepted , the Red Game differs little from the Lagopus . The figure of the Bill and whole body is the same in both : The Feet alike feathered to the very Claws : So that Mr. Willughby also , together with Bellonius , did sometimes suspect that they differed rather accidentally than specifically . But to me so great difference of colour and bigness do necessarily infer a diversity of kind . The flesh of these , and the rest of this Tribe , doth suddenly corrupt , and therefore the Fowlers , so soon as ever they take them , presently exenterate them , and stuff the Cavity of the Belly with green Ling.

§. VIII . * Bellonius his Damascus Partridge , which Aldrovand supposes to be the other Lagopus of Pliny .

THere are ( saith he ) no wild Birds at Damascus more notable than the Partridges of that Country . They are less than the red or ash-coloured . In the colour of the Back and Neck they resemble a Woodcock : But their Wings are of a different colour . For where they are joyned to the body they are covered with white , dusky , and fulvous feathers : Ten of the prime feathers are cinereous . The inner side of the Wings and the Belly are white . It hath a collar-like mark on its Breast , like the * * The Ring Ouzel . Merula torquata , consisting of red , fulvous , and yellow colours : Else in the colour of the lower part of the Head and Neck , in the Bill and Eyes it is like a Partridge , and hath a short Tail . We had ranked it with the Water Rail , or Woodcock or Plover , but that its Legs were feathered , like the Savoyard white Partridges ( which is the Lagopus ) or a rough-footed Doves . This , if rightly described , is a kind of Lagopus or Heath Cock , which we have not yet seen ; and the least of that kind that we have yet seen or heard of .

CHAP. XIII . Birds of the Poultry-kind that want the back-toe .

§. 1. The Bustard , Otis seu Tarda avis .

IT is for bigness nothing inferiour to a Turkey . It s length measuring from the beginning of the Bill to the end of the Tail was sixty inches . It s breadth , or distance between the tips of the Wings spread two yards and an half . It s Bill like a Hens , the upper Chap being something crooked . The Head and Neck are ash-coloured ; the Belly white : The Back variegated with red and black transverse lines . It wants the back-toe , which is especially remarkable : For by this note alone and its bigness , it is sufficiently distinguished from all other Birds of this kind . It feeds upon Corn , Seeds of Herbs , Colewort , Dandelion leaves , &c. In the Stomach of one diffected we found a great quantity of Hemlock Seed , with three or four grains of Barley , and that in Harvest time . On New-market and Royston Heaths in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk , and elsewhere in Wasts and Plains they are found with us .

They are of slow flight , and when they are lighted can hardly raise themselves from the earth , by reason of the bulk and weight of their bodies , from whence without doubt they got the Latine name Tarda . They are called by the Scots Gustardae , as Hector Boethius witnesseth in these words : In March , a Province of Scotland , are Birds bred , called in the Vulgar Dialect Gustardes , the colour of whose feathers and their flesh is not unlike the Partridges , but the bulk of their body exceeds the Swans .

Some say , one may catch them with ones hands before they can compose themselves to fly ; but this is a mistake , for though ( as we said before ) it be long ere they can raise themselves from the earth , yet are they very timorous and circumspect , and will not suffer a man to come within a Furlong of them , before they take Wing and fly away . Yet our Fowlers report that they may be run down with Greyhounds .

Italy ( saith Aldrovandus ) hath none of these Birds , unless they be brought over accidentally by the force of tempestuous winds . But we when we travelled in Italy did see in the Market at Modena a Bustard to be sold , whence we suspect that there are of them in that Country .

Though some discommend their flesh , yet with us it is esteemed both delicate and wholesome . Hence , but chiefly for its rarity , the Bustard sells very dear , serving only to furnish Princes and great mens Tables at Feasts and public entertainments .

§. II. The French Canne-petiere , Anas campestris or Tetrax of Bellonius .

THe Field-Duck seems to us to be a Bird peculiar to France , where there is not a Country man but knows it , at least by name . It is so called , not because it is a Water-bird , but because it sits on the ground like the Water-Duck . But it hath no similitude or agreement with Water-fowl , being a Land-bird . It is of the bigness of a Pheasant ; the Head , saving the bigness , resembling a Quails , the Bill a Pullets . It is more known by its name , than by its shape : For we have a Country-Proverb against suspicious persons , wherein we say , that they play the Land Duck. It is taken in Plains and open fields , as they take Partridges , in snares , with Nets and à la for me , and also with Hawks . But it is very crafty in defending and shifting for it self : flying near the ground , and that * * Impetuously . with great force and swiftness , for two hundred or three hundred paces , and when it alights or falls on the ground running so swiftly , that scarce any man can overtake it . It hath only three Toes in each foot , like the Bustard or Plover . The roots of all the feathers are red , and as it were of a sanguine colour , so joyned to the skin as in the Bustard , whence also we take it to be a kind of Bustard : For both , but especially this , is white under the Belly : But the Back is variegated with three or four colours , to wit , a yellow tending to red , with somewhat of cinereous and red intermixed . Four Wing-feathers in the upper part have black tips . Under the Bill , down as far as the Breast , it is white . A white Collar near the Crop compasses the Breast , as in the Savoy Merulae , or Water-Ouzels . [ But this Collar appears not in Bellonius his figure . ] The colour of the Head and upper part of the Neck is the same with that of the Back and Wings . The Bill is black , less than in the Ionic Attagen . The Legs incline to cinereous . He that desires an exact description of this Bird , let him imagine a Quail of the bigness of a Pheasant , but very much spotted ; for just such is this Field-Duck . All the interiour parts it hath common with other granivorous birds . It is reckoned among delicate Birds , and esteemed as good meat as a Pheasant . It feeds indifferently upon all sorts of Grain , as also upon Ants , Beetles , and Flies , and likewise upon the leaves of green corn . And although the colour of the Neck and Head be not always the same , ( and herein consists the difference between the Male and the Female ) yet the Back and Wings never change colour . This Bird seems not to have been mentioned by the Ancients .

CHAP. XIV . Of Doves or Pigeons in general .

THe Marks common to all sorts of Pigeons , whereby they may be distinguished from all other kinds of Birds , are not very many , viz. a peculiar figure of body , resembling that of a Cuckow ; short Legs ; long Wings ; swift flight ; a mournful voice ; to lay only two Eggs at one sitting , but to breed often in a year . Aldrovandus saith , it is proper to all Pigeons to wink with both Eye-lids . They do not all agree in the figure of the Bill : For some have slender and indifferently long Bills , others thick and short ones . The Feet of all , at least so many as we have yet seen , are red or sanguine . In the Pigeon-kind the Male and Female divide between them the labour of incubation , sitting by turns . The Male also assists the Female in feeding and rearing the Young . And for an internal note , it is common to them to have no Gall-bladder .

CHAP. XV. Of the several kinds of Pigeons .

§. I. The common wild Dove or Pigeon . Columba vulgaris .

A Female , which we described , weighed thirteen ounces : Was in length from Bill to Tail thirteen inches ; in breadth twenty six .

It s Bill was slender , sharp-pointed , and indifferently long , like to that of a Lapwing or Plover , above the Nosthrils soft , and white by the aspersion of a kind of furfuraceous substance , else dusky . The Tongue neither hard , nor cloven , but sharp and soft . The Irides of the Eyes of a yellowish red . The Legs on the forepart feathered almost to the Toes : The Feet and Toes red ; the Talons black .

The Head was of a pale blue ; the Neck as it was diversly objected to the light did exhibite to the Beholder various and shining colours . The Crop was reddish , the rest of the Breast and Belly ash-coloured . The Back beneath , a little above the Rump , was white , ( which is a note common to most wild Pigeons ) about the shoulders cinereous , else black , yet with some mixture of cinereous .

The number of prime feathers in each Wing was about twenty three or twenty four . Of these the outmost were dusky , of the rest as much as was exposed to sight black , what was covered with the incumbent feathers cinereous . The covert-feathers of the ten first Remiges were of a dark cinereous : Of the rest of the covert-feathers ( almost to the body ) the tips and interiour Webs , as far as the shafts were cinereous , the exteriour black . The covert-feathers of the underside of the Wings purely white .

The Tail is made up of twelve feathers , four inches and an half long , the middle being somewhat longer than the extremes . The tips of all were black : The two outmost below the black on the outside the shaft were white ; all the rest wholly cinereous , the lower part being the darker . The feathers incumbent on the Tail were cinereous .

It had a great Craw , full of Gromil seed . The blind Guts were very short , scarce exceeding a quarter of an inch . It hath ( as we said of Pigeons in general ) no Gall-bladder , and lays but two Eggs at a time .

This kind varies mumch in colour ; there are found of them ordinarily milk-white .

Aldrovandus describes and figures many sorts of tame Pigeons , which he thus distinguishes :

Tame or house Doves are either Of our Country , which have their Feet either Naked The greater called Tronfi , and in English Runts , whose description and figure you have , t. 2. pag. 462. The lesser or most common , t. 2. pag. 463. Rough The greater , t. 2. pag. 466 The lesser Crested , t. 2. pag. 469. Smooth-crown'd , t. 2. pag. 467. Outlandish , to wit , Frisled Pigeons , t. 2. pag. 470. Cyprus Pigeons Hooded , with their Feet Rough , t. 2. pag. 471. Bare , of which there are several kinds set forth , p. 472 , 473 , 474 Smooth-crowned , called Indian Pigeons , t. 2. pag. 477. Candy Pigeons , having in the Bill , above where it is joyned to the Head a white Tubercle or Wattle , p. 478. Persian or Turkey Pigeons of a dark colour , p. 481. Varro's Stone or Rock Pigeon .

Under the title of Domestic , which I have Englished tame or house Doves , he comprehends the common wild Pigeon kept in Dove-cotes , which is of a middle nature between tame and wild .

§. II. Divers sorts of tame Pigeons .

1. THe greater tame Pigeon , called in Italian , Tronfo & Asturnellato ; in English , a Runts . Runt ; a name ( as I suppose ) corrupted from the Italian Tronfo : Though to say the truth , what this Italian word Tronfo signifies , and consequently why this kind of Pigeon is so called , I am altogether ignorant . Some call them Columbae Russicae , Russia-Pigeons , whether because they are brought to us out of Russia , or from some agreement of the names Runt and Russia , I know not . These seem to be the Campania Pigeons of Pliny . They vary much in colour , as most other Domestic Birds : Wherefore it is to no purpose to describe them by their colours . In respect of magnitude they are divided into the biggest and the lesser kind . The greater are more sluggish birds , and of slower flight ; the same perchance with those Gesner saith he observed at Venice , which were almost as big as Hens . The lesser are better breeders , more nimble , and of swifter flight . Perchance these may be the same with those , which * * Ornithol . t. 2. pag 360. Aldrovandus tells us are called by his Country men Colombe sotto banche , that is , Pigeons under Forms or Benches , from their place ; of various colours , and bigger than the common wild Pigeons inhabiting Dove-cotes .

2. Croppers , so called because they can , and usually do , by attracting the Air , blow up their Crops to that strange bigness that they exceed the bulk of the whole body beside . A certain * * Belga , it also signifies any Low-Country man . Hollander informed Aldrovandus , that these Kroppers Duve , as they call them , are twice as big as the common Domestic Pigeons , which as they fly , and while they make that murmuring noise , swell their throats to a great bigness , and the bigger , the better and more generous they are esteemed . Those that I saw at Mr. Copes , a Citizen of London , living in Jewin Street , seemed to me nothing bigger , but rather less than Runts , and somewhat more slender and long-bodied . These differ no less one from another in colour than the precedent .

3. Broad-tail'd Shakers , called Shakers because they do almost constantly shake or wag their Heads and Necks up and down : Broad-tail'd , from the great number of feathers they have in their Tails ; they say , not fewer than twenty six . When they walk up and down they do for the most part hold their Tails erect like a Hen or Turkey-Cock . These also vary much in colour .

4. Narrow-tail'd Shakers . These agree with the precedent in shaking , but differ in the narrowness of their Tails , as the name imports . They are said also to vary in colour . This kind we have not as yet seen , nor have we more to say of it .

5. Carriers . These are of equal bigness with common Pigeons , or somewhat less , of a dark blue or blackish colour . They are easily distinguished from all others , 1. By their colour . 2. In that their Eyes are compassed about with a broad circle of naked , tuberous , white , furfuraceous skin . 3. That the upper Chap of the Bill is covered above half way from the Head with a double crust of the like naked fungous skin . The Bill is not short , but of a moderate length . They make use of these birds to convey Letters to and fro , chiefly in the Turkish Empire . Perchance these may be the Persian and Turkish Pigeons of Aldrovand , all over of a dusky or dark brown colour , excepting the Eyes which are scarlet , the Feet which are of a pale red , and the Bill , which ( as he saith ) is yellow ; wherein they differ from ours , whose Bills are black . The nature of these birds is such , that though carried far away they will return speedily thither , where either themselves were bred or brought up , or where they had hatcht and brought up Young . Of this kind we saw in the Kings Aviary in St. James's Park , and at Mr. Copes , an Embroiderer in Jewin Street , London . Moreover , we read that the Ancients sometimes made use of Pigeons in sending Letters , as for example , Hirtius and Brutus in the Siege of Modena , Hirtius sending a Dove to Brutus , and Brutus back again to Hirtius , having , by meat laid in some high places , instructed these Pigeons , before shut up in a dark place , and kept very hungry , to fly from one to another .

6. Jacobines , called by the Low Dutch , Cappers , because in the hinder part of the Head or Nape of the Neck certain feathers reflected upward encompass the Head behind , almost after the fashion of a Monks Hood , when he puts it back to uncover his Head . These are called Cyprus Pigeons by Aldrovand , and there are of them rough-footed . Aldrovandus hath set forth three or four either Species or accidental varieties of this kind . Their Bill is short : The Irides of their Eyes of a Pearl-colour , and the Head ( as Mr. Cope told us ) in all white .

7. Turbits , of the meaning and original of which name I must confess myself to be ignorant . They have a very short thick Bill like a Bullfinch : The crown of their Head is flat and depressed : The feathers on the Breast reflected both ways . They are about the bigness of the Jacobines , or a little bigger . I take these to be the Candy or Indian Doves of Aldrovand , tom. 2. pag. 477. 478. the Low Dutch Cortbeke .

8. Barbary-Pigeons , perchance the Candy-Dove of Aldrovand . The Bill is like that of the precedent . A broad circle of naked , tuberous , white flesh compasses the Eyes , as in the Carriers . The Irides of the Eyes are white . My worthy Friend Mr. Philip Skippon , in a Letter to me concerning tame Pigeons , writes , that the Eyes of this kind are red . Perchance the colour may vary in several birds .

9. Smiters . I take these to be those , which the fore-mentioned Hollander told Aldrovandus , that his Country-men called Draiiers . These do not only shake their Wings as they fly : But also flying round about in a ring , especially over their Females , clap them so strongly , that they make a greater sound than two Battledores or other boards struck one against another . Whence it comes to pass that their quil-feathers are almost always broken and shattered ; and sometimes so bad , that they cannot fly . Our Country-men distinguish between Tumblers and Smiters .

10. Tumblers , these are small , and of divers colours . They have strange motions , turning themselves backward over their Heads , and shew like footbals in the Air.

11. Helmets . In these the Head , Tail , and quil-feathers of the Wings are always of one colour , sometimes white , sometimes black , red , yellow , or blue ; the rest of the body of another , different from that , whatever it be . These are also called Helme by the Low Dutch , as Aldrovandus writes from the relation of the fore-mentioned Dutchman .

12. Light-horsemen . This is a bastard kind , of one Parent a Cropper , the other a Carrier , and so they partake of both , as appears by the Wattles of their Bill , and their swollen throats . They are the best breeders of all , and will not lightly forsake any house to which they have been accustomed .

13. Bastard-bills . Which name why it is imposed upon them I know not , unless perchance because their Bills are neither long nor short , so that it is not certain to what Species they ought to be referred . They are bigger than Barbaries , have a short Bill and red Eyes ; but are not all of the same colour .

14. Turners , having a tuft hanging down backward from their Head , parted like a horses Main .

15. Finikins , like the precedent , but less .

16. Mawmets , called ( as I take it ) from Mahomet ; perchance because brought out of Turkey , notable for their great black Eyes , else like to the Barbaries .

17. Spots , because they have each in their forehead , above their Bill a spot : Their Tail is of the same colour with the spot , the rest of the body being white .

The Younger Pigeons never tread the Females , but they * * Exesculentur . i. e. kiss them . bill them first , and that as often as they tread them . The elder Doves bill only the first time , the second they couple without billing . Aldrov . Ornithol . tom. 2. pag. 363.

The Sex , especially of the tame Pigeons , is easily known by their note or murmur , which in the Hens is very small , in the Males much deeper .

Aristotle , and out of him Pliny and Athenaeus write that it is proper or peculiar to Pigeons not to hold up their heads as they drink , like other birds , but to drink like Kine or Horses by sucking without intermission .

Albertus sets the twentieth year for the term of a Pigeons life . As for tame Pigeons ( saith Aldrovandus ) a certain man of good credit told me , that he had heard from his * * The life of Pigeons . Father , who was much delighted in Pigeons , and other Birds , that he had kept a Pigeon two and twenty years , and that all that time it constantly bred , excepting the last six months , which time , having left its Mate , it had chosen a single life . Aristotle assigns forty years to the life of a Pigeon . Aldrov . Ornithol . tom. 2. pag. 370.

Pigeons are far harder to concoct than Chickens , and yield a melancholy juyce . They say that the eating of Doves flesh is of force against the Plague ; insomuch that they who make it their constant or ordinary food are seldom seized by Pestilential diseases . Others commend it against the Palsie and trembling : Others write , that it is of great use and advantage to them that are * * Or have weak Fyes . dim-sighted . The flesh of young Pigeons is restorative , and useful to recruit the strength of such as are getting up , or newly recovered from some great sickness : To us it seems to be most savoury , and if we may stand to the verdict of our Palate , comparable to the most esteemed .

A live Pigeon cut asunder along the back-bone , and clapt hot upon the Head , mitigates fierce humours and discusses melancholy sadness . Hence it is a most proper medicine in the phrensie , headach , melancholy , and gout , Schrod . Some add also in the Apoplexy . Our Physicians use to apply Pigeons thus dissected to the soals of the Feet , in acute diseases , in any great defect of spirits or decay of strength , to support and refresh the patient , that he may be able to grapple with , and master the disease . For the vital spirits of the Pigeon still remaining in the hot flesh and bloud , do through the pores of the skin insinuate themselves into the bloud of the sick person now dis-spirited and ready to stagnate , and induing it with new life and vigour , enable it to perform its solemn and necessary circuits .

The hot bloud dropt into the Eyes allays pain , and cures blear eyes , and discusseth suffusions and bloud-shot , and cures green wounds . It properly stops bloud that flows from the membranes of the brain ; and mitigates the pains of the gout .

Note 1. The bloud of the Cock-Pigeon is best , and that taken from under the right Wing , ( because it is of a hotter nature . )

Note 2. The bloudy juyce from the feathers of the Wings may be used for the other bloud , and it is best from the young Pigeon .

The coat of the stomach dried and powdered is good against Dysenteries .

The Dung is very hot from the nitrous faculty ( wherewith it is indued ) and therefore burns , discusses , and makes the skin red by attracting the bloud .

Hence it is of common use in Cataplasms and Plasters that rubifie . Beaten , and sifted , and laid on with Water-cress Seeds , it is good against old diseases : Such as are the Gout , Megrim , * * Or dizziness , Vertige . Turn-sick , old Headach , and pains in the Sides , Colics , Apoplexies , Lethargy , &c. It discusseth Strumaes , and other Tumours ( laid on with Barley-flour and Vinegar ) and cures the falling of the hair ( anointed ) and Colic ( in Clysters ) and discusseth defluxions on the knees ( applied with salt and oyl . )

Inwardly , it breaks the Stone , and expels Urine . Give from a scruple to two scruples . Schrod . out of Galen and Fernelius .

Doves dung ( as Crescentiensis saith ) is best of all others for Plants and Seeds , and may be scattered when any thing is sown together with the Seed , or at any time afterwards : One Basket-ful thereof is worth a Cart-load of Sheeps dung . Our Country-men also are wont to sow Doves dung together with their grain .

§. III. * A wild Pigeon of St. Thomas his Island , Marggrav .

IT is of the bigness and figure of our Country Pigeon , but its upper Bill hooked , the foremost half being of a blue colour mixt with a little white and yellow ; the hindmost of a sanguine . The Eyes are black , with a circle of blue . The whole body is covered with green feathers like a Parrot . The prime feathers of the Wings are duskish , as is also the end of the Tail . Under the vent it hath yellow feathers . The Legs and Feet are of an elegant Saffron-colour , but the Claws dusky .

§. IV. A Turtle-dove . Turtur .

THe Male , which we described from Bill-point to Tail-end was twelve inches long : from tip to tip of the Wings extended twenty one broad : Its Bill slender , from the tip to the angles of the mouth almost an inch long , of a dusky blue colour without , and red within : Its Tongue small and not divided : The Irides of its Eyes between red and yellow . A circle of naked red flesh encompasseth the Eyes as in many others of this kind .

Its Feet were red ; its Claws black ; its Toes divided to the very bottom . The inner side of the middle Claw thinned into an edge .

It s Head and the middle of its Back were blue or cinereous , of the colour of a common Pigeon . The Shoulders and the Rump were of a sordid red : The Breast and Belly white : The Throat tinctured with a lovely vinaceous colour . Each side of the Neck was adorned with a spot of beautiful feathers , of a black colour , with white tips . The exteriour quil-feathers of the Wings were dusky , the middle cinereous ; the interiour had their edges red . The second row of Wing-feathers was ash-coloured , the lesser rows black . The Tail was composed of twelve feathers ; of which the outmost had both their tips and exteriour Webs white . In the succeeding the white part by degrees grew less and less , so that the middlemost had no white at all . The length of the Tail was four inches and an half .

Its Testicles were great , an inch long : Its Guts by measure twenty six inches : It s blind Guts very short . It s Crop great , in which we found Hemp-seed : Its Stomach or Gizzard fleshy . Above the stomach the Gullet is dilated into a kind of bag , set with papillary Glandules .

§. V. * The Indian Turtle of Aldrov . lib. 15. cap. 9.

THe Hen , excepting the Feet , which are red , and the Bill , which is black , as in the Cock , is all over white . But the Cock hath his Head , Neck , Breast , Wings as far as the quill-feathers , and Back down to the Rump reddish , but of a much fainter colour than in our common Turtle , and not at all spotted . It s bigness is almost the same , its note the same : Its Bill also like , but black . In its Eye is a most manifest difference : For in this the Iris is of a most lovely shining Saffron , or rather scarlet colour , which in the common Turtle is only yellow . [ In that we described , the Irides of the Eyes were between red and yellow . ]

The ring also is of a different colour ; for in the Indian Turtles it is slender , and black , and compasses the Neck round , whereas in the common ones it is more than an inch broad , parti-coloured , and compasses not the Neck . The longer feathers of the Wings , the Rump , and whole Tail are of a dusky colour , having their shafts black , and edges white . The Belly , especially near the vent , is yellow . The Feet red , adorned with whitish * * I suppose he means the incisures dividing the scales tables . The Claws are dusky , inclining to yellow . They feed upon Millet . Thus far Aldrovandus . Of this sort of Bird we have seen many kept by the curious in Aviaries and Cages .

§. VI. * The Indian Turtle or Cocotzin of Nieremberg , the Picuipinima of Marggrave : Our least Barbados Turtle .

IT is a little bigger than a Lark , Nieremberg saith , than a Sparrow ; hath a small dusky [ black ] Bill , like a Pigeons ; black Eyes , with a golden Circle . The whole Head , the upper part of the Neck , the Sides , Back , and Wings are covered with dark ash-coloured , or black and blue feathers , having black , semilunar borders . But the long feathers of its Wings , which are seen as it flies , are of a red colour , and black on one side , and in their tips . The Tail is of a good length , consisting of dusky ash-coloured feathers , yet some of them are black , and have their exteriour half white . The feathers of the Belly are white , having their borders black , of the figure of a Crescent . The Legs and Feet like those of other Doves , but whitish . These Pigeons are good meat , and grow very fat . Nieremberg adds , that the Head is little , the Bill little and black , the Neck short , the Legs red [ wherein it differs from Marggraves bird , ] the Claws dusky and little . The Mexicans gave it its name from the colour of its Wings , and the noise it makes in flying ; the Spaniards ( who call it a Turtle ) from its murmuring voice , and the taste and quality of its flesh , although it be much less than our common Turtle . It cries hu , hu , affords good nourishment , though somewhat hard of concoction . It is found in Mountainous places , and also near Towns . It is native of the Country of Mexico , and very common there . They say , that it will cure a woman of jealousie , if you give it her boil'd to eat , so that she knows not what she eats . There is also another sort of this Bird , every way like it , save only that the body is fulvous and black , and the Head ash-coloured : Whence some call it Tlapalcocotli .

This Bird is either the same with , or very like to our least Barbados Turtle , which is of the bigness of a Lark , being exactly equal to the figure we give of it , taken from the live bird .

§. VII . The Ring-Dove , Palumbus torquatus .

THat we described weighed twenty ounces and an half . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was eighteen inches : Its breadth thirty .

It s Bill yellowish , covered for some space from the Head with a red or purplish skin , wherein are the Nosthrils . Above the Nosthrils is as it were a white Dandroof . The Tongue is sharp-pointed , not cloven , but channel'd . The circle about the Pupil of the Eye of a pale yellow .

The Feet were bare , of a red colour , as in other Pigeons . The outmost Toe by a membrane joyned to the middlemost as far as the first joynt . The Legs feathered almost down to the foot .

The upper part of the Neck is adorned with a semicircular line of white , which they call a ring , and from whence the Bird took its name [ Ring-Dove . ] Both above and beneath this ring the Neck , as it is variously objected to the light , appears of various colours . The Head and Back are of a dark ash-colour . The lower part of the Neck , and upper part of the Brest are purplish , or red , with a certain mixture of cinereous . The Belly of a light ash-colour , inclining to white . In the Cock these colours are deeper than in the Hen.

The quill-feathers in each Wing about twenty four , of which the second is the longest : The ten foremost or outmost were black : The second , and succeeding as far as the seventh , had their utmost edges white : The rest of the hard feathers were of a dusky ash-colour . At the bottom or rise of the bastard Wing a white spot tending downwards covered the ninth , tenth , eleventh , and twelfth quill-feathers . The Tail was seven inches long , and made up of twelve feathers , the top or end , for two inches and an half , being black , the remaining part cinereous .

The Liver was divided into two Lobes : It had no Gall-bladder , but a large Gall-channel to convey the Gall into the Guts .

These Birds in Winter-time company together , and fly in flocks : They build in trees , making their Nests of a few sticks and straws . They feed upon Acorns , and also upon Corn , and Ivy and Holly berries .

§. VIII . The Stock-Dove or Wood-Pigeon , Oenas , sive Vinago .

IT is as big or bigger than a common Pigeon . The Cock weighed fourteen ounces and an half , was from Bill to Tail fourteen inches long , and between the tips of the Wings extended twenty six broad . The colour and shape of the body almost the same with that of a common Pigeon : The Bill also like , and of equal length , of a pale red colour . The Nosthrils were great and prominent . The top of the Head cinereous . The Neck covered with changeable feathers , which as they are variously objected to the light , appear of a purple or shining green ; no Silk like them . The fore-part of the Breast , the Shoulders and Wings are dashed with a purplish or red-wine colour , whence it took the name [ Oenas . ] The Wings , Shoulders , and middle of the Back are of a dark ash-colour , the rest of the Back to the Tail of a paler . All the quil-feathers ( except the four or five outmost , which are all over black , with their edges white ) have their lower part cinereous , and their upper black . The Tail is five inches long , made up of twelve feathers , having their lower parts cinereous , their upper for one third of their length black . The nether side of the body , excepting the upper part of the Breast , is all cinereous . The Wings closed reach not to the end of the Tail . In both Wings are two black spots , the one upon two or three quil-feathers next the body , the other upon two or three of the covert feathers incumbent upon those quils : Both spots are on the outside the shafts , and not far from the tips of the feathers . The two outmost feathers of the Tail have the lower half of their exteriour Vanes white .

The Feet are red , the Claws black : the Legs feathered down a little below the Knees . The blind Guts very short . It had no Gall-bladder that we could find ; a large Craw , full of Gromil seeds , &c. It had a musculous Stomach , long Testicles ; and a long Breast-bone .

§. IX . * The Rock-Pigeon .

THis ( as Mr. Johnson described it to us ) hath a small body , ash-coloured , and red Legs . But these two last notes are common to most Pigeons . Perchance this may be the Columba Saxatilis of Aldrovand , called by the Bolognese , Sassarolo . It is ( saith he ) bigger than the Stone-Pigeons of Varro , of a livid colour , having a red Bill , and is altogether wild . It is sometimes taken in the Territory of Bologna .

§. X. * The Dove called Livia by Gesner .

IT is in shape very like a House-Dove , but a little less , having red Feet , a whitish Bill , with something of Purple about the Nosthrils . The feathers investing the body are all over cinereous : But the extreme feathers of the Tail are black , the middle have something of red . The Neck above , and on the sides is covered with feathers partly purple , partly green , as they are diversly exposed to the light , shining with this or that colour . The lower part of the Neck is of a colour compounded of cinereous and purple . The four longer feathers of the Wings are black , with somewhat of red ; the least Wing-feathers are cinereous ; the middle partly cinereous , partly black [ in their ends ] the last of them towards the Back are reddish . The length of this Bird from the Bill to the end of the Tail was almost fourteen inches . It differs from the Ring-Dove in that it is much less , and hath no white spots about the Neck and in the Wings like that .

This Bird , if it be different from the next above described is to us unknown , as also to Aldrovandus , who borrows the figure and description of it of Gesner .

CHAP. XVI . Of Thrushes in general .

UNder this title we comprehend also Blackbirds and Starlings . The marks common to all are , A mean bigness between Pigeons and Larks : A Bill of a moderate length and thickness , a little bending downwards : The Mouth yellow within-side ; a long Tail : Promiscuous feeding upon Berries and Insects . Most of the Birds of this sort are canorous , and may be taught to imitate mans voice , or speak articulately .

This Genus comprehends under it three Species , 1. Thrushes strictly and properly so called , having an ash-coloured Back , and a spotted Breast . 2. Blackbirds , so called from their colour . 3. Starlings , whose characteristic is a broader and flatter or more depressed bill than that of Thrushes or Blackbirds .

That Latine Proverb , * * The Thrush dungs its own destruction or mischief . Turdus malum sibi ipse cacat , spoken of those who are the cause of their own destruction , took its original from that ancient conceit , that the parasitical Plant , called Misselto , of the Berries whereof in old time Birdlime was wont to be made , sprang from the Seed voided by the Thrush . Misselto ( saith Pliny ) sow it how you will , springs not unless cast forth in the Excrements of Birds , especially the Ring-Dove , and Thrush . Such is its nature , that unless ripened in the belly of Birds it will not grow . But that Misselto comes not at all of seed may be proved by many arguments , of which the principal is , that sometimes it grows on upright boughs , and on the underside or that respecting the earth . He that desires further information concerning this matter may consult * * Tom. 2. p. 585. Aldrovandus and Scaliger .

There are four kinds of Thrushes common and well known in England : Two abide all the year , and build with us , viz. 1. The Missel-bird or Shrite . 2. The Mavis or Song-Thrush : Two are Birds of passage , coming in the Autumn , continuing here all Winter , and going away next Spring , never breeding with us , to wit , 1. The Feldefare : 2. The Redwing . Of Blackbirds or Ouzels England breeds and feeds three kinds , 1. The common Blackbird ; 2. The Ring-Ouzels ; 3. The Water-Ouzel ; of which we treat in another place , among the Piscivorous Land-birds . The Rock-Ouzel of Darbyshire is , if I mistake not , the Female of the Ring-Ouzel , although it hath not the least shadow or appearance of a ring . We know but one sort of Stare . The Stone-Ouzel or greater Redstart , as also the Solitary Sparrow , and Witwal , which we have seen beyond Seas , are strangers and unknown to England . To this Tribe we have subjoyned some exotic Birds out of Marggravius , for their agreement in bigness or colour , &c.

CHAP. XVII . Thrushes properly so called , having a spotted Breast .

§. I. The Missel-bird or Shrite ; Turdus viscivorus major .

THis Bird is the biggest of this kind , weighing four ounces and an half . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was eleven inches . It s breadth eighteen .

It s Bill is streight , like a Blackbirds , or for the bigness , a little shorter : The upper Chap dusky , somewhat longer than the lower : The Tongue hard , channel'd and slit at the tip , horny , and pellucid : The inside of the Mouth is yellow : The Nosthrils great , almost of an Oval figure : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured . The Legs and Feet yellowish ; the Claws black . The outer fore-toe sticks to the middlemost as far as the first joynt , no membrane intervening . The Head is of a dusky cinereous , or lead-colour , the middle part of each feather being blacker . The Back , Tail , and Rump have some mixture of yellow . In Summer it changes colour , and becomes more cinereous . [ The colour of the Head , Back , Wings , and Tail , in a word of the whole upper side seemed to me to approach to that of Spanish Olives pickled while yet immature , such as are usually brought over to us . ] The underside of the body from the Bill to the Tail is speckled with pretty great blackish spots . The upper part of the Breast , the Sides , and feathers under the Tail are yellow , the middle of the Belly white .

The number of quill-feathers in each Wing is eighteen , whereof the second , being the longest , is by measure five inches . The tips of the feathers next incumbent on the quills are white . The Tail is four inches and an half long , and made up of twelve equal feathers .

It hath no Craw : The Gizzard is not very thick or fleshy ; therein we found Maggots , Caterpillars , &c. though the Bird was killed in January . The Guts were great , but short : The blind Guts very little and short . It had a pale-coloured Liver , and a Gall bladder .

Sitting upon the tops of high trees , as Oaks , Elms , &c. in the Spring time it sings rarely well . It abides the year round with us in England , and breeds here . It is a solitary Bird , accompanying and flying only with its Mate . It is the worst meat of all its kind .

In Winter time it feeds much upon Holly-berries . And ( which is strange ) the birds of this kind are observed each to take possession of his tree , and to be always near it , and not to permit other birds to feed on it , but to beat and drive them away : Which quality of theirs is the occasion that they are easily taken .

A late English Writer saith , that this bird makes as large a Nest as a Jay , and lays as big an Egg : Builds commonly with rotten twigs the outside of his Nest , the inside with dead Grass , Hay , or Moss , that he pulls from trees . It seldom lays above five Eggs , but four most commonly , breeds but twice a year , and hath three young ones , never above four , that I could find ; She feeds all her young ones with Misselto berries , and nothing else as I could perceive , having diligently watched them for two or three hours together . This I can hardly believe , for that the old ones feed upon other berries too , and also Insects . For Convulsions or the Falling sickness , kill this bird , dry him to a powder , and take the quantity of a penny weight every morning in six spoonfuls of black Cherry water , or the distilled water of Miselto-berries . The reason of this conceit is , because this bird feeds upon Misselto , which is an approved remedy for the Epilepsie .

§. II. The Mavis , Throstle , or Song-thrush . Turdus simpliciter dictus seu viscivorus minor .

IT is called viscivorous , not because its feeds upon Misselto-berries , but because it is like the Missel-bird . It is lesser than the Fieldfare , scarce bigger than the Redwing , of three ounces weight ; from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail or the Feet , ( for all is one ) nine inches long . The Bill is an inch long , of a dusky colour . The Tongue , viewing it attentively , appears to be a little cloven : The Mouth withinside is yellow : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured .

In the colour and spots of the Breast and Belly it agrees with the Missel-bird : For the spots are dusky ; the Breast yellowish ; the Belly white . The upper surface of the body is all over dusky , with a mixture of yellow in the Wings . [ I should rather call this an Olive-colour , from its likeness to that of unripe pickled Olives , such as are brought over to us out of Spain . ]

This Bird for its outward shape and colour is so like the Redwing that they are hard to be distinguished : Only this hath more and greater spots on the Breast and Belly . Aldrovandus tells us , that it is proper to this kind to be spotted about the Eyes . The lesser feathers , covering the Wings underneath , are of a yellowish red colour : The lower covert-feathers have yellow tips . The quill-feathers in each Wing are in number eighteen . The Tail is three inches and an half long , and made up of twelve feathers .

The Legs and Feet are of a light brown or dusky : The soals of the Feet yellow ; The exteriour toe grows to the middle one as far as the first joynt . It hath a Gall-bladder ; the Stomach or Gizzard not so thick and fleshy as in other birds of this Tribe . It s feeding is rather upon Insects than berries : It eats also shell-snails , which are by most Naturalists reckoned among Insects . The Sex cannot be known by the colour . It abides all the year , and breeds with us in England . It builds its Nest outwardly of earth , moss , and straws , and within dawbs it with clay , laying its Eggs and Young upon the bare clay ; it lays at one sitting five or six Eggs of a bluish green colour , speckled with a few small black spots , thin-set . In the Spring time it sits upon trees and sings most sweetly . It is a solitary bird like the Shrite . But it builds rather in hedges than high trees . Moreover , it is a silly bird , and easily taken .

For the delicate taste of its flesh it is by all highly and deservedly commended . If we stand to Martials judgment , the Thrush is the best meat of all birds :

Inter aves Turdus , siquid me judice verum est , Inter quadrupedes gloria prima lepus .

This ( saith a late English Writer ) is a rare Song-bird , as well for the great variety of his notes , as his long continuance in song [ at least nine months in the year . ] They breed commonly thrice a year , in April , May , and June , but the first birds prove usually the best . They may be taken in the Nest at fourteen days old or sooner , must be kept warm and neat , not suffering them to sit upon their dung if it happen to fall into the Nest . When they are young you must feed them with raw meat , and some bread mixt and chopt together , with some bruised Hemp , wet their bread and mix it with their meat . When they are well feathered , put them in a large Cage , with two or three Perches in it , and dry Moss at the bottom ; and by degrees you may give them no flesh at all , but only bread and hemp-seed . Give them fresh water twice a Week , to bathe themselves , otherwise they will not thrive . If he be not clean kept he is subject to the Cramp , like other singing birds .

§. III. The Fieldfare , Turdus pilaris .

IT weighs well nigh four ounces . It s length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail , or utmost Claws ( for they are equally extended ) is ten inches and an half : Its breadth , the Wings being spread , seventeen . The Bill is an inch long , like a Blackbirds , yellow save the tip , which is black : The Bills of the Hens or young birds are darker and less yellow , as in Blackbirds ; the Tongue is rough , horny , channel'd in the middle . The edges of the Eye-lids being yellow make a yellow circle round the Eye . The Nosthrils are great . In the lower part of the nictating membrane is a black spot . The Ears are large : The Feet black , but the Claws more : The outer Toe is joyned immediately to the middle one as far as the first joynt .

It seems to be somewhat bigger than a Blackbird , and the second in bigness of this kind , or next to the Missel-bird .

The Head , Neck , and Rump are ash-coloured , [ in some of a deep blue . ] The crown of the Head sprinkled with black spots [ which yet in some birds are wanting . ] The Back , Shoulders , and covert feathers of the Wings are of a dark red or Chesnut-colour ; the middle parts of the feathers being black . The Throat and upper part of the Breast are yellow , spotted with black , the black spots taking up the middle parts of the feathers . The bottom of the Breast and Belly are white , and less spotted . The covert-feathers of the sides under the ends of the Wings are white : Thence a red or yellow line separates the white from the black . On each Cheek it hath a black stroak reaching from the Bill to the Eyes . It hath also on both sides , at the bottom of the Neck , just by the setting on of the Wings , a black spot . The number of quil-feathers , as in the rest , is eighteen , the outmost of which are black , with white edges ; the inner have something of red , The covert-feathers of the inside of the Wings are white . The Tail is four inches and an half long , composed of twelve feathers , of a dark blue or blackish colour : Only the tips of the outmost feathers are white , and the edges of the middlemost ash-coloured .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes , and furnished with its Gall-bladder : The Muscles of the Gizzard are not very thick . I found no footstep of the passage for conveying the Gall into the Guts .

These Birds fly in flocks together with Stares and Redwings . They shift places according to the seasons of the year . About the beginning of Autumn come over incredible flights of them into England , which stay with us all Winter , and in the Spring fly all back again , not one bird remaining ; insomuch that ( as far as ever I could hear ) there was never seen young Fieldfare or Redwing , or so much as a Nest of those birds with us in England . Whither they betake themselves , or where they breed is not to us perfectly known : It is by some reported , that they breed in Bohemia ; others tell us with much confidence , in Sweden . They have a hoarse chattering note , not much unlike a Magpie ; by reason the sides of the fissure in the Palate are rough ; as we conjecture .

This kind of Thrush ( saith Gesner ) loves to feed upon Berries of all sorts , especially those of Juniper . With us in England they are very greedy of Holly-berries . This bird is accounted very good meat , and preferred far before the Missel-bird . In open weather they feed upon Worms , and other Insects , lying much upon Meadows and Pasture-grounds .

§. IV. The Redwing , Swinepipe , or Wind-thrush , Turdus Iliacus sive Illas aut Tylas .

IT is rather less than the Mavis ; not exceeding two ounces and an half in weight . It s length from Bill-point to Tail-end is eight inches and an half : Its Bill an inch long ; the upper Mandible dusky , the lower partly dusky , partly yellow . It s Tongue hard and rough , the tip being divided into many Filaments . The Mouth withinside is yellow : The Irides of the Eyes of a dark hazel colour . The Legs and Feet pale : The outer Toe joyned to the middle below , as in the rest of this kind .

The upper side of the body is of the same colour with that of the Mavis : The Breast not so much spotted . The covert-feathers of the underside of the Wings , and of the sides of the body under the Wings , which in the Mavis are yellow , in this kind are of a red Orange-colour , by which mark it is chiefly distinguished from it . The belly is white , as in the Fieldfare : The Throat and Brest yellowish , spotted with dusky spots , which take up the middle parts of the feathers . The sides of the Breast and Belly are in like manner spotted . The spots are less , but thicker set than in the Mavis . Above the Eyes is a long spot or line of a clay colour , reaching from the Eyes to the hinder part of the Head .

The number of quill-feathers in each Wing , as in the rest of this kind , and almost all small birds , is eighteen : These are more red or chesnut-coloured than the rest of the feathers : They differ also in divers birds ; for in some the edges of the outmost feathers are white , which are not so in others . The tips of the two inmost quill-feathers , as also of the second row of feathers , beginning from the tenth , are white . The Tail is three inches and an half long , consisting of twelve feathers .

The Gizzard like those of the precedent : The blind Guts in like manner very short . We found in this some remainder of the channel conveying the Yolk into the Guts . The Liver is large for the bulk of the body , and hath its Gall-bladder appendant . In the Stomach dissected we found divers sorts of Insects , Snails , &c. It comes to us from beyond Seas , as the Fieldfare , with which it flies in company , observing the same times of coming and returning . Whither it goes , and where it breeds is not to us certainly known : Perchance in the Mountainous parts of Bohemia or Hungaria , as Gesner saith he had heard . It s flesh by reason of its bitterness is less esteemed .

Dr. Charleton thinks they are called in English , Wind-Thrushes , because about the beginning of Winter , when strong Winds blow , by which perchance they are assisted in their passage , they come flying over to us from beyond Seas . I rather think , we borrowed that name from the Germans , who call this bird Wyntrostel , that is , Vineyard Thrushes , because , as Bellonius reports , they feed upon Grapes , and are very noisom to the Vineyards : So that they are by mistake called Wind-Thrushes , their true name being Wine-Thrushes .

§. V. * The Brasilian Tamatia of Marggrave .

THis Bird is of the bigness of a Lark or small Woodpecker , all spotted like a Throstle or Mavis : On the Belly it hath white feathers , with dusky spots . It is yellow under the Throat , as also about the Neck . It hath a long , red Bill , a little dusky above , the upper Chap somewhat longer than the nether . Above the Nosthrils stand up certain slender feathers like hairs or bristles . It hath four Toes in each foot , and crooked Claws . It s Head is bigger than the proportion of the body requires , as also its Bill . Not knowing better whither to refer this bird , for its agreement with Thrushes in bigness and colour , I have placed it here .

CHAP. XVIII . Birds of the Thrush-kind , that are black of colour .

§. I. The common Blackbird , Merula vulgaris .

IT is little , or nothing less than a Fieldfare ; of four ounces weight ; nine inches and an half long from the tip of the Bill to the Claws , to the end of the Tail ten and an half , and the Cock eleven .

The Bill is an inch long , in the Cock of a deep yellow ; in the Hen the tip and upper part is black . The Mouth in both Sexes is yellow within . The Bill in young Cock-birds is black , and turns not perfectly yellow till they be near a year old . The circumference of the Eye-lids is also yellow . The Cock , after he hath mewed his chicken feathers , becomes cole-black ; the Hen and young Cock-birds are rather brown , or of a dark russet than black : Their Breasts have something of reddish , and their Bellies of ash-colour . The Cocks while young cannot be distinguished from the Hens by their colour .

The number of quill-feathers in each Wing is eighteen , of which the fourth is the longest . The Tail is four inches and an half long , made up of twelve feathers of equal length save the two outmost , which are somewhat shorter than the rest .

The Feet are black : The outmost fore-toe and the back-toe are equal : And the outmost Toe joyned to the middlemost at bottom , as in the rest of this kind .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes , and hath its Gall-bladder annexed . The Gizzard not very fleshy nor thick , as in the rest . It feeds promiscuously upon Berries and Insects . I could not find any remainder of the Yolk-channel in the Guts .

The Cocks in this kind are very canorous , whistling and singing very pleasantly all the Spring and Summer-time , only their note is too loud and shrill near hand .

The Hen lays four or five Eggs , seldom more at once , of a bluish green colour , full of dusky spots and lines .

On the Alps , the Appennine , and other high Mountains are sometime found birds of this kind all over white . We our selves saw one in a Poulterers Shop at Rome particoloured of black and white . But this we look upon as accidental : Either the coldness of the Region , or the constant intuition of Snow effecting this alteration of colour , as in Crows , Ravens , &c. So that we do not think a white Blackbird ( pardon the seeming contradiction in adjecto ) to differ specifically from a black one .

The Blackbird builds her Nest very artificially withoutside of Moss , slender twigs , bents , and fibres of roots , cemented and joyned together with Clay instead of Glue , dawbing it also all over withinside with Clay : Yet doth she not lay her Eggs upon the bare Clay , like the Mavis , but lines it with a covering of small straws , bents , hair , or other soft matter , upon which she lays her Eggs , both that they might be more secure , and in less danger of breaking , and also that her Young might lie softer and warmer .

The Blackbird loves to wash it self , and prune its feathers with its Bill . It flies also singly for the most part : Whence it took the name Merula in Latine , being ( as Festus and Varro tell us ) so called because it flies and feeds Mera , that is , solitary or singly .

The flesh of Blackbirds is accounted good meat , yea , some prefer it before that of the Thrush . But Palate-men , and such as are critical in discerning of tastes , are of another opinion .

§. II. The solitary Sparrow .

MEeting with a Female of this kind at Florence in Italy , I thus described it . It is of the bigness of a Blackbird , and for shape of body very like it , nor much different in colour .

The Head and Neck were thicker than to answer the proportion of the body . The top of the Head was of a dark ash-colour . The Back was of a deep blue , almost black , only the extreme edges of the feathers were whitish . The Shoulders and covert-feathers of the Wings were of the same colour . Each Wing had eighteen quill-feathers , besides a little short one outmost , all dusky , but some had white tips . The second row of Wing-feathers had also white tips . The Tail was about four inches long , and composed of twelve black feathers . The underside of the Body Breast , Belly , and Thighs , was all variegated with black , cinereous , and whitish transverse waved lines , so that in colour it resembled a Cuckow . Under the Throat , and in the upper part of the Breast no ash-colour appeared , and the white lines had something of red mingled with them . The Bill was streight , blackish , rather longer than a Thrushes Bill , as also a little thicker and stronger . The Legs short and black : The Feet and Claws black . The Legs , Feet , and Claws in this sort seemed to me lesser than in the rest of the Thrush-kind . The Mouth within was yellow , the stomach filled with Grapes .

The Cocks are much more beautiful , all over of a shining blue , or bluish purple colour , as Aldrovandus witnesseth , and as we also observed in a Cock we saw at Rome , whose Back especially was of a most lovely glistering dark purple colour .

It is wont to sit alone on the tops of ancient Edifices and Roofs of Churches , singing most sweetly , especially in the Morning , whence it took its name , being supposed to be the bird spoken of , Psalm 102. 7. It builds also in the like places , for which Olina is my Author . For the excellency of its singing it is highly prized in Italy , specially , at Genua and Milan . It hath a whistling note like a Pipe , and may easily be taught to imitate mans voice .

§. III. * The Blue-bird of Bellonius , Passeri solitario congener , † † Ornithol . l. 16. c. 8. Aldrov .

THere is also ( saith Gesner ) another bird akin to the solitary Sparrow , of the Blackbird kind , frequenting rocky places , whence by the Grecians it is called , Petrocossyphus , [ that is , the Rock-Ouzel or Blackbird ] by our Country-men Steinrotele , esteemed in like manner for its singing . In another place he thus discourses concerning the same bird : This ( viz. which * * Cap. de Caeruleo . Bellonius , whose words he had cited , calls Merula torquata , i. e. Ring-Ouzel ) seems to be the very same with that bird of which Raphael Seillerius of Augsburg lately wrote to me in these words . The bird which from its blue colour the Germans call Blauvogel is of the bigness of a Stare , hath his Breast , Loins , and Neck of a lovely blue , yet darker than the Kingfisher . The Back and Wings are somewhat black , yet shewing something of blue . The Bill is an inch and half long , under the Nosthrils dusky , the upper Chap being hooked , and covering the nether , for the most part . The Feet are divided , as in other birds . It lives in the highest parts of the Alps , neither is it contented to abide in the tops of the Mountains , but chuses the most rocky and craggy places , and such as are covered with Snow , neither do we know certainly that it is found in any other place than the Mountains about the River Athesis , especially near the City of Inspruck . For this cause it is had in great account even by the Inhabitants themselves of those places , and is fed with such meat as men usually eat , and such as is usually given to Blackbirds and Thrushes designed for fowling . It speaks with an articulate voice very pleasant and various ; and is it self so docile , and observes things so diligently , that it will express most things by some articulate sound . Being awakened at Midnight , and called upon by a by-stander , as if it were bidden , it will sing with a clear and loud note . Like other birds , it aims at mens Eyes , because seeing in them , as in a Looking-glass , it s own image , it is affected with a desire of its like , and thinks to joyn it self in company with it . Before the Autumn , at what time other birds sit , and are busie in bringing up their Young , together with its colour it changeth also its voice . It s colour about the beginning of Winter of blue becomes black , which about the beginning of next Spring it changes again into its own natural blue . Being fully fledg'd , and once got out of the Nest , and a little accustomed to flying , it cannot any more ( as all the Fowlers affirm ) by any allurement or deceit be enticed and taken , so naturally crafty it is . It makes its Nest in deep holes in very high and unaccessible solitudes , having found a secure place , to which it may safely commit it self and its Young . And by its cunning doth not only remove it from the access of men by placing it on the highest ridges of the Mountains , but also hide it in deep Caverns from the Chamois , and other wild beasts , and there it feeds three or four Young with worms , till it brings them out of the Nest , and turns them loose to shift for themselves . Now the Fowlers having either by chance , or by lying in wait , found out the place , taking with them a long , round , smooth stilt or stake , made of a singular piece of wood , hard to be found ( such as the climbers of Rocks and hunters of Chamois are wont to make use of to assist them in getting up the crags and cliffs of Rocks ) mount up there where you would not think it possible for them to find room to set one foot . And to omit no-nothing , they wrap their heads with cloth , covering their faces so far that they may see side-ways , to avoid dizziness ; and this they do partly to fence them against the old birds , partly , and chiefly ( this being the true cause of their so doing ) to hinder their prospect any ways but just forward , to see where they are to pitch their stake , or clap on their hands . So at length , not without extreme toil and danger , they arrive at the Nest , which with that long pole or stake I mentioned they draw up out of the deep hole where it was placed , and carry away with them , cherishing , and bringing the Young up at their own houses : And afterwards either sell them dear , or present them to Gentlemen and great persons of their knowledge . Thus far Seillerius . I suspect that this very bird , which Gesner calls Blauvogel , is the same which about Chur in the Grisons Country and elsewhere is called Steirotele , or near akin to it .

* * Lib. 1. Observ . cap. 11. Bellonius , who thinks this bird to be the Cyanus or ( as Gaza translates it ) the Caeruleus of Aristotle , writes thereof in this manner . That bird which Aristotle calls Cyanus , Pliny , Caeruleus , because it haunts among the Rocks of the high Mountains , and is like a Blackbird , is now by the Grecians commonly called Petrocoslypho , that is , the Rock-Ouzel . It is lesser than a Blackbird , and blue all over , kept in Cages , and highly esteemed for its singing . It s voice is the same with the Blackbirds . It hath no French name , because it is not found in France , nor yet in Italy , unless brought thither in Cages . It is sometimes taken out of the Nest to be taught so speak articulately . * * Lib. 6. de Avibus , cap. 26 In another place , where he also treats professedly of this bird , adding a figure of it ; although ( saith he ) we call the bird by Aristotle entitled Cyanus , by Gaza rendred Caeruleus , In French Merle bleu , yet we do not this as if it were known to France ; but because of the Countrimen of Epidaurus , who use divers Idioms , some who speak Italian call it , * * The blue Ouzel . Merlo biavo , others who speak Greek , Petrocossypho , others who speak Dalmatic call it simply , Merle . Kept in a Cage it sings more sweetly even than a Blackbird . For which reason the Countrimen of Illyricum , who live among the Rocks , take them out of the Nests , and carry them to the Cities to sell . It is not found in France , unless brought in from abroad . It builds in the tops of Mountains , as we observed in Candy , Citharaea , Corcyra , Zacynthus , and Euboea , now commonly called Negroponte . Aristotle also in the fore-quoted place making mention of it , saith it was commonly seen among the Rocks in Scyros . Aristotle composing his History of Animals at Athens , sent abroad men through divers Countries to search out all kinds of living Creatures : In Scyros the Mountains are cragged , with many Rocks . But to make a brief , compendious description of this bird , we need but imagine a small Blackbird of a blue colour ; for just such a one is this bird . It is full of tongue , and seldom descends into the plain Country . It breeds for the most part five Young , and never more . It affords as good and better nourishment than a Blackbird , flies swifter , and uses the same food . All this out of Bellonius ; whom Aldrovandus pronounces mistaken , in that he thought this bird to be the Cyanus of Aristotle . Himself , with Gesner , deeming the Cyanus of Aristotle to be of the Wood-pecker kind : Which how he proves see in this place .

Turner conjectures the Caeruleus of Aristotle to be that bird which is called in English , a Clot-bird , a Smatch , an Arling , a Stonecheck , and in High Dutch , Ein Brechvogel . This he saith in England breeds in Coney-burrows , and under stones , and appears not in Winter . The English names and place of building argue Turner to have meant the common Oenanthe or White-tail ; which is a far different bird from the Caeruleus of Bellonius .

For my part , to speak freely what I think , I judge the Blauvogel of Gesner to be the very same bird with the solitary Sparrow ; but the Caeruleus of Bellonius to be a bird specifically different , and which I have not yet seen alive , though I have often seen its picture .

§. IV. The Indian Mockbird , Caeruleus Indicus .

WE saw this Bird dried in Tradescants Cabinet . It is of the bigness of a common Lark , hath a streight sharp Bill , a long Tail : And is all over of a blue colour . Upon second thoughts , however Tradescant might put the Epithete of Indian upon this bird , I judge it to be no other than the Caeruleus or Blue Ouzel of Bellonius , described in the precedent Article .

§. V. * Aldrovandus his Brasilian Merula , Book 16. Chap. 16.

BEllonius figures this bird among the Merulae , induced only by this reason , that those who bring it out of Brasil into Europe call it , the Brasilian Blackbird . Wherefore seeing he speaks nothing concerning the nature of the Bird , and it is alike unknown to me , I also adjoyn it to the Merulae , although in the shortness , or rather crookedness , of its Bill it differs much from them . Those ( saith Bellonius ) who trade in Countries newly discovered , bring back thence such strange rarities as they think will sell dear with us here : But because they cannot bring the birds themselves alive in Cages , therefore they flay off the skins of such as are more beautiful than the rest , as this is , and bringing them over make a great gain of the sale of them ; especially of this which they call , the Brasilian Blackbird ; though in bigness it differs from a Blackbird . The colour of the whole body , except the Tail and Wings , which are black ; is so deep [ perchance by the word intensè he may mean bright ] a red , that it exceeds all other rednesses . The Tail is long ; the Feet and Legs black ; The Bill short , as in a Sparrow . The feathers are red to the very bottom . That which Aldrovandus describes , perchance from a picture , was in some things different from Bellonius his bird . For , saith he , the Wings are not all over black , but all the upper feathers by the shoulders of a deep red . Next to them are some black ones , then red ones again ; the subsequent , viz. all the great feathers , being black , as is also the Tail . The Bill also is not so short as in Sparrows , yet thick , and remarkably crooked , without of a dusky colour , within yellow , as I conjecture from the colour of the corners of the mouth [ rictûs . ] Moreover , the Feet are not black , but of an ash-colour , only a little dusky , being great for the proportion of the Legs : The Claws short , but crooked , of the same colour .

We have seen in Tradescants Cabinet a red Indian bird dried , of the bigness almost of a Mavis , having a long Tail , which perchance is the same with the bird in this Article described .

§. VI. * The Rose or Carnation-coloured Ouzel of Aldrov . lib. 16. cap. 15.

THis bird our Fowlers call , the Sea-Starling . It is seen sometimes in our fields , and is much among dung-heaps . To me it seems rather to be a kind of Ouzel [ Merula ] than Starling . For a Starling is spotted , which this is not . It is somewhat less than a Blackbird , hath its Back , Breast , and Wings above of a Rose or Carnation colour , its Head tufted , its Wings and Tail black , the prime feathers being near a Chesnut colour : The Bill next the Head black , else of a flesh colour : The Feet of a deep yellow or Saffron-colour . The Cock in this kind is of a more lively and lovely colour . The head of the Hen is in colour like to the Cocks , but the Neck , Wings , and Tail not so black as his . They become very fat , and are accounted good meat .

We have not as yet seen this bird , neither do we remember to have elsewhere read or heard any thing of it .

§. VII . The red-breasted Indian Blackbird , perchance the Jacapu of Marggrave .

WE saw the Case of this bird in Tradescants Cabinet . It was of the bigness and shape of a Blackbird , as far as I could judge by the dried skin . The colour of the whole upper side was black ; only the edges of the feathers about the Rump were ash-coloured . The Breast was of a scarlet colour : The Bill like a Blackbirds : The Tail also long , and like a Blackbirds .

I take this to be the same bird , which Marggrave describes under the title of Jacapu of the Brasilians , though he attribute to it only the bigness of a Lark . It hath ( saith he ) a long Tail , shorter Wings , short and black Legs , with sharp Claws on the four toes : A Bill a little crooked and black , half an inch long . The whole body is covered with shining black feathers ; yet under the Throat spots of a Vermilion colour are mingled with the black . This bird differs from ours in its smalness , and the shortness of its Bill .

§. VIII . The Ring-Ouzel , Merula torquata .

IT is like , and equal to , or somewhat bigger than the common Blackbird : From Bill to Tail eleven inches long , to the end of the Feet ten and a quarter ; the Wings extended were by measure seventeen inches . The Bill more than an inch long , of a dark dusky or blackish colour . The mouth yellow withinside : The Tongue rough . The Irides of the Eyes are of a dark hazel colour : The Legs and Feet dusky . The outer Toe is joyned to the middle as far as to the first joynt . The colour of the upper side of the body is a dark brown , or russet , inclining to black . The feathers covering the Breast and Belly are marked with a long whitish spot down the shaft , having also white edges . The Ring or Collar is below the Throat , just above the Breast , of a white colour , an inch broad , of the form of a Crescent , the horns ending at the sides of the Neck .

It hath eighteen quil-feathers in each Wing ; twelve in the Tail , the outmost being a little shorter than the rest ; four inches long . The exteriour feathers of the Tail are blacker than the middlemost . The small feathers under the Wings whitish .

[ In a bird that I described at Rome the edges of the prime feathers of the Wings , as also of the covert-feathers of the Head and Wings were cinereous . The ring also was not white , but ash-coloured . I suppose this was either a young bird , or a Hen. ]

It hath a large Gall , and a round Spleen : In the Stomach we found Insects , and Berries like to Currans . These Birds are common in the Alps in Rhoetia and Switzerland : They are also found in the mountainous parts of Derbyshire , Yorkshire , and elsewhere in the North of England .

They say that the Female of this kind hath no ring : Whence I perswade my self that the bird which I sometimes described for the Merula Saxatilis or Montana , that is , the Rock-Ouzel of Gesner , p. 584. was no other than a Hen Ring-Ouzel .

It nearly resembles the common Blackbird in bigness , figure , and colour ; yet is in some things manifestly different ; viz. it is a thought bigger , hath a longer body , and not so dark a colour . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was ten inches and an half , to the end of the Claws nine and an half : Its breadth one foot and five inches : Its weight three ounces and two drachms . The top of the Head , the Shoulders , Back , Wings , and Tail , in a word , the whole upper side was of a dark brown or dusky colour , The number of quill-feathers in each Wing eighteen . The Tail was four inches and an half long , not forked , black , made up of twelve feathers . The underside , viz. the Breast , Belly , Sides , Thighs , and under-coverts of the Wings , particoloured of brown and white , or rather cinereous ; the middle part of each feather being brown , and the borders round about cinereous .

It s Bill is every way like the common Blackbirds , excepting the colour which in this is of a dark brown , or blackish . The inside of the mouth , as in that , yellow . The Legs are of a moderate length , and dusky colour , as also the Feet and Claws .

The Guts indifferent large , but not very long , and consequently not having many revolutions : The blind Guts small , white , and very short , as in the rest of this kind . The Stomach or Gizzard was of a moderate bigness , filled partly with Insects , partly with the purple juyce of Bill-berries , which had also tinctured all the excrements of the Guts .

It is usually conversant about the Rocks and steep Cliffs of high mountains . This we described was shot by Fr. Jessop Esq on a Cliff or Scar , called Rive-edge , where they dig Mill-stones , not far from a Village called Hathers-edge in the Mountains of the Peak of Derbyshire , where the Inhabitants call it Rock-Ouzel .

§. IX . * The Rock Ouzel , or Mountain Ouzel of Gesner , called in High Dutch , Berg-Amzel , Merula Saxatilis seu Montana .

IT differs from the Ring-Ouzel , 1. In that it wants a Ring . 2. In that the Throat is * * Ruffa , it may be rendred russet . red , with black spots , the Belly is cinereous , with black spots . 3. That the extreme edges of the great Wing-feathers are whitish , and the lesser rows have sometimes white spots in their middle about their shafts . But these differences are not to me so considerable , as to induce me to believe that this bird is a Species different from the Ring-Ouzel ; at least if it be true , that the Hen in that kind wants a ring , and differs other ways in colour from the Cock , as we have been informed . Yet will we not be very confident or positive , but refer it to further inquiry and observation .

To these may be added Aldrovandus his 1. * * Ouzel of two colours . MERULA BICOLOR , described lib. 16. cap. 12. varied with two colours especially , viz. dusky or blackish , and reddish yellow . 2. * * Of kin to the Ouzel . MERULAE CONGENER , Aldrov . lib. 16. cap. 13. having a red line near the Bill . 3. * * Another bird of kin to the Ouzel . MERULAE CONGENER ALIA , in Chap. 14. of the same Book , like to the ash-coloured Butcher-bird . Which , because we have not seen , nor read of elsewhere , we omit : Whosoever pleases may look out their figures and descriptions in the places cited . The second of these Aldrovandus saw only painted , neither did he see the first alive .

CHAP. XIX . Of the Starling , and Birds akin to it .

§. I. A Stare or Starling , Sturnus .

THe Cock weighed three ounces and an half , the Hen three . From Bill to Claws it was nine inches long , to Tail end eight and three quarters . It s breadth was sixteen inches . It is of the bigness and shape of a common Black-bird . It s Bill from the tip to the angles of the mouth an inch and a quarter long , in the Cock of a pale yellow , in the Hen dusky , broader and more depressed than in Thrushes or Blackbirds , by which * * This we make the characteristic note of this kind . mark especially it differs from them . The upper Mandible is equal to the nether : The Tongue is hard , horny , and cloven : The Irides of the Eyes of a hazel colour , whiter on the upper part . It hath the nictating membrane , which I believe few birds want . The Legs and Feet are yellowish , [ rather of a flesh colour : ] The Claws blackish . The outer and inner fore-toe are equal to each other ; and the outer joyned to the middle toe as far as the first articulation . The Legs feathered down to the Knees .

The tips of the feathers on the Neck and Back are yellow : The feathers under the Tail cinereous , else they are black all the body over , with a certain blue or purple gloss , varying as it is variously exposed to the light . In the Hen the tips of the feathers on the Breast and Belly , to the very Throat , are white . In the Cock the Back participates more of purple , the Rump of green ; only the lower Belly is more spotted .

All the quil-feathers are dusky ; but the edges of the third , and subsequent to the tenth , and from the fifteenth again to the last are more dark , The covert-feathers of the Wings glister , and the tips of the lesser coverts are yellow . The feathers covering the underside of the Wings are dusky , having pale-yellow edges .

The Tail is three inches long , made up of twelve dusky feathers with pale yellow edges : It lays four or five Eggs lightly tinctured with a greenish blue .

The blind Cuts as in the rest of this kind are very short and small , nearer to the Fundament than in others . The muscle of the Gizzard not very thick : The Guts thirteen inches long . It feeds upon Beetles , Worms , and other Insects . It hath a Gall-bladder .

Stares are gregarious birds , living and flying together in great flocks . They company also with Redwings and Fieldfares ; yet do they not fly away with them , but abide with us all Summer , breeding in the holes of Towers , Houses , Trees , &c.

This kind sometimes varies in colour . For we have seen in Wales two white Starlings ; one with a black Head , and all the rest of the body white at Aberdaren , a little Village in Carnarvanshire . Stares are not eaten in England by reason of the bitterness of their flesh : The Italians , and other Outlandish people are not so squeamish , but they can away with them , and make a dish of them for all that . It is a notable bird at imitating mans voice , and speaking articulately .

§. II. * Bontius his Indian Stare .

IT resembles our Country Stare , in the Sea-green and dark blue feathers , spotted with cinereous spots ; but it hath a yellow Crest on the Neck , and its Head is set with black soft feathers , that feeling of it you would think you touched Velvet . It imitates mans voice much more accurately than a Parrot , so that oftentimes it is troublesome with its pratling .

§. III. The greater Redstart of Olina , called by Aldrovand , * * i. e. The Rock Ouzel . Merula Saxatilis , at Florence , † † i. e. The Sea-Thrush . Tordo Marino , at Vienna , Stein-Reitling .

IT is equal in bigness , and like in shape to a Starling . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the Claws nine inches and an half . The measure of the Wings extended fourteen . The Bill is morethan an inch long , broad and flat , as in Stares , not round , and rising up in a ridge , as in Blackbirds , black of colour : The upper Chap longer , sharp-pointed , and somewhat crooked . The mouth within yellow . The Tongue a little elest at the end . The Legs and Feet of a lead colour ; the Claws black ; the soal of the foot yellow . The outer Toe grows or is fastned immediately to the middle one as far as the first joynt ; the inner toe is a little shorter than the outer . The Chin underneath is whitish : The tips of the feathers on the Breast cinereous . Beneath the Breast is a transverse black line ; below which the Plumage is of a red or deep Orange-tawney colour . The Head and Back brown , the tips of the feathers being cinereous . The quil-feathers of the Wings of a black brown , with reddish tips . The Tail consists of twelve feathers , of a red tawney or Orange colour , whence it took the name of the greater Redstart . The lesser feathers under the Wings are of the like colour .

It s Stomach was fleshy , and stuffed with the stones of certain berries , we knew not what . Its Guts were eleven inches long . It imitates mans voice , learning to speak articulately , like the Stare .

The Hens are paler-coloured ; above being of a Mouse-dun , spotted with white spots ; underneath rather hoary . Those parts which in the Males are fulvous , in the Females are of a pale yellow .

Lighting upon three or four of these birds at Florence , comparing them together , I [ J. R. ] described them as exactly as I could in these words .

It is equal in bigness , and like in shape to a Throstle . It s colour is various , on the top of the Head and Neck mingled of a dirty white or ash-colour and brown , so that it appears grey or hoary . Viewing each single feather , the bottom or lower part is blue ; the middle part about the shaft black , which black line near the tip of the feather is crossed by another , which together represent the figure of the letter T in each feather . The very tips of all are white . The colour that fills up the angles of the T-like mark is dusky . These colours in the Neck , Shoulders , upper part of the Back , and covert-feathers of the Wings are more bright and conspicuous . The feathers on the middle of the Back in the Cock-birds are marked about their middles with a large white spot , above which is a cross line of blue , then one of black , and lastly , their tips are red . The bottom of the Back about the Rump is more cinereous or blue . The feathers incumbent on the Tail are red , with white tips . The great feathers of the Wings have their tips and exteriour edges white , else they are black : The greater covert-feathers are also of the same colour . The feathers covering the underside of the Wings are of a pale red or yellow colour .

The Tail is short , scarce exceeding three inches , made up of twelve feathers of equal length , all red or fulvous , excepting the two middle , that are dusky , which yet in some birds are also above half red . It is here to be observed , that all the Tail-feathers have their outer edges toward the top , of the same colour with the middle feathers .

The nether side of the body , viz. the Throat , Breast , Belly , Thighs , are particoloured of white or grey , black and yellow . [ In some Cock-birds the whole Belly was of a fulvous colour , speckled with many white spots , and a few black ones . ] The Throat and upper part of the Breast are darker than the Belly , for that the forementioned colours are there more mingled and confounded , whereas in the belly they are more distinct , and make greater spots . If you heed each feather , you shall find the bottom to be blue , in the middle a yellow spot , encompassed with a black line , and the top white . The Wings are long , reaching almost to the end of the Tail . The description of the Bill and Legs we have already given in Mr. Willughby's words , and have nothing further to add concerning them .

It is said to abide and build in mountainous places . It is kept in Cages for its singing . I suspect that Bellonius his solitary Sparrow is the same with this bird , though the description answers not exactly in all things .

§. IV. * The Brasilian Pitanga guacu , called by the Portugnese , Bemtere , Marggrav .

IN bigness it is equal to a Stare ; hath a thick , broad , Pyramidal Bill , a little more than an inch long , * * Exteriùs acuminatum , I confess I do not well understand what our Author means by these words . outwardly sharp : A broad , compressed Head : A short Neck , which sitting it contracts or draws up : A body near two inches and an half long : The Legs and Feet dusky : Four Toes disposed in the usual manner . The Head , upper side of the Neck , the whole Back , Wings , and Tail of a dark brown or black , mingled with a little green . The under side of the Neck , the Breast , and lower Belly have yellow feathers . But above , by the Head it hath a Crown [ like that of a Monk ] of a white colour . It hath a loud shrill cry . Some of these birds have on the top of their Heads a yellow spot , and some have it partly of a clay colour ; else in all things like . This kind is called by the Brasilians , Cuiriri .

CHAP. XX. Atinga guacu mucu of Marggrave .

IT is about the bigness of a Throstle : Hath a great Head , a Neck of a moderate length , a body three inches long : The Bill a little hooked , of a colour mingled of green and yellow , sanguine Eyes , with a black Pupil . The Legs are ash-coloured , of a moderate length , above [ the Knees I suppose he means ] covered with feathers : In the Feet four Toes disposed after the usual manner : an exceeding long Tail , viz. of about nine inches , consisting of about ten feathers ; of which some of the lower are shorter than the upper . The whole Head , Neck , Back , Wings , and Tail have brown or * * Of the colour of Soot . fuligineous feathers , which in the Tail are darker-coloured than the rest . The end of each feather of the Tail , for about half an inch , is white , and between the white and red [ part ] shaded with black . The Throat , Breast , lower Belly , and Thighs are covered with ash-coloured feathers . On the Head it hath long feathers , which it can set up like two horns . It is a bird remarkable for the length of its Tail . For its agreement in bigness , its Bill , and some other accidents , we have subjoyned it to the Thrush-kind .

CHAP. XXI . The Witwall , as it is by some called , Galbula seu Picus nidum suspendens , Aldrov . Oriolus Alberti ; Chloreus Aristotelis , & Icterus Plinii , in Aldrovandus his judgment .

THis bird from the beginning of the Bill to the end of the Tail was by measure ten inches long : Equal in magnitude to , or somewhat bigger than a Thrush : Its Bill more than an inch long , red , like a Thrushes , but bigger , and longer : Its Tongue cloven and rough : The Irides of its Eyes red : Its Legs , Feet , and Toes of a Lead-colour . The hind-Toe near the rise of it was broad and callous . The outer Toe joyned to the middle , as in the rest of this kind , up to the first joynt .

The quil-feathers of the Wings were black : But the tips of the fifth , sixth , and seventh , also of the tenth , and four subsequent white , and the utmost edges of the third and fourth . The foremost feathers of the second row were almost half way of a pale yellow : Else the upper surface of the whole Wing black . The twelve feathers of the Tail were of equal length , viz. about three inches and an half : The two middlemost black , the rest had their upper halfs yellow , their lower black . All the body beside was of a bright yellow , very beautiful to behold : So that for the lustre and elegancy of its colours it scarce gives place to any of the American birds . Between the Eyes and Nosthrils on each side it had a black spot .

In the Female the colours are not so fair and lively , the yellow being mingled with black and brown , the Breast shaded with dusky lines : The lesser rows of Wing-feathers , and the two middle feathers of the Tail green . The young ones also are greener , and have their Breasts spotted .

The Guts are sixteen inches long , great and lax : the blind Guts very small and short : The Testicles round . In the Belly we found Caterpillars .

We shot this bird near Frankeford in Germany . Afterwards we saw many of them at Naples in the Poulterers Shops : Whence we guess that they are frequent in the neighbouring Country .

The structure of the Nest , and how artificially it hangs it , see in Aldrovand . The Low Dutch call this bird by a very fit name , Goutmerle , that is , the golden Ouzel : For it agrees with Thrushes or Blackbirds , in the shape of the Bill and the whole body ; in the bigness , also food , and manner of living . It is called Galbula or Galgulus , from its yellow colour .

It is a bird of passage . Gesner writes , that it comes into his Country for the most part in May , but sometimes also in April : After whose coming they have certain hope that there will be no more frosts . Whence it appears , that it delights in hot places and seasons . It feeds wonderfully fat , hath very delicate flesh , and yields wholsom nourishment ; and no wonder , sith it is akin to the Thrushes , and uses the same food , viz. Insects and Berries .

CHAP. XXII . * Matuitui of Marggravius .

IT is of the bigness of a Stare : Hath a short Neck , a strong Breast , short Legs , a Tail two inches and an half long . It hath a streight , strong Bill , the upper Chap whereof is a little prominent , the point inclining downwards , of a Vermilion colour . The whole Head , upper side of the Neck , Back , Wings , and Tail are brown , spotted with a pale yellow , partly speckled like a Sparrow-Hawk . Under the Throat it hath yellow feathers . The Breast and Belly are white , speckled with brown . The Legs of a dark ash-colour .

CHAP. XXIII . * Guirapunga of Marggrave .

THe cry of this Bird may be heard a great way off . It is bigger than the Missel-bird , almost equal to a Pigeon : Hath a Bill an inch long , and pretty broad * * Anteriùs acutum . sharp-pointed ; the upper part a little prominent above the lower , and bending downward , black , having wide or open Nosthrils . It s Mouth is large , the slit reaching as far as the Eyes ; so that the aperture of the Mouth with the Bill forms a triangle . It hath a short Tongue ; Eyes between black and blue . Under the Throat , ( which is broad ) and in the lower part of the Neck it hath many black fleshy Wattles an inch long , hanging down before , of the figure of the point of a Spear . The Head is covered with dark brown feathers : The whole Neck , Breast , Belly , Back , and Thighs with ash-coloured , wherewith ( especially in the Back ) are some black ones mixed , and toward the Tail also green ones . It hath a Tail three inches long , consisting of ash-coloured and black feathers mingled with a little green . The Wings ( which end not far below the rise of the Tail ) are first black , then brown , some dark green feathers being intermingled . The lower Legs are black , and above an inch long . It hath four Toes in each foot like other birds , with black Claws . The Breast is as it were divided into two , having a valley or furrow all along the middle . The Windpipe is large , whence also it hath a loud and strong cry .

It hath a double note , which it useth promiscuously ; one like that of a Hammer striking a Wedge in the Woods , ( cick , cock : ) The other , as if one should strike a crackt Bell , [ Kur , kur , kur , &c. ] It cries only in the middle of Summer , in December and the beginning of January for five or six Weeks , in other Months it is not heard , whence by the Portugues it is called Ave de verano .

The Hen Guirapunga is of the bigness and figure of our Throstle , and alike fleshy : Hath a broad Head ; a Bill also broad , and not very long : A wide mouth when it gapes : A black Bill : Pretty great Eyes : A Tail some three inches long , or something more ; neither do the Wings reach to the end thereof . The whole bird is clothed with blackish feathers , with which some brown and pale green ones are mingled ; yet the colour in the Back is browner , in the Throat , Breast , and Belly a more delayed green , and mingled like that of a Throstle . It is a fat and well-fleshed bird . The Legs and Feet are black , in other particulars not different from the common rule .

BOOK I. PART II. SECT. II. Of small Birds .

Of small Birds in general .

SMall Birds in general may be divided into slender-bill'd , which are for the most part Insectivorous ; and such as have short and thick Bills , which are for the most part Phytivorous , living upon the fruits and seeds of Plants . The first kind are commonly called soft-beak'd , the second hard-beak'd birds .

Of both kinds there are many subalternate Species , viz. of slender-bill'd , Larks , whose characteristic notes are a very long * * By heel is meant the claw of the back-toe . heel ; earthy coloured feathers , mounting up in the air , and singing as they fly ; Swallows , whose marks are a short Bill , a wide Mouth , long Wings , a forked Tail , short and small Legs and Feet ; swift , and almost continual flight : The Hedge-Sparrow , Redstart , Robin-red-breast , and many others , which we divide into two Classes or ranks . The first is of such whose Tail is only of one colour ; the second of those whose Tails are particoloured ; either all the feathers , or the outmost on each side being in part white .

Of thick-bill'd Birds the kinds are , the Sparrow , whose marks are an earthy or testaceous colour , a Bill a little crooked , feeding upon Corn , the Hawfinch , the Green-finch , the Shel-apple or Sheld-dapple , the Linnet , the Chaff-finch , the Gold-finch , the Siskin , &c. whose characteristics we will give when we come to treat of them .

An Addition concerning singing birds in general .

AMerica ( as Marggravius observes ) breeds more fair-coloured birds , but fewer singing birds than Europe .

As we have distinguished small birds in general into soft and hard beak'd , so may we also distinguish singing birds . The soft-beak'd are , The Mavis or Song-Thrush ; the Blackbird ; the solitary Sparrow , which is a stranger to England ; the Nightingale , esteemed the Prince of all singing birds , of the rearing and ordering of which we shall treat at large when we come to his History ; the Skie-Lark ; the Wood-Lark ; the Tit-Lark ; the Robin-red-breast ; the Wren ; the Black-cap ; the Beccafigo ; the Redstart ; and the Hedge-Sparrow .

The hard-beak'd are , The Canary bird ; the Linnet ; the Chaffinch ; the Goldfinch ; the Greenfinch ; the Bulfinch ; the Brambling ; the Hortulane ; the Siskin ; the Citril , the Hirngril ; the Yellow-hammer .

In all singing birds in general observe to keep them very neat and cleanly ; and therefore often to shift the straw , moss , gravel , or whatever else you put in the bottoms of their Cages ; and to give them fresh water , and meat often ; for nothing offends them more than the stench of their own dung , or putrid meat and water . Besides , if their Cages be foul , they will be apt to clog their Feet with their dung , which often rots off their toes , at least causes the Cramp , Gout , and other infirmities . Aldrovandus advises to put in their Cages a piece of Pumice stone , or old rubbish , to cleanse and whet their Bills upon , which otherwise will be apt to grow blunt .

All Birds ( saith he ) are wont to swallow something out of the earth to cleanse their bodies ; I rather think they use only to swallow some grit or gravel , to assist them in grinding their meat in their Gizzards ; and therefore it is needful to put fine gravel in their Cages .

In the rearing of young ones from the Nest observe , 1. To feed them often , but to give them but little at a time , as the old ones do , for fear of over-charging their stomachs , and causing them to cast up their meat . 2. After they begin to feed themselves , give not over feeding them presently , lest they neglect and starve themselves .

Hard-beak'd birds are to be fed with seeds , and of all seeds Aldrovandus commends Canary-seed , as the most savoury , pleasant , and wholsom of all other , which makes them sing with greater alacrity , and also live long : For want of which you may ( saith he ) give them Millet , Panic , Spelt , Off-corn-wheat , Hemp-seed , and Lime-seed ; he might have added Rape-seed , Cole-seed , and many others .

Soft-beak'd birds are to be fed with heart of Veal or Weather , Worms , Flies , and such kind of Insects , as also that sort of paste the receipt whereof we shall give you in the History of the Nightingale .

In preparing their meat have a care to free it from all skin , fat , and Sinews , or strings , which will be apt to stick in their Throats , or twine about their Tongues , and cause them to fall off their meat , &c.

Aldrovands method to make birds sing in Autumn or Winter .

ABout the beginning of May purge them with Beet , first mingling the juyce of it with their water ; then giving them no water at all , but only hanging up Beet-leaves in their Cages , putting in also a handful of earth and rubbish . Then by degrees accustom them to darkness for ten days , putting them still in places darker and darker , and at last in a room perfectly dark , that hath not the least chink to let in light . During all the time of their imprisonment in this dungeon , no body must come in there but their Keeper , and he with a Candle once in three days to give fresh water and meat , and to cleanse their Cages : [ It would be convenient to have two Cages , and change them every twentieth day . ] Every fourth day give them a Beet-leaf , and every tenth day juyce of Beet , else they will incur the danger of growing blind . In this manner they must be kept till about the tenth of August , and then new purged , after the manner we before prescribed ; and then by degrees again accustomed to the light , but by no means exposed to the Sun-beams for fear of blinding them . This doing you shall be Master of your purpose .

Diseases incident to singing birds , and their remedies .

1. BLindness , which if radicated and confirmed is incurable ; taken at first , when their Eyes begin to water , may be remedied by giving them Sugar dissolved in the juyce of Beet every other day for four days , and putting into their Cages a twig of Figtree to rub their Eyes against ; which by the instinct of nature they will use to do .

2. The Falling sickness , which Aldrovand also accounts an incurable disease . If they escape the first fit he advises presently to cut their Claws to the quick , and sprinkle them with Wine , and to keep them from the heat of the Sun all Summer .

3. Fractures of the bones of their Legs or Wings : In which he advises by no means to splinter or bind up the part ; but only to take away the Perches out of their Cages , and to set their meat and water in the bottom of their Cages ; and keep them where no company comes to scare them .

4. Swellings and inflammations or impostumes .

5. An Hydropical distemper .

6. The Gout , known by roughness and swellings in their Legs and Feet , especially their Knees .

7. The Phthisic or subtile disease , in which their breast veins are distended , but the flesh fallen away , and their Bellies swelled as though they had the Dropsie . In all these distempers Aldrovand advises still to purge with Beet , as was before prescribed .

8. Aphthae , or small Ulcers in their mouths , for the cure of which dissolve Pumpion seeds in water , and give it them for their drink for three or four days , and when you perceive them to mend , give them fine Loaf-Sugar in like manner dissolved in water .

9. The Pip , which may be known by the hardness of the end of their Tongue : Small birds ( saith a late English Writer ) that feed upon Seeds are very seldom subject to this disease ; but most commonly Throstles , Blackbirds , and Stares , which feed upon soft meat . I have also known Nightingales to be troubled with it , that have been fed too much with Eggs hard-boyled . For the remedy of this ( for the bird will never eat his meat kindly , nor sing with any stomach so long as he hath it ) take the bird in your hand , and having opened his Bill , with a Needle take that hardness off from the top of his Tongue , and the sides of his Bill also ; and give him as in the precedent disease .

10. The disease of the Rump , known by the birds growing melancholy , and abstaining from singing . The best remedy whereof is to cut off that sharp part that lies upon the top of the Rump , and give him some cleansing thing in his meat , and refreshing thing in his water .

11. The flux of the Belly or Scouring . For remedy whereof pluck off the Tail-feathers , and the feathers about the Vent , and anoint the place with Oyl or Capons grease , and if they be hard-beak'd birds , instead of Hemp-seed , or Rape-seed , give them Pumpion seeds [ or red Beet seeds ] for two or three days ; if soft-beak'd , give them nothing but the yolks of hard-boyl'd Eggs.

12. Moulting or casting their feathers is a kind of disease common to all birds . At that time they all grow melancholy , and cease to sing , and forsake their meat , and some of them will be very sick . For help of this Aldrovand advises to sprinkle them twice or thrice a Week with Wine not too strong , then setting them in the Sun till they be dry , and after putting some greens about their Cage .

To preserve birds of all kinds in health , Aldrovand saith , it would be useful to purge them once a month with Pumpion seeds decorticated , Lettuce , Succory , Beet , Pimpernel , or Mercury , which last herb is proper to the Linnet . Such birds as are used to dust themselves , it would without doubt be convenient to put sand or dust in their Cages ; for this basking themselves in the dust rids them of Lice and Vermine : Likewise , such as are used to wash themselves ought to have water set them for that purpose .

It would also be of advantage , indeed it were necessary , to put a little fine gravel in their Cages , that they may pick up and swallow some grit or small stones , to help them in grinding their meat in their stomachs , as wild birds are used to do , in whose Gizzards you will never fail to find small stones and grit .

Olina advises in tumours or impostumes on the head , ( which are most incident to birds of a hot complexion ) to cauterize the place affected with a hot Iron , and then anoint it with black Sope dissolved , or Oyl and hot ashes . Some use to purge the birds , before they burn them , with juyce of Beet .

For the Aphthae he prescribes lightly to touch the Palate with a feather dipt in honey of Roses , which hath been sharpned with a little Oyl of * * Brimstone . Sulphur .

For the Asthma , or shortness of breath , he advises to drop two or three drops of Oxymel into their throats with a feather ; mingling thereof also with their water for two or three days , or dissolve white Sugar-candy in their water .

Hoarseness and loss of voice he saith is remedied by giving them for their drink a decoction of Jujubes , dried Figs , and pounded , boil'd in common water , and that for two days , and the next two or three days juyce of Beet : And if it be in Summer time setting them all night in the open air , so as the dew may not fall upon them .

For a scouring he commends water in which Iron is quencht , or a light decoction of Services , or Cornelian Cherries .

For costiveness he advises to put a feather anointed with oyl into the Fundament once or twice a day for two days , giving them also the same days juyce of Beet .

For the Gout : Washing the Legs and Feet twice a day for four or five days with a decoction of the root of white Hellebore in common water , as hot as the Bird can endure it ; and for want thereof bathing it with Brandy Wine , or Aqua Vitae .

To stir up and quicken birds to sing , give them somewhat that they are most greedy of , and most delighted in , or something that is heating . Some use to give them Linseed mingled with Pine-kernels pounded ; putting in their drinking Cup two or three Chives of Saffron , encompassing their Cages with some pleasing verdure , as of

Birds fed with Paste are wont to have their drinking Cup set without their Cages ; Seed-birds within . Keep their Cages neat , and in the bottom put in Winter-time hay or straw broken , in Summer-time sand . So far Olina . I suppose it would be convenient to give them a little gravel in their Cages all times of the year for the reason before intimated .

THE FIRST MEMBER OR SUBSECTION , Of small Birds with slender Birds .

OF these there are many sorts . All besides Swallows may conveniently enough be divided into such as have the feathers of their Tails all of one colour , and such as have a particoloured Tail . We will first treat of Larks and Swallows by themselves , then we will reduce the rest to the now mentioned heads .

CHAP. I. OF LARKS .

§. I. Of Larks in general .

A Lark , called by the Grecians 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , signifying a Helmet , by the Latines also Cassita and Galerita , from Cassis , and Galea , or Galerus of like signification ( which names do yet properly agree to the crested Lark ) is distinguished from other sorts of Birds , 1. By its long Heel or Claw of the back-toe ; which is the characteristic mark of this bird : 2. By the testaceous or earthy colour of its feathers : Which note is not common to all the Birds we comprehend under this title , nor proper to this kind , sith it agrees to Sparrows , and other Birds : 3. By its singing as it flies mounting up in the air . We have in England observed four sorts of Larks : 1. The most common one : 2. The Wood-Lark : 3. The lesser crested Lark : 4. The Tit-Lark .

§. II. The common Skie-Lark . Alauda vulgaris .

IT is not much bigger than a House-Sparrow , yet longer bodied ; of an ounce and half weight : from the tip of the Bill to the Claws or Tail-end , ( for they are equally extended ) six inches and a quarter . The ends of the great feathers in the Wings stretched out were ten inches and a quarter distant . The Bill , measuring from the tip to the angles of the Mouth , was three quarters of an inch long : The upper Mandible black or horn-coloured , the lower commonly whitish . The Tongue broad , cloven , hard : The Nosthrils round . It sometimes ruffles up the feathers of its head , almost in fashion of a Crest . A cinereous Ring or Crown compasses the hind part of the Head from Eye to Eye , but more sordid , and less conspicuous than in the Wood-Lark . The Head is of a testaceous or reddish ash-colour , the middle parts of the feathers being black . The Back is of the same colour with the Head : The Chin whitish : The Throat yellow , with brown spots : The sides of a reddish yellow . Each Wing hath eighteen quil-feathers . Of these all betwixt the sixth and seventeenth have blunt , indented , white tips . The edges of the four or five outmost are white , of those next the body cinereous , of the rest reddish .

The Tail is three inches long , consisting of twelve feathers , of which the outmost on each side hath both its upper half , and also the exteriour Vane of the lower white : The next to this hath only its outer Web white , the inner being black : The three following on each side are black . The two middlemost are sharp-pointed ; of which that that lies undermost when the Tail is shut hath ash-coloured edges : That which covers it lying uppermost , towards the tip is cinereous , toward the bottom blackish . The Feet and Legs are dusky : The Claws black , with white tips . The outer toe grows to the middle below as in other small birds .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes , the left much less than the right , that there may be room for the Gizzard , which in this bird is fleshy , and great for the bigness of the bird . The flesh is very sweet and delicate . In mild Winters it feeds wondrous fat : And there are then taken an innumerable number with us in England for the furnishing and adorning of our Tables , as Polydore Virgil truly writes . It builds upon the ground , and lays four or five Eggs at once : A late Writer saith three or four , and that to his knowledge he never found five in all his life .

This Bird builds ( saith Olina ) in plain , open ground , under some clod of Earth ; others say in Corn , or thick high grass in Meadows : And though in Winter we see great flocks of them , yet we find the fewest of their Nests of any birds that are so plentiful . He makes his Nest of dried herbs and strings , and breeds thrice a year , in May , July , and August , rearing his young very suddenly : So that if you have a Nest , you must take them as soon as they are spoon-feathered , or else you run the risco of losing them , for they will get them gone of a sudden . This bird breeds much later than the Wood-Lark , by almost two months , for she seldom hath young ones before the middle of May.

Young Nestlings may be brought up almost with any meat , but if you give them sheeps Heart and Egg chopt together , till they are about three weeks old , it will not be amiss : And when they come to eat alone , give them Oatmeal , Hemp-seed and bread , mixed together with a little Egg. Olina saith , to save charges , you may feed them with Wheat , Oats , and Millet . These birds that are so young may be brought up to any thing , one bird learning another birds Song . You must always observe to give them sand at the bottom of the Cage , and let them have a new Turf every week placed in a dish of water in their Cage , ( which must be as large as two of the Wood-Larks Cage . ) They need have no Pearches in their Cages .

The Cock may be known from the Hen , according to Olina , by having his heel so long that it reaches beyond his knee ; and having two black spots on his Neck , one on each side , somewhat in fashion of a Ring or Collar ; his breast darker , and more speckled with black , and a grosser body . My English Author saith , that those you intend to keep for singing were best be taken in October or November , and then they will sing a little after Christmas ; and advises to chuse the streightest , largest , and loftiest bird , and he that hath most white in his Tail , for these ( saith he ) are the usual marks for a Cock . If you find him very wild and buckish , tie his Wings for two or three weeks , till he is become both acquainted and tame also , and then when you perceive him pretty orderly , untie his Wings , still letting him hang in the same place he did . You must feed this old bird with Hemp-seed , Bread , and a few white Oats , for he takes great delight to husk the Oats : And when he begins to sing , once in a week you may give him a hard Egg , or shred him a little boyled Mutton , or Veal , or Sheeps heart . You must observe in this bird , as in all others , that you give it no salt meat , nor bread that is any thing salt .

§. III. The Woodlark , called at Rome , Tottovilla .

THe Cock we made trial in weighed an ounce and a quarter : Its length from Bill to Tail was six inches and an half : The distance between the ends of the Wings spread twelve inches and an half .

It is lesser than the common Lark , and shorter bodied . It s Bill , as in the rest of this kind , streight , slender , sharp-pointed , above half an inch long , somewhat flat , of a dusky colour : Its Tongue broad , cloven : The Irides of its Eyes hazel-coloured : Its Nosthrils round . Its Feet of a pale yellow , inclining to flesh colour : Its Claws dusky ; that of the back-toe longest . The outmost fore-toe sticks to the middle below near the divarication .

The Breast and Belly are of a pale whitish yellow ; the Throat deeper coloured ; both spotted with black in the middle parts of the feathers . The Head and Back are particoloured of black and reddish yellow , the middle of each feather being spotted with black . The Neck is ash-coloured . A white line encompasseth the Head from Eye to Eye like a Crown , or Wreath . The Rump is of a yellowish red or tawny .

Each Wing hath eighteen prime feathers ; the outmost being much shorter than the rest . The next five are half an inch longer than the rest , having their points sharp , and their outer edges white : The rest have blunt points , indented as it were in the middle , having yellow edges . The feathers of the bastard wing are dusky with clay-coloured tips , and at its root is a white spot . The small feathers on the ridge of the Wing are ash-coloured . The Tail was two inches long , consisting of the usual number of feathers , viz. twelve , not forked ; yet the middle feathers were something shorter than the rest , and ended in sharp points , being between green and a sordid red or fulvous colour . The four next on each side had blunt points , were whitish at tips , the outmost most , the rest in order less , else blackish .

It hath no Craw : In the Stomach we found Beetles , Caterpillars , Gromil-seed , &c. The stomach was provided with strong and thick muscles . The blind Guts in this kind , as in all other small birds , that we have observed , are very short : The Gut below these appendants is larger .

These birds fly many together in company , singing as they fly with a note not much unlike a Blackbirds .

It is distinguished from the common Lark , by the following marks especially : 1. Whistling like a Blackbird . 2. A Circle of white feathers encompassing the Head from Eye to Eye like a Crown or Wreath . 3. The first or outmost feather of the Wing being much shorter than the second , whereas in the common Lark it is near equal . 4. The outmost feathers of the Tail having white tips . 5. That it sits upon trees . 6. It is lesser than the common Lark , but hath a shorter , and thicker , or rounder body for its bigness .

Aldrovandus makes no mention of this bird that I know of . Olina figures and describes it in his Uccelleria under the title of Tottovilla .

The Woodlark is comparable to the Nightingale for singing , and by some preferred before it . He will also emulate the Nightingale , and hath great variety of notes .

It is a very tender bird , and yet breeds the soonest of any in England . My Author saith , that he hath had a Nest of young birds ready to fly by the sixteenth of March : That it builds most commonly in lays , where the grass hath been pretty rank , and is grown russet , under some large Turf , to shelter its Nest from the wind and weather . He could never bring up a nest of young ones , because they either had the cramp , or fell into a scouring in less than a weeks time after he had taken them : Nor could he ever hear of any who had kept them so long as till they sung . So that they are never bred from the Nest .

The Seasons of taking Woodlarks , and which best to keep .

There are three seasons of taking Woodlarks ; 1. The first is in June , July , and August , when the Branchers are taken , having not yet moulted . These birds sing presently , but continue their singing but little , for they soon fall a moulting . They are commonly very familiar birds as being taken young .

2. The next season for taking them is in the latter end of September , which my Author calls the general flight-time , when they rove from one Country to another . By this time they have all moulted their feathers , and you can hardly distinguish a young bird from an old . The birds taken at this season are brave , strong , and sprightful ; and prove well at Spring if they be well kept all Winter ; otherwise they will be lousie , and quite spoiled . They usually begin not to sing till after Spring , and continue till July .

3. The third season is from the beginning of January to the latter end of February , when they are paired , and have parted with their last years Brood . These sing within three or four days , or a week at furthest , ( if they be well conditioned birds ) and will soon become tame . For your fearful , wild , buckish birds seldom prove good : For upon every turn they bolt against the sides of the Cage , and bruise themselves , and so are apt to leave off singing . Therefore if you have a bird that is a good bird and wild , have a Net knit French Meash , and put it in the inside of the Cage , sowing it close to the sides and strait , that when he bolts or flirts he may take no harm . Birds taken at this season for the most part prove the best , they being in full stomach , and singing in a very short time after , and being also more perfect in their song than those taken at other seasons .

How to order a Woodlark when taken .

In the first place you must have a Cage with two pans ; one for mixt meat , and another for Oatmeal and whole Hemp-seed . First , boil an Egg hard : Then take the crum of a half-peny white-loaf , and as much Hemp-seed as the bread : Chop your Egg very small , and crumble your bread and it together : Then bruise your Hemp-seed very small with a rolling pin , or pound it in a Mortar , mingle all together and give it him . 2. You must put red gravel sifted fine at the bottom of his Cage ; for he delights to bask himself in the sand , which if he doth not pretty often he proves lousie , and then seldom comes to any thing : If you leave gravel-stones in the sand , he will be apt to break his feathers in basking him . Shift this sand twice a week , otherwise he will be subject to clog his feet with his dung . 3. Be sure that his meat be not too stale , for he will never thrive upon it when dry or mouldy . 4. Have a great care to shift his water oft [ thrice a week at least ] for it stinks sooner than any birds water ; because throwing about his meat some falls into it , which causes it immediately to stink . 5. Line your Pearch in the Cage with some green bays , or else make a Pearch of a Mat ; which I have found them very much to delight in .

Note 1. If your bird be very wild when he is taken , keep him three or four days from company , till he begins to eat his meat . Strew some of the Hemp-seed and Oatmeal upon the sand , and some of his mixt meat also , because sometimes they find not the Pan till they be almost famished .

Note 2. If he be very poor , at the beginning of the Spring give him every two or three days a turf of three-leaved grass , and boil him a sheeps heart , and mince it small , and mingle it with his meat , and it will cause him to thrive exceedingly .

Note 3. If you would have your bird sing very lavish , feed him all the time of his song with some sheeps heart mixt with his Egg and bread and Hemp-seed ; and put in his water two or three slices of Liquorice , and a little white Sugar-candy , with two or three blades of Saffron ; do so once a week , and it will cause him to be long winded .

How to know a Cock from a Hen.

The surest way to know a Cock from a Hen is , 1. The largeness and length of his call . 2. The tall walking of the bird about the Cage . 3. At Evenings the doubling of his note , which we call Cudling , as if he were going to roost : But if you hear him sing strong you cannot be deceived , for Hen-birds will sing but little . The use of this is chiefly to know those birds that are taken at flight-time ; because those taken at other seasons sing soon after they are taken , or not at all .

The Woodlarks Diseases , and their Cures .

Their diseases are , 1. The Cramp , caused by dung clogging and numbing their Feet , if their gravel be not often shifted ; or by hanging them out abroad in the rain , so wetting the sand they sit upon . This is helpt by lining their Pearch , that they may delight to sit upon it , and giving them fresh sand , anointing them as the Nightingale .

2. Giddiness in the Head occasioned by feeding upon much Hemp-seed , is helped by giving them some Gentles or Maggots , or else Hog-lice , or Ants and their Eggs : And putting three or four slices of Liquorice in their water .

3. Lousiness and Scurf : Cured by smoaking his feathers with Tobacco , and giving him fresh Gravel , and setting him in the Sun : For if he hath strength to bask in the sand he will immediately rid himself of the Vermine .

§. IV. The Tit-Lark , Alauda pratorum , Aldrov .

IT seemed to us less by half than the common Lark , weighing scarce an ounce ; having a long body , and a small head : A slender sharp Bill of half an inch long , the upper Mandible black , more flat and depressed toward the Head : The tip of the Tongue is jagged , the Circle about the Pupil hazel-coloured . The colour on the top of the Head , Shoulders , and middle of the Back various , of a yellowish green and black ; the middle parts of the feathers being black , the outsides or edges of a yellowishgreen . The lower part of the Back or Rump is only green without any mixture of black . The upper side is of the fore-mentioned various colour , the single colours being less conspicuous by reason of a small mixture of cinereous . As for the underside of the body , the Breast and sides under the Wings were of a sordid yellowish white , spotted with black , the lower belly and Throat under the Chin white , without any black spots .

The quil-feathers of the Wings were dusky , their exteriour edges being of a yellowish green . The middle feathers of the first row of coverts have their tips and exteriour edges white ; and the middlemost of the second row theirs still of a lighter white . The rest of the covert-feathers of the Wings are almost of the same colour with the scapular feathers . I suppose it is peculiar to this kind to have the four first quill-feathersequal .

The Tail is made up of twelve feathers , the two outmost of which on each side , are particoloured of white and brown : In the outmost feather about the one half , and that the uppermost , is white , the white dividing the feather obliquely . Of the next feather the tip only is white : The rest of the feathers are of a dark brown , having their exteriour edges of a yellowish green . Of the two middlemost the edges round about are of the same yellowish green , not so even and trim as those of the other feathers , but as it were jagged or fringed . The Tail , when folded up , is a little forked , near three inches long .

The Feet are yellow : The Claw of the back-toe , as in the rest of this kind very long and dusky . The Gizzard not so musculous as in other Larks , wherein we found Beetles and Insects like to meal-worms . The blind Guts are something longer than in the common Lark . It hath also a Gall-bladder .

This bird sits also upon trees . In general it is less than the common Lark , greener , and not so finely coloured : In length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Claws or Tail ( for they are equally extended ) six inches : In breadth between the tips of the Wings spread out ten and a quarter .

Mr. Jessop suspects that there is yet another different sort of this bird , which may be called the lesser field-Lark which is 1. A little bigger than that here described ; 2. Less The lesser field-Lark . green ; 3. Having paler Feet ; And 4. much shorter Spurs .

The Titlarks Nest I once saw in a Furze-bush not far from the ground : It was built outwardly of Moss , inwardly of straw , with a little horse-hair . She lays five or six Eggs.

In this kind the Cock is all over more yellow than the Hen , but especially under the Throat , on the Breast , Legs , and soals of the Feet .

The Titlark ( saith a late English Writer ) sings most like the Canary bird of any bird whatsoever ; whisking , curring , and chewing : But his Song is short , and hath no variety in it : He comes with the Nightingale about the beginning of April , and goes about the beginning of September . The Young are to be fed , when first taken , after the same manner as the Nightingale : The old one ( if taken ) in like manner to be at first cram'd : When he will feed himself give him Woodlarks meat , or almost any other . Before his going away he is apt to grow fat like the Nightingale , but will eat though never so fat . He is a hardy bird , and long-lived , if preserved with care , not subject to colds or cramps .

§. V. The Titlark that sings like a Grashopper , Locustella , D. Johnson .

IT is lesser than the Rogulus non cristatus , hath a pretty long , streight Bill , yet having a little declivity above , the upper Chap black , the nether of a horn colour . The upper side of the body is of a dusky yellow , besprinkled with blackish spots ; the underside of a * * Or yellowish white , orwhite dashed with yellow . pale yellow . The Tail is of the longest , of a brown or dusky colour , when spread ending in a circular circumference . On the lower Belly , the Thighs , and under the Tail it hath brown spots tending downwards . It hath long , slender dusky-coloured Legs , crooked Claws , and a very long Spur or heel . It feeds upon flies : It hath a note like a Grashopper , but louder and shriller . When it sings it commonly sits upon a bush , with its mouth open , and streight up , and its Wings disshevel'd .

§. VI. The Calandra , which perchance is no other than the Bunting .

THis bird Olina describes in this manner . It is a kind of Lark something bigger than the common , otherwise for shape of body not much unlike it : In respect of bigness comparable to a Thrush . It s head is greater than a Thrushes ; its Bill shorter and thicker : Its Feet as in other Larks . The colour of its under or fore part is a light cinereous , with certain black spots on the Breast , after the manner of a Thrush . Of its upper or hind-part , viz. the Back , Wings , and Tail , &c. like that of * * A certain earth which Painters use of a dusky colour . Umber . About two inches below the Bill a circle of black feathers encompasses the Neck , in fashion of a Collar or Necklace .

This bird seems to be the same with our Bunting hereafter to be described . The figure of the Bill in Olina's Cut doth not agree to the Bunting , indeed answers not to his own description ; it being drawn as slender and long as a Thrushes , whereas he describes it thicker and shorter . Bellonius his description of the Calandra agrees well enough to the Bunting ; although he also describes the Bunting elsewhere , under the title of Cenchramus . Howbeit , that we may leave the Reader to the liberty of his judgment concerning these matters , we shall subjoyn Bellonius his description of Calandra . Calandra ( saith he ) is a sort of Lark ; which who so desires to know , let him fancy a crested Lark approaching to the bigness of a Starling . Wherefore he that shall call it a great Lark , may well seem not unfitly to denominate it . For both its voice , though higher , is altogether like the voice of a Lark , and also the colour of its feathers the same , its Head the same , its Wings the same , its Tail the same , and likewise its conditions the same : Its Legs , Feet , and Toes altogether alike , and in these the Spur or back-claw long , as in Larks . The Neck slender where it is joyned to the Head , as we observed also in the Peacock , and which is likewise common to Quails . But because it differs not from a common Lark save in bigness , and the crested Lark , as we said , is bigger than the common , and hath a tuft on his Head , which both the common Lark and the Calandra want ; I can easily allow this sort of bird to be called a Lark , and to be comprehended under the Genus of Larks . The Calandra exceeds the rest of this kind in bigness , and therefore stands in need of a thicker Bill , that it might break the harder sorts of grains upon which it feeds , though those that are kept shut up in Cages are wont to be fed with Oats and crums of white bread . Thus far Bellonius .

§. VII . The crested Lark , called by the Germans , Kommanick , seen and described at Vienna in Austria . Alauda cristata , Galerita .

IT is bigger than the common Lark , hath a greater and longer Bill , almost an inch long , measuring from the point to the corner of the mouth : The upper Chap dusky , the lower whitish . The Tongue is broad , somewhat cloven ; the Irides of the Eyes of a cinereous hazel colour . The Crest upon the crown of the Head consists of seven or eight feathers [ I counted ten or twelve . ] These feathers are situate * * Across the head . transversly , and may be erected or lowred , spread or contracted at pleasure , like the Tail . These feathers are blacker than the rest , and almost half an inch long . The Back is more cinereous , and less spotted than in the common Lark : The Rump almost wholly destitute of spots .

The prime feathers of the Wings are in number eighteen , besides the outmost very short and small one . The outer Vane of the first Pinion feather is of a dirty white , inclining to red or yellow : The rest are not so black as in the common Lark , and have some mixture of a pale red , even in their lower part . The Breast and Belly are white , with a dash of yellow : The Throat spotted , as in the common Lark : The Tail is 2⅛ inches long , composed of twelve feathers ; the two outmost whereof on each side have their exteriour borders white , with a dash of red , being else black ; the third and fourth are wholly black ; the fifth and sixth of the same colour with the body . The Gall from green inclines to a dark blue . [ I suppose this is accidental , and that the colour of the Gall varies in divers birds . ] The blind Guts are very short .

This differs from the common Lark , 1. In bigness : 2. In the Crest : 3. In the colour of the Back , which is less spotted , and not so beautiful : 4. In the measure of the Tail , which in this Bird is shorter : 5. In that it soars not so much in the air , and when it mounts up stays not so long there : 6. That it flies not in flocks , as they do . Lastly , ( as Aldrovandus observes ) it is frequently seen about the banks of Lakes and Rivers .

Dioscorides prescribes this bird to be eaten roasted , Galen in some places of his works roasted , in some places boiled , to asswage Colic pains . Marcellus Virgilius prefers the powder of it , put in an earthen pot , and dried or burnt in an Oven , taken in water to the quantity of two or three spoonfuls , before all other medicines for the Colic .

§. VIII . The lesser crested Lark .

THis ( as * * Lib. 18. cap. 14. Aldrovandus describes it ) is like the greater crested Larks , but much less , and hath a considerable long tuft on its Head for the smalness of its body : Red Feet . The colour of its whole body seems to incline more to brown than that of the greater kind . I have observed them running in flocks abroad in the fields .

This Bird Mr. Johnson of Brigual hath observed in the North of England .

§. IX . The Giarola of * * Ornithol , Book 17. chap. 39. Aldrovandus , having a long heel .

IT was of the bigness of a Lark . It s length from the tip of its Bill to the points of its Claws was two Palms : Its Bill brittle , red , withinside and about the corners of the Mouth yellow : It gapes wide . The colour of its Crown , Neck , Back , and Wings is various ; so that therein it exactly resembles a Quail , and is also very like to a Woodcock . For all the feathers are of a dusky Chesnut-colour , only their edges are encompassed with a more dilute or whitish , or moderately reddish colour . The bottom of the Head , or beginning of the Neck is encircled with a border of whitish feathers , as it were a Wreath or Crown . The Tongue is cloven , the Belly white , the roots of the feathers cinereous . The Tail so short that scarce any thing of it appears , yet is it forked and particoloured ; for the last or outmost feather on each side is all over white , the last save one partly white , partly chesnut . The whole Tail is scarcean inch long , and narrow , being made up of very narrow feathers . Its Legs and Feet are sufficiently large , and of a flesh colour or reddish white . In the Feet this is worthy the observation , that the back-toe is very long , and hath a Claw of equal length , so that both together make up an inch . This Claw is not , as in other birds for the most part , crooked from its rise , but first streight for a good way , and toward the tip moderately hooked . The Claws also are whitish .

§. X. The Bird called Spipoletta at Florence , Tordino at Venice : Perchance the * * Tom. 2. p. 732. Stopparola , or † † Pa. 738 , 731. Grisola , or Spipola secunda of Aldrovand .

IT is less than a Lark , about the bigness of a Beccafigo : From Bill point to Tail end 7⅛ inches long : Between the tips of the Wings extended eleven three quarters broad . It s Bill is small , slender , about half an inch long , streight , sharp , and cole-black : Its Spur or back-claw very long , like a Larks .

It s colour on the top of the Head , Neck , Shoulders , and Back cinereous , with a dash of green . [ Mr. Willughby makes the Back to be of an obscure or dusky yellow , the Head more cinereous . ] The Breast and Belly are white : The Throat spotted . The Belly of the Hen-bird is yellowish . [ The Throat , Breast , and Belly in some are white , in others of a lovely yellow : But in all generally the Breast is darker than the Throat or Belly , and spotted . ] It hath in each Wing eighteen prime feathers , ( I found not in this kind that small , short , outmost feather , which we have observed in the Wings of many small birds , ) of a dark or dusky colour ; excepting the outer edges , which are either whitish , or yellowish . The feathers also of the second row are of the same colour with those of the first . The Tail is about three inches long , and consists of ten feathers , of which the two outmost on each side have their outward Vanes and tops , in the whole , above their halves milk-white ; all the rest are dark-coloured , and almost black , especially in the Males , excepting the two middlemost , which round the edges are either yellowish or white . [ Mr. Willughby describes the Tail a little otherwise , and perchance more exactly , thus : The Tail is black , but the upper half of the outmost feather on each side , and the tip of the next are white ; the two middlemost from dusky incline to an ash-colour . ]

This bird is sufficiently distinguished by the length of its heel from other sorts of birds , by the black colour of its Wings and Tail , Bill and Feet from other Larks .

Concerning its manners , place , nest , breeding , &c. we have nothing further to add . We saw it at Venice and Florence in the hands of Country-men and Fowlers among other small birds to be sold in the Markets . At Florence they called it Spipoletta ; whence , induced by the agreement of names , we guess it to be either the first or second Spipola of Aldrovandus . But yet seeing in the descriptions of these birds there is no mention made of the length of the heel , ( which it is not likely so curious a spectatour as Aldrovand should either oversee , or through neglect and forgetfulness omit ) notwithstanding the convenience of names these may perchance be distinct Species . And therefore that we may not give the Reader just occasion to to complain , that we have rashly omitted any thing in our Ornithology , we will annex to this Chapter Aldrovandus his descriptions of Spipolae , Stopparolae , and other small birds , to which we judge this to be the same , or very like .

The first Spipola of * * Ornithol . lib. 17. cap. 26. Aldrovandus .

The first Spipola , which is greater than the rest in this kind , hath an ash-coloured Head : Under the Bill a white spot in place of a beard . It s Breast is red : Its Belly particoloured of red and white : Its Tail black above , white underneath : It s Back ash-coloured . Its Wings particoloured of white , black and red : its Legs and Feet yellow ; its Claws black : Its Bill long , slender , and dusky coloured . This bird , if it be exactly described , is to us as yet unknown .

The other Spipola of * * Ibid. Aldrovandus .

This inclines more to an ash-colour than the precedent : But differs from it in that it hath not a red Brest , but marked with black spots drawn downwards . It is also more cinereous above than beneath : Moreover , the Belly is almost white . Behind the Eyes is a great spot approaching after a sort to a ferrugineous colour . The master feathers of the Wings , and those which cover them , are black , their sides and ends being cinereous . The Legs and Feet are dusky : The Tail ash-coloured .

The third Spipola of Aldrovandus , described in the same Chapter .

This some call Boarina . It is a small bird , almost all over of a pale or whitish yellow , but deeper in the Wings than elsewhere . The Bill and Feet are dusky .

The Stopparola of Aldrovand , lib. 17. cap. 27.

The Fowlers ( saith he ) of our City call this bird Stopparola , a name I know not what it signifies , nor whence it is derived , unless perchance it be from Stubble , which our * * Rustici , that is , Pesants . Country men call Stoppia . It is , if I be not mistaken , of the Genus of the † † Fly-catchers Muscicapae , hath the Breast and Belly for the most part white ; the Head ( which on the Crown is speckled with white spots ) Neck , Back , and Tail brown ; the quill-feathers of the Wings black , as are also the coverts , but yellowish on the sides : The Legs and Feet slender , and black : The Bill indifferently long , sharp-pointed , and black .

A Bird like to Stopparola & Magnanina , Aldrov . in the same place .

It is of the bigness of a Wagtail ; hath a long , streight , sharp Bill , yet above having a little declivity ; black above , and of a horn colour underneath : The Neck , Breast , and Belly pale : The Eyes small and lively , having a black Pupil ; and a white circle , and a dusky spot hardly conspicuous about them ; The Feet leadencoloured .

The Grisola of * * Book 17. Chap. 28. Aldrovandus .

There is a certain other small bird caught in our fields , which the Fowlers call Grisola , perchance from its grey or hoary colour , although it be not grey , but of a dusky ash-colour : Or perchance because it cries much , keeping alone ; for we sometimes use the word gridare , to signifie lamenting . It feeds upon flies , and other such like Insects , as I gather from the figure and construction of its Bill ; for it is slender , streight , and long . On the Neck and Breast it is distinguished with oblong , brown spots , tending downwards . The whole Belly is white . The Head , upper side of the Neck , Back , and Tail are dusky , as are also the Wings , the feathers whereof have their sides and ends of a pale ash-colour . The Legs and Feet are also dusky or blackish .

The Glareana or Grien Vogelin of Gesner .

Hither also for its spotted Breast we will refer the Glareana or Grien Vogelin of Gesner : which because the Author described from the inspection of a Picture sent him from Strasburgh , we suspect not to differ from the above described , although in some particulars it seems to vary . We refer the Reader , that desires more concerning it , to Gesner or Aldrovandus .

CHAP. II. Of the Swallow in general .

THe characteristic notes of Swallows are a great Head , a short Neck , a small , short Bill , a wide mouth , for the more easie catching of Flies , and other Insects , as they flie to and fro : Very long Wings ; a swift and almost continual flight ; a long and forked Tail for the more ready and speedy turning their body , and directing their flight : White Eggs , speckled with ferrugineous spots , as Aldrovandus truly observed . This bird is the Springs Herald , being not seen throughout all Europe in Winter-time : Whence that Greek Proverb , common to almost all Languages , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; One Swallow makes not a Spring .

We have observed four sorts of Swallows in England , and not more elsewhere . Those are , 1. The common or House-Swallow : 2. The Martin , or Martinet , or Martlet : 3. The Sand-Martin or Shore-bird : 4. The black Martin or Swift . Of this last we have seen a sort painted with the whole Belly white . And Julius Scaliger affirms , that he hath seen one of this kind as big as a Buzzard : No way differing in shape from the common one , save in the Legs and Talons , and hookedness of the Beak , all fitted for prey .

As for the Physical vertues and faculties of Swallows and their parts , Schroder hath thus briefly summed them up .

1. Swallows entire are a specific remedy for the Falling sickness , dimness of sight , blear eyes , ( their ashes mingled with honey and so applied ) they cure also the Squinancy , and inflammation of the * * Pin of the Mouth . Uvula , ( being eaten , or their ashes taken inwardly . )

2. A Swallows heart is also said to be good for the Falling sickness , and to strengthen the memory . Some eat it against the Quartan Ague .

3. Some will have the bloud to be a specific for the Eyes : And they prefer that which is drawn from under the left Wing .

4. There is a Stone found sometimes ( though seldom ) in the stomach of some of the young Swallows , called Chelidonius , of the bigness of a Lentile or Pease . This they will have to help the Falling sickness in Children ( bound to the arm , or hung about the neck . )

Note . They report this stone to be found especially in the increase of the Moon , and in the first hatch'd yong one . Others take it out in August about the Full of the Moon .

5. The Nest , outwardly applied gives relief in the Squinancy : Heals the redness of the Eyes , and is good for the biting of an Adder , or Viper .

6. The Dung heats very much , discusses , and is acrimonious . It s chief use is against the bitings of a mad dog , taken outwardly and inwardly ; in Colic and Nephritic pains taken inwardly , put up it provokes excretion . Schrod .

An approved Medicine for the Falling sickness .

Take one hundred Swallows , [ I suppose here is some mistake , and that one quarter of this number may suffice ] one ounce of Castoreum , one ounce of Peiony roots , so much White-Wine as shall suffice . Distill all together , and give the Patient to drink three drachms fasting every Morning . This will lessen every fit , and perfectly cure them . Purge often , as the strength of the Patient will bear , with Stibium .

CHAP. III. Of Swallows in particular .

§. I. The common or House-Swallow . Hirundo domestica .

THe Female weighed scarce an ounce : From the Bill to the end of the Tail being seven inches long , and measuring from tip to tip of the Wings extended , twelve and an half broad . It s Bill was short , black , flat , and depressed , very broad at the Head , but sharp-pointed ; black also on the inside : But the Tongue and roof of the mouth yellow . The aperture of the mouth gaping very wide , for the conveniency of catching Flies and Gnats as she flies . The Tongue short , broad , and cloven : The Eyes great , and furnished with nictating membranes : The Irides hazel-coloured . The Feet short and black ; the outmost toe growing to the middlemost at bottom .

The Head , Neck , Back , and Rump are of a very lovely shining , but dark purplish blue colour . As well above as underneath the Bill , that is to say , in the Forehead and under the chin , is a deep sanguine spot : But that underneath is much the bigger . The Throat is of the same colour with the Neck . The Breast and belly white , with a dash of red ; as are also the interiour covert-feathers of the Wings . The Tail is forked consisting of twelve feathers ; the outmost of which are an inch longer than the next , and end in sharp points : Of the rest the interiour are also shorter in order than the exteriour , but the difference much less . All these feathers of the Tail , except the two middlemost , are black , and each adorned with a white spot : Which spots cross the Tail in a streight line . [ The two middlemost want the white spot . ] The Wings have eighteen quill-feathers , alike black : But all the covert feathers are of a deep shining blue .

In the Stomach of an old bird we found Beetles ; in the stomachs of the young many small , pellucid , unequal stones , tinctured with a fair Claret colour ; not far from the Eggs small worms spirally rolled up , of three inches length . These birds build in Chimneys . About the end of September we saw great numbers of them to be sold in the Market at Valentia in Spain , when we travelled through that Country , Anno 1664.

What becomes of Swallows in Winter time , whether they fly into other Countries , or lie torpid in hollow trees , and the like places , neither are natural Historians agreed , nor indeed can we certainly determine . To us it seems more probable that they fly away into hot Countries , viz. Egypt , Aethiopia , &c. then that either they lurk in hollow trees , or holes of Rocks and ancient buildings , or lie in water under the Ice in Northern Countries , as Olaus Magnus reports . For as Herodotus witnesseth , they abide all the year in Egypt , understand it of those that are bred there ( saith Aldrovandus ) for those that are bred with us only fly thither to winter . I am assured of my own knowledge ( saith Peter Martyr ) that Swallows , Kites , and other Fowl fly over Sea out of Europe to Alexandria to winter .

Swallows sometimes vary in colour , as do also many other birds ; I have ( saith Aldrovandus ) often seen House Swallows all over white . If any one desires to have white Swallows , let him anoint their Eggs while they sit , with oyl-olive , Aldrov .

§. II. The Martin , or Martinet , or Martlet . Hirundo agrestis sive rustica Plinii .

THis being measured from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was six inches long : The Wings being spread ten inches and an half broad . It s Head flat ; Its Bill also very much depressed and flat , as in the House-Swallow ; at its insertion into the Head ⅜ of an inch broad , but sharp at the point : From the tip to the angles of the Mouth but half an inch long ; the upper Chap somewhat longer than the nether . The Mouth is yellow withinside : The Tongue cloven . The Circles encompassing the Pupils of the Eyes of a havel-colour . The Feet small , and Legs short . The soal of the foot bare ; in which appear the bottoms of the exteriour Toes joyned by a membrane . The Claws are white : The Feet to the very Claws covered with a white Down : By which note it is easily distinguishable from all its fellows of the Swallowkind .

It s Head , Neck , Back , Tail and Wings are of the same colour with the House-Swallows , but sadder , and not so glossie : Its Rump , Breast , and Belly milk-white . Under the Chin the white is somewhat more sullen or obscure . Each Wing hath eighteen master-feathers : From the tenth the six or seven following have their tips broad and indented . The tips of the * * That is , those next the body . interiour quil-feathers are white . The Tail is less forked than in the House-Swallow . The feathers from the middle on each side are longer in order , the exteriour than the interiour , almost by an equal excess ; otherwise than in the House-Swallow , the outmost feathers of whose Tail ( as we said before ) exceed the next three times as much as they do the following , &c. The length of the outmost feathers is two inches and an half , of the middlemost one and three quarters .

In the stomachs of the Young of this kind we found no stones , but many Flies and Beetles . This bird builds a round Nest like the House-Swallow , and also of like matter , yet not in Chimneys , but in Windows , under Eves of Houses , &c. It differs moreover , in that the House-Swallows Nest is like those of other birds , semicircular , and all open above ; but its Nest is covered above , a round hole only being left open in the side , by which the old one goes in and out .

§. III. The Sand-Martin , or Shore-bird . Hirundo riparia , Aldrov .

THis bird is the least that we know of the Swallow-kind ; being from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail no more than five inches and a quarter long . It s Bill is small , sharp , flat , black , as in the rest of this kind , from the point to the angles of the Mouth half an inch long : Its Tongue cloven : Its Eyes great ; its Feet dusky . At the rise of the back-toe a few small feathers grow ; else the Legs are bare as far as the knees .

It s Head , Neck , and Back are of a dark dun , or Mouse colour : Its Chin , Breast , and Belly white . At the bottom of the Throat a Ring of the same Mouse-dun encompasses the Neck . The number of feathers in Wings and Tail is the same as in other Swallows . But the quil-feathers of the Wings are blacker than the feathers on the back ; from the tenth to the last all of equal length ; the six next to the tenth have their tips indented . The middle feathers of the Tail are an inch and three quarters long , the outmost an inch and half .

It builds in the holes of River-banks , lays five or six Eggs , makes its Nest of straws , bents , &c. within of feathers , on which it lays its Eggs.

It differs from the Common Martin in having no white upon the Rump , nor its feet feathered , as that hath .

Of this kind great numbers are brought to the Markets at Valentia in Spain to besold for the use of the Kitchin ; where the Fowlers and Country people call them * * That is Mountain Butterflies . Papilion di Montagna . They are frequent also in Holland , and no less in England .

§. IV. The black Martin or Swift . Hirundo apus .

THis is the biggest of all Swallows we have hitherto seen . It hath a great Head , a huge wide mouth ; but a very small , black Bill , ( wherein it agrees with the * * Caprimulgus . Churn-Owl ) towards the Nosthrils broad and depressed . It s Tongue is broad , and somewhat cloven : Its Nosthrils long , placed obliquely , obtuse toward the Head , acute toward the point of the Bill : Its Eyes great , and their Irides of a hazel colour .

It hath almost no variety or difference of colour in the whole body : For as well the upper as the lower side , and also the Wings and Tail are black , with an obscure tincture of green , or red : Only under the Chin is a notable spot of white or ash-colour .

It hath in each Wing eighteen quil-feathers , all ending in sharp points , but especially the exteriour ones . The Tail is about an hand-breadth long , consisting of but ten feathers , from the middle to the outmost in order one longer than another , ending all in sharp points .

Its Legs are very short , but thick : Its Feet very small . All its Toes stand forwards ; for the least , which in others is wont to stand backward , is in this placed the same way with the rest . The least Toe hath , as in other birds , one bone : The other three , contrary to the manner of all other that we know besides it , have all an equal number of bones or joynts , viz. only two , the one very short , the other longer . The Toes also are all divided from the very rise .

The Gall-bladder is little . The Stomach not very fleshy , out of which dislected we took Beetles and other Insects .

They say , that by reason of the length of its Wings , and shortness of its Legs , if it happens to alight or fall upon the ground , it cannot raise it self up again , but may easily be caught . Wherefore it doth either always fly , or sit upon the tops of Churches , Towers , or other ancient buildings .

It s weight was three quarters of an ounce : Its length from the tip of the Bill to the Claws five inches , to the end of the Tail seven and a quarter . The distance between the tips of the wings extended sixteen inches and an half .

Of this kind we have seen the Picture of one having its whole nether part , Throat , Breast , and Belly , white : And , as we said before , Scaliger mentions one of the bigness of a Buzzard .

§. V. * Aldrovandus his Sea-Swallow .

THis bird , in my judgment belongs not to this Family , but ought to be ranked with the Out of Aldrovandus . lesser Lari or Sea-Gulls .

It is ( saith Aldrovandus ) much bigger than a Swallow , and hath longer legs . It s whole Belly up to the Breast is white ; its Head , Wings , and Back duskish . Its Wings and Tail , as in Swallows , are very long , and of a blackish colour , but brown withinside . It s Tail is forked . It s Bill strong , and black , as in a Gull . Its * * Rictus , which signifies properly the gape of the mouth . Mouth wide , and of a scarlet colour within . From the Bill through the Eyes , almost to the Breast , is extended a notable black line , which near the Breast makes as it were a Collar . The Feet are as black as Jet , and ( as I said before ) less than a Swallows . For its likeness it is called by Fowlers , The Sea Swallow .

§. VI. * The American Swallow , called by the Brasilians , Tapera , by the Portugues , Andorinha . Marggrav .

IT is like our Country Swallows , of the same bigness , and flying about after the same manner . It hath a short , broad , black Bill : A wide Mouth , which it can open beyond the region of the Eyes , like the greater Ibijan ; elegant , black Eyes : Long Wings , reaching as far as the end of the Tail ; which is of a good breadth . Its Legs and Feet like those of our Country Swallows . All the upper part of the Head , the Neck , Back , Wings , and Tail feathers are of a brown colour mingled with grey . The Belly is white , as are also the feathers under the Tail : The Legs and Feet dusky .

This bird perchance may not differ specifically from our Europaean black Martin or Swift : For that , as we before observed , the Europaean Swift varies sometimes in colour , being found with a white belly .

§. VII . * The Chinese Swallow of Bontius , whose Nest is edible .

IN the Sea-coast ( saith he ) of the Kingdom of China , a sort of small particoloured birds , of the shape of Swallows , at a certain season of the year , viz. their breeding time , come out of the midland Country to the Rocks ; and from the foam or froth of the Sea-water dashing and breaking against the bottom of the Rocks gather a certain clammy , glutinous matter , perchance the Sperm of Whales , or other fishes , of which they build their Nests , wherein they lay their Eggs , and hatch their Young . These Nests the Chinese pluck from the Rocks , and bring them in great numbers into the East Indies to sell ; which are esteemed by gluttons great delicacies , who dissolving them in Chicken or Mutton broth , are very fond of them , preferring them far before Oysters , Mushromes , or other dainty and licorish morsels which most gratifie the Palate .

We have seen of this sort of Nests in the Cabinets of Athanasius Kircher the Jesuite , and other Virtuosi . They are ( as * * Musel . lib. 3. cap. 21. Olaus Wormius reports ) of a Hemispherical figure , of the bigness of a Goose-Egg , of a substance resembling Ising-glass . Concerning their faculties or vertues ( saith John de Laet in his Epistle to Wormius ) reports vary , some attributing to them something Venereal , others not . But he writes , that he had been informed by those who commanded in chief in the East Indies , that the birds that build them were found upon that part of the Sea-coast that is commonly called Coromandel , and chiefly about Patane .

CHAP. IV. Slender-bill'd birds that have their Tails all of one colour . The Hedge-Sparrow , Curruca Eliotae , An Magnanina Aldrov ?

THis is almost as big as a Titlark or Robin-red-breast . It s Bill is slender , * * From the tip to the corners of the mouth above half an inch . pretty long , and black ; the Tongue cloven , horny , and black at the tip : The Nosthrils of the figure of a Kidney-bean : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured : The Ears great and wide .

The upper side of the body is particoloured of black and dirty-red , the middle parts of each feather about the shaft being black , the outsides or edges red . These colours are so dull and sullen , that the bird notwithstanding , look'd on at a distance , appears but of a brown or dirty colour . The Head and Back shew something of cinereous , the middle spots being darker . The Rump is greenish , and void of spots . The prime feathers of the Wings dusky , with reddish edges . The interiour of the second row of Wing-feathers have whitish tips : The lesler covert-feathers of the Wings are of the same colour with those on the body . This hath that extreme short feather in each Wing , which some birds want . The Tail is about two inches long , made up of twelve feathers , all dusky , without any variety of colours . The nether part of the body is cinercous , yet the lower belly whitish , but in some birds darker , and of a lead-colour . The Legs and Feet are of a yellowish flesh-colour ; the Claws dusky ; the hind-claw greater and longer than any of the rest . The outmost Toe , as in other small birds , at bottom grows to the middlemost .

The Cock had large Testicles : The blind Guts seemed to us in this to be more round and tumid than in other small birds . The stomach was not very fleshy . It builds in hedges , and lays commonly five Eggs ; is foolish bird , and easily taken . Its Eggs are of a fine pale blue or Sea-green colour .

A late English Writer saith , that they are a very pleasant Song-bird , singing early in the Spring , and having great variety of notes : Old or young become tame very swiftly , and will sing in a short space after they are taken , if you take them in the latter end of January , or beginning of February .

It s weight was three quarters of an Ounce : Its measures were from the Bill to the Claws six inches ; to the Tail end seven ; from Tip to tip of the Wings spread eight and an half . Perchance this may be the Bird which Gesner makes his first Curruca , whose figure you have in Aldrovands Ornithology , lib. 17. cap. 34.

In the Nest of this bird the Cuckow is said to lay her Egg , which the foolish bird sits upon , hatches , and brings up the young one till it be fledg'd , and can shift for it self : Whence the word Curruca signifies as much in Latine as Cuckold with us in English , i. e. one that brings up another mans Child for his own . I suppose our word Cuckold came from Cuckow , but a man abused in that manner is very improperly so called , he that abuses him being indeed the Cuckow , that lays an Egg in his Nest . Whether or no this Bird doth hatch and bring up the young Cuckow I cannot say of my own experience , but I am sure this is not the only Cuckows-nurse , for I have known the Water-wagtail , and other birds perform that office .

Aldrovandus describes his Magnanina in these words . It is a bird of the bigness of a The Magnanina of Aldrov . Sparrow , having a slender , sharp , black Bill : On the nether side down to the Belly of a pale ash-colour , the belly being white . Behind the Eyes it hath a notable spot of almost a Chesnut colour , of which colour is also the crown of the head . The greater Wing-feathers are black ; the Tail of a spadiceous , but paler than the Back . The Legs and Feet yellow , the Claws black . Some of our Fowlers call it Magnanina , as much to say , as a Smith or Carpenter-bird , perchance because it makes a loud knocking or snapping with its Bill as it catches flies : Other call it , Passere matto , that is a foolish Sparrow , perhaps from its colour , which approaches to spadiceous , or rather because it easily yields it self to be taken .

CHAP. V. The Beccafigo or Fig-eater , perchance the fourth , or seventh Ficedula of Aldrovandus , to which are subjoyned the descriptions of other small Birds akin to this out of Aldrovand .

THis is a very small bird , scarce so big as the common Linnet , short bodied . The colour of its Head , Neck , Back , Wings , and Tail from ash-colour inclines to green , in some dusky , with a Tincture of green . It hath the same number of Wing and Tail-feathers with all other small birds . But the quills of the Wing are of a Mouse-dun , with black shafts , and green edges . The lesser rows of feathers that cover the underside of the Wings are yellow . The Tail is about two inches long , not forked , and all its feathers of a dusky colour .

The Belly of a white or silver colour : The Breast something darker , with a tincture of yellow .

The Bill is short , the upper Mandible black , the lower bluish : The Mouth withinside of a red or flesh-colour : The Legs short , the Feet bluish , and in some of a lead colour .

This bird is not remarkable for any variety of colours , so that it is very hard so to describe it , as by certain and characteristic notes to distinguish it from all others .

In its stomach dissected we found grape-stones , and other seeds .

Mr. Jessop shot this bird in Yorkshire , and sent it us by the name of Pettychaps .

The seventh Ficedula of Aldrovand , which he saith his Country-men the Bolognese The seventh Ficedula or Scatarello of Aldrov . call Scatarello , but the Genoese Beccafigo , is almost all over of a dusky ash-colour , especially on the back and upper-side , for the Breast is yellow : The Feet are black . Saving in the colour of the Feet it agrees with the Bird by us described in this Chapter .

Neither is the second Muscicapa of Aldrovand , or Chiuin of the Bolognese , called by the Genoese , Borin , much unlike to this . It is a little bigger than a Wren ; its Bill The second Muscicapa of Aldrov . or Borin of the Genoese . slender , sharp , and very fit to strike flies . The upper part of its Head , as also its Neck and Back are of a pale ash-colour : its Head beneath , its Throat , Breast , and Belly are of a white , tending to yellow ; but the Breast and Belly more dilute . The Wings above dun , underneath also of the same colour , but paler . The Rump white . The Tail ( which consists of twelve feathers ) is three inches long , and of the same colour with the Wings . The Legs and Feet * * Of the colour of the Palm tree branch . The Salicaria or Willow-bird of Gesner . Spadiceous : The Claws long and slender .

Moreover , the Salicaria of Gesner is either the same with this , or certainly near akin to it . It is , saith he , a very small bird , of colour partly dusky , as on the upper side ; partly yellowish , as on the nether ; and partly whitish , as on the sides , and near the Neck , having reddish Legs . It feeds upon Flies , Spiders , and other Insects that it finds among Willows , which that it may enjoy alone , it drives away other small Birds . It hath a slender , streight Bill .

Aldrovandus describes another bird by the name of his first Muscicapa , or Flie-catcher , The Boarina of Aldrov . which he saith from following and frequenting Kine , the Bolognese call Boarola , or Boarina . It is is a long-bodied bird , and hath a pretty long Bill , of a dusky reddish colour . The Head and whole Back are of a colour mixt of * * A lead-colour . plumbeous , cinereous , and yellowish . The Breast and all the belly white ; but the Breast spotted with black . The Wings are particoloured , of black , yellowish , and white : The Tail long , black , and white on the sides : The Legs and Feet black .

CHAP. VI. A small bird without name like to the Stopparola of Aldrovand , perchance the Moucherolle of Bellonius .

FOr bigness and colour it is very like to a Hen-Sparrow , but of a longer and slenderer body . The Head , Neck , Back , and generally the whole upper side is of a dark cinereous or Mouse-dun : Yet the Wings and Tail darker than the middle of the Back : And on the top of the Head , to one who heedfully views it , appear certain black spots . All the nether side is white : But the shafts of the feathers in the Breast are black , and the Throat and Sides somewhat red . The Tail is two inches and a quarter long , all dusky , as are also the greater quil-feathers of the Wings , for the edges of the interiour are of a yellowish white . The outmost feather of the Wing is very short and little . [ In some birds of this kind the tips of the interiour feathers of the second row , as also of the bastard-wing feathers are of a yellowish white . ]

The Bill is streight , black , broad , and depressed , or flat near the Head . The upper Chap rises up in an angle or ridge all along the middle , ( whence the Bill seems to be triangular ) and is a little longer than the nether , and sharp-pointed . The mouth gapes wide ; and is yellow withinside . The Tongue cloven with a deep incision , rough on the sides . The Legs short and black : The Feet also small and short . The outer toe below sticks fast to the middle one , as in the rest of this kind .

The Gall is yellow : The Testicles small and black . In the Gizzard we found Bees , Flies , and other Insects . In summer-time it frequents gardens with us in England . In the young birds of this kind the Back is spotted with black and white .

This bird differs from the White-throat , in that its Tail is all of one colour ; from the Beccafigo in the colour of its body , being of a dusky cinereous or Mouse-dun , whereas that is paler coloured , and tinctured with green ; from both , in magnitude and in the figure of its Bill , which ( as we said before ) is broad , depressed , and triangular .

We have before in the Chapter of Larks presented the Reader with the descriptions of the Stopparola and Stopparolae similis of Aldrovand . As for the Moucherolle , Bellonius describes it thus :

It is of the bigness of the * * Hedge-Sparrow . Curruca , lives in woods , and feeds chiefly upon flies , whence also it is called * Moucherolle ( Mouche in French signifying a fly . ) It is so like a Sparrow , that unless by its conditions while it is living , and its Bill when dead , it can hardly be distinguished from it . It hath strong legs and feet : The feet also black . The Bill is slender and oblong , like a Robin-red-breasts : The Tail also long . In brief it is in all points like to the small Field-Sparrow that haunts Oaks , excepting the Bill , and its pleasant note . It lies much in Woods and Thickets , flying and hiding it self there . This description of Bellonius seems rather to agree to our Hedg-Sparrow than to the bird described in this Chapter .

* The Brasilian Tijeguacu of Marrgrave .

For the figure of its Bill alike depressed and triangular we have subjoyned this bird to the precedent , though otherwise not much resembling it . It is ( saith Marggrave ) of the bigness of a Sparrow , or a little bigger ; hath a short , triangular , and somewhat broad , black Bill : Its Eyes of a Sapphire colour ; its Legs and Feet of a waxen , with duskish Claws . Its Toes are disposed after the ordinary manner . The whole bird is as black as a Raven : But on the top of the Head it hath a shining sanguine spot of the figure of a buckler . The feathers covering the whole back almost , and part of each Wing above , from black incline to blue . The Tail is short and black .

CHAP. VII . The Redstart , Ruticilla , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

THe Breast , Rump , and sides under the Wings are red : The lower Belly white : The Head , Neck , and Back of a lead-colour . The forehead marked with a white spot , separated from the Eyes and Bill by a black line , although it seems to be produced beyond the Eyes to the hinder part of the Head , and to encompass the crown of the head ( which is , as we said , of a lead colour . ) The Throat and Cheeks under the Eyes black , with a mixture of grey in the ends of the feathers . In the Female the Back is of a dusky ash-colour : The Throat of a paler cinereous : The Breast red ; the Belly white .

The quill-feathers in each Wing eighteen , as in other small birds , all dusky : The upper covert-feathers black , the nether red . The Tail is made up of the usual number of twelve feathers , of which the five outmost on each side are red , the two middlemost dusky , two inches and an half long .

The Bill is black : The Legs also are black in the Cock ; in the Hen both Bill and feet are paler . The lowest bone of the outer Toe is joyned to that of the middle Toe . The Tongue is cloven : The mouth within yellow : The Irides of the Eyes of a hazel colour . The Eyes are furnished with nictating membranes .

It feeds upon Beetles , and other Insects , and comes to us in Summer-time .

It weighs half an ounce , is five inches long , and nine broad .

This bird , saith a late English Writer , is of a very dogged sullen temper : For if taken old , and ordered as formerly directed in the Nightingale , he will be sometimes so dogged as in ten days time never to look toward the meat , and when he feeds himself to continue a whole month without singing . This is also the shiest of all birds , for if she perceive you to mind her when she is building , she will forsake what she hath begun , and if you touch an Egg she never comes to her Nest more : And if you touch her young ones , she will either starve them , or throw them out of the Nest and break their necks , as I found by experience more than once . The Young are to be taken at ten days old , and to be fed and ordered as the Nightingales . Keep them warm in Winter , and they will sing as well in the night as the day , and will learn to whistle and imitate other birds . Taken young , and brought up , they become gentle and very tame .

Besides this common Redstart , Gesner and Aldrovand describe several other kinds , as 1. That which Aldrovandus makes his third , which Gesner describes thus : Its forehead is marked with a white spot : The feathers under the Bill are black . The Head and Back are of a cinereous or dusky colour . The Wing-feathers are dusky , moderately inclining to red . The Breast , Belly , and Tail are red ; but the lower Belly whitish . The Tail consists of * * Either this place is misprinted , or Gesner sure mistaken in the number of feathers : For all the Europaean small birds I ever saw or heard of have twelve feathers in their Tails . Gesners Rotschwentzel Aldr. tom. 3. p. 748. eight feathers . For bigness this bird is inferiour to the great Titmouse or Ox-eye , equal to the Robin-red-breast . It s Bill is black , slender , long and streight .

The fourth of Aldrovand is in all points like this , save that the white spot on the forehead is changed into a long line : The Breast also seems to be more cinereous , and the lower belly not white .

2. The Rotschwentzel of Gesner , so called from the redness of the Tail , the description whereof he took from a Picture sent him from Strasburgh : Therefore we shall add no more concerning it , esteeming such Pictures less exact , and not much to be relied upon , who will may see the description in Gesner , or Aldrovand out of him .

3. The Bird called Wegflecklin about Strasburgh , Gesn . It s Breast was blue , the part between the Breast and Belly of a pale or yellowish red ; which colour also the upper side of the Tail feathers , but not to the end , and those about the Rump , were of . The Bill is short , the Belly cinereous , not white , as the Strasburgh Picture represents it ; the Legs dusky , not red , as in that Picture ; and the feathers under the Bill not blue , but dusky and particoloured . The German name is imposed upon it partly from the ways ; for it is much conversant about high ways , roads , and fields , and thence ( as we guess ) picks up worms and seeds that it finds on the ground ; partly from the blue spot on its Breast , as I conjecture .

The Redstart ( saith Aldrovandus ) abides with us all the Summer , but in the end of the Autumn it either flies away , or hides it self , and in the Spring-time returns to us again . It feeds upon the same things the Robin-red-breast doth , to wit , flies , crums of bread , Ants Eggs , and if I be not deceived , Spiders too . It builds its Nest in hollow trees .

CHAP. VIII . The Robin-red-breast or Ruddock , Rubecula sive Erithacus , Aldrov . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Christ .

THis bird denominated from its red breast , is so well known in almost all Countries , that it needs no long description . It weighs about half an ounce , being from Bill to Tail half a foot long ; and between the tips of the Wings spread about nine inches broad . The Breast is of a red or deep Orange colour : which colour compasses also the Eyes and upper part of the Bill . The Belly is white ; the Head , Neck , Back , and Tail of a dirty green or yellow , as in Thrushes [ rather cinereous , with a tincture of green . ] A line of blue divides between the red colour and the cinereous on the Head and Neck . Under the Wings is also seen something of Orange-tawny .

The exteriour borders of the Wings are almost of the same colour with the back : the interiour are something yellow . The Tail is two inches and an half long , and made up of twelve feathers .

The Bill is slender , of a dusky colour , more than half an inch long : The Tongue cloven and jagged : The Irides of the Eyes of a hazel colour . The Legs , Feet , and Claws of a dusky or blackish . The outer foretoe joyned to the middlemost at bottom , as in the rest of this kind .

In Winter-time to seek food it enters into houses with much confidence , being a very bold bird , sociable and familiar with man . In the Summer-time ( as Turner saith ) when there is plenty of food in the Woods , and it is not pinched with cold , it withdraws it self with its Brood into the most desert places . It is a solitary bird , and feeds singly , whence the Proverb took its rise , Unum arbustum non alit duos Erithacos . Of the manner of building its Nest thus Turner from ocular inspection . It makes its Nest among the thickest thorns and shrubs in Spineys , where it finds many Oaken leaves , and when it is built covereth it with leaves , not leaving it open every way , but only one passage to it . On that side also where the entrance is , it builds a long porch of leaves before the aperture , the outmost end whereof when it goes forth to seek meat , it shuts or stops up with leaves . What I now write I observed when I was very young ; howbeit I will not deny but it may build also after another manner . If any have observed another manner of building let them declare it , and they will very much gratifie such as are studious of these things , and my self especially . What I have seen I have candidly imparted . The Male ( saith Olina ) may be known and distinguished from the Female , by the colour of his Legs , which are blacker , and by certain hairs or beards which grow on each side his Bill . It feeds upon Worms and other Insects , Ants Eggs , Crums of bread , &c. For a Song-bird it is by some esteemed little inferiour to the Nightingale .

They build commonly three times a year , in April , May , and June : Seldom have above five young ones , and not under four . You may take them at ten days old ; if you let them lie too long , they will be sullen . Feed them with sheeps heart and Egg minced small , in all points like the Nightingale ; give them but little at once , and pretty often , for if you give them too much , they are apt to throw it up again . Be sure they lie warm , for they are tender birds . When they begin to be strong , cage them in a Cage , like the Nightingales , lined with bays , and having Moss at the bottom : And give them sheeps heart and Egg , or the Nightingales Paste , or Woodlarks meat . In a Trap-cage with a meal-worm you may take a dozen in a day . The Cock may be known by his Breast being of a deeper red , and the red going up further upon the Head . He is subject to the Cramp , and dizziness . For the first give him three or four Meal-worms and Spiders : For the latter six or seven Earwigs a week .

CHAP. IX . The Nightingale , Luscinia seu Philomela , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Graecis .

THe Nightingale , being the chief of all singing birds , is about the bigness of a Goldfinch or Redstard , long-bodied , of an ounce weight , from Bill-point to Tail-end seven inches long , and between the extremities of the Wings extended ten and an half broad . It s colour on the upper part , viz. Head , and back is a pale * * A Lion colour , or deep gold colour . fulvous , with a certain mixture of green , like that of a Redwing . It s Tail is of a deeper fulvous or red , like a Redstarts . From its red colour it took its name Rossignuolo in Italian . It s Belly is white . The parts under the Wings , the Breast and Throat are of a darker colour , with a tincture of green . In each Wing it hath eighteen quil-feathers , besides the outmost small one , the interiour Webs whereof are livid , the exteriour fulvous . The Tail , as we said , is red , not forked , two inches and an half long , compounded of twelve feathers . The Bill slender , streight , indifferent long , viz. measuring from the tip to the angles of the mouth , near an inch , of a dusky colour : The upper Chap a little longer and blacker than the nether , the nether paler , and flesh-coloured at the root or rise . The Bill for its figure resembles a Thrushes or Blackbirds . The Tongue is not very short , the mouth yellow within : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured : The Ears great : The colour of the Feet and Claws a deep flesh . [ Olina attributes to the Feet a pale flesh-colour approaching to white . ] But the colour varies according to the age , for in young birds it is fainter , in old ones fuller . The outmost foretoes are very near of equal length one to another , which the middlemost doth much exceed both in thickness and length . The Heel or Spur is strong , but not long as in Larks . The outmost Toe beneath is joyned to the middle one . The Guts are about ten inches long . The blind Guts very small .

This bird is not remarkable for any variety or beauty of colours , but well known from its singing by night . And now that mention hath been made of singing , I cannot forbear to produce and insert the elegant words of that grave Naturalist Pliny , concerning the Nightingales admirable skill in singing , her study and contention , the sweetness of her accents , the great variety of her notes , the harmonious modulation and inflection of her voice ; which because I cannot so render in English but that they must needs lose much of their native Emphasis and Elegancy , I shall put down in the Language the Author wrote them . Lusciniis ( saith he ) diebus ac noctibus continuis quindecim garrulus sine intermissu cantus , densante se frondium germine , non in novissimum digna miratu ave . Primùm tanta vox tam parvo in corpusculo , tam pertinax spiritus . Deinde in una perfecta musicae scientia modulatus editur sonus : Et nunc continuo spiritu trahitur in longum , nunc variatur inflexo , nunc distinguitur conciso , copulatur intorto , promittitur revocato , infuscatur ex inopinato : Interdum & secum ipse murmurat ; plenus , gravis , acutus , creber , extensus , ubi visum est vibrans , summus , medius , imus , breviterque omnia tam parvulis in faucibus , quae tot exquisitis tibiarum tormentis ars hominum excogitavit : Ut non sit dubium hanc suavitatem praemonstratam . Ac nè quis dubitet artis esse , plures singulis sunt cantus , nec iidem omnibus , sed sui cuique . Certant inter se , palámque animosa contentio est . Victa morte finit saepe vitam , spiritu priùs deficiente quàm cantu . Meditantur aliae juniores , versúsque quos imitentur accipiunt . Audit discipula intentione magna & reddit , vicibúsque reticent . Intelligitur emendatae correctio , & in docente quaedam reprehensio . Thus Pliny .

The Rhetorical Harangues of Modern Writers in commendation of the Nightingale I studiously omit , sith almost all they have concerning it is owing to Pliny , being either repeated in the same words , or a few only changed ; or else composed in imitation of what we have delivered out of him . These things , though with me they scarce obtain belief , yet will they seem very credible , if compared with what Gesner , from the relation of a certain friend of his , delivers concerning the admirable faculty of these birds in imitating of humane speech . To these things ( saith he ) let me add a story which a friend of mine , a very learned and credible person , wrote to me .

Because you are writing of Birds , I will tell you something concerning Nightingales imitating mens voice , and repeating their discourses , which is indeed wonderful , and almost incredible , but yet most true , and which I my self heard with these Ears , and had experience of , this last Diet at Ratisbone in the year 1546. whilst I lodged there in a common Inn at the sign of the Golden Crown . Our Host had three Nightingales , placed separately , so that each was shut up singly by it self in a dark Cage . It hapned that at that time , being the Spring of the year , when those birds are wont to sing indefatigably , and almost incessantly ; I was so afflicted with the Stone , that I could sleep but very little all night . Then about and after Midnight , when there was no noise in the house , but all still , you might have heard strange janglings and emulations of two Nightingales , talking one with another , and plainly imitating mens discourses . For my part I was almost astonished with wonder . For they in the night-season , when all was whist and quiet , in conference together produced and repeated whatever they had heard in the day time from the Guests talking together , and had thought upon . Those two of them which were most notable , and masters of this Art , were scarce ten foot distant one from the other : The third hung more remote , so that I could not so well hear it as I lay in bed . But those two it is wonderful to tell , how they provoked one another , and by answering invited and drew one another to speak . Yet did they not confound their words , talking both together , but rather utter them alternately , or by course . But besides the daily discourse , which they had lately heard of the Guests , they did chant out especially two stories one to the other for a long time , even from Midnight till Morning , so long as there was no noise of men stirring , and that with that native modulation and various inflection of their notes , that no man , unless he were very attentive and heedful , would either have expected from those little Creatures , or easily observed . When I asked the Host , whether their Tongues had been slit , or they taught to speak any thing ? He answered no ; whether he had observed or did understand what they sung in the night ? He likewise denied that . The same said the whole Family . But I who could not sleep whole nights together , did greedily and attentively hearken to the birds , greatly indeed admiring their industry and contention . One of the stories was concerning the Tapster , or * * Servant of the house . House-knight ( as they call them ) and his Wife , who refused to follow him going into the Wars , as he desired her . For the Husband endeavoured to persuade his wife , as far as I understand by those birds , in hope of prey , that she would leave her service in that Inn , and go along with him into the Wars . But she , refusing to follow him , did resolve either to stay at Ratisbone , or go away to Nurenberg . For there had been an earnest and long contention between them about this matter , but ( as far as I understood ) no body being present besides , and without the privity of the Master of the House ; and all this Dialogue the birds repeated . And if by chance in their wrangling they cast forth any unseemly words , and that ought rather to have been suppressed and kept secret , the Birds , as not knowing the difference between modest and immodest , honest and filthy words , did out with them . This dispute and wrangling the Birds did often repeat in the night time , as which ( as I guessed ) did most firmly stick in their memories , and which they had well conned and thought upon . The other was a History or Prediction of the War of the Emperour against the Protestants , which was then imminent . For as it were presaging or prophecying they seemed to chant forth the whole business as it afterwards fell out . They did also with that story mingle what had been done before against the Duke of Brunswick . But I suppose those Birds had all from the secret conferences of some Noblemen and Captains , which as being in a public Inn , might frequently have been had in that place where the Birds were kept . These things ( as I said ) they did in the night , especially after twelve of the clock , when there was a deep silence , repeat . But in the day-time for the most part they were silent , and seemed to do nothing but meditate upon , and revolve with themselves what the Guests conferred together about either at Table , or else as they walked . I verily had never believed our Pliny writing so many wonderful things concerning these little Creatures , had I not my self seen with my Eyes , and heard them with my ears uttering such things as I have related . Neither yet can I of a sudden write all , or call to remembrance every particular that I have heard .

The Nightingale is very impatient of cold , and therefore in Winter-time either hides it self in some lurking place , or flies away into hot Countries . Ireland ( as Boterus relates ) is altogether destitute of Nightingales ; which whether it be true or not I cannot tell . In the South part of England in Summer time they are very frequent , but in the North more rare . Some build upon the ground at hedg-bottoms , others in thick green bushes and shrubs . They lay four or five Eggs.

It is called in Italian , Rossingnuolo , from its red or fulvous colour ; or ( as Aldrovandus rather thinks ) from the diminutive Latine word , Lusciniola .

In Italy among those little birds , which growing fat in the Autumn are sold indiscriminately for Beccafico's , the Nightingale is one .

It breeds in the Spring-time about the month of May , building its Nest of the leaves of trees , straws and moss . It seldom sings near its Nest for fear of discovering it , but for the most part about a stones cast distant .

It is proper to this Bird at his first coming ( saith Olina ) to occupy or seize upon one place as its Freehold , into which it will not admit any other Nightingale but its Mate .

It haunts for the most part in cool or shady places , where are little Rivulets of water , such as are Quick-set hedges , small groves , and bushes , where are no very high trees , for it delights in no high trees except the Oak .

Additions to the History of the Nightingale out of Olina , and others .

§. 1. The choice of the Nestlings , and how to take and order them for singing .

MAke choice of such to bring up for singing as are bred earliest in the Spring ; because , 1. They prove the best singers , as having more time to con and practise their notes before Winter . 2. They are easiest rear'd , and become strong to endure the cold , having mued their feathers before Autumn , whereas the second brood , muing them later , are subject to be over-run with Vermine , and often surprized and killed by the cold , while they are bare of feathers . 3. Such consequently prove more healthful and long-lived .

The young Nightingales ( saith Olina ) must be taken when they are well feathered ; [ saith a late English Author , when they are indifferently well feathered , not too little , nor too much : if too much , they will be sullen ; and if too little , if you keep them not very warm , they will die with cold , and then also they will be much longer in bringing up ; ] and together with the Nest put in the bottom of a little basket made of straw , covering the Nest so that they cannot get out , not tangle or double their Legs ; keeping them at first in a quiet place where few people resort , feeding them eight or ten times a day with heart of a Veal or Weather raw , well cleansed and freed from skin , films , sinews , and fat , cut into small pieces of the bigness of a writing Pen. [ Our English Author mingles a like quantity of white bread , soaked in water , and a little squeezed , with the flesh , chopping both small as if it were for minc'd meat , ] giving to each bird upon a sticks end two or three small pieces [ of the quantity of a grey Pease ] at a time . Make them drink two or three times a day , by putting to them a little Cotton-wool dipt in water , on the end of a stick : Keeping them in this manner covered , till they begin to find their feet , and leap out of the Nest : Then put them in a Cage with fresh straw , fine moss or hay at the bottom , [ lining the Pearches with green bays , for they are very subject to the cramp at the first ] feeding and ordering them as before , till you see they begin to feed themselves , which you shall perceive by observing them pick the meat from the stick ; then take of the heart some pieces of the bigness of a nut , and fasten them to the Cage sides . When they are come to feed themselves , give them four or five times a day a gobbet or two . Let them have a cup of water very clean and bright , changing the water in Summer-time twice a day , doing the same by the flesh , that it grow not sower nor stink . When they are fully grown , put into little boxes with stone bottoms , on one side of the Cage crums of Paste , such as we shall anon describe , and on the other side Sheeps heart , such as was before mentioned . When they begin to moult ( saith our English Author ) give them half an Egg hard boiled , and the other half sheeps heart , with a little Saffron mixt in the water , for you must not make it too stiff , nor too limber . Give them no Duck-eggs : For I had six Nightingales killed one night with a Duck-egg .

Among these Nestlings the Cock may be known from the Hen by this token : How to know the Cocks from the Hens . After he hath eaten he will get up the Perch , and begin to tune or record to himself , which you shall perceive by the motion of his Throat , whereas the Hen at first records little , or not at all . Moreover , the Cock is wont to stand sometimes for a good space upon one foot ; otherwhiles to leap or run furiously to and fro in the Cage , and to draw out his warbling Notes with a long continuance . Some are of opinion that these Nestlings sing not comparably to the wild Nightingales , because they want the teaching of their Dams . Wherefore to make them prove good , it is convenient to place them near one that hath the right wild note . But experience confutes this observation , these proving as well as those : Nature without any other teacher instructing them to utter the notes proper to their own kind . Herein I must crave leave to dissent from Olina , for Authors generally agree , and experience confirms it , that old Nightingales do teach their Young their Airs and that of all birds Nightingales emulate one another , and other birds , yea , and men too , in singing most .

For finding the Nest where the Cock sings , and if so be he sings long in a place ; How to find the Nest . then the Hen sits not far off ; but if he hath young ones he will now and then be missing , and then the Hen when you come near her Nest will sweet and cur : And if you have searched long and cannot find it , stick a meal-worm or two upon a thorn , and observe which way the Cock carries them , and stand still , or lie down , and you will hear the Young when the old one feeds them , ( for they make a great noise for so small a bird . ) When you have found the Nest if they be not fledg'd enough , touch them not , for if you do they will never tarry in the Nest .

These Nestlings sing for the most part in the Autumn , and sometimes in the Winter , if they be kept in a warm Chamber , or in a place where the air is temperate . Olina .

§. II. How to take Branchers , and old Nightingales , and to order them when taken .

WHen you have found the birds haunts , they may be taken by a Trap-cage , or Net-trap ; described in Olina , and in the forementioned English Author ; baited with a meal-worm , or other worms or Maggots . So soon as you have taken the Nightingale , tie the tips of his wings with some brown thread , not straining it too hard , that he may not have strength to beat himself against the top and wires of the Cage , for by this order he will grow tame sooner , and be more apt to eat his meat . You shall shut him up in a Cage covered above half with green Bays , or brown paper , [ Olina saith , covered with paper , and for a while without Perches ] or else turn the Cage from the light in some private place , that at first he be not disturbed , to make him wilder than he would be . * * Birds taken in April must be fed seven or eight times a day , for then they are apter by half ●o die for want of food than in July or August . Feed him five or six times at the least every day with sheeps heart and Egg shred small and fine , mingling amongst the same some red Ants , and three or four red Earth-worms . And because no Nightingale will at first eat any sheeps heart or Paste , or hard Egg , but live meat , as Worms , Ants , Caterpillars , or Flies ; therefore taking him out in your hand , you must open his Bill with a stick made thin at one end , and holding it open , give him a gobbet about the bigness of a grey pease : Then when he hath swallowed that , open his Bill and give him another , till he hath had four or five such bits : Then set him some meat mingled with store of Ants , that when he goes to pick up the Ants he may eat some of the sheeps heart and Eggs with it . At the first you may shred three or four meal-worms in his meat , the better to entice him , that so he may therewith eat some of the sheeps heart by little and little ; at last when you perceive him to eat , give him the less Ants in his meat , and at last nothing but sheeps heart and Eggs. [ Olina makes no mention of forcing meat down his throat , but only laying it by him in the Cage , and advises to tie or fasten some of heart to Maggots and Caterpillars , to inure the bird to eat flesh . ] Our Author also , if the bird besullen , advises to get some Gentles or Maggots , and take your paste and roll it up in pieces like to little worms about half an inch long , and put amongst them some Ants , and put your Maggots at the bottom of your pan , then put your paste rolled like worms upon the Maggots , and they stirring at the bottom will make the paste move as if it were alive ; which will cause the Nightingale to eat it more readily ; and when he hath tasted the meat made of sheeps heart , and paste two or three times , he then is not apt to forsake it . But whereas he saith , that Nightingales feeding only upon live meat do not know that any thing is for food but what stirs , he is surely therein mistaken , for ( as Olina observes ) they feed upon Figs , and some sorts of berries , when wild , as well as upon Insects . Such birds as you take in April our Author advises when you go a taking to carry a bottom bag with you , and some meat in a Gally-pot to feed them abroad , for if they be over-fasted they seldom live , they requiring to be fed every hour : Also to put or cut their feathers from their vent , otherwise they will be subject to clog and bake up their vent , which is sudden death . Birds , that are long a feeding , and make no curring or sweeting for eight or ten days , seldom prove good ; but on the contrary , they give great hopes of proving well when they take their meat kindly , and are familiar , and not buckish , and sing quickly , and learn to eat of themselves without much trouble . This is a sure token of their proving excellent birds : For I have had some birds feed in twelve hours after taking of them , and sing in two or three days , and those never proved bad . When you shall find that the Nightingale eats well by himself , and sings often without seeming to be disturbed at every little noise , you shall by little and little put back the green Bays or Paper wherewith the Cage was covered , putting some Greens in the opened part .

Now to know the Cocks from the Hens among the wild ones , Olina gives us these How to discern the Cocks from the Hens . marks of the Cock , That it hath a bigger Eye , and rounder and greater Head , a longer Bill , thicker Legs , a longer Tail , and of something a brighter red . Our English Author will not allow these for sufficient notes of distinction ; and yet afterward he dare not deny but all taken together may be sufficient . He adds , that Nightingales taken in August are most certainly to be discerned by the singing : And as for those that are taken in April , your knowledge , saith he , resteth in these observations : First , when you think you have taken the bird you heard sing , call again , and if the Cock answers and sings again , then you have taken the Hen , and not the Cock ; but if you find the Cock not to sing , then be assured you have taken him . Also you may know him by the lower parts of the Sex , which the Cock puts forth , but the Hen doth not . If you take a bird about the middle of May , or beginning of June , the Breast of the Hen will be bare with sitting , and all full of scurf , whereas the Cocks Breast is all well-feathered , without any bareness or scurf .

This Author saith , that he hath often proved , that old Nightingales are far perfecter , and far excellenter in their songs than any Nestling or Brancher whatsoever , and will come to sing as lavish and as often , and with care and a little trouble will know you , and be as familiar also .

Branchers ( saith Olina ) are better than Nestlings , and will come to be as familiar , and very often sing all Winter . [ Understand it in Italy where their Winters are short and mild . ]

§. III. What Cages are best for Nightingales .

THe most convenient Cages for Nightingales are those which have the Wires only afore , and all the other parts made up , and the top lined with Bays , [ the sides also against Winter ] partly for warmth , the Nightingale being a very tender bird , and partly also because being buckish he is apt to mount up and strike his head against the top-wires or wood , and endanger the dashing out his brains .

§. IV. How to make a Paste to feed Nightingales , being also good for the Wren , Robin-red-breast , Woodlark , Skie-lark , Throstle , and other birds .

TAke of the flower of Chiches [ or horse-beans ] finely sifted two or three pounds , according to the number of birds you keep : Of sweet Almonds blanch'd and beaten fine half a pound , of fresh Butter [ without any salt in it ] four ounces , three or four Yolks of Eggs boiled hard and pounded . Put these ingredients in a Pan of the fashion of that they make Confects in . Set the Pan on a Trevet over a fire of Charcoal , taking care that it be not smoaked , and stirring it constantly with a wooden stick or Spathule , that it burn not to the bottom till it be sufficiently boiled . Then take a pound of Honey , and three ounces of Butter , and melt it in any little Vessel , still scumming of it ; and when it is well melted and boiled , let your assistant , with a Ladle having a hole or two in the bottom , take it up , and pour it upon the Paste , gently moving his Ladle up and down , you in the mean while continuing to stir your Paste till it be well incorporated and grained . This Paste serves for the Summer : For the Winter , take a pretty quantity of Saffron and mingle with the Paste , for it is hot and opening , and will maintain the bird more chearful and lively . Then take it from the fire , and pass it through a Sieve or Colander with round holes of the bigness of an ordinary Tare . That which will not pass through of it self force through with your hand . Then spread it upon a Table , covered with a white clean cloth , to dry ; and when it is sufficiently dry , put it up in a Pot. If it be too dry , you may moisten and mollifie it with a little honey . This Paste will last three or four , and sometimes six months , and serves for all sorts of small soft-beaked birds .

Many other sorts of Paste may be made like this of less charge ; as instead of Almonds to use Walnuts , &c. These Pastes are best kept in earthen Vessels of white ware , covered close with Parchment , and set in a place rather moist than dry .

§. V. The Nightingales diseases , and their cures .

FIrst , note that the principal thing which causes most diseases , not only in Nightingales , but in other birds kept for singing , is want of keeping them clean and neat , whereby they clog their feet , which causes the Claws of several to rot off , and breeds the Cramp and Gout in others , and makes them never thrive , nor delight in themselves . No birds can be kept too clean and neat . Therefore be sure to let them have twice a week gravel at the bottom of the Cage , and let it be very dry when you put it in , for then it will not be subject to clog .

The Nightingale in Autumn is apt to grow extraordinary fat and foggy ; [ I have had several when fat to be three weeks and not eat one bit of meat ] to remedy which during that time give him two or three times in a week worms taken out of a Pigeon-house , two or three at a time , or two or three field-Spiders a day , which will purge and cleanse them extraordinarily . Upon the falling of his fat he must be kept warm , and have some Saffron given him in his meat or water . To raise them when they are very lean and poor , give them new figs chopt small among their meat , continuing no longer than till they have recovered their flesh .

Nightingales that have been kept two or three years in a Cage are very subject to the Gout : Which when you shall perceive , take them out of their Cage , and anoint their feet with fresh Butter or Capons grease : Do so three or four days together and it is a certain cure for them .

Another thing that Nightingales are subject to , is breakings out about their Eyes and Neb ; for which likewise use your fresh Butter or Capons grease .

There also hapneth unto the Nightingale a straitness or strangling of the breast ; which comes very often for want of care in making of their meat , by mincing fat therewith ; and you may perceive it by the beating pain not afore accustomed that he abideth in this place , and also by his often gaping : Other whiles this disease hapneth by reason of some sinew or thread of the sheeps heart ( for want of well shredding ) hanging in his throat , or clasping about his Tongue , which causeth him to forsake his meat , and grow very poor in a short time , especially if it be in the Spring time , or when he is in song . When you shall perceive it by his gaping , &c. take him gently out of his Cage , and open his bill with a quill or pin , and unloosen any string or piece of flesh that may hang about his tongue or throat : After you have taken it a way , give him some white Sugar-candy in his water , or else dissolve it , and moisten his meat , which is a present remedy to any thing that is amiss .

If they grow melancholy , put into their water some white Sugar-candy ; and if that will not do , about six or eight Chives of Saffron , continuing withal to give them the Paste and sheeps heart shred very fine , and also three or four meal-worms a day , and a few Ants and Ants Eggs : Also boil a new-laid Egg , and chop it small , and strew it among the Ants and their Eggs.

§. VI. How to provoke a Nightingale to sing .

TO make Nightingales sing more than ordinarily , or at such times as they are not wont , give them in Winter-time Paste of Pine kernels pounded , and in their drinking-cup a chive or two of Saffron : For those two things by heating them , render them chearful and brisk , without inducing any noxious alteration , and so excite them to sing . That sympathy also which this bird hath with Music both vocal and instrumental is of exceeding force to this purpose . And therefore if in the Chamber where she is kept there be a consort of sweet sounds or voices , she is marvelously provoked to sing . Many stories we have of Nightingales emulating and striving to out-vie one another , and other birds , yea , and men too in singing : Nay , that sometimes a bird will strain her note so to exceed that of her Antagonist , that she will fall down dead upon the spot with contending and over-straining her self .

Olina hath the receit of an odoriferous unguent to stir up a Nightingale to sing .

Take of Civet not sophisticate twenty grains , Benjamin and Storax calamitae , of each three grains , mingle these together in a Mortar in the form of a soft ointment ; Then diligently observe the bush and particular branch , on which the Nightingale is wont to sit and sing , and there making as it were a little shelf of the leaves and boughs , lay thereon some meal-worms , and anoint the branch next to your shelf with this Unguent . The Nightingale when he returns from feeding , will presently fly up to his bough , and finding there the meal-worms will fall a eating of them , and senting the odour of the Ointment will begin to sing , and being as it were intoxicated with the perfume , will not give over , nor stir from the place though you take the boughs from about him . For as the Nightingale exceeds all other birds in singing , so doth he also in the exquisiteness of his sent : Wherefore also when wild he doth most willingly haunt where sweet herbs grow : And is particularly delighted in Musk , so that a grain or two of true Musk put in Cotton , and that in a small Reed serving for him to pearch on in his Cage , will provoke him to sing .

CHAP. X. The Black-cap : Atricapilla seu Ficedula , Aldrov . called by the Greeks , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , by the Italians , Capo Negro .

THis is a very small bird , not weighing above half an ounce : Its length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is six inches ; its breadth between the ends of the Wings stretcht out nine . The top of the Head is black , whence it took its name : The Neck cinereous ; the whole back of a dark green . The quill-feathers in each Wing eighteen in number , of a dusky colour , save that their edges are a little green . The Tail hath twelve feathers , two inches and an half long , and almost equal , sharp-pointed , of a dusky colour , with a little tincture of green . The nether part of the Neck , the Throat , and upper part of the Breast are of a pale ash-colour : The lower Belly white , tinctured with yellow . The Bill streight , slender , black , longer , and lesser than in the Titmice : The Tongue cloven and rough : The Feet of a lead colour , the Claws black . The outmost Toe below is fastned to the middlemost . The head of the Female is of a brown or chesnut colour rather than black .

This bird is frequent in Italy , it is also found in England , but more rarely , Turner in vain contradicting .

Gesner saith , that the first Summer the head of these birds is red , and afterward grows black , and that in the Cocks only , for in the Hens it continues always red . The Ancients report , that the Black-caps [ Atricapillae ] in the beginning of Autumn are changed into Ficedulae , or Beccafigos by the mutation of their voice and colour ; from whom , till I be assured by experience , I must crave leave to dissent .

* The fourth Beccafigo of Aldrovand .

The Beccafico described by Aldrovand in the fourth and fifth place in his Chapter of Ficedulae may perchance differ specifically from our Black-cap . On the upper side , Head , Back , Wings , and Tail it is of a brown colour , inclining to a chesnut . The Female on the nether side is all white ; the Male from white declines to cinereous . The quil-feathers of the Wings in the Male are black , with some white ones intermixt : In the Female they incline to a chesnut colour , as doth also the Tail , which in the Cock is black . Contrariwise , the Feet in the Cock incline to a chesnut colour , in the Hen are black .

Beccasigo's abound in Candy , as Bellonius witnesses , and also in the Island of Cyprus , where they are salted up in great numbers , and transported into other Countries . With us in England they are called by a general name , Cyprus-birds , and are in no less esteem with our Merchants for the delicacy of their taste , than they were of old with the Italians : And that deservedly , ( saith Aldrovandus ) for feeding upon two of the choicest fruits , viz. Figs and Grapes , they must needs become a more wholsom food than other birds , yielding a better nourishment , and of more easie concoction . Beccafigo's are accounted best and most in season in the Autumn , as being then fattest by reason of the plenty of meat that season affords them . At which time they are highly prized and coveted by the Italians even now adays .

CHAP. XI . The gloden-crown'd Wren : Regulus cristatus , Aldrov . lib. 17. cap. 1. The Trochilus of Pliny and * * Hist. Animal . lib. 9. cap. 11. Aristotle , who also calls it 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Others call it by a diminutive word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . In Tuscany it is called Fior Rancio , that is , the Marigold Flower , from the colour of its Crest .

THis is the least of all birds found with us in England , weighing not more than one single drachm . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws is four inches and an half , to the end of the Tail four and a quarter . The breadth of the Wings extended six and three quarters . The top of the Head is adorned with a most beautiful bright spot , ( which they call a crest ) of a deep Saffron or pale Scarlet colour . Hence it got those ambitious titles of * * Little King and Tyrant . Regulus and Tyrannus . This Crest or Crown ( if you please so to call it ) it can when it lists , by corrugating its forehead , and drawing the sides of the spot together , wholly conceal and render invisible . It is of an oblong figure , and extended directly through the middle of the Head from the Bill towards the Neck . The edges of it on both sides are yellow ; the whole is environed with a black line . The sides of the Neck are of a lovely shining yellowish green colour . The Eyes are encompassed with white . The Neck and all the Back from a dark green incline to yellow . The Breast is of a sordid white . [ In the bird that I J. R. described the Breast and Belly were dashed with a faint green . ] The Wings were concave , not much unlike to a Chassinches Wings . The quil-feathers of the Wings , as in almost all small birds , were eighteen , all of a dusky colour , only their exteriour edges yellowish , and their interiour whitish . The tips also of the three next to the body were white . But what was most especially notable in the Wings of this bird was , that the middle quill-feathers , or indeed all excluding the five outmost , and the three inmost , had their exteriour Webs , as far as they appear above the covert feathers , to a considerable breadth black , so that when the Wings are shut they make a black spot of a good bigness about the middle of each Wing . The outmost quil-feather was very short and little . The covert-feathers of the first row have white tips , all together making a white line across the Wing . Above also towards the ridge of the Wing is a white spot .

The Tail is made up of twelve sharp-pointed feathers , an inch and half long , not forcipate , of a dusky colour , only the exteriour borders of the feathers are of a yellowish green .

The Bill is slender , streight , black , half an inch long . The feet yellowish , and the Claws of a not much different colour . The Tongue long , sharp , and cloven . The Irides of the Eyes of a hazel colour .

The stomach small , musculous , and full of Insects ; whence it is manifest ( as Aristotle rightly saith ) that it is a vermivorousbird . The Female , as in most other birds , hath not so fair colours .

We saw of these birds first to be sold in the Market at Nurenberg : Afterwards our worthy Friend Mr. Fr. Jessop of Broomhall in Sheffield Parish , whom we have occasion often to mention in this Work , sent us of them , which he had found and caught in the Mountainous Woods about Highloe , near Hathersedge in the Peak of Derbyshire . The same also found them here in Middleton Park in Warwickshire , where he shot them and brought them to us . They abide and haunt for the most part on the tops of trees , especially Oaks .

What is spoken of the antipathy and feud between this bird and the Eagle we look upon as an Old Wives Fable . Aldrovandus writes , that she lays six or seven Eggs together before she sits , not bigger than Pease .

CHAP. XII . A little yellowish Bird without name , called by Aldrovandus Regulus non cristatus , perchance the Asilus of Bellonius , or the Luteola of Turner .

THis is equal to , or somewhat bigger than the crested Wren , weighs two drachms , being in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail , or , which is all one , the end of the Claws five inches , in breadth between the extremities of the Wings extended seven .

All its upper side , save the Wings and Tail , is of a dusky or cinereous colour , tinctured with green . The Rump is greener than the rest of the Back . A yellowish line is produced from the Nosthrils above the Eyes almost to the hinder part of the Head . The nether side , viz. the Throat , Breast , and Belly is white with a dash of green , and sometimes yellow . The Wing and Tail-feathers are dusky , having their outer edges green . The feathers under the bastard-wing , and the coverts of the underside of the Wings , from green decline to a lovely yellow . Each Wing hath eighteen prime feathers , the outmost of which is very short and small . The Tail is two inches long , not forked , made up of twelve sharp-pointed feathers .

It s Bill is slender , streight , sharp , half an inch long , the upper Mandible being dusky on the outside ; but the angles of the Mouth are yellowish : The mouth within yellow . The Nosthrils are large : The Legs and Feet small , of a dusky Amber colour . The outmost fore-toe at bottom grows to the middle one . It s Gizzard is small . It sings like a Grashopper , and doth much frequent Willow-trees . It is much in motion , continually creeping up and down trees and shrubs , and sings with a querulous note . It builds its Nest of moss , and straws , and a few feathers and hairs within . It lays five Eggs all over besprinkled with red specks .

The birds of this kind vary in colour , some being of a paler , some of a deeper green or yellow : in some the Belly is white , without any tincture of green .

Mr. Jessop set us a bird in all points exactly like that here described , and whose note The greater not crested Regulus . also resembled the noise of a Grashopper , but twice as big .

Now that the Reader may judge whether the Asilus of Bellonius be the same with this bird , as we suppose , we will subjoyn Bellonius his description thereof .

The Asilus , * * Avium , lib. 7. cap. 6. saith he , is of all birds the least , except the Regulus and Tyrannus ( that is , according to him , the common Wren , and the crested Wren ) at least there is none less than it . It is almost always singing . It would be like to the crested Wren , were not the crest on its Head yellow . And yet it is yellow in the folds of its Wings , and in their extremities , as also upon the Back , and about the Tail . The Legs , Feet , Claws , and Bill are black ; but both the extremities of the Bill have something of yellow . It is long , weak , and fit to catch Insects , upon which it feeds , refusing grain , and lives in the shady places of Woods . Aristotle mentions a little bird by the name of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Gaza renders it Asilus , thought to be so called because it is not much bigger than the Insect Oestrus .

CHAP. XIII . The Wren , Passer troglodites of Aldrovand , by Turner and Bellonius called falsly Regulus .

IT weighs three drachms , being extended from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail four inches and an half : The Wings stretcht out equal to six inches and an half . The Head , Neck , and Back are of a dark spadiceous colour , especially the Rump and Tail . The Back , Wings , and Tail are varied with cross black lines . The Throat is of a pale yellow , the middle of the Breast whiter : Below it hath black transverse lines , as have also the sides . The lower Belly is of a dusky red . The tips of the second row of Wing-feathers are marked with three or four small white spots . The tips of the covert-feathers of the Tail are alike spotted . The number of quil-feathers in each Wing is eighteen . The Tail , which for the most part it holds erect , is made up of twelve feathers .

The Bill is half an inch long , slender , yellowish beneath , dusky above : the Mouth withinside yellow : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured . The outer Toes are fastned to the middle one as far as the first joynt . It creeps about hedges and holes , whence it is not undeservedly called Troglodites . It makes but short flights , and if it be driven from the hedges , may easily be tired and run down .

It builds its Nest sometimes by the Walls of houses , in the back-sides of Stables , or other Out-houses covered with straw , but more commonly in Woods and Hedges , without , of Moss , within , of hairs and feathers . This Nest is of the figure of an Egg , erect upon one end , and hath in the middle of the side a door or aperture , by which it goes in and out . Being kept tame it sings very sweetly , and with a higher and louder voice than one would think for its strength and bigness ; and that especially in the Month of May , for then it builds and breeds . It lays nine or ten , and sometimes more Eggs at a sitting .

A late English Writer tells us , that he hath had eighteen Eggs out of one Nest , and sixteen young ones out of another . It is strange to admiration that so small a bodied bird should cover so great a number of Eggs , and more strange , that it should feed such a company of young , and not miss one bird , and that in the dark also . They breed twice a year , about the latter end of April , and beginning of June , or middle of it . The Young are to be fed and rear'd like the young Nightingales , giving them often , and but one or two morsels at a time . Give them once in two or three days a Spider or two .

It perfectly cures the Stone of the Kidneys or Bladder ( as Aetius writes ) being salted and eaten raw ; or being burnt in a pot close-covered , and the ashes of one whole bird taken at once , either by it self , or with a little * * A kind of Mercury . Phyllon and Pepper ; or lastly , being roasted whole , only the feathers pluckt off and cast away .

All the Modern Writers of the History of birds before Gesner take this bird to be the Regulus of the Ancients .

CHAP. XIV . The Humming Bird , Guainumbi of Marggrave , and Johnston in his Natural History of Birds : Guaiminibique of Jo. de Laet in his Description of the West Indies , Book 15. Chap. 7. Gonambuch , or Gouambuch of Lerius in the eleventh Chapter of his American History , and of Thevet in his 48. Chapter of the singularities of Antartic France ; Tomineio of Josephus à Costa in Book 4. Chap. 37. of his Natural and Moral History of the West Indies , so called perchance because it is so light , that it weighs only one Spanish Tomino , that is , twelve grains . Ourissia , ( that is , a Sun-beam ) or Tomineio of Clusius in Book 5. of his Exotics , Chap. 7. Passer Mosquitus of Oviedo in his Summary , Chap. 48. Hoitzitzil of Fr. Hernandez in Book 9. Chap. 11. Rerum medicarum Novae Hispaniae . Gomarae in Historia de Mexicanae urbis expugnatione , Vicicilin .

THis kind of bird , whose Synonyma we have given , is the least of all birds . It comprehends under it many Species , or differences of which in general these things are delivered by those who have written of it .

1. That it moves the Wings with that swiftness , as not to be discerned by the Eye , so that it seems rather to want Wings ; and that as it flies it makes a humming noise like a Hornet or Bee ; insomuch that one who should see it flying by , would take it rather to be a Hornet than a Bee : Hence it took its name in English of humming bird . It will also so poise it self by the help of its Wings for a long space of time , as if it rested and stirred not , and so , being on the Wing , suck the flowers with its Bill , for it lights not upon them . But when it moves from one place to another , it is carried with that velocity like a bullet through the air , that very oft it cannot be seen or discerned as it flies along .

2. That it is fed and nourished with honey , dew , and the juice of flowers , which it sucks out of them with its Bill , or rather its very long Tongue , provided and fitted by nature for that use ; so that , being taken alive , they cannot be kept for want of food , but die in a shorttime .

3. That it lies torpid or sleeps in Winter [ hanging by the feet on a bough in some open place , according to Franc. Lopez : The Bill being fastned to the trunks of Pines or other trees , according to Hernandes and Recchus ] and in the Spring revives or awakens , whence also these birds are called * * That is , born again . Renati by the Inhabitants of the Caribbce Islands , viz. so long , say they , it continues alive , as the honey-bearing flowers endure , and when they wither and fail it becomes torpid , and continues without sense or motion for full six months space until new flowers come . Neither ( saith Hernandez ) is this an idle tale , or such a thing whereof one may well doubt : For this bird hath been more than once kept in a Chamber fastned to the * * The word is Stipiti , which also may signifie a stake , or any truncheon of wood . stock of a tree , and when it had hung as it were dead for six months , at what time Nature had appointed , it revived , and being let go flew away into the neighbouring fields . Believe it who will , I am not wont rashly or hastily to give credit to such relations : Though I know it is taken generally for an undoubted truth , and I find our Mr. Josseline in his New Englands rarities to report it for such . And truly if it lives only upon what it sucks out of flowers , in the Northern parts of America , when flowers fail , it must either lie torpid , or fly into the hotter Countries . But in the more Southern parts of America ( as in Brasil ) Marggravius writes , that these birds are found all the year long in the Woods in great numbers .

4. Of the feathers of these and other birds of beautiful colours the Indians make the likenesses ( for Pictures we must not call them ) of Saints , and other things so dextrously , and artificially , and to the life that one would think they were drawn with a Pencil in colours , of which we have seen many in the Cabinets of the Virtuosi .

5. Although almost all the Spaniards who have written of the West India matters , have made mention of this bird , yet ( which is strange ) do they take no notice at all of its singing : Only Lerius and Thevetus , both Frenchmen , do attribute to it so high and sweet a note , that it gives not place to our Nightingale , which no man , who should not hear and see it , could easily be perswaded , could possibly proceed from so small a body . Marggravius affirms , that they do not sing , but cry , Screp , screp , screp , with one tone , and that almost continually , like Sparrows .

Marggravius describes nine sorts of this bird in the fifth Book of his Natural History of Brasil , Chap. 4.

1. The length of the whole body of this first kind from the beginning of the Head ( where the Bill is inserted ) to the rise of the Tail is two inches . The Head , together with the feathers , is of the bigness of a mean-sized sweet Cherry : The Neck is three quarters of an inch long ; the body an inch and a quarter . The body , together with the feathers , is scarce equal in bigness to a Spanish Olive . It hath a slender , and very sharp , round , even , streight Bill , yet toward the end a little inclining downward , an inch and half long . The colour of this Bill is black , excepting the lower Chap toward the rise , where it is reddish . It hath a double or cloven Tongue , very small or slender , like a fine silken thread , white , long , so that it can thrust it forth far beyond the Bill : Small black Eyes ; very small and short Legs and Feet , of a black colour : Four Toes in each foot , three standing forward , and one backward , armed with long semilunar , very sharp , black Claws . It hath a streight Tail , an inch long , consisting for the most part of four feathers . The Wings , which are of two inches length , reach almost to the end of the Tail . Nature hath shewn a singular Art in the composure of the Wing-feathers . From the rise of the Wings for about three quarters of an inch there is a double row of feathers one longer than the other , and the feathers are put one upon another , as it were short wings upon long ones . Then after these feathers come the Wing-feathers ( which are about ten ) the subsequent interiour being still longer than the precedent exteriour , so that the inmost , determining the end of the Wing , is the longest of all . These Wings being spread it can fly a long time , and rest in the same place , as it were hanging in the air . As it flies it makes a noise like a Bruchus , or more truly , like a linnen Spinning-wheel , Hur , hur , hur . The feathers of the Wings spread appear very thin and transparent . The colour of the feathers of the whole Head , the upper side of the Neck , the sides , the whole Back , and the beginning of the Wings is wonderfully resplendent , so that it cannot be well represented by any Painter , for with a green , such as is seen in the Necks of Peacocks and Mallards , a golden , flame-colour , and yellow are strangely mixt , so that being exposed to the Sun-beams it shines admirably . In the Throat , the lower side of the Neck , the breast , and all the lower Belly , and the upper Legs are white feathers , wherewith underneath the Neck are feathers of an excellent colour , dispersedly intermixt . In the Belly beneath the white feathers lie black ones . The beginning of the Wings was , as I said , of an admirable rare colour , all the rest of the Wing brown , and of a shining spadiceous . The Tail consists of feathers of a blue colour , like polished Steel . They make their Nests in the boughs of trees , of the bigness of a Holland Schilling . They lay very white Eggs , two for the most part , of an oval figure , not bigger than a Pease .

2. The second sort is more beautiful than the first , of the same bigness and figure . Yet is its Bill shorter , viz. ⅔ of an inch long , of the same colour and figure with that of the former . The Tongue is the same , as also the Eyes , Legs , Feet , and figure of the Wings and Tail . The colour of the feathers in the Head , upper side of the Neck , Back , Wings , and Tail like to that of the former : But in the Throat or underside of the Neck , the whole Breast , and lower Belly , to the very end of the body of so elegant and shining a green , with a golden colour , enterchangeably mixt , that they glister wonderfully . Near the Vent is a spot of a good bigness , in respect of the bulk of the bird , consisting of pure white feathers .

3. The third is lesser than all the rest . From the beginning of the Head , or insertion of the Bill to the rise of the Tail two inches and an half long : The Neck is almost one inch long : The Head not great : The Body an inch and half long . The Bill a little more than an inch long , black , round , sharp , and almost streight . The Legs and Feet like those of the rest . The feathers also of the Body and Wings are alike disposed , but differently coloured . It hath a Tail longer than any of the rest , somewhat more than three inches , consisting of feathers , of which that which is nearer to its rise is shorter , the second always longer : The Tail also is forked , and the bird flying spreads it into two large horns , so that the tips of the horns are an inch and half distant one from the other . The whole Head and Neck of this bird is of a shining silken black colour , inclining to , or interchanging with blue , as in the Necks of Mallards . The whole Back and Breast are green , shining enterchangeably with golden and Sea-green , as in the second kind ; and near the vent is also the like spot of white feathers . The Wings are of a liver-colour . The Tail is of a blackish blue , shining like polished Steel blued over .

4. The fourth is a little lesser than the third . The shape of the body and disposition of the feathers the same , but it is of another colour , and differs also in the Bill and colour of the Legs . The Bill is an inch and half long , bowed downward like a Polonian Sword , round , every where of equal thickness , and sharp-pointed . The upper part thereof is black , the under yellow , excepting the tip , which is also black . The top of the Head , the upper side of the Neck , as also the Wings , are of like colour with those of the first kind . The Throat , the lower side of the Neck , the whole Breast , and lower Belly , from white incline to a red colour . It hath a Tail an inch long , ending with the Wings , consisting of feathers which from black incline to green , having white tips : The Toes so disposed as the other Species , yet not black , but white or yellowish , with like semilunar , sharp , and black Claws .

5. The fifth is in bigness equal to the third kind ; having a black Bill , a little more than an inch long , and a little bending downward , black Eyes , as also Legs and Feet . The Throat , lower side of the Neck , and all the Belly are covered with black Velvet feathers , having as it were a gloss of shining blue . Near the Vent is a spot of white feathers . But the black ends of the feathers on the sides of the Neck , Breast , and Belly shine wonderfully with a rare mixture of Sea-water colour , golden and green . All the upper side of the Head and Neck , and the whole Back are adorned with feathers mixt with golden , fire-colour , and green , as is also the beginning of the Wings . The rest of the Wings is of an iron or dusky colour . The Tail is a little more than an inch long , consisting of feathers of an elegant brown , with a gloss of blue . About the edges these feathers are of the colour of polished Steel blued .

6. The sixth is in bigness equal to the fifth ; hath a Bill of an inch long , a little bending , white underneath , black above . The whole Head , Neck , Back , and Belly , and the beginning of the Wings are covered with feathers of an excellent shining colour , consisting as it were of a mixture of much gold , half fire-colour , and a little green : In brief , shining like the Sun . In the Belly are a few white feathers mixt . The Legs are black : The Wings blackish : The Tail almost an inch and half long , handsom and broad , consisting of some feathers of the same rare colour with the rest of the body , some of a mixt colour of green and golden , and white about the edges , some half white , half green , shining with golden , that is , on one side the shaft white , on the other green .

7. The seventh is a little less than the fifth and sixth kind ; hath a Bill not altogether an inch long , being of an ash-colour all over the body , almost like a Sparrow , which here and there shineth rarely with a mixture of red like a Rubine .

8. The eighth is the most elegant of all , hath a streight , black Bill half an inch long ; a long , double [ or cloven ] Tongue . It s bigness and shape agrees with that of the second kind . The whole Head above and upper part of the Neck shine with an admirable Rubine-colour , as if a Rubine were illustrated by the Sun-beams : But the Throat and under-side of the Neck do resemble pure , polished , Hungarian gold , shone upon by the Sun-beams : So that it is impossible in words perfectly to set forth the likeness of these colours , much less for a Painter to represent or imitate them . The beginning of the Back is covered with a Velvet black , the rest with dusky feathers , with which is mixt something of a dark green . The whole lower Belly is invested with feathers of the same colour with the back , the Wings with a dusky , as in other kinds . Near the Vent it hath a white spot . The Legs are slender and black : The Tail little more than an inch long , consisting of feathers of a * * The French word signifies a dead leaf . feuillemort colour , which at the ends are dusky about the edges . The Tail is broad , which it spreads very wide in flying . The Wings end with the Tail .

9. The ninth is for figure and bigness like the first . It s Bill is black above , and red underneath . It s whole body shines with that bright green colour mixt with golden , that the Belly of the second sort is of . The Wings are dusky : The Tail an inch long , pretty broad , consisting of feathers of the colour of polished blue steel .

This Bird is by the Brasilians called by many other names besides Guainumbi , as Aratica , and Aratarataguacu , as Marggrave tells us , and Guaracyaba , that is , A Sun-beam , and Guaracigaba , that is , the hair of the Sun , according to de Laet. It is common in almost all the hotter Countries of America . It is reported ( saith Nierembergius ) that the powder of this Bird , taken inwardly , cures the Falling sickness . What I find in Marggravius concerning the Tail of the first Species , viz. that it consists of four feathers , I vehemently suspect to be a mistake either of the Printer , or of the Author ; for in the Tail of one that I examined I found the usual number of twelve feathers .

CHAP. XV. Slender-billed Birds , whose Tail is particoloured .

§. I. The Fallow-Smich , in Sussex the Wheat-ear , because the time of Wheat-harvest they wax very fat ; called by the Italians , Culo Bianco , and by us also in some places , White-tail , from the colour of its Rump . Oenanthe sive Vitiflora of Aldrovandus .

IN bigness it exceeds the House-Sparrow . The colour of its Head and Back is cinereous , with a certain mixture of red , like to that which is seen in the Back of the * * Coccothranstes . Hawsinch . [ The Back of a Female Bird which I described at Florence was cinereous , with a certain mixture of green and red . ] The Rump in most is white , whence also it took its name ; in some it is of the same colour with the Back , or more red . The whole Belly is white , lightly dashed with red . The Breast and Throat have a deeper tincture of red . The Belly in the Cocks is sometimes yellowish . Above the Eyes is a white line continued to the hinder part of the Head . Below the Eyes a black stroak is extended from the corners of the mouth to the ears . [ I found not this black line in the Females . ]

Both the quil-feathers and covert-feathers of the Wings are all black besides the fringes or extreme edges , which are white , tinctured with a sordid red . The Tail is two inches and a quarter long , made up of twelve feathers , of which the two middlemost have their upper half white , the rest their lower , the other half being black . Moreover , the tips and edges of them all are white . [ In the Hen the white takes up but a quarter of the feathers . ]

The Bill is slender , streight , black , more than half an inch long : The mouth is black within , the Tongue black and cloven : The aperture of the Mouth great : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured . The back-toe is armed with a great Claw .

The Stomach is not very musculous ; out of which dissected we took Beetles , and other Insects . It breeds in forsaken Coney-burroughs .

The Sussex Shepherds , to catch these Birds , use this Art . They dig long turves of earth , and lay them across the holes whereout they were digged , and about the middle of them hang snares made of horse-hair . The Birds , being naturally very timorous , if a Hawk happen to appear , or but a cloud pass over and intercept the Sun-beams , hastily run to hide themselves in the holes under the Turves , and so are caught by the Neck in the snares .

Upon the Downs of Sussex , which are a ridge of Mountains running all along by the Sea-coast for thirty or forty miles in length , they are taken yearly in great numbers , in Harvest-time , or the beginning of Autumn , where for their fatness and delicate relish they are highly prized .

Aldrovandus hath another Oenanthe , which is a little less than the former , but yet bigger than a Sparrow , on the Head , Neck , Back , and lesser Wing-feathers of a reddish yellow , deeper on the Back , lighter on the Breast , having black Eyes , behind which The other Oenanthe of Aldrovand . is also a long black spot , of a semilunar figure : A long , slender , black Bill ; black Wing-feathers , whose ends are yellow , as are also those of the Tail-feathers .

There is also a Bird called Strapazino by our Fowlers ( saith Aldrovand ) in the Bononian Territory , whose Rump underneath , and almost the whole Tail are likewise white : The Head and Back of a rusty yellow : The Wing-feathers half black and half The Strapazino of Aldrov . yellow ; the Bill indifferent long , of a dusky colour . The Throat , Breast , and Belly are white , lightly dashed with yellow . The Tail toward the Rump is yellow , else black .

§. II. The Whin-chat , under which also we treat of the Anthus or Florus of Aldrovand .

IN bigness it scarce exceeds a Wagtail . The upper side of the body , viz. The Back , Head , and covert-feathers of the Wings are of a pale feuille-mort colour , variegated with black spots , placed in rows . If you heed each single feather , the middle part of it about the shaft is black , the sides of a feuille-mort , or dusky yellow . The Belly is white , with a tincture of red . The sides and upper part of the Breast from red incline to yellow . The Breast in some is variegated with black spots . From the Nosthrils above the Eyes to the hinder part of the Head is drawn a pale whitish line : Under the Bill also on each side is a white line . The intermediate space between these lines in some birds is black . [ In one Bird of this kind I observed a white spot behind each Eye . ] The quil-feathers of the Wings are brown , with yellowish edges [ or of a feuille-mort colour . ] From the ninth the tips of the eight following are white . The covert-feathers next above the quils are black , with red edges . In which two white spots do mark or characterize each Wing , one under the bastard Wing , the other at the first joynt , by which note this Bird may be easily distinguished from all others of its kind . The middle quil-feathers towards the bottom are white . The Tail is two inches and an half long , consisting of twelve feathers , of all which , excepting the two middlemost , the lower half is white , the upper black , the utmost edges being red . The two middlemost in some birds are wholly black , in all for the greater part ; having red or feuille-mort edges . They all end in sharp points . The feathers next to the incumbent on the Tail both above and beneath reach further than its middle , so that they wholly hide its white part .

It s Bill is slender , streight , short , black , not only without , but also within : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured . The Legs slender : The Feet , Toes , and Claws black : The lower joynt of the outmost Toe sticks fast to that of the middle one .

In the Female those white spots of the Wing scarce appear , and the whole body is of a duller colour . It frequents banks and ditches , feeding upon Beetles , and other Insects .

Nature sometimes sports her self in the colours of this Bird : For in some birds the two middle feathers of the Tail are wholly black excepting the edges , which are reddish ; in others their bottoms are white , &c.

It differs from the following bird chiefly by these notes , 1. That the upper side of the body is more beautifully coloured , the feathers having their middle parts about the shaft black , and their borders red . 2. That in each Wing they have two white spots . 3. That the lower part of their Tails is white . 4. That the feathers immediately incumbent on the Tail both above and beneath run out as far and further than the middle of the tail , so that they wholly hide the white part thereof . 5. In the white lines reaching from the Bill to the back of the Head .

The Bird which Aldrovand saith is called commonly Spipola , which perchance may be the Anthus or Florus of Aristotle , is near of kin to , if not the same with this . It is The Anthus or Florus of Arist. Aldrov . of near the same bigness : Lives about Rivers and Fens , especially in moist meadows ; and if it be driven away by Horses feeding there , it flies away with a certain chattering , wherein it seems after a fashion to imitate the neighing of a horse . Whether it be dim-sighted or no I know not , but I hear that it flies with difficulty . As for its colour , that is rather to be called beautiful than otherwise ; on the upper side throughout the Neck , Back , and Wings being of a dusky red , and varied with semilunar spots . The Head above is of the same colour , but hath not those spots . The prime-feathers of the Wings , and those that cover them are black , having their sides and tips yellowish . The Bill is sit to catch Insects , being neither slender , nor thick , of a white colour tinctured with yellow . The nether side from the Bill to the Tail is of the same colour , but variegated with spots , some long , some round , and some of another figure . Its Feet are black . This differs from our Whin-chat in the colour of its Bill , and in the place where it lives ; sith our Chat abides especially in heaths , and among Furze-bushes .

§. III. The Stone-smich , or Stone-chatter , or Moor-titling . Oenanthus nostra tertia : Muscicapa tertia , Aldrov . The Rubetra of Bellonius as we judge , which Gesner makes the same with his Todtenvogel , or Flugenstecherlin .

IT is of the bigness of a Linnet , or thereabouts : Of half an ounce weight : From Bill-point to Tail-end five inches long . It s Bill is slender , streight , black as well within as without . The upper Chap a thought longer than the nether , and a little crooked : The Tongue cloven : the Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured : The Legs , Feet , and Claws black ; the outer Toe grows to the middle one below , as in other small birds . The Head is great , in the Cock almost wholly black , as is also the Throat under the Bill : In the Hen it is particoloured of black and a dirty red . The upper part of the Neck is black ; on each side it is marked with a white spot , so that the bird seems to have a ring of white about its Neck . The middle of the Back is black , only the outmost edges of the feathers fulvous . Above the Rump is a white spot . The Breast is fulvous , or of a yellowish red colour : The Belly white , with a dash of red .

[ In the Female the feathers of the Head , Neck , and Back from red inclining to green , having their middle parts black ; the Rump is red ; the Chin of a pale ash-colour . It hath a whitish spot on each side the Neck : The Breast is of a deeper , but the belly of like colour with the Cocks . ]

The prime feathers of the Wings are all dusky , excepting the two next to the body , which have a white spot at bottom . The edges of all are red . All the covert feathers of the Wings have also red edges . The Wings in both Sexes are adorned with a white spot in the feathers next the Back . The Tail is near two inches long , and consists of twelve feathers , not forked , and black . [ The tip and exteriour Web of the outmost feather on each side are white . ]

It hath a Gall-bladder ; a Stomach not very fleshy , in which dissected we found Beetles , and other Insects ; short , round , tumid blind Guts .

That which I [ J. R. ] described at Florence differed somewhat in colours , and other accidents ; thus : It was of the bigness of a lesser Titmouse : Its Body short and round : Its Head , for the proportion of its body , great . The top of the Head , the Neck , and Back particoloured of black and a dirty red , the middle part of each feather being black , and the edges red . The quil-feathers are eighteen , all dusky , their exteriour edges being of a feuille-mort colour . Of the feathers of the second row those five on the middle joynt are black , with feuille-mort edges , the rest are of the same colour with the quil-feathers . The lesser rows are of like colour with the foresaid five middle feathers , The Tail-feathers are all black , only their edges are paler . The Cock is black about both Eyes , and under the Throat , the tips of the feathers being white . The Breast and parts under the Wings in both Sexes are fulvous or red ; the middle of the Belly being whiter . The feathers of this bird are soft , and stand ruffling out , as in a Jay . In all other points it agrees with the above described , so that I doubt not but it is the same .

The third and fourth Muscicapae of Aldrovand differ not , I think , from this , nor from one another otherwise than in colour .

It is found for the most part in Heaths , and is very querulous .

§. IV. * The Brasilian Guiraru Nheengeta of Marggrave , which may be called , The American Chat.

IT is as big , or a little bigger than a Water-Blackbird , or Crake ; hath a streight , compressed , black Bill , more than half an inch long : Sapphire-coloured Eyes , with a black Pupil . The * * Others call them the Thighs . upper Legs are covered with ash-coloured feathers : The lower with a black skin , as are also the Feet , which have four Toes standing after the usual manner , with sharp , black Claws . The whole Head , Neck , Breast , and lower Belly are cloathed with white feathers approaching to a dilute grey ; but the Back with cinereous . From the Bill on each side through the Eyes to the end of the sides of the Head is a long black spot extended . The Wings are black , but not of a deep colour . The Tail hath very black feathers , which yet have white tips ; and above also are covered with white ones . This for its bigness ought rather to have been referred to the Thrush-kind .

§. V. A Bird called Coldfinch by the Germans .

THis Bird was shot by Mr. Jessop in the Mountains of the Peak in Derbyshire , and sent us by him . It s Belly is white ; its Breast of a dusky yellow : The Head and Back of a dusky or greenish ash-colour : The covert-feathers of the Tail black . The quil-feathers of the Wings likewise black ; but from the fifth they are all white toward the bottoms , whence arises a whitespot or stroak cross the Wing , from a narrow beginning widening by degrees , so that in the last feathers it takes up all the exteriour Vanes ; but where it is broader , it is gradually tinctured with yellow . The second row of Wing-feathers is black , with whitish tips : The edges of the rest of the coverts are green . The Tail is two inches and a quarter long . It s outmost feathers have their exteriour Webs almost wholly white ; in the next to them the white part is narrower : All the rest are black , but the middlemost deeper .

It s Bill is black , compressed , and almost triangular . The Tongue cloven and rough : The Irides of the Eyes of a hazel-colour . The Feet black ; The outmost Toe joyned to the middlemost , as in other small birds . The Testicles small and round . In the Stomach we found Insects .

This excellent person sent us also out of the Peak of Derbyshire the third Beccafigo The Ficedula tertia of Aldrovand . of Aldrovand , which I suppose differs only in age or Sex from the precedent . The Throat , Breast , and Belly are much whiter than in that . All the exteriour Webs of the outmost feathers of the Tail are white , of those next to them the lower half . This hath a great white spot in each Wing , altogether like the precedent : Above the Bill also it hath a white spot : The Back else is cole-black . In its fashion , bigness , Bill , and Tail it agrees with the Coldfinch .

CHAP. XVI . The White-throat . An Spipola prima Aldrov ?

THe body of this Bird seems to be something longer than that of the Beccafigo before described ; but of almost the same magnitude . From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail , or of the Feet , ( for they are equally extended ) it hath six inches and a quarter of length : Between the extreme points of the Wings spread eight and an half of breadth . The upper Bill is black , the lower white . The Tongue slit with a deep incision . The Mouth within yellow : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured . The Feet are of a dusky yellow or Amber-colour : The back-toe great ; the exteriour foretoes equal , and less than in other small birds , joyned at bottom to the middlemost , the interiour by an intervening membrane , which we have not observed in other Birds of this kind . The upper surface of the body from red inclines to an ash-colour . The Head more cinereous : The Chin white , the rest of the Throat white , with a tincture of red . The Breast also and lower Belly are something red . [ In the Hen the Breast is white , without any mixture of red . ]

The outmost edge of the first or outmost quil-feather is white : The exteriour edges of those next the body are red . The extreme feathers of the Tail on each side have all their exteriour Webs , and half their interiour white : Of the next to these the tips only are white . All the rest are black , only the extreme borders or edges , especially of the two middlemost , incline to cinereous .

It frequents Gardens , and feeds upon Beetles , Flies , and other Insects : Creeping and hopping up and down in bushes , like the Hedg-Sparrow . It builds also in bushes not far from the ground . The outer part of the Nest is made of the tender stalks of herbs and dry straws ; the middlemost of fine bents and soft grass ; the inner , on which the Eggs lie , of horse-hair , or other long hair . It lays about five Eggs , oblong , of a dusky colour , mingled of white and green , besprinkled over with black specks .

This Bird is very like the Ficedula above described , yet differs in some particulars , especially that the outmost feathers of the Tail in this are white ; whereas in that the Tail is all of one colour .

Among the doubtful birds of this kind , at least to us not sufficiently known , we reckon , 1. The small Nightingale , Lusciniola or Roussette of Bellonius , which you may find in Aldrovand , tom. 2. pag. 767. perchance the same with the Giarola of Aldrovand , having a red Bill , and the colour of the body like a Quail . 2. Oenanthe congener , Aldrov . tom. 2. p. 764. 3. The other Spipola of Aldrovand . tom. 2. p. 731. the description whereof we have already set down , * * Of the Latine Edition . p. 153. which perchance may be the same with our Spipoletta , or with our Whin-chat , p. 168. 4. Spipola tertia or Boarina of Aldrovand , p. 732. which we have already entred the description of , p. 153. 5. The Stoparola of Aldrovand , p. 732 , which you may find also in pag. 153. of this work . 6. Boarina of Aldrovand , p. 733. whose description we have subjoyned to the Ficedula , p. 158. 7. Grisola , which we have annexed to our Spipoletta , pag. 153. 8. Anthos or Florus , which we have remembred in our Chapter of Oenanthe , pag. 169.

These , and some other birds , comprehended by Aldrovandus in three Chapters , viz. twenty sixth , twenty seventh , and twenty eighth of the seventeenth Book , under the titles of Spipolae , Stoparolae , and Muscicapae , seem to us reducible to three or four Species , viz. to the White-throat , or Moucherolle or Passer rubi , ( for Bellonius his Moucherolle is perchance another sort of bird ) and the Beccasigo or Black-cap .

CHAP. XVII . The Water-Wagtail ; Motacilla , in Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

§. I. The white Wagtail : Motacilla alba .

THis Bird is every where so well known , that it may seem enough to name it , not needing any description . It weighs six drachms , being in length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail seven inches three quarters ; in breadth between the extremities of the Wings stretcht out eleven . The Bill is slender , not an inch long , sharp-pointed , and black . The Tongue cloven , and as it were torn : The Mouth within black : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured : The Feet , Toes , and Claws long , and of a dark blackish colour . The back-claw very long , as in Larks . The outer Toe at its rise sticks fast to the middle one . White feathers encompass the upper Chap of the Bill , then the Eyes , being produced on both sides almost to the Wings . The Crown of the Head , upper and lower side of the Neck , as far as the Breast , and the Back are black : The Breast and Belly white . The middle of the Back from black inclines to cinereous : The Rump is black . [ In another Bird , below the Throat I observed a semicircular black spot like a Crescent , the horns being produced almost as far as the Jaws . ] The Wings spread are of a semicircular figure ; the quil-feathers in each eighteen in number , of which the three outmost end in sharp points : The tips of the middle ones are blunt and indented ; the inmost are adorned with white lines . The covert feathers of the first row are black , having their tips and edges white : Those of the second row have only white tips . It s Tail is very long , of about three inches and an half , which it almost continually wags up and down , whence also it took its name . The Tail hath twelve feathers , of which the two middlemost are longer than the rest , and sharp-pointed ; the others all of equal length : The outmost are almost wholly white , the rest black . The colour of the Plumage in this kind in several birds varies not a little , being in some more cinereous , in some blacker . The Liver is of a pale colour .

It is much conversant about the brinks of Rivers , and Pools , and other watry places , where it catches Flies , and water Insects : Moreover it follows the Plough , to gather up the Worms , which together with the earth it turns up : As I find in Aldrovandus , and our Husbandmen have told me of their own observation ; who therefore call it the Seed-bird , as Mr. Johnson informed me .

In the Northern part of England it appears not in the Winter , and is also then more rare in the Sòuthern : Either because it is impatient of cold , or for want of meat ; Flies , and other winged Insects , on which it chiefly feeds , being not to be found in Winter-time . In the Gizzard of one dissected we found Insects like to Meal-worms . Gesner writes , that the Fowlers in his Country have observed the Cuckow-chicken hatch'd and brought up by this bird : The same , Albertus , and our experience also confirms , as we have * * In the Chapter of the Cuckow . elsewhere shewn .

One or two ounces of the powder of this Bird put in a Pot close-stopt and bak'd in an Oven together with the feathers , taken in Saxisrage water , or strong White-wine is said to be good against the Stone , especially that of the Kidneys . But Alexander Benedictus thinks , that the modern Physicians , who commend this Medicine through mistake , mean the Wren when they name the Wagtail : As if the Wagtail were of no force in breaking the Stone . Gesner ( to whom also we readily assent ) thinks that it matters not much what bird be burnt , sith the vertue of the ashes of almost all birds seem to be the same . Yet ( saith he ) if there be any difference , I would prefer those sorts of birds which feed upon Insects , as Flies , Ants , and the like .

§. II. The yellow Water-Wagtail : Motacilla flava .

IN bigness and shape of body it agrees with the white . It weighs five drachms ; from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail being almost seven inches long ; to the end of the Claws six . The under part of the Body is yellow , the Breast being darker than the rest . The upper part is of a dark green , the middle of the Back being black . The crown of the Head is of a yellowish green . Above the Eyes is a yellow line reaching to the hinder part of the Head .

The Tail is two inches three quarters long , consisting of twelve feathers , the middle two whereof are sharper than the rest . The outmost on each side are above half white , the intermediate eight black : All of equal length . The figure of the Wings is the same with that of the precedent . The quil-feathers in number eighteen ; of which the sixteenth is longer than those next it , and hath the outward limb white . The tips of the middle covert-feathers are of a greenish white ; else the Wings are all over dusky . The Bill is black : The Tongue cloven , but not hairy . The Irides of the Eyes from cinereous incline to a hazel-colour . The Feet are black : The outer fore-toe is joyned to the middle one at bottom . The Spur or Claw of the back-toe is long as in a Larks : The blind guts short . Some birds in this kind are much yellower or greener than others .

It builds upon the ground among the Corn ; making its Nest of bents and the stalks of herbs , spreading hairs within under the Eggs. It lays at one time four or five Eggs , varied with dusky spots and lines drawn without any order .

§. III. The grey Wagtail . Motacilla cinerea , an flava altera Aldrov ?

IT is of the bigness of the common or white Wagtail . It s note is shriller and louder : Its Bill black , streight , slender , and sharp-pointed : Its Eyes grey : Both upper and lower Eye-lid white . Moreover , above the Eyes a whitish line is all along extended . The upper surface of the body is * * Cinereous , i. e. Ash-coloured . grey . The Head ( which in proportion to the body is small and compressed ) is something dusky . The Wings are blackish , crossed in the middle by a whitish , yet not very conspicuous line . The Chin and Throat are particoloured of white and grey : The Breast and Belly white , dashed with yellow : The Rump round about of a deeper yellow . The Tail made up of twelve feathers , longer than the whole body ; its outmost feather on each side is all over white ; the two next white on the inside , blackish on the out ; the six middlemost all over blackish . The Legs ( which are long ) and the Feet ( which are rugged or rough ) are of a pale colour , but duskish . The Claws crooked , and the back-claw longer than the rest .

The bird here described was a Hen , as we learned by its Vitellary or bunch of Eggs , wherein more than forty Eggs were very conspicuous and easie to be discerned . The Cock differs little , save that under his Chin he hath a black spot . They frequent stony Rivers , and feed upon water-Insects .

The description of this Bird was communicated to us by Mr. Johnson of Brignal near Greta Bridge in Yorkshire .

CHAP. XVIII . * The Brasilian Jamacaii of Marggrave .

IT is a small Bird , of the bigness of a Lark . It s Body is three inches long , its Neck more than an inch , its Legs two inches : Its Tail almost four . It hath a small Head ; a Bill an inch long , streight , only a little bending downward , sharp-pointed , black , but below near its rise a little bluish . The Head is covered with black feathers , as is also the Neck below , but above with yellow : The whole Back , Breast , and lower Belly likewise with yellow . The Wings are black , having in their middle some white feathers , which make white spots , in each Wing one . At the rise of the Wings is a black spot crossing the back . The Tail is also black : The Legs and Feet dusky . It is an elegant bird .

For the length of the Tail and colours of the feathers not much different , we have subjoyned this to the Wagtails , although Marggrave makes no mention of the manner of its feeding , or the places it frequents : Or whether it moves its Tail or not .

CHAP. XIX . * The Brasilian Guira guacuberaba of Marggrave

IS a Bird of the bigness of a Goldfinch . The lower part of the Neck , the Back , and end of the Belly are of a yellow or gold colour . The upper part of the Head and Neck , the fore-half of the Back , the Wings , and Tail are of a pale green . In the ends of the Wings are some dusky feathers intermixed . Under the Throat up to the Eyes it hath a great black spot . It hath a streight , sharp , yellow Bill , a little black on the upper part . The Legs and Feet are of a dusky colour .

CHAP. XX. * The Brasilian Guira coereba of Marggrave

IS a Bird of the bigness of a Chaffinch . It hath a black Bill , three quarters of an inch long , sharp , and a little bending downward : Black Eyes : A Tongue slit into many filaments , on the top of the Head a cop or tuft of Sea-green feathers . The rest of the Head , the Throat , and all the lower Neck , the Breast , and whole Belly , with the hinder half of the Back are covered with blue , but pale feathers : And from the Breast through the beginnings of the Wings to the Back , where the blue colour begins , passes a broad blue line cross through the rise of the Wings . All the upper side of the Neck , with the fore-half of the Back is covered with fine Velvet feathers of a deep black . The Tail is an inch and half long , and black . The Wings are great , and yellow about the middle . But the yellow part is covered , and cannot be seen when the Wings are closed , and the Bird sits still , but when she flies the Wings appear elegantly straked with black and yellow : Within side the Wings are almost wholly yellow . The upper Legs or Thighs are feathered with black , and in a manner blue feathers : The lower are naked , and of a Vermilion colour , together with the Feet ; the Claws black . The Feet have four Toes disposed after the usual manner .

CHAP. XXI . * The Brasilian Japacani of Marggrave ,

IS a Bird of the bigness of the Bemtere or Schanepue : Hath a black , oblong , sharp-pointed Bill , bending a little downward : Golden Eyes , with a black Pupil . The Head is covered with black feathers . The Neck above , the Back and Wings with feathers of a colour mixt of black and Umber . The Tail above is black , underneath spotted with white . The Breast , all the lower Belly and Thighs have their Plumage mixt of white and yellow , interwoven with transverse black lines or strakes . The Legs are dusky . Four Toes in each placed after the usual manner , furnished with sharp , black Claws .

CHAP. XXII . Of Titmice : De Paris .

§. I. Of Titmice in general .

TItmice are a sort of small birds , that are found for the most part about trees , and live chiefly upon Insects which they find there . Turner writes , that they feed not only upon Worms , but also Hemp-seed and Nuts , which they perforate with their sharp Bills . Some of these build in holes of trees : Others make Nests of an Oval figure , with a hole left open in the side to go in and out at . They are restless birds , never sitting long still in a place , but flitting from bough to bough , and from tree to tree . They have short Bills , but bigger for the bulk of their bodies than the precedent small birds : Small bodies ; and long Tails . The most of them are canorous : But all of them multiparous , laying many Eggs ere they sit . Titmice are called by Aristotle , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The Germans , as well as we English , call them Mice , either because like Mice they creep into the holes of trees , or because ( as Gesner writes ) they will feed upon flaid Mice offered them : Which to us seems not likely . Of these we have observed in England five kinds , viz. 1. The great Titmouse , or Oxe-eye . 2. The Colemouse . 3. The Marsh-Titmouse or Black-cap . 4. The blue Titmouse or Nun. 5. The long-tail'd-Titmouse . The crested Titmouse and Wood Titmouse of Gesner , we have not yet found in England .

§. II. The great Titmouse or Ox-eye : Fringillago seu parus major : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Aristotle .

IT is well nigh as big as a Chaffinch : Of scarce an ounce weight : From tip of Bill to end of Tail half a foot long ; from tip to tip of the Wings expanded nine inches broad . It s Bill is streight , black , half an inch long , and of a moderate thickness . Both Mandibles of equal length . The Tongue broad , ending in four filaments . The Feet of a lead or blue colour . The outmost Toes below for some space joyned to the middlemost .

The Head and Chin are black . From the corner of the mouth on each side below the Eyes a broad white line or spot passing backward takes up the cheeks . This white is encompassed with black . In the hinder part of the Head is another white spot , terminated on one side with the black of the Head , on the other with the yellow of the Neck . [ In the Bird that I ( J. R. ) described I observed not this spot , and perchance in several birds the colours may vary somewhat . ] The Neck , Shoulders , and middle of the Back are of a yellowish green . The Rump is blue : The Breast , Belly , and Thighs are yellow : Yet the lower or hindmost part of the Belly white . A broad , black line reaching from the Throat to the Vent divides the Breast and Belly in twain . The quil-feathers of the Wings , in number eighteen , beside the outmost little one , are dusky , with white tips , or tips partly white , partly blue . The outer edges of those three next the body are green . Of the covert feathers of the first row , those that are about the middle of the Wing , with their white tips make a transverse white line . The smaller covert-feathers of the Wings are blue . The Tail is about two inches and an half long , compounded of twelve feathers : The exteriour Vanes of all which , except the outmost , are blue or ash-coloured , the interiour black . The outmost have their exteriour Vanes and their tips white . The Tail appears not forked , no not when it is closed .

§. III. * The Brasilian Guiraienoia , akin to the Fringillago .

THis small bird is of the bigness of a Chaffinch : Hath a Bill scarce half an inch long , and blackish ; black Eyes . The whole head , lower side of the Neck , Breast , and lower Belly , and utmost half of the Back are cloathed with blue feathers : The upper side of the Neck , and fore-half of the Back are covered with black . The Wings also are black , but in their beginning have some blue feathers interspersed : The rest of the feathers are black , yet have blue edges . The Tail is almost an inch and half long , and also black , and the Wings end a little beyond the beginning of the Tail . The Legs are dusky , and each foot hath four toes placed after the usual manner .

§. IV. The Cole-mouse : Parus ater Gesneri , pag. 616.

THe Head is by Gesner rightly described to be black , with a white spot in the hinder part . The Back is of a greenish ash-colour : The Rump greener : The Wings and Tail dusky . The exteriour edges of the prime Wing-feathers green . The interiour covert-feathers of the Wings have white tips . The Tail , when shut , appears something forked , from dusky inclining to green . The Bill is streight , round , black . The Legs , Feet , and Claws bluish , or of a lead-colour . This is the least of all this kind . By its smalness were other notes wanting , it is abundantly distinguished from the great Titmouse .

It weighs two drachms , being from Bill-point to Tail-end four inches three quarters long , and between the extremities of the Wings extended seven inches broad . The number of quil-feathers in each Wing is eighteen . The Tail is an inch and three quarters long , and composed of twelve feathers .

§. V. The Marsh Titmouse or Black-cap : Parus palustris Gesneri .

THe Head of this is black : The cheeks white ; the back greenish : The Feet of a Lead-colour . It differs from that next above described , 1. In that it is bigger . 2. That it hath a larger Tail . 3. That it wants the white spot on the back of the Head . 4. That it s under side is whiter . 5. That it hath less black under the Chin. 6. That it wants those white spots in the tips of the covert-feathers of the Wings .

It weighs more than three drachms . From the point of the Bill to the end of the Claws it is by measure four inches and an half long . The distance between the extreme tips of the Wings extended is eight inches . The number of Wing and Tail-feathers is the same as in other small birds . The Tail is more than two inches long , composed of feathers of equal length .

Gesner makes the Back of this bird dusky inclining to cinereous .

§. VI. The blue Titmouse or Nun : Parus caeruleus .

THe Bill of this Bird is pretty short , thick , sharp , and of a dusky blackish colour : The Tongue broad , ending in four filaments : The Legs of a lead-colour : The outmost Toes at bottom are fastned to the middle ones .

The Head being of an azure colour is encompassed with a circle of white as it were a Wreath or Coronet . To the white circle succeeds another particoloured , encompassing the Throat and hinder part of the Head , above being almost of the same colour with the Head , towards the Throat and under the Throat black . Below this circle on the Neck is a white spot . From the Bill a black line passes through the Eyes to the hinder part of the Head . The Cheeks are white : The Back is of a yellowish green . The sides , Breast , and Belly yellow ; save that a whitish line produced as far as the Vent divides the Breast in two . In the Cock-bird the Head is more blue , in the Hen and young ones less .

The tips of the quil-feathers next the body are white , as also the outer edges of the foremost from the middle part upward . The covert-feathers of the Wings are blue , the innermost of which with their white tips make a white line cross the Wing . The Tail is two inches long , of a blue colour , only the edges of the outmost feathers are a little white .

It s weight is three drachms : Its length from Bill-point to Tail-end four inches and an half , to the Claws four : Its breadth , the Wings extended , eight inches . The quil-feathers in each Wing eighteen , besides the outmost short one : The Tail-feathers twelve .

§. VII . The crested Titmouse ; Parus cristatus Aldrov .

THis hath a pretty short big Bill , of a blackish colour . It s Tongue is broad , and divided into four filaments . Its Feet of a lead-colour . The outer Toes for some space from their divarication joyned to the middle one . The crown of the Head black , the edges of the feathers being white . At the hinder part of the Head begins a black line , which like a Wreath or Collar encompasses the Neck . From the lower Mandible of the Bill to this Collar is a black line produced . To the Collar and Chin is another bed or border of white contiguous . But beyond the Ears is a spot of black . The middle of the Breast is white ; the sides something red . The Wings and Tail are dusky , only the exteriour edges of the feathers somewhat green . The Back from red inclining to green .

It weighs two drachms and an half : Is from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail five inches long : From tip to tip of the Wings extended eight inches and a quarter broad . The quil-feathers of the Wings are eighteen in number , the Tail-feathers twelve . The Tail two inches long . The Bill from the tip to the corners of the mouth half an inch .

§. VIII . The long-tail'd Titmouse . Parus caudatus .

THe crown of this Bird is white : The Neck black . From the Bill above the Eyes on each side to the hinder-part of the Head is a broad black line produced . The Jaws and Throat are white . The Breast white , varied with small dusky spots . The Belly and sides of a dilute Chesnut colour : Of which , but mixt with black , both the Back and also the Rump partake .

The quil-feathers of the Wings are of an obscure dusky colour , the outer edges of the interiour of these are white . The singular structure or conformation of the feathers of the Tail difference this Bird from all other small birds of what kind soever . For the outmost feathers are the shortest , the rest in order longer to the middlemost , which are the longest , and that by a notable difference or excess , as in the Magpie . Of the outmost feather on each side the top and outer half from the shaft is white : The next hath less white ; of the third , only the outer part of the tip is white . All the rest are wholly black . [ In respect of these colours there may possibly be some variety in several birds . ]

The Bill is short , strong , black : The Tongue broad , cloven , and divided into silaments : The Eyes bigger than in other small birds ; their Irides hazel-coloured : The edges of the eye-lids yellow : The Nosthrils covered with small feathers . The Feet black , as are also the Claws , but deeper . The Claw of the back-toe biggest of all , as is usual in most birds both great and small . With us it frequents gardens rather than mountainous places . It builds like the Wren , or more artificially , making an arch over the Nest of the same matter and contexture with the rest of the Nest ; so that the Nest resembles an Egg erected upon one end , a small hole being left in the side , whereat the bird goes in and out . By this means both Eggs and Young are secured from all injuries of the Air , Wind , Rain , Cold , &c. And that they may lie soft she lines the Nest within with store of feathers and down . Without she builds the sides and roof of it of Moss and Wool curiously interwoven .

Aldrovand in the seventeenth Book , and sixteenth Chapter of his Ornithology doth accurately describe the Nest of this bird , such as we have more than once seen , in these words . It was of an oblong figure like a Pine-apple , of two Palms length , and one broad , round , built of sundry materials , viz. both tree and earth-moss , Caterpillars Webs , and other like woolly matter , and Hens feathers , with that order and art , that the chief and middle strength of the work , or texture of the Walls was of that yellowish green Moss , the common hairy Moss , that silk-like matter , and tough threads resembling those filaments suspended in the Air , and flying up and down like Spiders Webs , which are accounted signs of fair weather , connected and interwoven , or rather entangled so firmly together , that they can hardly be plucked asunder . Of the interiour capacity all the sides , it seemed , as well as the bottom , were covered and lined with feathers , for the more soft and warm lying of the Young . The outmost superficies round about was fenced and strengthened with fragments of that leavy Moss , which every where grows on trees , firmly bound together . In the forepart respecting the Sun-rise , and that above ( where an arched roof of the same uniform matter and texture with the sides and bottom covered the Nest ) was seen a little hole , scarce big enough one would think to admit the old one . We found in it nine Young , &c.

§. IX . The Wood Titmouse of Gesner . Parus Sylvaticus , Aldrov . t. 2. p. 724.

THis Titmouse is also very little , remarkable for a red spot through the midst of its Crown ; the parts on each side being black ; the Legs dusky ; the Wings black , and also the end of the Tail : The rest of the body green ; the Belly paler . Our people from the Woods , in which it lives , especially about Fir-trees and Junipers , call it , Waldmeiszle and Thannenmeiszle , others from its note Zilzilperle , for it sings Zul , zil , zalp .

Mr. Willughby was apt to think that the bird described by Gesner is no other than the Regulus cristatus .

CHAP. XXIII .

§. I. * The Brasilian Tangara of Marggrave .

IT is an elegant bird , of the bigness of a Chaffinch . It hath a streight , pretty thick , black Bill : Black Eyes : Legs and Feet from cinereous inclining to dusky . On the forehead above the rise of the Bill it hath a spot of black feathers . The whole Head and Neck are covered with feathers of a shining Sea-green . A circle or border of black feathers encompasles the beginning of the back like a Collar . But * * The word is sub , which is rather to be rendred under the Wings below the Wings to the rise of the Tail the Back is covered with yellow feathers . The whole lower Belly is of a rare blue . The Wings are black , and their lateral extremities blue , so that when closed they appear wholly blue , and their whole ends , outsides , or borders [ tota extremitas ] seem black . The beginning of the Wings also * * On the outside . externally shines with Sea-green feathers ; and in the ridge or upper lateral extremity of each Wing are yellow feathers intermixt . It hath a Tail about an inch and half long , of black feathers , but whose lateral extremities or borders are blue : The end of the Tail is black . It is kept shut up in Cages , and cries , Zip , zip , like the Rubrica , called by the Germans Gympel . It is fed with meal and bread .

This description is conceived in such obscure words , that I do not well understand the meaning of the Author ; and therefore the learned Reader would do well to consult the Latine .

§. II. The second kind of Tangara .

IT is of the shape and bigness of our common Sparrow : Hath a Bill from * * Of a dusky yellow . yellow inclining to dusky , somewhat broad , sharp-pointed , the nether Chap much shorter than the upper : Black Eyes : The whole Head is covered with feathers of a rare † † The word is minium , which signifies red lead . scarlet colour : All the rest of the body , with the Wings and Tail , of a shining black . The Thighs are covered with white feathers , and in their exteriour sides have an oblong scarlet spot , as if they were stained with bloud . The Legs and Feet are ash-coloured ; and have four Toes disposed after the usual manner . The Tail is short , of an inch length , and the Wings end near its rise ; i. e. when withdrawn or closed reach no further than the rise of the Tail .

BOOK II. PART II. SECT. II. MEMB. II. Small Birds with thick short strong Bills , commonly called Hard-bill'd Birds .

CHAP. I. Of the Gros-beak or Haw-finch , called by Gesner , Coccothraustes .

§. 1. The common Gros-beak : Coccothraustes vulgaris .

THis Bird for the bigness of its body , but especially of its Bill , in which it exceeds all others of this kind , doth justly challenge the first and chief place among thick-billed birds . The French from the bigness of its Bill do fitly call it Grosbec ; the Italians , Frisone or Frosone . Hesychius and Varinus of the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 write only , that it is the name of a bird , but what manner of bird they do not explain . Gesner observing that name exactly to fit this bird , imposed it upon it .

It is bigger than a Chaffinch by about one third part ; short-bodied : Its Head bigger than for the proportion of the body . It s Bill very great , hard , from a broad base ending in a sharp point , of the figure of a Cone or Funnel , half an inch long , having a large cavity within , of a whitish flesh-colour , almost like that of the interiour surface of the mother of Pearl shell , only the tip blackish . The Eyes are grey or ash-coloured , as in Jackdaws . The Tongue seems as it were cut off , as in the Chaffinch . The Feet are of a pale red : The Claws great , especially those of the middle and back-toes . The middle Toe is the longest ; the outer fore-toe and the back-toe are equal one to the other .

At the base of the Bill grow Orange-coloured feathers , between the Bill and the Eyes black . The lower Chap in the Males is compassed with a border of black feathers . The head is of a yellowish red , or rusty colour : The Neck cinereous . The Back red , the middle parts of the feathers being whitish . The Rump from yellow inclines to cinereous . The sides and Breast , but especially the sides , are of a mixt colour of red and cinereous . Under the Tail , and in the middle of the Belly the Plumage is whiter . [ In another bird the Back was of a grey or ash-colour , tinctured with red : The Head and Throat greenish : The sides and Breast painted with transverse black lines . ]

The quil-feathers in each Wing are eighteen in number , of which the nine or ten foremost for half way from the shaft inward are white . The white part from the first inward being dilated . Of the subsequent one half is white , but not so far as the shaft : The three inmost or next the body are red . The tips of all from the second to the tenth shine with a changeable colour of purplish and blue , like the Necks of Pigeons . From the tenth the exteriour borders of the sixth or seventh succeeding are grey , else they are all dusky . The Tail is but short , of about two inches length , composed of twelve feathers , spotted at the top on their interiour Vanes with white , on their exteriour in the middle feathers with red , in the outer with black . [ In another bird the middle feathers of the Tail were greenish ]

About Frankefort on the Main , and elsewhere in Germany , and in Italy , it is common . In Summer time it lives in the Woods and Mountains ; in the Winter it comes down into the Plains . It seldom comes over to us in England , viz. only in hard Winters . It breaks the stones of Cherries , and even of Olives with expedition , the Kernels whereof it is very greedy of . The Stomach of one we dissected in the Month of December was full of the stones of Holly-berries . It feeds also upon Hemp-seed , Panic , &c. and moreover upon the buds of trees , like the Bulfinch .

It is said to build in the holes of trees , and to lay five or six Eggs. It weighs an ounce and three quarters : Is in length from Bill to Claws seven inches and an half ; in breadth between the tips of the Wings extended twelve and an half .

§. II. The Virginian Nightingale : Coccothraustes Indica cristata .

IT is as big as a Blackbird , or something less . A black border compasses the Eyes and Bill ; which is like to that of the common Hawfinch , or a little shorter . The Head is adorned with a towring crest , which it often moves as well toward the Bill , as toward the Tail . The colour of the whole is a lovely Scarlet , in the Head and Tail more dilute . It is brought into England out of Virginia ; whence , and from its rare singing , it is called , The Virginian Nightingale .

Of this Bird Aldrovandus writes thus : In its native Soil , viz. in the Islands of Capo Verde , it is commonly called Fruso , a name very like to our Italian Frisone , [ i. e. Coccothrausti vulgari ] to which also it is very like in the Bill . Moreover , a black line or border encompasses its Bill ; and it is ( as Hieronymus Mercurialis witnesses ) of the bigness of a Thrush . Wherefore also we thought fit to call it Coccothraustes Indica . It greedily devours Almonds , in which also it agrees with the Grosbeak , which with its Bill cracks such kind of fruits , and other Grains or stones ; whence it is called Nucisraga or Nut-cracker . And that this Bird doth the like it is very probable , seeing it is likewise armed with a very thick and strong Bill . Mercurialis affirms , that by the Portugues it is commonly called , The Cardinal bird , because it is of a scarlet [ purpurei ] colour , and seems to wear on its Head a red hat . Of the nature and qualities of this Bird Fr. Malochius , Praefect of the Physic-garden at Pisa , gave me this account . It imitates the notes of birds , especially the Nightingale : it is greedy of Panic and Almonds , devours Chickweed ; seeing its Image in a glass it hath many strange gesticulations , making a hissing noise , lowring its crest , setting up its Tail after the manner of the Peacock , shaking its Wings , in fine striking at the Looking-glass with its Bill . The temper of its body is very hot , which thence appears that it often immerses it self in water . It is of a very gentle nature , and will take meat out of ones hand . It s shape is as followeth . It hath a tuft on its Head of a triangular figure , and scarlet colour , with which colour also the Neck , Breast , and Belly are adorned . The ends of the Wings are not of so deep a scarlet , as neither the Tail , which for the proportion of the body is pretty long , of about a Palm , something erected , as broad as ones little singer . The Legs are short and whitish : The Claws strong , and something crooked . The whole bird measured from Head to Tail is full two Palms long .

CHAP. II. The Green-finch : Chloris , Aldrov . Ornithol . lib. 18. cap. 18.

IT is bigger than a House-Sparrow ; of an ounce and ⅛ weight ; of six inches and an half length , measuring from Bill-point to the Feet or Tails end : of ten inches and an half breadth between the extreme terms of the Wings expanded . It is called by some the Green Linnet .

It s Bill is like that of the Grosbeak , but much less , of half an inch length , sharp-pointed , and not crooked : The upper Mandible dusky , the nether all whitish . The Tongue is sharp , and as it were cut off , ending in filaments : The Eyes furnished with nictating membranes : The Nosthrils round , situate in the upper part of the Bill next the Head : The Feet of a flesh-colour ; the Claws dusky . The outer Toe at bottom sticks fast to the middle one .

The Head and Back are green , the edges of the feathers being grey . The middle of the Back hath something of a Chesnut colour intermingled . The Rump is of a deeper green or yellow : The Belly white : The Breast of a yellowish green : The Throat of the same colour with the Neck : The feathers contiguous to the Bill are of a deep yellowish green .

The borders of the outmost quil-feathers of the Wings are yellow , of the middlemost green , of the inmost grey . The inner feathers of the second row are grey , the outer green . All the rest of the covert-feathers of the Wings are green . The feathers along the base or ( if you please ) ridge of the Wing are of a lovely yellow . The coverts also of the undersides of the Wings are yellow . The Tail is two inches and a quarter long , made up of twelve feathers ; of which the two middlemost are all over black , those next have their outer edges yellow : The remaining four on each side from the middle outwardly are black , but all their inner Webs from top to bottom yellow .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes , and hath a Gall-bladder annexed . The bird we dissected had a large Craw , a musculous stomach , filled with seeds of Plants .

It builds in hedges : The outmost part of its Nest is made of hay , grass , or stubble ; the middle of Moss ; the inmost , on which the Eggs lie , of feathers , wool , and hair . In this Nest it lays five or six Eggs , near an inch long , of a pale green colour , sprinkled with sanguine spots , especially at the blunt end .

The colours of the Hen are more languid , not so bright and lively : And on the Breast and Back it hath oblong dusky spots .

The Chloris of Aldrovandus , according to his description , seems to be less green than ours . It feeds upon the seed of Rape , Thistles , Docks , and most willingly Canary-grass , as do other birds of this kind .

The Anthus or Florus of Bellonius , called in French , Bruant , is of kin to this . He The Anthus of Bellonius : Le Bruant . describes it thus : Le Bruant in French hath its name from its voice : For when it sings it expresses the word Bruire . As it flies it makes a noise . Aristotle calls it 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which word the Latines render Florus . The modern Greeks , I know not from what ancient name , call it also Florus . It is a little bigger than a Chaffinch : The Cocks are for the most part yellow : Yet some part of the Wings and Tail inclines to cinereous , but their greater feathers are of a more elegant yellow . The extremities of the Tail-feathers are also altogether yellow ; but within of another colour . The Bill is great and sharp , of a pale colour : The Legs and Feet are something red . They are kept in Cages for the sweetness of their singing . They feed for the most part upon Hemp-seed , and keep much about tall trees , far remote from Meadows . It hatches at least five young ones .

CHAP. III.

§. I. The Bulfinch , Alp or Nope . Rubicilla seu Pyrrhula .

THis Bird hath a black , short , strong Bill , in figure and structure like that of the Grosbeak , but less . [ In the elder birds it is something crooked . ] The Tongue is as it were cut off : Its Eyes are hazel-coloured : Its Claws black : Its Legs dusky . The lower joynt of the outmost Toe sticks fast to the middle Toe .

The Head for the proportion of the body is great . In the Male a lovely scarlet or crimson colour illustrates the Breast , Throat , and Jaws , as far as the Eyes . The feathers on the crown of the Head above the Eyes , and those that compass the Bill , are black : The Rump and Belly white : The Neck and Back grey , with a certain tincture of red . [ The Neck , Back , and Shoulders seemed to me blue or ash-coloured . ] The quil-feathers of the Wings are in number eighteen ; the last or inmost of which on the outer half from the shaft is red , on the inner black and glossie . Of the rest the interiour [ i. e. those next the body ] are black , with a gloss of blue ; the exteriour dusky or black . Of the first or outmost five the exteriour edges in the upper half of the feathers are somewhat white . The tips of the lower covert-feathers are cinereous , in the interiour more , in the exteriour less . The next to these are of the same colour with the Back . The Tail is two inches long , black , and shining , made up of twelve feathers .

The Cock is of equal bigness to the Hen , but hath a flatter crown , and excels her in the beauty of his colours .

They feed most willingly upon those buds of trees which break forth before , indeed are pregnant with , the leaves and flowers , especially those of the Apple-tree , Pear-tree , Peach-tree , and other Garden-trees ; and by that means bring no small detriment to the Gardeners , who therefore hate and destroy them as a great Pest of their Gardens , intercepting their hopes of Fruit.

Turner writes , that they are very docile birds , and will nearly imitate the sound of a Pipe [ or the Whistle of a man ] with their voice . They are much esteemed for their singing with us in England , and deservedly in my judgment . For therein they excel all small birds , if perchance you except the Linnet . I hear ( saith Aldrovandus ) that the Hen in this kind sings as well as the Cock , contrary to what is usual in most other sorts of birds .

§. II. * The American Bulfinch or Guiratirica of Marggrave .

IT is of the bigness of a Lark : Hath a thick , streight Bill , dusky above , underneath white , and a little incarnate . Its Legs are cinereous , with four toes standing after the usual manner . The whole Head , with the Throat , and the lower and middle part of the Neck are of a rare sanguine colour . The Eyes blue : The Ear-holes large . The sides of the Neck , the whole Breast and lower Belly are covered with white feathers . The upper side of the Neck hath black ones , with which a few white are mixt . The Back is grey ( with a few black feathers interspersed ) as are also the beginnings of the Wings : The rest of the Wings is black , as is the Tail , which is about three inches long . The lateral borders of the Wings are white .

CHAP. IV. The Shell-apple or Cross-bill , called by the Germans Krutzvogel . Loxia , Gesn . Aldrov . An Tragon Plinii ?

IN shape of body it is not much unlike the Green-finch : It weighs an ounce and half , and from tip of Bill to Tail end is six inches three quarters long .

It s Bill is thick , hard , strong , black , and contrary to the manner of all other birds , crooked both ways , the Mandibles near their tips crossing one another : For the lower , being drawn out into a sharp point , turns upward , the upper bends downward . Neither do they always observe the same side ; for in some birds the upper Chap hangs down on the right side , the nether rises up on the left ; in others contrariwise , the lower takes the right side , the upper the left . The lower Chap is like the Chafinches , neither is the Tongue different . The Nosthrils are round : The Ears great and wide : The Irides of the Eyes from grey tend to a hazel-colour : The Feet dusky , the Claws black . The lowest joynt of the outmost toe sticks to that of the middlemost .

The middle parts of the Back and Head feathers are black , the edges green . In the Head there is something of cinereous mixt with the other colours . The Rump is green : The Chin ash-coloured : The Breast green : The Belly white , only under the Tail the middle parts of the feathers are black or dusky .

Each Wing hath eighteen quil-feathers , all blackish , only the outer edges of the foremost are green . The Tail consists of twelve feathers , two inches and a quarter long , and black , with green edges . The Guts have many spiral convolutions . The blind guts are very short .

This bird was described in the Autumn : He that sold it told us that it changed colours thrice in a year , being green in the Autumn , yellow in the Winter , and red in the Spring . Gesner also saith , that they are first of all red on the Breast , Neck , and Belly ; that then they grow yellow : And that they change colour especially in Winter . Some affirm , that it changes colour every year , so that it sometimes declines more to yellow , sometimes to green , red , or ash-colour . That it changes its colour with age , or according to the different seasons of the year , we cannot but think probable , being so well attested . Perchance also in the same age and season of the year the colour in divers birds may be different . For we saw and bought at Nurenberg in Germany two of this sort of birds brought up together in one Cage , of which one was green , the other red , when the Summer was almost spent , and Autumn coming on . But however the colours may differ , this bird is sufficiently characterized by the make of it Bill . Kept in Cages they climb up and down the sides with the Bills and Feet , after the manner of Parrots .

It is a most voracious bird ; much delighted and feeding very fat with Hemp-seed . It also loves Fir-kernels , and in the Months of January and February builds its Nest in those , or the like trees . They say , that with one stroak of its bill , it will in a trice divide an Apple in halves , that it may feed upon the Kernels , by that means doing a great deal of mischief in Orchards .

In some parts of Germany , Bavaria , Suevia , Noricum , they are found in great numbers all the year round . Sometimes they come over to us , and in the Western part of England , especially Worcestershire , make bad work , spoiling a great deal of fruit in our Orchards .

One thing also more ( saith Aldrovandus ) seemeth to me strange and unusual in the Cross-bill ; that in the Winter-time , when all things shrink with cold , and other birds are mute , she sings ; and in Summer , when other birds sing , she is silent . Which whether it be true or no let those observe among whom such birds are common . It sings , they say , very sweetly .

CHAP. V. Of Sparrows .

THese Birds feed upon grains of Corn , Crums of bread , worms , and divers Seeds . Their Bills are short , thick , and something crooked : Their colour testaceous or earthy . They are very salacious , and therefore held to be short-lived .

§. I. The House-Sparrow . Passer domesticus , Aldrov .

THe weight of this well known , and every where obvious bird is 1⅛ ounce : Its length from the beginning of the Bill to the end of the Tail six inches and an half .

The Bill is thick , in the Cock black , at the corners of the Mouth between the Eyes yellowish , in the Hen dusky , scarce half an inch long : The Eyes hazel-coloured : The Legs and Feet of a dusky flesh-colour : The Claws black . The lower joynt of the outmost Toe , as in other small birds , grows to that of the middle Toe .

The Head is of a dusky blue , or ash-colour ; the Chin black . Above the Eyes are two small white spots . From the Eyes a broad line of a spadiceous colour . The feathers growing about the Ears are ash-coloured . The Throat [ below the black spot ] of a white ash-colour . Under the Ears on each side is a great white spot . The lower Breast and Belly are white . The feathers dividing between the Back and Neck , on the outside the shaft are red , on the inside black , but toward their bottoms something of white terminates the red . The rest of the Back and Rump are of the same colour with Thrushes . made up as it were of a mixture of green , dusky , and ash-colour .

The Hen-bird wants that black spot under the Throat , as also the white spots on the Neck , and above the Eyes : Its Head and Neck being also of the same colour with the Rump : The nether side of the body of a sordid white . Instead of a white line cross the Wings it hath black feathers with pale reddish tips . In general the colours all the body over are not so fair and lively .

Each Wing hath eighteen quil-feathers , dusky , with reddish edges . From the bastard Wing a broad white line is extended to the next joynt . Above this line the covert-feathers of the Wings are of a * * A colour near to chesnut , but redder . spadiceous colour ; beneath they have their middle parts black , their exteriour edges red . The Tail hath twelve feathers , and is two inches and a quarter long , the middlemost feathers being something shorter than the rest : All of a dusky blackish colour , with reddish edges .

Its Testicles are great , as being a very salacious bird . Its Guts nine inches long : The blind Guts very short . It s Stomach musculous , it feeding upon Wheat , Barley , and other Grain . The Womb of the Female is great . It hath a Gall-bladder .

Whether or no it be so short-lived as is reported , I think there is some reason to doubt .

This kind of bird doth sometimes vary in colour : Aldrovandus setting forth a white and a yellow Sparrow : The figures and descriptions whereof may be seen in the fifteenth Book of his Ornithology , Chap. 11 , 12.

§. II. * The foolish Bononian Sparrow of Aldrovand .

IT is in bigness equal to the common Sparrow . The colour of its whole body is yellowish , spotted every where with oblong rusty , or rather red spots , which on the Back are longer and bigger than elsewhere , all over tending downwards . The Bill is red , thick , and short : The Eyes great , their Pupils encompassed with a yellow circle , The Tail and Wings incline to black ; but the ends of the lesser feathers in the Wings are white .

§. III. * A small bird akin to the Sparrow : Aldrov . Book 15. Chap. 17.

THis small bird , although it have not a black Chin , nor any footstep of it , ( as we have observed in some Hen-Sparrows ) yet by the whole fashion and make of its body it discovers and warrants it self to be of the Sparrow-kind . It s Bill is whitish , as in the House-Sparrow . It is painted all over the body with oblong reddish spots tending downward : But those on the underside of the Neck , and on the Breast are more manifest , because those parts are white , whereas the upper , viz. the Back , the upper side of the Neck , and the crown of the Head are red ; as are also the whole Tail and the Wings : but most of the feathers of these have white ends : The Belly also and the Thighs are white : The Legs and Feet yellowish : The Claws long and black .

§. IV. * The spotted , or three-coloured Sparrow of Aldrovand . Book 15. Chap. 13.

HE calls it three-coloured , for that whereas it consists only of three colours , viz. white , black , and yellowish , no one of them can be said to excell another . The whole Head and Neck are white , varied with yellowish spots . The Wings are adorned with the three forenamed colours , but the white and black are in them predominant . The Bill , as in Sparrows , thick , sharp pointed , the upper Chap yellowish , the nether altogether yellow . The Iris of the Eye is white ; the Pupil black . The Chin , Breast and Belly , Thighs , Legs , Feet , and Tail underneath are of a yellowish white ; else the Tail is almost yellow .

§. V. * The white-tail'd Sparrow of Aldrovand . Book 15. Chap. 14.

THe Tail of this , although it be not altogether white , yet is of a pale , whitish ash-colour , whereas otherwise for colour it is almost like the House-Sparrow , but hath not that black spot under the Chin. The Bill , as in that , is white : The Eyes black : The Head , and all the lower parts from white incline to yellow . Large spots of almost a ferrugineous colour , beautified with very small milk-white lines , are dispersed all over the Back . All the feathers of the Wings are of a chesnut-colour , round about yellow . The Legs and Feet are dusky .

§. VI. * The Dalmatic Sparrow of Aldrovand . Lib. 15. Cap. 21.

THis bird Aldrovand saw only the Picture of at Tartaglinus's a Citizen of Venice . It is ( saith he ) bigger than our common Sparrow , but for colour almost like it . * * The word Pronè , which as Aldrovand usually accepts it signifies above . Underneath also it is absolutely white , but above of a pale red , no other colour interceding . The Eyes and Bill for the proportion of the body are great ; and this last whitish . The Tail is forked ; the Feet yellowish , adorned with transverse lines almost of a flesh-colour . The Claws black , pretty long and sharp .

§. VII . * The Ring-Sparrow of Bellonius , and the small Sparrow living about Walnut-trees of the same Author .

THe first of these differs from the common Sparrow , as well in that it is of a diverse colour , as because the spot , which in that is black , in this is yellow . He calls it * * Ringed . Torquatus , because a white ring or wreath encompasses the Eyes under the Eye-brows . Moreover , it is more cinereous than the common Sparrow , hath a greater voice , and exceeds it in the bigness of the Body and Bill . It abides in Woods , building in the hollows of trees .

The other , called Friguet by the French , is least of all , having a very short , thick , black Bill ; its Feet , Legs , Head , and Wings , like those of the Wall-Sparrow . It builds in Trees .

§. VIII . * The tailed purple and black Indian Sparrow of Aldrov . Book 15. Chap. 28.

IT hath a Tail five inches long , made up of ten very black feathers . The quil-feathers of the Wings are also cole-black . The Head , Neck , and Rump are of a deep purple colour , yet the roots or bottoms of the feathers yellow . The Bill is pretty thick , somewhat hooked and sharp , something resembling that of the Butcher-bird , black above , beneath where it grows to the Head white . The colour of the Legs I know not , for they were wanting in the case communicated to me , but it is likely that it hath black ones .

§. IX . * The Tijepiranga of Brasil or American Sparrow , Marggrave .

IT is a little bigger than a Lark , and sings like our common Sparrow . It s whole Body , Neck , and Head are of a delicate red or sanguine colour : But the Wings and Tail of a shining black , saving that in the beginning of the Wings there is something of red mixt therewith . The Legs are black , below the Knees bare of feathers , above covered with black feathers . The Bill like a Sparrows , the upper Chap black , the nether black also toward the point , but white toward the Head . The feathers on the Head black , which she is sometimes wont to ruffle up after the manner of Sparrows . All the feathers of the whole body are black within , red without , yet so complicated , that outwardly they appear wholly red . The Tail is almost three inches long . Each foot hath four Toes , and so disposed as in most other birds .

There is found another sort of this bird , of the bigness of a Sparrow , whose whole body is covered with bluish ash-coloured feathers : But the Wings approach something to a Sea-green . In the Belly and lower part of the Neck or Throat it is white , or rather of a shining silver colour . The Legs are ash-coloured , as is also the Bill , which is like a Chaffinches . Each foot divided into four Toes , and those situate as is usual in birds .

§. X. * The long-tail'd Indian Sparrow with a scarlet Bill of Aldrovand .

IT is of equal bigness to our House-Sparrows , if you except the longer feathers of the Tail . It hath a short thick Bill of a scarlet colour . It s Head is flat , elevated near the Neck , blackish , with a mixture of a greenish colour inclining to blue ; which also is seen running downward through the Back and upper part of the Wings . The Wings are of three colours chiefly ; first , that now mentioned ; secondly , a white , as appears in the figure ; thirdly , a black : To which succeeds fourthly , a yellowish colour , next which are the quil-feathers again black , but cinereous within . The Throat , lower side of the Neck , the Breast and Belly are white . The Tail is double , as in the Peacock , and also of two colours : The lesser which sustains the greater , being as it were its prop , is white ; the greater , consisting of four very narrow feathers of nine inches long , is of a deep black . The Legs and Feet are spotted of black and white ; the Talons black , and as in birds of prey very sharp and hooked .

§. XI . * Another Indian long-tail'd Sparrow of Aldrovand , Book 15. Chap. 23.

THis is an exceeding beautiful bird , even fairer than the former : Of the same bigness . It s Bill is blue : Its Head also , as in that , flat ; but more elevated in the Neck ; all black ; its Eyes also black , encompassed with a white circle , and having a yellow Iris : Its Neck and Breast are of a scarlet colour ; its Belly and Thighs white : Its Wings , Back , and Tail black : But a certain paleness is mingled with the quil-feathers of the Wings . The longer feathers of the Tail , ( which are two exceeding long ones , viz. five Palms , and very broad ; and a third first also broad , but ending in very slender filaments ) are supported by other smaller ones . The Legs and Feet are white : The Claws black , and , as in the precedent , notably sharp and hooked .

§. XII . * A short-tail'd Indian Sparrow of Aldrovand , Book 15. Chap. 24.

THis Bird is lesser than the two former , all over black : Which colour yet hath I know not what kind of blue and violet gloss ; as is usually seen to happen in deep blacks . The Bill and Feet are of a flesh-colour ; the Claws black . The Eyes also black , but encompassed with a white circle .

§. XIII . * The short-tail'd Italian Sparrow of Aldrovand .

THe Bird ( saith he ) which you see here delineated , having a very short Tail , called Passerino , that is a little Sparrow , is sometimes taken in the Country about Bologna . It s whole body is of one colour , viz. yellowish : Yet its Breast and Belly are whiter than the other parts . It s Bill is of a deeper yellow .

§. XIV . * The rumpless black and red Indian Sparrow of Aldrovand .

THe whole body , both above and underneath , as also the beginnings of the Wings are of a most lovely shining scarlet colour : The rest of the Wings is black : But yet , if their feathers are spread out , something of white appears in their sides . The Feet also are black : Moreover , it hath along the Back two oblong , black spots , almost contiguous . The Bill for the proportion of the body small , ( for it is a thick-bodied bird for its bigness ) and less also than in the common Sparrow , white where it is joyned to the head , else black , sharp , and slender . It altogether wants a Rump .

§. XV. * The rumpless blue , red , and black Indian Sparrow of Aldrovand .

THis Bird is longer than the former , but less corpulent , and of three colours , especially , viz. red , blue , and black . The Head , Neck , and Breast , and all the lower parts are of a deep red colour . On the sides of the Neck are two large contiguous spots of a semilunar figure and scarlet colour . The Wings are very long , black and blue about the sides . The Legs short and black . The Bill a little crooked , black , but white near the forehead .

All these Indian Sparrows are to us unknown : Aldrovandus also himself saw only the pictures of them , not the birds themselves . But Pictures of them ( as Pliny rightly saith ) fallacious , these descriptions cannot be thought to come near the exactness of such as are taken from the birds themselves .

§. XVI . The Mountain Sparrow , frequent in Stiria and Carinthia .

FRom the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws it was by measure six inches long . It s Tongue was something cloven : The Irides of its Eyes between grey and hazel-coloured . It s Chin was black : It had also on both sides a black spot about the Ears . A border of white compasses the Neck almost half way , and the spots about the ears . The Head of a dusky red . The outer Webs of the feathers on the middle of the Back are red , the inner black . The Rump is of a yellowish ash-colour . The Breast and Belly of a sordid white . Of the second and third row of Wing-feathers all but the eighth or tenth outmost have white tips . The small feathers on the base or ridge of the Wing are red , as are also the outmost edges of the rest . The number of quil-feathers is eighteen . The Tail is two inches and a quarter long , made up of twelve feathers , of almost equal length . The Bill is black , more than half an inch long ; at the corners of the Mouth and lower Chap yellow . It had a large Craw , full of seeds : The muscles of the Gizzard were not very thick . The Testicles great and white .

The description of the Mountain Sparrow in Aldrovand agrees indifferently well with ours , save that he attributes to it two black spots beside the Eyes ; one of which is wanting in our bird ; at least Mr. Willughby mentions only one .

We saw abundance of these birds in the mountainous Countries of Stiria and Carinthia , as we travelled from Vienna to Venice .

§. XVII . * The Wood-Sparrow of Aldrovand , Book 15. Chap. 16.

IN bigness it exactly corresponds with the common Sparrows . It s Bill from yellow inclines to white ; and is ( as I may so say ) exactly Sparrow-like . The crown of its head , as in the precedent Mountain Sparrow , is of a rusty colour , inclining to Vermilion . The circumference of the Eyes white , the Iris yellowish , the Pupil black . From Chin to Tail it is of an ash-colour , but the * * I suppose he means the ends or tips . extremities of the feathers incline to red . The Chin and underside of the Neck are crossed with continuous , transverse , blackish lines ; whereas in all other Cock-Sparrows we suspect , nay , we positively affirm , that they are wholly black . The Back , Tail , and Feet are of a dusky ferrugineous , save that the tips or ends of the feathers are altogether yellow . The Wings are of the same colour , but the first feathers , which cover their * * Costae . ridges end in a notable white .

§. XVIII . * The Brasilian Sparrow , called Guiranheemgatu by Marggrave .

IT is of the bigness of a Sparrow . The Head above is of a pale yellow , as is the Throat : The Neck , Breast , and lower Belly of a deeper yellow . The Wings are mixt of green and yellow , and distinguished with dusky , as is also the Tail . The Eyes and Bill black : The Legs dusky . The Cock of this kind sings rarely well , like a Finch . The Hen is of the same bigness , covered with Sparrow-like feathers , sings not , but cries Tschrip , tschrip like a Sparrow .

CHAP. VI.

§. I. The Chaffinch : Fringilla , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aristotelis .

IT is something less than a House-Sparrow , weighing not a full ounce . It s Bill is sharp , strong , white underneath , above and toward the tip dusky : The lower Chap * * Understand it in length . equal to the upper : The Tongue cloven and rough : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured : The Ears great .

The Head in the Cock is blue , but the feathers contiguous to the Nosthrils black . The Back is reddish with a mixture of ash-colour or green : The Breast red ; the Belly under the Tail white .

The colours of the Hen are not so bright and lively . But its Rump is green : It s Back not so red : The Belly from red inclines to a dirty kind of green . The Breast also is of a duller colour .

The Quil-feathers in each Wing , in number eighteen , all but the three first , or outmost have their bottoms and interiour Webs white ; their exteriour edges yellowish , or rather green . In the Cock the small feathers investing the ridge or basis of the Wing are blue . Above in each Wing is a remarkable white spot : Then after an interstice of black succeeds a long white fillet , beginning from the fourth quill , and after the tenth continued through the tops of the covert-feathers . That part of this white fillet which passes through the tips of the coverts is tinctured with yellow .

The Tail is two inches and an half long , and made up of twelve feathers , of which the outmost on each side have their bottoms , and also their tops on the outside the shaft black , their middle part white . The next to these have less white , viz. only near the top , and on the outside the shaft : The three subsequent on both sides are black : the two middlemost cinereous with greenish edges .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes , the right being the biggest . The Stomach not very fleshy . The outmost Toe in each foot , as in other small birds , grows to the middlemost at bottom .

This bird sometimes varies in the colour of its feathers . For Gesner affirms , that himself had seen a Chaffinch all over white : And Aldrovandus describes two others , one whose whole body from white declined to yellow : Another that was partly yellowish , and partly blackish .

They are ( saith Aldrovandus ) birds of passage : They love moderate cold , but are offended by immoderate . But with us in England they fear no cold , abiding here all Winter , be the weather never so sharp : Neither is there any Bird more frequent in all parts of this Land , excepting perchance the Lark , the Sparrow , and the Yellow-hammer .

§. II. The Bramble or Brambling : Fringilla montana seu Montifringilla , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Arist.

IN weight and bigness it agrees with the precedent . It s Bill is thick , strong , streigt , from a broad base diminishing into a sharp point , almost like a Cone or Funnel ; in some birds wholly black , in others black at point , and yellow at bottom . It s Tongue like the Chaffinches ; the upper Chap of equal length with the lower , its sides strong and thin'd into sharp edges . [ The Bill of the Female hath no part yellow . ] Its Feet of a pale dusky colour : The outer Toe joyned to the middle below , as in other small birds . From the head to the middle of the Back the colour in the Cock is like that of a Starling , a shining black , the edges of the feathers being of a reddish ash-colour . The lower part of the Back is white . The Throat is of a yellowish red ; the Breast white ; the feathers behind the Vent reddish .

In the Female the Head from red or dusky inclines to cinereous : The Neck is ash-coloured : The feathers of the Back have their middle parts black , their borders of that same reddish ash-colour . The Throat is not so red as in the Cock . Within the ridge of the Wing it hath less yellow , and without no Orange colour . In brief it is every where more discoloured .

The interiour quil-feathers of the Wings are red , the inmost of all black , with red edges . Beginning from the fourth , seventh , or eighth of the subsequent feathers have a white spot on the outside their shafts , by the tips of the feathers of the second row . Underneath also their exteriour edges are whitish ; else the quil-feathers are all black . The Plumage near the base of the Wing underneath is of a lovely yellow , above of an Orange colour .

The Tail is four inches ⅛ long , compounded of twelve feathers , of a black colour , but the exteriour Web of the outmost feather on both sides is white , and sometimes also the interiour . The tips and edges of the two middle feathers are of a reddish ash-colour .

At Venice we found great numbers of these birds in the Poulterers shops in Winter time ; whence we infer that they are common in the Country thereabouts at least in that season of the year . They are found also in England , but more rarely .

These birds also sometimes vary in their colours . Hence in Aldrovandus we have three figures and descriptions of Montifringillae : Of which that in the second place is of a paler colour , and hath its head wholly white . The third is altogether like the first , save that under the Bill it hath no black : And besides that second yellow stroak which is in others , in this was far more conspicuous .

§. III. The great pied Mountain-Finch or Bramlin : Montifringilla calcaribus Alaudae seu major .

IT is equal in bigness to the common Lark , from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail being five inches and a quarter long ; and between the extremes of the Wings stretched out twelve and three quarters broad . It s Bill is half an inch long , of a yellow colour , with a black tip . The end of the Tongue is divided into filaments . The top of the Head of a fulvous red , darker toward the Bill . [ Mr. Johnson attributes to the Head and upper part of the Neck a dusky red or chesnut colour . ] The upper side of the Neck , the Rump and sides are also red : So is the Breast , but paler , the rest of the under side , Throat , Belly , Wings , &c. is white . The underside of the Neck , the Back and scapular feathers are elegantly variegated with black and a reddish ash-colour ; the middle part of each feather being black , and the outsides red . The black spots appear of a triangular figure . In the upper part of the Wings and bottom of the Back there is more of red .

Each wing hath eighteen prime feathers , of which the eight outmost or longest are black ; yet their bottoms , as far as they are hidden by the second row , except the outer edge of the outmost feather are white : Moreover , the very tips , or rather edges of the tips of all excepting the two outmost , are white . The seven next , which take up the middle part of the Wing , are wholly white , save that near the tip on the outside each feather hath an oblong black spot . The remaining three or four next the body are black , having their uppermost edges red . All the covert-feathers of the Wings , excepting those next the body , and two or three , which make up the bastard Wing , are white ; those excepted being black . But Nature ( as I see ) observes not an exact rule in the colours of this birds Wings : For in the bird described by Mr. Willughby the covert-feathers of the black quils were for the most part black , of the white ones white : Yet in general in all birds that we have seen there were large white spaces in each Wing . The Tail is somewhat forked , two inches and an half long , made up of twelve feathers , the two outmost whereof on each side being wholly white , save a very little of the outer edge toward the tip , which is black , more in the outmost , less in the next . The outward Web of the third on each side almost from the top quite down to the bottom is white : The remaining six are black , having only their edges about their tips white . The Legs , Feet , and Claws are cole-black . The back-Claw or Spur is longer than the rest , as in Larks , of about half an inch . The outmost Toe for a good space from the divarication is joyned to the middle one , as in most small birds .

This Bird Mr. Willughby found and killed in Lincolnshire . Mr. Johnson sent us the Bird it self , and the description of it out of the Northern part of Yorkshire .

The same Mr. Johnson sent also the description of another bird of this kind by the name of The lesser Mountain-Finch or Bramlin , together with the case of the Bird ; which by the case I took to be only the Female of the precedent , he from its difference in bigness , place , and other accidents rather judges it a distinct species . I shall therefore present the Reader with his description of it .

It is of the bigness of a yellow Finch , hath a thick , short , strong Neb , black at the very point , and the rest yellow . All the forehead of a dark chesnut , almost black , growing lighter backwards , about and under either Eye lighter chesnut : The back of the Neck ash-coloured , which goes down the Back to the Tail , but there more spotted with black . Under the Throat white , but Breast and Belly dasht or waved with flame-colour ; at the setting on of the Wing grey . The first five feathers blackish brown , all the rest white , save a little dash of brown near the point of each feather . The Tail consists of twelve feathers , the three outmost on either side white , save a little small dash of dark brown : The rest dark brown . The Feet perfectly black . The hind-claw as long again as any of the rest .

CHAP. VII . * The Brasilian Sayacu of Marggrave .

TO what tribe of small birds this is to be referred we do not certainly know : But because the Author saith it is of the bigness of a Chaffinch , we have placed it here . The whole body is covered with feathers of a colour mingled of cinereous and Sea-green : But in the Wings and Back the Sea-green is so mixt that , exposed to the Sun , they shine marvellously . The Bill is black ; The Eyes also wholly black .

CHAP. VIII . * The Brasilian Tijeguacuparoara of Marggrave .

IT is of the bigness of a Lark ; hath a short , thick Neb , dusky above , white underneath . The top and sides of the Head , the Throat , and lower side of the Neck are covered with yellow feathers , spotted with sanguine . [ This Bird was a Female , for in the Male the Plumage of these parts is wholly sanguine . ] The upper side of the Neck and whole Back with ash-coloured ones , * * The words are Umbra aliquatenus mixtas , by which perchance the Anthor might mean , mixt with a little Umber-colour . somewhat shaded : The Wing-feathers are dusky , with white borders : As also the Tail : But the covert-feathers of the Wings are cineous . The Back for the most part , excepting the ends of the feathers , the sides of the Neck , the Breast , and whole Belly , with the Thighs are covered with white feathers . The Legs and Feet are dusky : Four Toes in each placed after the usual manner . It hath black Eyes .

CHAP. IX . * The Brasilian Guiraperea of Marggrave .

THis is also of the bigness of a Lark : Hath a short , thick , black Bill . The upper part of the Head and Neck , the whole Back , and lower Belly have feathers of a dark yellow colour , like yellow Wax : The lower side of the Head and Neck , the Throat and Breast black ones : Of which colour there are also a few in the Belly intermingled with the yellow . The Tail is two inches long , and reaches further than the Wings . Both Tail and Wings are made up of dusky and blackish feathers , every one of which hath its side-edges of a Sea-green , so that the Wings appear brown , straked with green : And in like manner the Tail . The Thighs are of a Wax-colour : The Legs and Feet of a dark grey or ash-colour . It hath four Toes disposed according to the usual manner , armed with black Claws .

CHAP. X.

§. I. The Goldfinch , or Thistle-finch ; Carduelis .

THis Bird , in the opinion of Aldrovandus and Bellonius is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Aristotle , by the later Greeks called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . It is less than the House-Sparrow ; of an ounce and half weight ; five inches and an half length from Bill-point to Tail end ; nine and a quarter breadth between the utmost tips of the Wings spread out . It s Head for the bulk of the body is of the biggest : Its Neck short ; Bill white , but in some birds black at the very point , little more than half an inch long , thick at the head , ending in a sharp point , of a Conical figure : Its Tongue sharp : Eyes hazel-coloured . A ring of scarlet-coloured feathers encompasses the basis of the Bill . From the Eyes to the Bill on each side is drawn a black line . The Jaws are white : The top of the Head black , from which a broad black line , produced on both sides almost to the Neck , terminates the white . The hinder part of the Head is white . The Neck and forepart of the Back are of a fulvous or reddish ash-colour . The Rump , Breast , and sides are of the same colour , but paler . The Belly white . The Wings and Tail black ; Yet the tips of the principal feathers in both are white . Besides , the Wings are adorned with a most beautiful transverse stroak of yellow . If you exactly view each quil-feather , you will find the first or outmost wholly black ; all the rest tipt with white ; and besides the lower half of the outward Web of every feather from the second to the eleventh inclusively of an elegant yellow , which together make that yellow bed across the Wing we now mentioned ; whence this bird is supposed to be called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The interiour covert-feathers of the Wings are also yellow . The Tail is two inches long , composed of twelve black feathers , of which the two outmost have a great white spot on their tips ; the next a lesser ; The third none ; the fourth again a little one , and the fifth a greater .

The Legs are short ; the Back Toe strong , armed , with a Claw longer than the rest . The lower of the outer foretoe grows fast to that of the middle toe . The blind Guts , as in other small birds , are very short and little . It hath also a Gall-bladder .

The Hen-bird hath a smaller note than the Cock , and sings not so much , and the feathers on the ridge of the Wing are dusky or cinereous , whereas in the Cocks they are cole-black : and these ( saith Aldrovandus ) are constant and infallible marks by which the Sexes may be distinguished .

Goldfinches are gregarious birds , for the elegancy of their colours and sweetness of their singing every where well known and highly esteemed . They are of a mild and gentle nature , as may even thence appear , that presently after they are caught , without using any art or care , they will fall to their meat and drink ; nor are they so scared and affrighted at the presence of a man , as to strike their Bills and Wings against the sides of the Cage , as most other birds are wont to do . Nor are they very much troubled at their captivity and imprisonment in a Cage : Nay , if they have continued there a good while , they like it so well , that though you let them loose , they will not fly away , as ( saith Aldrovand ) I my self have observed , to whom I refer the Reader . They feed upon the seeds of Thistles in Winter times , from whence they took their name , and not of Thistles only , but of Teasel , and Hemp , and Dock , and Poppy , as Albertus tells us . The Goldfinch kept in a Cage will with its Bill draw up a little pot of water hanging upon a string , and putting its foot sometimes under the string when it can reach the Pot , will drink out of it , and quench its thirst , which other small birds also will learn to do . Besides that little Thistle-finch ( saith Turner ) adorned with a golden fillet , I know another spinivorous bird of a green colour , which , in like manner as the Goldfinch , out of two pots , one going up , the other mean time going down , will take meat out of the one , and drink out of the other . The same doth also the Millet-bird , which our Country men call a Linnet . The same likewise will imitate any tune you whistle to it . So then not only that bird which is in Greek called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and in Latine by Gaza rendred Carduelis , will do what you bid it , and use its Bill and Feet for a hand , but many others also . All which things ( saith Aldrovandus ) daily experience proves to be most true . It builds its Nest in thorns , and trees . Gesner affirms , that it lays seven Eggs , Bellonius , eight : The difference is not great , and it may lay sometimes the one , sometimes the other number .

The Goldfinch , by reason of age , sex , or other accidents , varies sometimes in its colours . Aldrovandus sets forth four varieties : 1. One not full grown , which had no red at all on its Head : 2. One with white Eye-lids : 3. A white one with a red head : 4. A whitish one , which yet on the forepart of the Head and under the Chin had something of red . Besides which he describes also a bird of kin to the Goldfinch , ( which perchance was a bastard kind ) in these words .

In bulk of body it exceeds a Goldfinch , being equal to a Chaffinch . A circle of a lively A Bird of kin to the Goldfinch . Saffron colour encompasses the Bill . Its Eyes are like a Goldfinches , but bigger . It s Head , except the Saffron ring now mentioned , and its Back are of the same colour , viz. blackish . The Breast is of a black green , as are also the small feathers , covering the ridges of the Wings : Whose quil-feathers are black , and much more varied or distinguished with white , than in other birds of this kind . That part which in other Thistle-finches is yellow , in this is of a pale colour . The Tail of as deep a black as in others ; but in the two outmost Tail-feathers on each side when extended appeared something of white ; which otherwise , when the Tail was closed , was hidden , and not exposed to view . The whole Belly from cinereous inclined to dusky .

§. II. * The Brasilian Jacarini of Marggrave .

IT is of the bigness of our Goldfinch : Hath a thick , ash-coloured Bill : Ash-coloured Legs and Feet , with four Toes situate after the usual manner . The whole Body is covered with black feathers , but shining with a gloss like polished steel . The Wings withinside are white . The Eyes are blue , and behind each a large hole instead of Ears . This Bird being of the bigness of a Goldfinch , and having a Bill not unlike it , not knowing better to dispose of it , I have inserted in this Chapter , although it agrees not in colour either with the Goldfinch , or any other European Bird , that I know , of this bigness .

CHAP. XI . Of the Linnet .

§. I. Of the Linnet in general .

THe Characteristic notes of this kind are , 1. A size of body something less than a Chaffinch : 2. A testaceous or earthy colour , mixt of cinereous and dusky or brown : 3. A Tail a little forked : 4. A peculiar colour of the outmost feathers of the Tail , viz. brown , with white borders or edges : 5. A sweet note . Of Linnets we have observed four sorts in England : 1. The common : 2. The greater red : 3. The lesser red . 4. The Mountain Linnet .

§. II. The common Linnet : Linaria vulgaris .

IT weighs about an ounce : From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail being half a foot long ; between the tips of the Wings spread forth ten inches broad . It s Bill is half an inch long , thick , strong , black above , white underneath . The Tongue is as it were cut off : The Nosthrils round : The Head particoloured of cinereous and black ; the Back of black and reddish , the middle part of each feather being black , the edges or outsides in the Head cinereous , in the Back reddish . The Breast is white : The lower Belly about the Vent yellowish . The region of the Craw or bottom of the Gullet is of a lovely red , the edges of the feathers being yellowish . Each Wing hath eighteen quil-feathers , all black but the edges , which in the exteriour are whitish , in the interiour red . The foremost feathers of the second row are black , the edges of the interiour , or those next the rise of the Wing red . The lesser covert-feathers about the ridge or base of the Wing are red . The Tail is somewhat forked , it s two outmost feathers being two inches and a quarter long ; the middle only two : Of the middle two the borders or edges are red , of the rest white . The Tail consists of the usual number of twelve feathers . It delights to feed upon Line-seed , whence Gesner , in imitation of the French , ( who call it Linote ) imposed on it the name of Linaria . It seems not to have been described or mentioned by the Ancients : Howbeit , Bellonius makes it to be the Aegithus of Aristotle . It is kept in Cages with us for the sweetness of its singing ; wherein , in my judgment , it excels all other small birds . It feeds upon Canary seed , Panic , Millet ( whence also it is by some called Miliaria ) Rape-seed , Cole-seed , and Hemp-seed . But whatever seed it eats it first * * i. e. hulls or pills it . decorticates it with its Bill , that it may feed only on the pulp . But Hemp-seed ( that we may note that by the by ) makes birds that feed upon it so fat that it either kills them , or takes from them all courage and list to sing . Olina saith , that the Linnet builds in trees that are not very tall , and lays three or four Eggs. We have observed it to build in black or white thorn bushes , or Furze-bushes . Mr. Willughby ascribes to the Feet of this bird an obscure dusky or blarkish colour ; Olina a middle colour between flesh-colour and white . Perchance the Feet of the younger birds are paler , of the old darker coloured : Or those of the Cock blacker , the Hen-birds white . Mr. Jessop sent us a Linnet of the common sort with Feet perfectly black , but that was extraordinary .

An Addition to the History of the Linnet out of our English Writer of Singing Birds .

YOu may take the young ones out at four days old , if you intend they shall learn to whistle or hear any other birds song : For then being so young they have not the old birds song , and are more apt to take any thing than if you suffer them to be in the Nest till they are almost quite fledg'd . You must be sure when you take them out so young , to keep them very warm , and to feed them but a little at a time . Your meat must be Rape-seed soaked , and then bruised , mingled with full as much soaked white-bread . You must make fresh every day ; for if it be sour , it immediately makes them scour , and not long after die . You must not give them their meat too dry , for if you do it will make them Vent-burned ; and that is as bad as if they scoured . If you intend to whistle to them , do it when you feed them . For they will learn very much before they can crack hard seeds . So hang them under any bird you intend they shall learn his Song . I have known several that have been taught to speak .

You may know the Cock-Linnet by these two marks : 1. The Cock is much browner on the Back and pinion of the Wing than the Hen. 2. By the white of the Wing . Take your young Linnet when the Wing-feathers are grown , and stretch out his Wing , holding his body fast with the other hand ( otherwise I have known them by a sudden jerk to break their Wings ) and then observe the white upon the fourth , fifth , and sixth feather , if it be glossie and glistering , and the white goes close to the quill , this is a certain sign of a Cock.

The Linnets diseases and their cures .

1. This Bird is sometimes troubled with melancholy , and then you will find the end of his Rump to be very much swelled ; which you must prick with a Needle , and let out all the corruption , squeezing it out very well with the point of the Needle ; then anoint him with the ointment made of fresh butter and Capons grease , and feed him for two or three days with Lettice , or Beet seeds , and the leaves also : And you may give him the seeds of Melons chopt in pieces , which he will eat very greedily ; and when you find him to mend take the Melon seeds away , and give him his old diet again : Put into his water two or three blades of Saffron and white Sugar-candy for a Week or more , till you perceive the bird to be wholly recovered .

2. The disease this Bird is most troubled withal is a scouring ; of which there are three sorts : The first very thin , and with a black substance in the middle , which is not very dangerous ; for I have known many sing very strong and lavish when they have had this scouring in a very violent manner . The second is between a black and a white , but not so thin as the other , but very clammy and sticking . This is worse than the former . It is recovered by giving your bird some Melon-seed shred , and Lettuce seeds and Beet seeds bruised , and in his water some Liquorice and white Sugar-candy , with a little flour of Oatmeal . You must be diligent at the first to observe him when he is sick , that so he may have a stomach to eat : For in two or three days his stomach will be quite gone , and then it will be hard recovering him again . The third and worst sort of scouring is the white clammy scouring , which is dangerous and mortal , if not well looked after at the first . This is occasioned by bad seeds , and many times for want of water . If it be not taken at the first appearance it immediately causeth him to droop , and fall from his meat , and then all medicines are useless . First , give him Flax-seeds , taking away all other seeds ; then give him Plantain-seeds , if green , otherwise they will do him no good : For want of Plantain-seeds give him some of the Leaves shred small , and some Oatmeal bruised , with a few crums of bread : And in his water give him some white Sugar-candy and Liquorice , with a blade or two of Saffron .

To avoid the peril of scouring Olina advises to let him have always a piece of chalk in his Cage .

§. III. The greater red-headed Linnet : Linaria rubra major .

THis is something less than the common Linnet : Its Bill short , thick , of a Conical figure like the Chaffinches , the upper Chap black , the lower at the base white : The Tongue sharp , and as it were cut off , as in the Chaffinch : The Nosthrils round : The Eyes hazel-coloured . The crown of the head adorned with a red or sanguine colour , but not very bright and shining . The rest of the Head and Neck round about are cinereous . The Shoulders , Back , and covert feathers of the Wings are red . The Breast is tinctured with red . The sides under the Wings are of a yellowish red or spadiceous colour . The outmost quil-feathers of the Wings are black , the inner dusky . The exteriour edges of the eight outmost , excluding the first , are white , the white from the bottom towards the top extending it self in breadth in every feather more and more in order , till in the ninth feather it reaches almost to the tip . These white edges in the Wing complicated concur to make up a white spot externally conspicuous . From the ninth the tips of the sixth or seventh succeeding are blunt and indented . The interiour margins of all the quil-feathers are white , and the tips also of those toward the body , or setting on of the Wing . The Tail is something forked , two inches and an half long , made up of the usual number of twelve feathers ; all sharp-pointed , and of two colours , both edges , as well inner as outer , being white , but the outer more ; which colour in the extreme or outmost feathers takes up almost half the breadth of the exteriour Web : In the rest it grows narrower and narrower by degrees to the middlemost , which are almost wholly black , the very extreme edges only remaining white . The feathers incumbent on the Tail in the middle along the shaft are dusky , their outsides being white . It hath small Legs and Feet of a reddish dusky colour , but not perfectly black ; black Claws , the hinder the biggest , the two outer Claws equal one to the other : There is also the like cohesion between the outmost and middle toes , as in other birds .

In the Female neither is the Back bay , nor the crown or Breast red ; but the Back dusky , with a tincture of green , the Breast of a dirty yellow , varied with dusky spots . The other notes agree in both Sexes .

It weighs five drachms , from tip of Bill to end of Tail is five inches and an half long ; to the end of the Claws but five . A line of nine inches and a quarter measures the Wings stretcht out . It is common on the Sea-coasts .

§. IV. The lesser red-headed Linnet : Linaria rubra minor .

THis is lesser than the precedent . The Back coloured like the common Linnet : The forehead adorned with a remarkable shining red spot : The Bill like that of the greater red Linnet , but less : The Breast red ; the lower Belly white . The prime feathers of the Wings and Tail dusky : The Tail about two inches long , and something forked . The outmost borders or edges of the Wing and Tail-feathers round are white .

The Legs and Feet are dusky ; the Claws black , and long for the bigness of the bird ; but the Legs very short . The like cohesion or adnascency of the outmost and middle toe at bottom , as in other small birds .

In this kind the Female also hath a spot on her head , but more dilute than that of the Cock , and of a Saffron colour .

This Bird differs from the precedent red Linnet in many particulars . 1. In that it is less : 2. That it hath a lesser and sharper Bill : 3. That the Hen agrees with the Cock in the spot on its head , though it be paler : 4. That the Legs and Feet in this are blacker : 5. That the border of white about the tail-feathers is narrower : 6. That the tips of the second row of Wing-feathers being white make a transverse white line cross the Wing . Lastly , that this Bird is gregarious , flying in flocks , not that .

Aldrovandus describes two sorts of red Linnets , neither of which agrees with either of ours in all points . See their description in his Ornithology .

§. V. The Mountain Linnet : Linaria Montana .

THis was found by Mr. Fr. Jessop in the Mountains of the Peak of Derbyshire , and sent to us . It is twice as big as the precedent . The colour of its Head and Back is the same with that of the common Linnet ; for the middle parts of the feathers of both are black , but the outsides or edges of those on the Back red , on the Head cinereous . The middle parts of the feathers on the Throat and Breast are also black , but the edges whitish . Only the Rump is of a very fair shining scarlet or Orange-tawny colour . The edges of the middle quil feathers of the Wings are white , as are also the tips of those of the second row . The Tail is two inches and an half long , consisting of twelve feathers , of which the two middle are all over of one uniform brown or dusky colour . Of the rest , as well the outer as inner edges , are white : These white edges in the outmost feathers are broader than in the rest . It s Bill is like that of the precedent , viz. less for the proportion of its body than that of the second species . The whole bird from Bill to Tail was six inches and an half long ; to the Claws five and an half .

CHAP. XII . The Siskin : Spinus sive Ligurinus .

IT s Head is black . The upper side of its body , viz. Neck and Back are green . Yet the * * This word is to be taken largely for the middle part about the shaft . shafts of the feathers on the Back are black ; and the Neck being darker than the Back seems to partake something of the colour of the Head . The Rump is of a greenish yellow : The Throat and Breast of a yellowish green : The Belly white : The feathers under the Tail yellowish , with oblong dusky spots in the middledown the shaft . The feathers also investing the sides are spotted in the middle with brown . The Hen is paler and more discoloured . Her Throat and sides under her Wings are white , the middle parts of the feathers being spotted with brown . The Head and Back are of a greenish ash-colour , with brown spots in the middle . The Throat and Breast have less of green .

The Wings are crossed by a broad line or bed of yellow . The Pinion-quill of the Wing is all over dusky , only the edges green . Of the nine following the outer Webs are green ; the green part is widened by degrees in every feather , till in the last it take up half the length . From the tenth almost the lower half of each feather is yellow , the upper black . The exteriour covert-feathers of the Wings are black , the edges of the interiour green . The Tail consists of twelve feathers , the two middlemost black : The rest above half way of a most lovely yellow , with black tips . The uppermost tips of the feathers , as well in the Wings as in the Tail , are grey . The lower Mandible of the Bill hath an eminency or angle on each side , received in the upper . The Tongue is sharp , horny at the tip , and channelled : The Eyes hazel-coloured . The outer and middle Toe have the like cohesion at bottom as in other birds .

It is kept in Cages for its singing : It is common in Germany and England . At Vienna in Austria they called it Seisel , a name not much different from our English Siskin . In Sussex it is known by the name of Barley-bird , so called because it comes to them in Barley-seed time . All the Winter , and in the beginning of the Spring , it flies in flocks . Its differs from the two following birds , 1. In that it is a little bigger : 2. It hath a longer Bill : 3. A black Head : 4. A shorter Tail , more than half yellow : 5. A strake or bed of yellow cross its Wings .

Aldrovandus writes , that it seldom or never appears in cold Countries , as France and England , as Bellonius and others report : But we have by experience learnt the contrary . It is of a very mild nature , and not at all crafty , so that it is easily taken by any kind of engine or deceit .

This bird is called by Aristotle and the ancient Greeks 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , as Aldrovandus is of opinion . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 also is the name of a bird , supposed to be this , as well with the Greeks as with the Latines .

CHAP. XIII . Of the Canary-bird , out of Gesner , Aldrovandus , and Olina .

CAnaria is an Island of the Atlantic Sea , on the left side of Mauritania , one of those which the Ancients for the excellent temperature of the Air called Fortunate , so denominated from the multitude of great Mastive Dogs , as Pliny out of Juba delivers . All those Islands , which the Ancients called Fortunate , are now adays called the Canaries . Out of which in our Age are wont to be brought certain singing birds , which from the place where they are bred they commonly call Canary-birds : Others call them Sugar-birds , because the best Sugar is brought thence . Of this bird we have thought fit to treat next after the Siskin , because some have judged it to be a sort of Siskin , as Turner : And in truth to look upon for colour and shape it is very like it . This bird Gesner from the relation of a friend of his thus describes . It is of the bigness of the common Titmouse , hath a small white Bill , thick at base , and contracted into a sharp point : All the feathers of the Wings and Tail being of a green colour : So that it differs little from those small birds , which our Country men call * * Citrinellae or Citrinae . Citrils , or those they call Zisels , and the Italians , Ligurini , save that it is a little bigger than either of those , liker in shew or outward appearance to this , something greener than that . So far Gesner . Between the Cock and Hen-bird I have observed this difference , that the Breast , Belly , and upper part of the Head , adjoyning to be Bill , are more yellow in the Cock than in the Hen. This is common to both Sexes to be fleshy , and not fat . Of its singing the same Gesner hath recorded as followeth . It hath a very sweet and shrill note , which at one breath continued for a long time without intermission , it can draw out sometimes in length , sometimes raise very high , by a various and almost musical inflexion of its voice , making very pleasant and artificial melody . The sound it makes is very sharp , and so quavering , that sometimes when it stretches and exercises its little throat and Chaps , whistling with all its force , it vehemently strikes , and even deafens the Ears of the hearers with its shrilness . Many are delighted with this kind of its singing , many also are offended , saying , that they are astonied and deafned by it . It is sold every where very dear , both for the sweetness of its singing , and also because it is brought from far remote places with great care and diligence , and but * * Now adays there be many of them brought over ; nor are they sold so dear but that even mean persons can afford to buy and keep them . rarely ; so that it is wont to be kept only by Nobles and great men . But if any one be taken with the melody of these Birds , let him buy those which have long Tails and small Bodies . For it is found by experience that by how much less they are , by so much are they more canorous . But the great ones shut up in Cages turn their heads round about and backward , and are not to be esteemed genuine or right bred Canary Birds . Of this sort there are brought from the Islands Palma and C. Verde , which they call fools , from that motion of their head , which is proper to fools . They are fed with Canary-seed , wherein they take great pleasure , which therefore is wont to be brought together with them out of the same Islands . Gesner from the relation of his friend writes , that they are fed with the same food with the Siskin and Citril ; viz. Line seed , and Poppy seed , and sometimes also Millet : But particularly , that they delight in Sugar and the Sugar-cane , as also in that sort of Chickweed or Mouse-ear , which they commonly call Henbit . For he affirms , that by this they are presently provoked to sing . This sort of birds is wont to be infested with certain tumours or kernels in its head ; which I take to be a kind of Atheromata : They are to be anointed with Butter or the fat of Hens till they ripen , then they are to be opened , and the matter dexterously pressed out , and again anointed till they be perfectly whole . Sometimes also they happen to be troubled with Lice : In which case it will be of advantage to sprinkle them often with Wine . For so those Vermine will be killed , and they become stronger to overcome that trouble . Thus far Aldrovandus .

There are also found ( saith Olina ) of this sort of birds in the Island Ilva a degenenerate kind , descended originally from true Canary-birds , which were brought over from the Canary Islands in a certain Ship bound for Ligorn , that was cast away near this Island , and after the shipwrack escaped , and saved themselves in this Island ; and afterwards propagated their kind here , breeding and multiplying greatly . But the difference of place hath wrought some change in the external figure of this Bird. For these spurious Birds have black Feet , and are more yellow under the Chin than the genuine Canary-Birds .

Additions to the History of the Canary bird out of a late English Writer concerning singing Birds .

CAnary birds ( he saith ) of late years have been brought abundantly out of Germany , and are therefore now called German birds : And these German birds in handsomness and song excel those brought out of the Canaries .

The Cock of this kind is never subject to be fat : For his high mettle , and lavish singing will hardly suffer him to maintain flesh on his back , much less fat .

How to chuse a Canary-bird .

Let him be a long bird , standing streight and not crouching , but sprightly , like unto a Sparrow-hawk : standing with life and boldness , and not subject to be scareful . Before you buy him , hear him sing in a single Cage ; so you may be sure not to be cheated with a Hen for a Cock , and may please your fancy in his singing . He that hath most variety of notes , and is the longest song-bird is by most accounted the best .

How to know if he be in health when you buy him .

If he stands up boldly , without crouching or shrinking his feathers , if his Eyes look chearful , and not drowsie ; and he be not apt to clap his head under his Wing , these are good signs of a healthful bird : But the surest is to observe his dung ; which when he is in perfect health lies round and hard , with a fine white on the outside , and dark within , and will quickly be dry . The larger the birds dung is , I hold it the better , so it be long , round , and hard . A Seed-bird very seldom dungs too hard , except it be very young . If he bolts his tail like a Nightingale after he hath dunged ; or if his dung be very thin , or if it have only a slimy white , with no blackness in it , the bird is not healthful .

Of the ordering of Canary-birds , which you intend for breeding , in building and breeding .

First , make a convenient Cage , or prepare a room fit for that purpose : You must be sure to let it have an out-let toward the rising of the Sun , where you must have a piece of wire , that they may have egress and regress at their pleasure . When you have prepared a convenient Room , then set up in the corners of it some Besoms , either Heath or Frail , opening them in the middle : If the Room be pretty high you may set two or three brooms , one under another ; but then you must set partitions with boards over every broom ; otherwise the birds will dung upon one anothers heads ; and also they will not endure to see one another so near each others Nest , for the Cock or Hen will be apt to fly upon a Hen that is not matcht to them , when they see them just under their Nest , which many times causes the spoiling of their Eggs and young ones .

2. You must cause something to be made so convenient , and of such bigness as may hold meat for some considerable time , that you may not be disturbing of them continually , and a convenient Vessel for water also . Let your place where you intend to put your seeds be so ordered that it may hang out of the reach of the Mice , for they will destroy all the Canary seeds , and so consequently way starve your birds .

3. You must prepare some stuff to build withall of several sorts of things , as Cotton-wool , small dead grass , Elks hair [ this is hard to get in England ] and earth-moss . You must dry it before you put them together : Then mingle them all , and put them up in a little Net like a Cabbage-net , hanging of it so that they may with conveniency pull it out . You must set Pearches all about the Room , and , if big enough , set a tree in the middle , that so they may take the more pleasure . You must proportion your birds according to the bigness of your Room : Rather let it be under-stocked than over : for they are birds that love liberty .

4. When you perceive them begin to build and carry stuff , give them once a day , or in two days at least , a little greens and some Loaf-sugar , for that will cause a slipperiness in the body , that so the Eggs may come forth without injuring the birds ; for many times the Hen dies in laying her first Egg : Which will be a great loss , both in losing the first brood , and unpairing the Cock . If this happens , and you have but few pairs in your breeding place , take out the single Cock , and match him , and put him in again : If many , it is advisable to let your Cock alone , till you draw all your birds out to part them ; because it will be hard to find out the single Cock , and as hard to take him when found .

5. When you find that they have built , take away the Nets that have the breedingstuff in them . They breed most usually three times in a year , begin in April , and breed in May and June , and sometimes in August , which is not very usual , neither here , nor in Germany .

How they breed them in Germany .

First , they prepare a large Room , and build it in the likeness of a Barn , being much longer than broad , with a square place at each end , and several holes at each end , to go into those square places . In those out-lets they plant several sorts of trees , which grow pretty thick , for they will take much delight both to sing and breed in them : And the bottom of the place they strow with a fine sort of sand , and upon it cast seeds of Rape , Chickweed , and Groundsil ; which the old bird doth eat , both at time of laying , and also when they have young ones . They put in the house all sorts of stuff for the building of their Nests ; and Brooms up and down the corners , one under another , and to the height of the place that is built for the purpose ; and make partitions between every Nest , to make them breed the quieter , without disturbing one another : And in the middle of the Room they will set a board edge-ways to darken the light on each side ; for no bird almost doth naturally love to have much light come to his Nest . They plant a tree or two , if the house be big enough , one at each end , with many Pearches also along each side of the house , and all along where they make their Nests : The place also that is in the air is full of Pearches . They hang their stuff for building all up and down the house , that the rain come not at it , and strow some on the ground also . Some have fine fountains in those places that are out-lets for the birds to go at pleasure into the air ; in which the birds take very much delight to wash and prune themselves .

They seldom take their Nests away to bring them up by hand , as we do here , but they let the old ones always bring them up ; and when they are pretty stout , and can crack hard seeds , they have small places for the young to come and feed in ; and they give them of all sorts of green seeds to feed upon ; and have a kind of trap-door to take them . They say , that if they do not soak seeds for the young ones , very few will live , by reason the Hen is apt to forsake them , and go to Nest again ; and the seeds being very hard , they pine away and die .

How to breed and order the young ones taken out of the Nest .

These Birds must not be left too long in the Nest ; for if they are , they will be very apt to grow sullen , and will not feed kindly : Therefore take them out about nine or ten days old , and put them in a little basket , and cover them with a Net , else they will be very subject to jump out upon the first opening of the Basket , and if they fall to the ground they will be bruised and die . You must keep them warm for the first week , for they are very tender , and if they take cold will be subject to the cramp , and not digest their meat .

Take them in the Evening , and if you can possibly when the old ones are out of sight ; otherwise they will be apt to take distaste when they sit again , and have young ones ; and will be apt at every fright to forsake both their Young and Eggs.

Make their meat after this manner . Take some of your largest Rape-seeds , and soak them in water twenty four hours or less , if the water be a little warm I think twelve hours will serve the turn . Drain the water from the seeds , and put a third part of white bread to the seeds , and a little Canary seed in flour , and so mix them all together : Then having a small stick , take up a little at the end , and give every bird some two or three times over ; give them but a little at first at a time and often ; for if you over-charge their stomachs they will cast up their meat , and seldom thrive after it . For the old ones give them but little at a time , and besides , all the seeds huld and warmed in their stomachs ; which lie nothing so hard on their stomachs as seeds that have their skins on . You must not make their meat too dry , for then they will be apt to be Vent-burnt , by reason all the seeds are hot . For I have observed , that the old ones do constantly drink after they have eaten seeds , and a little before they feed their young ones ; and they commonly after feeding of them sit a quarter of an hour or more to keep them warm , that the meat may the better nourish them ; therefore do you also when you have fed them cover them up warm . I approve best of the nestling bird by reason of his tameness and familiarity with his Keeper ; which is the chief pleasure of a bird . For if a bird be not tame , but extraordinarily wild and buckish , there is no pleasure in feeding or hearing of him sing , being apt upon all occasions to bruise himself , and to forsake his singing when most desired .

CHAP. XIII . The Bird called Citril at Vienna ; Verzellino at Rome ; in Latine , Thraupis & Citrinella .

IN the shape of the Head and whole body it is very like to a Linnet . The Head and Back green : The Rump of a yellowish green : The hinder part of the Head and Neck ash-coloured . [ In a bird that I described at Rome , the top of the Head , the upper side of the Neck and the Shoulders were particoloured , of a yellowish green and dark brown . ] The nether surface of the body is green , but about the Vent it is whitish . The upper part of the Breast and the Belly in the Male birds is of a lovely yellow . The Tail is 2 ⅛ inches long , and black , but the extreme edges of the feathers are green . The quil-feathers of the Wings are of the same colour with the Tail : The lesser rows of Wing-feathers green . [ In those birds I described at Rome the tips both of the quil-feathers , and also of the secondary feathers of the Wings were white . ]

The Bill is hard , of a dusky or livid colour , having sharp edges , thicker and shorter than the Siskins [ yea , in proportion to its body shorter and thicker than the Linnets or Greenfinches Bill : ] The upper Chap equal to the lower . The Tongue as in Chaffinches : The Feet whitish or flesh-coloured , with blackish Claws . The Guts long , slender , and rolled up together .

It is mursed up in Cages for the sake of its singing . At Vienna in Austria we saw of these birds to be sold , brought out of Stiria . It is frequent about Rome .

It differs from the Siskin and Serin , 1. In its ash-coloured Neck : 2. In that the whole nether side of its body is green . 3. That it hath no spots in the sides . Olina attributes to it a Tail a little forked ; which we also observed in a bird we described at Rome .

Bellonius esteems this bird to be the Thraupis of Aristotle , called in French , Tarin . It hatches seven or eight Eggs at one sitting .

CHAP. XIV . The bird called Hirngryll at Vienna , Serinus Gesner . Aldrov . lib. 18. cap. 20.

THe Back of this is something red , the middle parts of the feathers being spotted with black , as in the Yellow-hammer . The Head is yellow , of a deeper colour in the Males , and paler in the Females . The Rump from green inclines to a lovely yellow . The Breast is of a yellowish green : The Belly white : The sides variegated with oblong , black spots .

The Tail is black , the outmost edges of the feathers being green , consisting of the usual number of twelve feathers . The prime feathers of the Wings are of the same colour with the Tail . The tips of the interiour feathers of the second row of the Wing are white ; of the other lesser Wing-feathers green .

The Bill is shorter and stronger than in the Citrinella , sharp-pointed . The upper Chap something prominent : The Tongue like the Chaffinches : The Feet dusky ; the Claws black . The like cohesion of the outer and middle toe at bottom as in other small birds . The Guts are small , and have many convolutions .

These Birds also are kept in Cages for their singing : We saw of them to be sold at Vienna in Austria , brought out of Stiria . This little bird ( saith Gesner ) for its rare musical singing is preferred before all others of this kind , even the Citrinella .

The Siskin , Citrinella , and Serinus agree , 1. In having yellow Rumps : 2. That they are canorous : 3. That they have greenish yellow Breasts , and 4. Long , slender Guts .

The Serinus and Citrinella agree in the colour of the Tail and Wings . The Siskin and Serinus in their spotted sides and white bellies : The Siskin and Citrinella in having a green back ; but in the Siskin the shafts of the feathers are black .

This Bird grows very tame and gentle ( as Gesner reports ) and will live many years [ thirteen or fourteen ] shut up in a Cage .

* The Brasilian Teitei , which they call also Guiranhemgeta and Guraundi , Marggrave .

It is a small bird , of the bigness of a Robin-red-breast . It is kept in Cages for a singing bird , but it only chirps like a Redstart , [ Rubrica ] called by the Germans , Gimpel . It feeds upon Paco and Mamao . It hath a short , thick , black Bill . The Head , upper side of the Neck , Wings , whole Back and Tail are invested with black feathers , with which something of blue is mixt , so that they shine like polished Steel . The Throat , lower side of the Neck , the Breast , the whole lower Belly and Thighs are yellow . At the rise of the upper Bill behind the Nosthrils it hath a spot of yellow feathers . The Legs and Feet are of a dusky colour . And this is the Cock.

The Hen in proportion of body and magnitude agrees exactly with the Cock ; hath the same Bill and Legs : But differs much in colour . For it is green like the Acanthis , called by the Germans , Zyschen . The Wings and Head with the upper side of the Neck are somewhat dusky , with blue mingled . These birds delight to live together five or six in a Cage .

CHAP. XV. The Anadavad Bird , brought from the East Indies , having a Finches Bill and Larks Claws .

IN bigness it scarce exceeds the Golden-crown'd Wren . It s Bill is for shape like a Goldfinch or Chaffinches ; for colour red , the upper Mandible above being black . The upper side of the body is of a dusky colour , in some birds lighter , in others darker ; only the feathers growing about the Rump are of a scarlet or deep Orange . The quil-feathers of the Wings and those of the Tail are black . The Tail it self is an inch and half long , made up of twelve feathers ; the middlemost being the longest , and the exteriour in order shorter . The quils and covert-feathers of the Wings are spotted with small round white spots , scattered up and down in no order , in some birds more , in some fewer . In some birds the upper part of the Breast is of a scarlet red , in others it is wholly black , as is the rest of the Breast and Belly in all . In one Bird , which was paler than the rest that we saw , and almost of the colour of a Robin-red-breast on the Back , not only the Wings , but also the side-feathers , and those scarlet ones incumbent on the Tail were marked with white spots . The Legs and Feet are white : The Claws very long , like those of Larks , but more crooked . The figure of the body is rather long than round .

In the year of our Lord , 1673. I saw many of these birds ( in the house of a certain Citizen of London ) that had been brought out of the East Indies , kept all together in the same Cage : Being introduced by my worthy friend Thomas Allen , Doctor of Physic , who also gave me the first notice and information of them .

CHAP. XVI . A Bird called by the Bolognese , Petronia Marina , by * * Lib. 17. cap. 38. Aldrovand , Oenanthae congener .

THe length of this Bird , taken from the tip of the Bill to the end of its Claws , was little less than seven inches : Its breadth between the extremes of the Wings distended twelve and a quarter . It s Bill strong , sharp-pointed , like that of a Chaffinch , from the tip to the angles of the Mouth somewhat more than half an inch long : The upper Chap black , the lower about the angle yellow . The angle itself is round : The sides of the Bill sharp-edged . The Head is of a dusky ash-colour , but for the most part through the middle of the crown is a line drawn of a whiter colour . The Neck is ash-coloured . Below , between the Shoulders the feathers have their outer edges of a pale ash-colour , their inner black . The Rump from dusky inclines to green , but the tips of the feathers next the Tail are white . The prime feathers in each Wing are in number eighteen , of which the first or outmost is shorter than the second , the second equal to the third , and longest of all . These three feathers are of a dark brown or blackish , only their outmost edges of a pale green . The second , third , and fourth rows of Wing-feathers have white tips , but else are black . The Plumage on the base or ridge of the Wing is of a sordid green . The feathers covering the underside of the Wing are white . The Breast is of a sordid white . The feathers next the Tail have pale yellow tips , else they are brown . The Tail is two inches and an half long , and made up of twelve feathers .

This sort is distinguished from all other small Birds , 1. That it hath a very fair , lovely , yellow spot about the middle of its Throat . 2. That all the feathers of the Tail on the interiour Web near the tip are marked with one great round white spot , being else all black , save the edges , which are greenish . The outer half of the outmost feather on each side is also white . 3. It is distinguished from the Hortulane by a most certain note , that its Bill is far bigger , and stronger , and equal to a Greenfinches Bill .

We saw many of these Birds at Bologna in Italy to be sold . The Bird which Aldrovandus saith is called Petrone at Bologna , and Petronello at Genua , and describes under the title of * * i. e. A bird of kin to the Lark . Alaudae congener , seems to be no other bird than the Emberiza alba of Gesner , or our Bunting , as will appear to him that shall take pains to compare the descriptions .

CHAP. XVII . The Hortulane kind , whose characteristic is a hard knob in the upper Chap of the Bill .

§. I. The Bunting called by Gesner Emberiza alba . I take it also to be the Calandra of Aldrov . and Bellonius , moreover the Alaudae congener of Aldrovand , and the Cenchramus of Bellonius : The Strillozo of Olina .

IT weighs about an ounce and half : Its length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was seven inches and a quarter , and so much to the end of the Claws . It s breadth between the tips of the Wings spread eleven inches and an half . It s Bill is great and thick , having a hard knob or eminency in the upper Mandible or Palate , wherewith it is thought to bruise Wheat , Oats , and other Grain . The sides of the lower Chap rise up in an angle on each side , [ as may be better represented by a figure than expressed in words ] and incline to one another under the Tubercle of the Palate . The Tongue is sharp , and slit in two . The Claws are of a pale dusky colour . The back-toe is great , armed with a lesser and more crooked Claw than in Larks . The outmost fore-toe is equal to the inmost , and grows fast to the middlemost at bottom , as in other birds . This birds Head somewhat resembles a Rails . The colour of the whole body testaceous or earth-like . The Chin , Breast , Belly are of a yellowish white . The Throat hath oblong , black spots . The quil and covert-feathers of the Wings are dusky , having their outer edges cinereous . The Back ( as we said ) of a testaceous colour , the middle parts of the feathers being blacker . The Neck beneath the Head behind is ash-coloured . The shafts of the Head-feathers are of a dark brown ; the outsides or edges being of a reddish ash-colour . The Tail is more than three inches long , of a dusky red colour , without any whiteness , save that a kind of dark shadow or appearance of white may be discerned in the outmost feathers . It sings sitting upon the highest twigs of trees and shrubs . It feeds upon Corn.

Both the figure and description of the Bird called Strillozo in Olina agree exactly in all points to our Bunting , save only that he attributes to it the bigness of the common Lark , than which our Bunting is something bigger . I my self also , when I was at Rome , saw and described a small bird called Strillozo , somewhat less ( as it then seemed to me ) than the common Lark . Seeing therefore Olina besides the Strillozo describes also the Calandra , making it somewhat bigger than the common Lark , and not much less than a Thrush , I do suspect that the Calandra is the same with our Bunting , and the Strillozo a different kind of bird , described by none besides him , at least clearly and exactly .

The description of the Alaudae congener of Aldrovand agrees exactly to this Bird , so doth also that of the Cenchramus of Bellonius , so that of one bird Aldrovandus makes four , giving us the Bunting under the title of 1. Emberiza alba : 2. Of Alaudae congener : 3. Of Cenchramus Bellonii : 4. Also ( if we be not much mistaken ) of Calandra ; all which he exhibits for distinct Species .

§. II. The Yellow-hammer , Emberiza flava of Gesner ; Hortulanus of Bellonius ; Luteae alterum genus of Aldrovand ; Chloreus seu Lutea Aristotelis of Turner .

IT is equal to a Chaffinch , or a little bigger ; weighs 1⅛ ounce : From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is six inches and an half long ; to the end of the Feet but six . It s Bill is of a dark dusky colour , half an inch long , having a hard knob in the upper Chap to break the grains of corn , and the sides of the nether Chap turned inwards , and bent together , like the Buntings . The Tongue shorter than is usual in other birds , not reaching beyond the knob , its tip horny and sharp , slit into filaments . The Eyes hazel-coloured : The Feet of a horn colour ; the Claws black . The like cohesion between the outmost and middle toe at the bottom , as in other birds .

The Throat and Belly are yellow : The Breast hath something of red mingled with it , as also the sides under the Wings . The Head is of a greenish yellow , spotted with brown . Above the Shoulders in the lower part of the Neck is a certain colour between green and cinereous , or compounded of both . The middle parts of the covert-feathers of the Back and Shoulders are black , the edges from green incline to red . The Rump is reddish .

The Female is all over paler , less yellow on the Head , less red on the Breast and under the Wings .

The quil-feathers of the Wings are dusky , having their exteriour edges from green inclining to a sordid white . The Tail is three inches long , composed of twelve feathers , something forked , of a brown colour ; the middle two having their edges on both sides , the rest only their outside-edges green . The two outmost on the inside the shaft near the tip are marked with a white spot cutting the feather obliquely .

It hath a Craw and a musculous Stomach or Gizzard like the granivorous birds . It hath also a Gall-bladder . The blind guts , as in almost all small birds , are very little and short . These birds build upon the ground , being every where in England most common .

§. III. Aldrovandus his first sort of Yellow-hammer , which he calls Cirlus : Zivolo of Olina .

IT is of the bigness of a Sparrow ; hath a short thick Bill . The Breast and Belly are yellowish , sprinkled with brown spots . The Head , Back , Wings , and Tail from testaceous inclining to a brown or dusky colour : but in the Tail there are two feathers on each side partly white , and partly of the same colour with the rest . Between the Male and the Female there is this difference , that the Male hath more yellow about him than the Female , especially in the upper part about the Eyes , and in the Throat , and under the Neck on the sides , where are seen good large spots of yellow , which are wanting in the Female . It abides for the most part on the ground , seeking its food there of Seeds , and other things , and therefore when it is new taken it is wont almost always to have its Bill dirty . Whether this Bird be specifically distinct or no from the precedent I am not fully satisfied ; but because both Aldrovandus and Olina make it distinct , I would not omit it .

Olina calls it Zivolo , from its note Zi zi , which it often ingeminates .

§. IV. The Reed-Sparrow . Passer torquatus in arundinetis nidisicans . Perchance the Passer arundinaceus of Turner .

IT is bigger than the Linnet , equal to the Chaffinch . The Cock weighed three quarters of an ounce : Was from Bill-point to Tail-end six inches and an half long : Broad between the extremes of the Wings spread ten inches . The Bill short , black [ Mr. Willughby makes the upper Mandible black , the nether whitish ] like the Bill of the Hortulane , [ Mr. Willughby compares it to the Chaffinches Bill , ] the lower Chap having its edges on both sides bent inwards , is hollow in fashion of a Funnel , and contains the Tongue within it . Besides , near its base it rises up into a dent or angle on each side , to which there is a notch or furrow correspondent in the upper Chap to receive it , as in the Buntings Bill . The Head is black : The Cheeks about the Eyes red . A ring of white encompasses the Neck , which on each side is stretched forth to the corners of the Mouth . The Chin and Throat are black : The Breast and middle of the Belly white . The Back and covert-feathers of the Wings are particoloured of red and black ; viz. the middle part of each feather black , the outsides red . The Rump red , with a mixture of ash-colour . The quil-feathers of the Wings are dusky , having their exteriour edges red . The tips of the seven first or outmost are sharp , of the rest blunt , indented , and of an ash-colour . The lesser rows of Wing-feathers have their outer edges and tips red , being else of an ash-colour . The Plumage on the base or ridge of the Wing bluish , underneath the Wing white : The Tail is two inches and an half long , and made up of twelve feathers , of which the two middlemost are something shorter than the rest , and black , their outward edges red : The three next on each side were dark coloured , and almost black . The exteriour edge of the fifth is white : The interiour also not far from the tip is spotted with white . The outmost feather is wholly white . All end in sharp points .

The Feet from flesh colour decline to black . The Claws are black : The outmost and middle Toe joyned at bottom . The back-toe great and strong . The blind guts short and thick . It hath a Gall-bladder . The Stomach is musculous : In it opened we found seeds , &c.

The Hen , as in most Birds , is not so fair-coloured . The ring about her Neck is darker , and scarce appearing . The Head , Back , Shoulders , and covert-feathers of the Wings are particoloured of black and dirty red ; viz. the middle parts of the feathers are black , and the outsides red . At the base of the Wing are red feathers . The Throat is particoloured , of red , black , and cinereous .

§. V. The Hortulane of the Italians . Hortulanus Aldrov . Tordino Berluccio at Venice .

IT is equal and very like to the Yellow-hammer [ That which I J. R. saw and described at Florence seemed to me somewhat less , and longer-bodied . ] The Hen measured from Bill to Tail exceeded seven inches length ; being in our usual way of measuring ten and an half broad . It s Bill was short , viz. from the tip to the corners of the Mouth scarce half an inch long , thick at base , sharp at point ; of a red or flesh colour in the Cock . In the Hen the upper Chap is black , the lower blue . The knob on the upper Chap is much less than in the Yellow-hammer . The sides of the Bill are sharp . The upper Mandible hath on each side an angle or furrow impressed , to which answereth a tough or angular eminency in the lower , as in the Bunting , the figure whereof for the clearer apprehension and understanding of what we say is to be viewed . The Feet are of a pale dusky : The Claws black . [ In the Cock the Legs are reddish . ] The back-toe is great . The inner and outer fore-toes are of equal length . The outmost from the bottom to the first joynt sticks fast to the middlemost without any membrane intervening , as in most small birds . The Throat and Breast are ash-coloured , the rest of the underside to the very Tail is red . The Rump of a deeper red . The Head of a brown or dusky ash-colour , the middle parts of the feathers being black : As they are likewise on the Back , having their edges of a reddish ash-colour . [ In the Cocks the Breasts are more red . ] Under the Bill is a yellow spot . The Head is of a colour mingled of green and cinereous : The middle parts of the Back-feathers are black , the edges of a colour mingled of red and cinereous , or red and green ; the Rump is green .

The quil-feathers of the Wings , as in almost all small birds , are eighteen in number , of which the greater have their edges of a greenish white , the lesser or interiour of a red . The tips of all the feathers of the second row have their tips white , and exteriour edges red . The tips of the third row are also white . The edges of the lesser coverts are cinereous . The Tail is almost three inches long , and made up of twelve feathers : Of which the middle and outmost are something shorter than the rest . For colour the two middlemost are of a dark brown , with red edges : The three next on both sides black : The outmost but one have the upper half of their interiour Webs white . The outmost have more white on the interiour Web , and some also on the exteriour . The Gall-bladder is little , and the Gall within yellow .

It is very like our Reed-Sparrow , with a white ring about its Neck , yet differs manifestly from it in some marks , so that there is no doubt but it is a distinct kind . 1. In its place , this abiding chiefly among Reeds : Whereas the Hortulane frequents Gardens especially , as the name imports . 2. In colour : The Hortulane being more red , and wanting the ring about the Neck , which this hath : And besides , having a yellow spot under the Throat , which this wants .

* * Ornithol . lib. 13. cap. 24. Aldrovand sets forth six kinds or varieties of this bird . 1. The first was all yellow , almost of a straw-colour , excepting the ridges of the Wings , and tips of the quil-feathers , which were white . 2. The second was all over white . 3. The third , called also by the Fowlers a Hortulane , is indeed a bird wholly of the shape of a Hortulane , but something different in colour . It s Head from cinereous inclined to yellow : Its Neck was cinereous , but speckled with black : Its Belly , Legs , and Feet yellow . The ridges of the Wings and the quil-feathers white ; the other parts partly black , and partly cinereous . The whole Tail brown , but yellow on the sides . 4. The fourth had a green Head and Neck ; a red Bill ; ash-coloured Legs ; else it was black . Yet hath it on the crown of the head , and also in two of the quil-feathers only an oblong white spot . 5. The fifth I may call a white-tail'd Hortulane : For its Tail was white , else it was like the common Hortulanes , but in all parts paler . 6. The last some of our Fowlers reckoned a kind of Spipola , others a kind of Hortulane ; and indeed I should make it congenerous rather to the Spipolae than the Hortulanes . For its Bill is longer , and its Legs and Feet dusky , which in the Hortulanes are wont to be yellow . It s whole body also is dusky , the Breast only and ends of the Wings being white .

§. VI. * A Bird called by * * Ornithol . lib. 18. cap. ult. Aldrovand , Cirlus stultus .

IT is equal in bigness to the Yellow-hammers above described of the same make and habit of body , the very same figure and shape ( though it differs in colour . ) It will also willingly fly to , and company with them shut up in Cages , as to birds of its own feather : And besides , it constantly no less than they , as well flying as resting , ingeminates this word Ci , Ci. Whence also in some places , as at Genoa , it is not undeservedly called Cia , or for distinction sake , Cia selvatica , or Cia montanina ; and by our Bolognese , Cirlomatto . The upper part of the Head behind , and all the Back are adorned with a * * Rusty . ferrugineous colour , distinguished with pretty large black spots . From the Bill over the Eyes to the end of the Neck is extended an ash-coloured line tending to white . The Breast and all the Belly are wholly taken up with a ferrugineous colour . The prime feathers of the Wings and Tail are blackish , yet their outmost borders terminate in a ferrugineous colour . Besides , the Wings have some white spots . In the Tail are one or two feathers on each side , partly blackish , and partly white .

We have subjoyned this Bird to the Yellow-hammers and Hortulanes , to which it is of kin ; though whether or no it properly pertain to this Family , the figure of the Bill being omitted in Aldrovands description we cannot certainly determine .

THE THIRD BOOK OF THE ORNITHOLOGY OF FRANCIS WILLUGHBY Esq Of Water-Fowl .

WAter-fowl are either Cloven-footed , which are much conversant in or about waters , and for the most part seek their Food in watery places . [ Almost all these have long Legs , naked or bare of feathers for a good way above the Knees , that they may more conveniently wade in waters ] or Whole-footed , which swim in the water , and are for the most part short-leg'd .

Those that live much about waters are either , first , of great size , the biggest of this kind , having each something singular , and being not reducible to any other tribe , which therefore as straglers and anomalous birds we have placed by themselves , though they agree in nothing but their bigness : Or secondly , of lesser size . These lesser are either * * That seed upon fish . Piscivorous , or such as suck a nourishing fat juice or moisture out of muddy and boggy ground , or † † That seed on Insects . Insectivorous . The Piscivorous are Herons , Storks , &c. The Limosugae or Mud-suckers may be distinguished by their Bills into such as have very long Bills , either crooked , as the Curlew , or streight , as the Woodcock . The Insectivorous Water-birds have either Bills of a middle size for length , as the Himantopus ; or short Bills , as the Plover , Lapwing , &c.

We call those Birds Mudsuckers , which suck out of the Mud or Channels some oyly slime or juice , wherewith they are nourished : Whence they have delicate flesh , and their very guts not emptied or cleansed from the Excrements are usually eaten . These have very long Bills for this purpose , broad near the tip , and finely chamfered or wrought with lines : Speckled bodies ; two toes somewhat joyned ; all broad , that they may not easily sink as they walk upon muddy and boggy grounds .

But because we are not so skilful , as that we can certainly determine what Birds belong to each of these kinds , we shall chuse rather to distinguish Cloven-footed Water-fowl , not Piscivorous by the different length of their Bills , into three kinds . The first shall be of those that have the longest Bills , whether streight , as the Woodcock , &c. or crooked , as the Curlew , &c. The second of such whose Bills are of a middle length , as the Himantopus , &c. The third of short-bill'd birds , as the Plover , Lapwing , &c. Those we call long-bill'd , whose Bills exceed two inches and an half length : those middle-sized , whose Bills are of any length between two inches and an half , and one and an half : Those short-bill'd , whose Bills exceed not an inch and half .

Most Water-fowl have a short Tail ; none of them have their Feet so disposed as Woodpeckers and Parrots , that is two forward , and two backward ; none having more than one back toe . Among Water-fowl of all kinds those that feed upon fish have the ranker and stronger-sented flesh .

THE FIRST PART . Of Cloven-footed Water-fowl , wading in Waters , or frequenting watery places .

THE FIRST SECTION . The greatest Cloven-footed Water-fowl of a singular kind .

CHAP. I.

§ I. The Crane : Grus , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Graecis .

THis is a large-bodied Fowl , weighing sometimes ten pounds . Measuring from the beginning of the Bill to the end of the Tail it is well nigh five foot long . That it hath a very long Neck is so well known that it is needless to write it : Its Legs also are very long .

It s Bill is streight , sharp-pointed , of a dark greenish colour , near four inches long , compressed side-ways : Its Tongue broad and horny at the tip . The top of the Head black ; from the Bill to the hinder part covered with black hairs or bristles rather than feathers . On the back of the Head it hath a space or bed of the figure of a Crescent , bare , or thin set with hairs , and of a red colour : Below which , on the upper part of the Neck is a triangular spot of ash-coloured feathers . Two white lines or stroaks , one from each Eye , are produced backwards , and meeting behind the Vertex of the now mentioned triangular spot , are thence continued as far as the Breast . The Throat and sides of the Neck are of black hue . The Back , Shoulders , covert-feathers of the Wings * * Excepting those on the utmost joynt . , Breast , and all the Belly and Thighs are ash-coloured ; only the quil-feathers of the Wings , and those on the utmost Pinion are black .

The Wings are very large : The quil-feathers are in number twenty four , and ( as we said ) black , yet the lesser of them from black incline to red or russet , as do also the primary covert-feathers which are on the utmost joynt or Pinion . The Tail for the bigness of the bird is small and short , round when spread , consisting of twelve feathers , all cinereous , with black tips .

The Legs are black , bare of feathers for an hand breadth above the Knees : The Toes black , and very long . The lower joynt of the outmost and middle Toe connected by a thick membrane .

But that which is most rare , and especially remarkable , yea , wonderful in this bird , is the conformation of the Wind-pipe . For entring far into the Breast bone , which hath a great cavity within to receive it , and being there thrice reflected ( as the figure adjoyning to the sculp of the Crane represents ) goes out again at the same hole , and so turns down to the Lungs ,

The blind guts are five inches long . The Stomach or Gizzard musculous as in granivorous birds . The flesh is very savoury and well-tasted , not to say delicate .

We saw many Cranes to be sold in the Poulterers shops at Rome in the Winter time , which I suppose had been shot on the Sea-coast .

They come often to us in England : And in the Fen-Countries in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire there are great flocks of them , but whether or no they breed in England ( as Aldrovandus writes , he was told by a certain English man , who said he had often seen their young ones ) I cannot certainly determine either of my own knowledge , or from the relation of any credible person . The delicate taste of the flesh and the musculous Stomach are sufficient arguments to evince , that this bird feeds not at all upon fish , but only upon herbs , grain , and seeds of divers sorts , and it is likely upon Insects too : As the Authors also that have written of it unanimously report .

Cranes differ from Herons , 1. In that the Claw of the middle toe is not serrate as in Herons : 2. In bigness , wherein they exceed them : 3. In having a shorter Bill : And 4. a musculous stomach or Gizzard : 5. Two Appendices or blind guts , whereas Herons have but one : 6. In the strange revolution of the Wind-pipe within the Breast-bone .

§. II. The Indian Crane .

THis is lesser than our common Crane , but of the same ash-colour , Its Tail is short , and scarce conspicuous , being hidden by the Wings . It s Bill is streight , narrow , and longer in proportion than the Bill of the common Crane : Its Nosthrils oblong . The chief difference is , that in this the top of the Head from the Bill to the Crown is bare of feathers [ only set with thin hairs ] rough-skin'd , and of a red colour . This we saw among his Majesties rare Birds kept in St. James's Park near Westminster .

§. III. The Balearic Crane : Grus Balearica Aldrov . Pavo marinus * * Exot. lib. 5. cap. 11. Clus .

FOr the shape of its body it is like to a Stork : Yet its Bill is shorter not only than a Storks , but than a Cranes . It hath upon its Head a thick , round Crest , made up of Bristles spread every way , like to Hogs Bristles , of the colour of the prickles of a common Hedghog : By which note it may at first sight be easily known and distinguished from all other birds . In both Cheeks it hath a white spot terminated above with a red line . The lesser quil-feathers of the Wings are white : the whole Bird besides is black , of the colour of a Coot , the Tail not excepted . Under the Bill hangs down a red * * Or Lobe of flesh . excrescence on each side like a Gill or Wattle . The Legs are long , bare of feathers from the knees upward almost to the second joynt . We saw a bird of this kind in the Royal Aviary in St. James's Park near Westminster .

Aldrovandus his description , which he took from a Picture he saw of this Bird , differs in some particulars from ours : For 1. He makes the bristles of the Crest of a * * Clusius makes them also of a yellow colour . Gold colour : 2. All the underside of a dusky ash-colour , the Back of a dark green , as in Lapwings : 3. He mentions some ferrugineous feathers in the Wings .

These Birds are found in the Country near CapoVerde . For bigness they may match our Country Cranes . As they run they stretch out their Wings , and so run very swiftly , otherwise they walk softly . They never roost in houses , but about night when they have a mind to go to their rest , they search out high Walls whereon to pearch , after the manner of Peacocks , whose voice and conditions they also imitate . They feed upon green herbs , and together with Hens and Peacocks devour Barley and other grain . This out of Aldrovandus .

In the Tables of Birds , engraven by Vischer , it is figured by the title of Struthio ex China , i. e. A China Ostrich .

CHAP. II. Marggraves Jabiru of the Brasilians , called by the Low Dutch , Negro .

THis Bird in bigness exceeds a Swan . It s body is fourteen inches long ; its Neck as many , and of the thickness of a mans arm . It s Head sufficiently great ; its Eyes black ; its Bill also blackish , extended streight forward , and above toward the point a little bending , eleven inches long , two and an half broad , edged * * I do not well apprehend our Authors meaning in these words , therefore I have put them down in the Language he wrote them in . versus exteriora : The upper Chap of the Bill is a little higher [ or deeper ] and bigger than the nether . It hath no Tongue : under the Throat is a Crop of a moderate bigness . The Legs are very long , viz. two foot . For the upper Legs [ or Thighs ] are one foot and an inch long , and half way bare of feathers ; the lower eleven inches : These are streight , black , and as it were scaled , half an inch thick . In each foot are four toes , three standing forward , and one backward , as is usual in most birds . The whole bird all over is covered with white feathers like a Swan or Goose . The whole Neck almost , viz. for eight inches length , counting from the Head , is destitute of feathers ; and one half of this bare part , together with the Head , is covered with a black skin , the other half with a white . But I suppose the feathers had been pluckt off , and that the white down stuck in the skin . The Tail is broad , ending with the end of the Wings .

CHAP. III. * Jabiru guacu of the Petiguares , Nhandu apoa of the Tupinambi , Scurvogel of the Low Dutch.

IT hath a great Bill , seven inches and an half long , round at the end , and bending downward . It wants the Tongue , and the lower Bill is grey . On the top of the Head it hath a bony Miter or Crown , of a colour mixt of white and cinereous . The Eyes are black , and behind them large Ear-holes . The Neck is ten inches long , the upper half whereof , together with the Head , is not covered with feathers , but with a scaly ash-coloured skin , whose scales are white . In bulk of body it equals a Stork : It hath a short , black Tail , reaching no further than the ends of the Wings . The upper Legs [ or Thighs ] are covered partly with white feathers , else the whole Legs are ash-coloured ; the upper being eight inches long , the lower six , or a little more . There are four Toes in each foot , so disposed as in the former . The whole Body and Neck are covered with white feathers . Long feathers hang down from the Neck and about it . The Wings are white ; their quil-feathers black , with a gloss of a Ruby colour . They flay the skin off this bird , and eat the flesh boiled or roasted . It is fat , dry , and well-tasted , especially if it be fried with butter . I have eaten of it often .

CHAP. IV. The Brasilian Cariama of Marggrave .

THis is a Water-fowl of the bigness of the greater Heron. On its Head above the rise of its Bill it carries a crest or tuft of feathers , standing upright , of a black mingled with an ash-colour . The Bill is short , the upper part a little hooked , brown , with a tincture of dark yellow . It hath elegant golden Eyes , with a black Pupil , and long , black Eye-brows . The Wings end a little behind the rise of the Tail . It hath long Legs , above covered half way with feathers , else naked , and of a dark yellow colour : Three Toes in each foot , the middlemost the longest , the outer shorter than that , and the inner the shortest ; connected partly by a skin intervening . Behind , or on the backside the foot it hath a small Toe , set higher than is usual , and a round heel like an Ostrich . The Claws are short , hooked , dusky . The whole Body is covered with grey or ash-coloured feathers , waved with brown , as in Falcons , and a dark yellow intermingled . The ends of the Wings and Tail are brown , waved with a dark yellow and grey . In the Breast and lower Belly it hath more grey . It carries its Tail low , its Neck high . It s cry is like a Hen - Turkeys , and is heard afar off . It is very good meat .

CHAP. V. The Brasilian Anhima of Marggrave .

IT is a Water-fowl of the rapacious kind , bigger than a Swan . It s Head is not great , like a Hens ; its Bill black ; the upper Chap whereof is something longer than the nether , and turning downward at the tip . It hath fair , golden Eyes , with a black Pupil , and a black circle without . On the Head near the rise of the Beak it carries an erect horn , bending forward at point , a little more than two inches long , of the bigness of the greater string in a base Viol ; round as though it were turned , of a white or bone colour . About the horn stand up very fine , short , black and white feathers . It s Neck is seven inches long , the rest of its Body to the rise of its Tail almost a foot and half . It hath very large Wings ; the greater feathers being above a foot and half long . In the forepart of each Wing are two streight triangular * * Spurs they may more properly be called . horns , springing from the very bone of the Wing , as thick as the tip of ones little finger , and of a Conical [ more properly Pyramidal ] triangulate figure . The foremost of these goads or spurs are an inch long ; the hindmost a little shorter , and of a dusky colour . It hath a Tail ten inches long , and broad like that of a Goose . The upper Legs [ Thighs ] are four inches long , and for the lower half bare of feathers . The lower Legs are five inches long , and almost two thick . In each foot it hath four toes so situate as in Hens : The middle of the three fore-toes is four inches and an half long ; the other two three and an half ; the back-toe almost two . Each hath a crooked , black Claw an inch long , but the back toes a little longer . Both Feet and Legs , as far as they be naked , are covered with a brown scaly skin . The crown of the Head is variegated with black and white feathers . The sides of the Throat and upper half of the Neck are black . The lower half of the Neck and Breast are variegated with white , cinereous , and black feathers . The lower Belly is all white . On the sides under the Wings , and on the Back the Plumage is black , white feathers being here and there intermingled . The Tail is black : The Wings also are black , excepting the outmost borders ( near the bones ) where they are covered with yellowish white feathers . It hath a terrible cry , sounding something like Vyhu , Vyhu . It is never found alone , but always a pair , Cock and Hen , walk together , and when one is dead , the other never departs from its carkass . The horn that grows on its Head is held to be a remedy against poyson , being infused a whole night in Wine . The same is reputed a remedy against the suffocation of the Womb , and in hard travel . This that I described was a Hen: The Cock is of twice the bigness . It makes its Nest of clay by the bodies of trees upon the ground , of the shape of an Oven . Thus far Marggravius . This is a bird of a singular kind , none like it : Perchance it may be the Cuntur , so much talked of . Here we may note by the by , that these spurs in the Wings are found only in some American birds , but in none of our Continent .

BOOK III. PART I. SECTION II. Of Cloven-footed Piscivorous Water-fowl .

THese have very long Necks : Their Bills also are long , strong , ending in a sharp point , to strike fish , and fetch them from under stones or brinks : Long Legs to wade in Rivers and Pools of water : Very long Toes , especially the hind-toe , to stand more firmly in Rivers : Large , crooked Talons , and the middle serrate on the inside , to hold Eels and other slippery fishes the faster , or because they sit on trees ; lean and carrion bodies , because of their great fear and watchfulness .

The Heron-kind is distinguished from all other tribes of birds by this most certain note , that they have but one single blind gut a-piece , after the manner of Quadrupeds ; whereas all other birds known to us have twain .

CHAP. I. Of Herons .

§. I. The common Heron or Heronshaw : Ardea cinerea major sive Pella .

THe Female ( which I described ) weighed almost four pounds : Being from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws four foot long , to the end of the Tail thirty eight inches and an half .

The foremost feathers on the crown of the Head were white , then succeeded a black crest four inches and an half high . The Chin was white . The Neck being white and ash-coloured was tinctured with red . The Throat white , being delicately painted with black spots ; and on its lower part grew small , long , narrow , sharp , white feathers . The Back ( on which grows nothing but down ) is covered with those long feathers that spring from the Shoulders , and are variegated with whitish strakes or lines tending downwards . The middle part of the Breast , and lower part of the Rump , viz. that underneath the Tail inclines to yellow . Under the Shoulders is a great black spot , from which a black line is drawn to the Vent .

The prime feathers of the Wings are about twenty seven in number , the last of which are ash-coloured , all the rest black , excepting the outer edges of the eleventh and twelfth , which are somewhat cinereous . The undersides of all of them is cinereous . The feathers of the bastard Wing are black . Under the bastard-wing is a great white spot . Also white feathers cover the root of the bastard wing above . Then a white line is continued all along the basis or ridge of the Wing as far as its setting on . Ten of the second row of Wing-feathers are black , then four or five have their exteriour borders white : All the rest are ash-coloured . The Tail also is ash-coloured , seven inches long , and made up of twelve feathers .

It s Bill is great , strong , streight , from a thick base gently lessening into a sharp point ; from the tip to the angles of the Mouth five inches and an half long , of a yellowish green colour . The upper Mandible is a thought longer than the nether , and therein a furrow or groove impressed , reaching from the Nosthrils to the utmost tip . Its sides towards the point are something rough , and as it were serrate , for the faster holding of slippery fishes . The lower Mandible is more yellow : The sides of both are thinned into very sharp edges . The Mouth gapes wide . The Tongue is sharp , long , but not hard . The eye-lids , and that naked space between the Eyes and Bill , are green . The Nosthrils are oblong narrow chinks .

The Legs and Feet are green : The hind-part of the Legs and soals of the Feet greener . The Toes very long . The outmost foretoes are joyned to the middle by a membrane below . The inner edge of the middle claw is serrate , which is worthy the notice taking .

It s Stomach is large and flaggy , rather membranous than musculous , as in carnivorous birds , in which dissected we found * * Lenticula aquatica trisulca . Ivy-leaved Duckmeat . The Guts towards the Vent , where the blind guts are situate , are larger than in other birds . It hath not two blind guts , one on each side , like other birds , but only one , like Quadrupeds , but that bigger and thicker than ordinary . The Gullet under the Chin is dilated into a great wideness . In the middle of the Merry-thought is an Appendix . It hath a long Gall-bladder . Gesner counts but eleven Vertebres in the Neck ; I observed fifteen , of which the fifth hath a contrary position , viz. is * * In another place Mr. willughby puts it among his queries , whether the five upper vertebres in the Neck of a Heron be reflected the contrary way . reflected upward . It feeds upon Fishes , Frogs , &c. Oftentimes also it strikes and wounds greater fishes than it can draw out and carry away . Young Herons may be fatted with fish guts and entrails , flesh , &c. It sits sometimes with its Neck so bent up , that its Head is drawn down to stand between its shoulders .

These Birds build sometimes on the tops of great trees , and for the most part many together . But whether they are wont to build in old Rooks Nests , as Aldrovandus out of Polydore relates , I leave to further enquiry .

We have Heronries in England such as they have in France , however Bellonius denies it : In which Herons are so well instructed and accustomed to breed , that the owners make yearly a good profit of the young .

§. II. Aldrovandus his third sort of ash-coloured Heron.

THis Heron which I make congenerous to the common cinereous , from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Feet was thirty six inches , or four foot long : Had a Bill an inch thick , of the length of a * * I suppose he means Italian measure , not an hand breadth . Palm ; near the Nosthrils of the breadth of ones little finger , channel'd within ; beneath of a horn and rose colour . The Iris of the Eye yellow , the Pupil black . The Neck was a full span long . The feathers of the Head , Neck , Back , and upper side of the Wings of a dusky ash-colour : All their ends marked with a red spot : But the great Wing-feathers are variegated with white at their tips ; and also those which make up the Tail , which is a Palm and half long . Those which cover the Breast are sprinkled with longer marks of black , red , and white . The Belly is of a pale ash-colour , almost white . The Hips or Thighs are somewhat red ; and for the space of an inch above the * * The word is Poplit . s , which may be Englished Hams . knees bare of feathers . From these to the ends of the Claws remains the measure of two Palms . The Legs are greenish , and the Feet cloven into Toes , which yet at the beginning of the divarication are joyned together by a short membrane , because it must needs be conversant about waters . The Claw of the back-toe is greater than the rest . Upon the tips of the feathers of the Head stuck certain small , tender , white capillaments ; which argued this to be a young bird .

§. III. The lesser ash-coloured Heron , called by the Germans , The Night-raven .

IT is much lesser than the precedent , and hath a shorter Neck . It s Back and the crown of its Head are black ; its Neck ash-coloured . It s Throat and Belly tinctured with yellow . A white line is extended from the Eyes to the Bill . From the hinder part of the Head it hath a Crest of three feathers five inches long hanging down over the Back , whereby it is differenced from all other birds . Its Wings and Tail are cinereous : Its Bill black : Its Legs and Feet of a yellowish green .

At Sevenhuys , a Village in Holland in a fenny Country , not far from Leyden , we described a young bird of this kind ( as I suppose ) taken out of the Nest , thus . Its Legs and Feet were green ; and those bare of feathers for about an inch above the knees . The outmost Toe connected with the middle one by an intervening membrane from the divarication to the first joynt : The Claw of the middle Toe serrate on the inner side , as in the common Heron. The Eyes of a lovely yellow . In the colour of its body it comes nearer to a Bittour than to the common Heron-shaw . Two rows of the greater Wing-feathers are black , with white tips . The Tail is of a dusky ash-colour , the tips of its component feathers being also white . The Back and Neckfeathers are black , with red shafts , or red lines in the middle . In the Neck the red lines are broader . The tips of the lesser covert feathers of the Wings decline from white to red . The Belly is white , with black spots : The Chin white : The feathers on the Throat on one side white , on the other black . After it hath mew'd its first feathers without doubt it changes its colour , as most other birds do . It hath a great Gall ; a large Stomach , glandulous within , but not fleshy or musculous ( which kind we in English call a Gizzard ) in it were the shells of Beetles . In the middle of the bone called the Merry-thought is an Appendix . This Bird lays white Eggs.

The Germans call it , Nacht rab , that is , Night-raven , and under that title it is figured and described by Gesner , whence * * Ornithol . lib. 19. cap. 57. Aldrovandus propounds it under the title of Night-raven for a distinct species of bird , subjoyning it to the Corvus Sylvaticus of Gesner . It is called Night-Raven , because in the night time it cries with an uncouth voice , like one that were straining to vomit .

§. IV. The great white Heron. Ardea alba major .

IT weighed forty ounces . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Feet was fifty three inches and an half ; to the end of the Tail no more than forty . It s breadth , as we reckon it , between the tips of the Wings extended sixty inches and an half .

It s colour was all over as white as snow . The number of the main feathers of its Wings was about twenty seven ; of its Tail twelve : The length of its tail six inches and an half . It had no Crest . It s Bill , as in the common Heron , was yellowish . The edges of its Eye-lids , and that naked space between the Eyes and Bill green . The Eyes of a pale yellow . The Legs for some space above the knees bare of feathers . The Feet and Talons black : The outer fore-toe connected with the middle one from the divarication to the first joynt by an intervening membrane . The Claw of the middle toe had its interiour edge * * Sawed of toothed . serrate .

The figure of the Breast-bone was arcuate [ bending like a Bow ] as in other Herons . The vertebres of the Back were six or seven : Those of the Neck to the fourth were bent downwards , all the rest upwards . It had a great Gall : A triangular Appendix on the Merry-thought . Of its fat is made Oil good for the wind , &c.

This differs from the common Heron , 1. In magnitude , as being lesser than that . 2. In the length of its Tail . 3. In that it wants a Crest . A certain English man ( saith Aldrovand ) affirmed , that he had seen white Herons , though but rarely , which neither in bigness of body nor shape differed at all from the common Heron , but only in colour . I suspect this Relator whosoever he was , was mistaken , accounting the bird in this article described by us not to differ from the common Heron-shaw but only in colour . For Mr. Johnson , who hath seen the white Heron in England , puts it down for a distinct kind in his Method of Birds communicated to us .

§. V. The lesser white Heron : Ardea alba minor .

BEing weighed it scarce amounted to one pound . From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail it was twenty four inches and an half long , to the end of the Legs thirty two and an half . It is all over of a pure white colour , like the bigger . From the hinder part of the Head hangs down backward a short Crest . About the Eyes the skin is bare of feathers , and of a green colour . The Bill is four inches and an half long , and black . The Eyes are of a pale yellow . The Tongue short : The Feet green ; but sometime covered with a black , scaly bark , which may easily be rubbed or scraped off . The Legs are bare of feathers something above the knees , and up higher than in the former kind . The outer fore-toe is connected with the middle from its rise to the first joynt by an intervening membrane . The middle Talon is toothed , as in the rest of this kind . It hath also but one blind gut , like them ; and a great Gall.

It differs from the precedent white Heron in being much lesser , and in having a crest , which that wants .

We take this to be the same with the small white Heron or Garzetta of Gesner and Aldrovand , and with Bellonius his Aigretta of the French , although the descriptions differ in some particulars .

Gesner saith , that the feathers of the Crest are long , and sold at a great rate . But Bellonius and Aldrovandus write , that these feathers , which Noblemen and great Commanders are wont to stick in their Caps and Head-pieces for ornament , and which are fold very dear in the Cities subject to the Turk , do not grow on the Head , but on the Back , at the ridge of each Wing . Our Bird , which we bought in the Market at Venice , had no such feathers ; perchance they had been before pluckt off , and concealed by the Fowler that sold us the bird .

The second lesser white Heron of Aldrovandus is the very same with this , called also Garzetta in the Valleys of Malalbergo , as will manifestly appear to him that will but take the pains to compare the descriptions . Aldrovand . tom. 3. pag. 93. describes it thus . It is a bird all over white , excepting the Legs and Bill , which are black . It s Bill is long , slender , very sharp-pointed , all of one colour . Between the Eyes and Bill is a certain spot of green . The Pupil of the Eyes is black , encompassed with a yellow or golden circle , and that again with a black . The Neck and Legs , as in other Herons , are long ; so are also the Toes , but yellow . The back-toe is the least of all : The middlemost of the fore-toes longest , and that on the right side of it next in length . The Claws black and sharp . The Wings very great ; the Tail short ; the Body slender and little .

This , I say , is without all doubt the same with our small white Heron ; neither ( as I judge ) doth it differ from the Garzetta of Aldrovand , before described , in any thing but in age , for that was a young bird . In this there is no mention made either of the Crest , or of those rare feathers growing on the Back . Perchance they were by the Fowlers , ( who knew well enough their value ) plucked off from both Aldrovands bird and ours .

§. VI. * The third small white Heron of Aldrovand .

IT is lesser than the precedent , but more fleshy . It s Bill small , thick , sharp-pointed , all yellow . The top of the Head and Neck are almost of a Saffron colour ; which , though more remiss , is seen also in the Breast . The Neck is shorter than in other Herons . The Eyes are situate as it were in a certain yellow spot : Their Irides are yellow , encompassed with a black circle . The Thighs and Legs are long , of a yellow colour , inclining to Saffron . The Toes are , in proportion to the body , bigger than in other Herons , very long , dusky , encompassed also with whitish annulary scales . Two of the fore-toes are joyned together by a small membrane , as in the rest . Its Claws are long , very sharp , and hooked : That of the middle toe , longer than the rest , is serrate , as in the Bittour . The Tail is not very short .

Besides this Aldrovand figures another with a short , thick , sharp Bill , very long toes , the fore ones dusky : The head inclining to Saffron-colour : The Bill and Legs yellow . Else the whole bird is white .

§. VII . * The red-leg'd Heron , or Cirris of Virgil according to Scaliger . Aldrov . tom. 3. p. 398.

THis is lesser than all other Herons , and hath also a very short Neck : The whole bird almost from Saffron inclining to a Chesnut colour ; on the underside deeper , on the upper side and Wings paler . The Tail is so little that it seems altogether to want one . The Pupil of the Eye is encompassed with a yellow circle , that with a * * The word is miniaceus , which signifies the colour of red lead , scarlet one , and this again with a black . Very beautiful feathers , partly yellow , and partly black , arising from the forehead hang down all over the upper part of the Head and Neck . The Bill is strong , long , sharp , of two colours , where it joyns to the head green , or from green inclining to blue ; and this colour reaches as far or farther than the middle of the Bill , the remaining part being black . The Legs and Feet are of a deep red colour as in many Pigeons : The Talons black . The Toes very long , and joyned with a small membrane , or some rudiment of it .

Besides , he sets forth the figure of another in all things like this , save that the same colour in the body is more remiss , the Feet yellowish , the Neck on the sides besprinkled with many black spots ; which are not in the other .

§. VIII . * The Heron which they call Sguacco in the Valleys of Malalbergo . * * Ornithoi . tom. 3. p. 400. Aldrov .

IT hath tufts of feathers on the head almost of the same colour with the immediately precedent ; to which also it is in bigness almost equal , or a little less . It s Bill is shorter than in that , but strong , of the same colour with the whole Back , viz. of a yellow ferrugineous . The Iris of the Eye is of a golden colour , encompassed with a black circle . The whole Head and Neck are particoloured of yellow , white , and black . Underneath on the belly it is white , as is also the Tail , and better part of the Wings . The Thighs are yellow : The Legs and Toes are greenish , as in some Water-hens . They say it is a bold and couragiousbird .

§. IX . The Heron called Squaiotta at Malalbergo . Aldrovand .

IT hath a yellow Bill , black at point , a short Tail , green feet . The tuft on the Head consists of thirty feathers , the middlemost of which are white , and the outermost black . There grow also on its Back of that sort of elegant feathers before mentioned , of a red colour , and black at their roots . * * Sguacco & Squaiotta . Both perchance have their names from their cry .

§. X. * Another small Heron with a bow-bill , Aldrovand .

THe Bill of this is more * * Bending like a Bow . arcuate than in any of the precedent . On the nether side the Neck and Breast ( which is spirinkled with black spots tending downwards ) are white . Else the whole bird is of an ash-colour , underneath paler , above deeper . The Thighs in this Bird , contrary to what they are in others of this kind , are covered with feathers .

§. XI . * The Bird of kin to the Heron described by Aldrovand , t. 3. p. 412.

THis sort of Bird , though it hath a much shorter Bill , I have made * * Of the same kind or Family . congenerous rather to the Herons than other birds , and am wont to call it the black Heron , because in its meen , and the fashion of the rest of its body , it resembles the Heron-kind . For it hath a long Neck , long Legs , very long Toes , sharp Talons , and finally , a short Tail . Its colour is all over uniform , viz. blackish , except the Neck , which is compassed with a white ring , and the Bill which is yellow , in the middle , and at the end , as well above as below , marked with a black spot .

It hath not as yet been our hap to see these six last birds , and so we have nothing to add to their descriptions , which we have borrowed of Aldrovandus .

§. XII . The Bittour or Bittern or Mire-drum : Ardea stellaris , Taurus of Pliny , called by later Writers Butorius and Botaurus , and by Aristotle also Ocnus .

IN bigness it falls not much short of the common Heron-shaw . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws is thirty eight inches , to the end of the Tail twenty nine . It s Head is small , narrow , or compressed at sides : The crown black : At the angles of the mouth on each side is a black spot . The Throat and sides of the Neck are red , with narrow transverse black lines . The Neck being cloathed with very long feathers , seems to be both shorter , and much greater than indeed it is . The long feathers on the Breast are black in their middles . The inner part of the Thighs and the lower Belly are white , with a light tincture of red . The outsides of the Thighs are variegated with black spots . The Back is particoloured , of pale red , or feuille mort and black , [ with cinereous also mingled , ] the black spots being greater there than in the rest of the body . The bottoms of the feathers on the Throat are white . The great or quill-feathers of the Wings are shorter than in the common Heron. The tips of the greater feathers are black , else they are all variegated with transverse red and black lines . The lesser rows of Wing-feathers are of a paler red . The Tail is very short and little , made up of ten feathers of the same colour with the Wing-feathers .

The black stroaks or marks between the shoulders are broader , and tend downwards ; but the red colour is paler , languishing into a yellow . It s Bill is streight , strong , thick at the Head , and growing slenderer by degrees to the point , of a greenish colour , and having sharp sides or edges . The sides of the lower Mandible fall within the upper , when the Mouth is shut . The upper Chap hath a long cranny , or furrow , or channel excavated on each side , wherein are the Nosthrils . The Tongue is sharp , not cloven , reaching scarce to the middle of the Bill . The Irides of the Eyes from hazel incline to yellow . [ In another bird they were red . ] The slit of the Mouth is very wide , running out beyond the Eyes toward the hinder part of the Head , so that the Eyes seem to be situate as it were in the very Bill . Under the Eyes the skin is bare of feathers , and of a green colour . The Ears are great , and wide open .

The Shanks are bare a little above the knees : The Feet green : The Toes great , and very long , armed also with long and strong Talons ; that of the middle Toe serrate on the interiour edge , in like manner , and for the same purposes , viz. of holding fast Eels , and other slippery fish , as in the rest of this kind . The back-claw , which is remarkably thick and long above the rest , is wont to be set in Silver for a Pick-tooth , and is thought to have a singular property of preserving the teeth . The outmost fore-toe is joyned to the middlemost at bottom by a membrane .

They say , that it gives always an odd number of bombs at a time , viz. three or five : Which in my own observation I have found to be false . It begins to bellow about the beginning of February , and ceases when breeding time is over . The common people are of opinion that it thrusts its Bill into a Reed , by the help whereof it makes that lowing or drumming noise . Others say , that it thrusts its Bill into the water , or mud , or earth , and by that means imitates the lowings of an Ox. It hides it self commonly among reeds and rushes , and sometimes lies in hedges with its Neck and Head erect .

In the Autumn after Sun-set these birds are wont to soar aloft in the air with a spiral ascent so high till they get quite out of sight : In the mean time making a singular kind of noise , nothing like to lowing .

As for the interiour parts , The annulary cartilages of the Wind-pipe after its divarication , are not entire [ or perfectly round ] but only semicircular : The other part of the circle being supplied by a thin , loose membrane : They stand also at a greater distance one from another than before . The Liver is divided into two Lobes , and hath its Gall-bladder annexed . The interiour membrane of the Stomach is wrinkled , and full of papillary glandules . Beneath the lower Orifice of the Stomach was as is were a secondary stomach , of a singular structure , and of the figure of the Letter ∽ , having a thick coat , and being rugged and uneven with folds or wrinkles within . The first stomach was lax and membranous rather than musculous , like a Dogs stomach , as Bellonius rightly compares it . It hath no Craw : Only one blind gut , like the rest of this kind , half an inch long . The Gullet just below the Bill may be vastly dilated , so as to admit a mans fist . In the stomach dissected we found the fur and bones of Mice . Instead of the transverse ribs are only small Appendices . The Vertebres next the Head are bent downwards , all the rest up wards . The Breast-bone is * * Bending like a Bow . arcuate . The angle or aperture of the Breast-bone is filled up with a thin , loose , pellucid membrane . The Gullet and Windpipe descend down the right side of the Neck . It hath also a bony Appendix in the angle of the Merry-thought , but less than the common Heron.

It is called by later Writers , Butorius and Botaurus , because it seems to imitate boatum tauri , the bellowing of a Bull. The Author of Philomela calls it Butio : But his mistakes are so many , that no account is to be made of his authority . Some have made it to be the Onocrotalus , because of its voice ; which , to say the truth , seems to me much more to imitate the braying of an Ass than the lowing of a Bull : But Pliny hath so exactly described the Onocrotalus , that no man that shall compare the notes with the bird , can possibly doubt that it is that we commonly call the Pelecan : Though those that have seen and observed it , never heard it make any such braying noise when kept tame : Which is something strange ; unless perhaps being discontented with its captivity , it delights not to make that noise it doth when at liberty . The Bittern is said above all other birds to strike at mens eyes . It builds upon the ground , commonly in a tuft of Rushes , lays four or five Eggs , of a round figure , and whitish colour , inclining to cinereous or green , not spotted at all .

This without doubt is that bird our common people call the Night-raven , and have such a dread of , imagining it cry portends no less than their death , or the death of some of their near Relations : For it flies in the night , answers their description of being like a flagging Collar , and hath such a kind of hooping cry as they talk of .

§. XIII . * Aldrovandus his third sort of speckled Heron.

THis Bird , sent from Epidaurus , was all over of one and the same colour , to wit , reddish , deeper above , lighter underneath . This same , or at least one very like to it , taken in our Fens , had a Bill a palm long , of a horny colour , streight , and sharp-pointed . The upper Mandible was a little hooked at the end , and longer than the nether , with some blackness . The crown was black : The Neck ferrugineous , two palms long : The Back was black , and so was the Tail , which was very short ; the Rump beneath white : The Wings partly ferrugineous , partly white . The Legs nine inches long . The Iris of the Eyes was yellow . This seemed as yet to be a young bird , that had not mewed its first feathers .

§. XIV . The greater speckled or red Heron of Aldrovand .

THis seems to be a bastard kind between the Bittour and the common Heron , but to partake more of the common Heron , whence it would be more rightly intituled , The ash-coloured or blue Heron with red breast and sides .

In its bigness , shape , and serrate Claw it agrees with the common Heron. The crown of its Head is black , adorned with a long Crest : It s Back ash-coloured , but darker than the common Herons . On the shoulders grow long , red , bristly hairs . The lesser covert-feathers of the inner side of the Leg are red . The Thighs are white , dashed with red . Near the Breast on both sides is a broad red stroke . The middle of the Throat is particoloured , with black and pale red spots . Down the sides of the Neck is a black line in the middle of two red ones . The lower part of the Neck under the long feathers was of a deep red . In other particulars it agreed with the common Heron. It had but one single blind-gut : A huge Gall-bladder . The Ribs tend streight downwards from the vertebres of the back , like those of Quadrupeds . The Guts are small and slender . The remnant of the passage conveying the Yolk into the Guts is plainly to be seen in the form of a blind gut , about the middle of the intestines , the Pipe conveying Gall from the Gall-bladder to the gut , and the * * The gallduct or vein conveying gall from the Liver . porus bilarius do not concur in one common passage , but continue their channels several and distinct , and perforate the Gut in two places , but near one to the other .

§. XV. * The Brasilian Soco of Marggrave .

IT is a Water-fowl , of which here [ in Brasil ] many sorts may be observed . It is of the bigness of the lesser Heron : Hath a streight , black , and sharp-pointed Bill , two inches and an half thick where it is thickest . It s Head is like a Herons , as is also its Neck , being a foot long : Its Eyes black with a * * I suppose he means the Pupil black , and the Iris golden . golden circle . The Wings and Tail are equally extended , ending together . For the Tail is short , being not of above five inches length . The Legs are sufficiently long , above the knees four inches , and as many below . Each foot hath four Toes , three standing forwards , and one backwards . The Thighs above the Knees are above half way bare of feathers , covered with a dusky skin . The Head and Neck are cloathed with brown feathers , variegated with small specks . Along the lower side of the Neck down as low as the Breast is a line drawn of white feathers , mixt with black and brown ones . The Back and Wings are indeed black , but variegated or powdred with very small yellow specks or points . The Belly is of the same colour with the Back . Under the Wings are black feathers , spotted with white .

§. XVI . * The Brasilian Heron called Cocoi of Marggrave .

IT is an elegant bird , of almost the bigness of a Stork : Hath a streight , sharp Bill , about six inches long , which is of a yellowish green at its rise : Crystal Eyes , with a golden circle ; the skin about the Eyes bare , and ash-coloured . The length of the Neck is fifteen inches , of the Body ten , of the Tail five . The Tail and Wings equally extended . The upper Legs are feathered half down , being eight inches long ; the lower are but six and an half , covered with an ash-coloured skin . The Feet have four Toes , disposed in the usual manner ; the middle the longest , the rest shorter , all armed with crooked dusky Claws . The Throat and all the Neck are white : The top of the Head and sides of a black colour , mixt with cinereous . It carries [ on the Head ] an elegant , erect crest of the same colour , from which two neat feathers hang down backwards , of a black colour , inclining to cinereous , each five inches and an half long . The foreside of the Neck is spotted longways [ or down its length ] with feathers mixt of black and cinereous . In the lower part of the Neck before , it hath long , white , fine delicate feathers hanging down , which we were wont to wear in our Caps . The whole Back , Wings , and Tail are of a pale ash-colour , mingled with a little white . The upper half of the Legs upper is invested with white feathers . Along the length of the Back are extended fine elegant , ash-coloured feathers , for their figure and structure like those on the Neck . It is good meat .

§. XVII . * The Brasilian Heron , with a serrate Bill , of Marggrave .

IT is of the bigness of a tame Duck , or a little bigger : Hath a streight , sharp Bill , the fore-half , as well above as beneath , doubly serrate , four inches and an half long . It hath the Head and Neck of a Heron ; a black Pupil , with a golden circle : Its Neck is a foot long ; its body five inches and an half ; its Tail four , wherewith the Wings end . The whole Legs are nine inches and an half long : The upper , to the middle part only , covered with feathers , the lower half being bare . In each Foot four Toes , after the usual manner . The upper Bill is dusky , but toward the rise of a yellowish green . The whole Head , and upper side of the Neck are covered with long feathers , of a pale yellow colour , waved with black . Under the Throat it is White . The Neck beneath , the Breast and lower Belly have white feathers , waved with brown , which [ brown ] is round about edged with yellow . The whole Back and Wings are covered with dusky feathers , waved with yellow . The quil-feathers of the Wings are mixt of equal parts of black and green , their tips being white . The Tail consists of such feathers as the ends of the Wings , but crossed with white lines . The Legs and Feet are of a dark grey colour . The Claws dusky . It s flesh is eaten , and tastes like that of other Herons .

§. XVIII . * Guiratinga of the Brasilians , called by the Portugues Garza , that is , a Heron. Marggrave .

IT is of the bigness of the Spoon-bills or Pelecan of Gesner , and the same shape of body . It walks erect , with its long Neck and extended Bill , which is streight , sharp , yellow , four inches long , the upper part thereof black , the lower white . It hath long Legs like a Heron , of about six inches . The Toes are after the usual manner . The Legs outwardly , as also the Feet , are yellow , inwardly mixt of green and dusky . The whole body is covered with milk-white feathers . On the neck are most elegant white feathers , more fine than Ostriches . It is a Water-fowl , and its upper Legs are [ for some space ] bare of feathers .

§. XIX . * A small Brasilian Heron of Marggrave .

IT is scarce so big as a common Pigeon : Hath a very long Neck ; a streight , sharp Bill , dusky above , of a yellowish white beneath , two inches and an half long : A short , sharp Tongue : Eyes of a mean size , with a black Pupil , and a yellow circle : A small Head ; a slender Neck , but seven inches long , whereas the length of the Body is scarce four : Long Legs , each five inches ; the * * This part of the legs others call the thighs , though indeed it answers most properly to the legs in man , being the second internodium from the foot . upper half bare of feathers half way : Four Toes in each Foot , placed the common way , with crooked and sharp Talons . As for its colour , near the Eyes , where the Bill is inserted the skin is of a yellow [ melini . ] The Head above is covered with feathers of a steel-colour , with pale brown ones intermingled . The whole Neck , with the Breast and lower Belly have a white Plumage , mixt with cinereous and pale feathers , so that they appear variegated . The Back is black , and partly of a Steel colour , with pale brown feathers intermingled . The long Wing-feathers are greenish , having a white spot on their tips . The rest of the Wing is elegantly variegated of brown , steel-colour , wax-colour , and ash-colour . The Tail is two inches long , covered with the ends of the Wings , which are equally extended with it . The Legs above are mingled of ash and wax-colour . The naked part and the Feet are covered with a yellow skin . The Clawsbrown . This bird walks erect and stately .

CHAP. II. Of the Stork . De Ciconia .

§. 1. The common or white Stork : Ciconia alba .

IT is bigger than the common Heron : Its Neck thicker and shorter than the Herons : Its Head , Neck , and fore-part white : The Rump and outside of the Wings black : The Belly white . The quil-feathers of the Wings black : The Tail white : The Bill long , red , like a Herons Bill . The Legs long , red , bare almost to the Knees or second joynt from the Foot . The Toes from the divarication to the first joynt connected by an intervening membrane . The Vertebres of the Neck are fourteen in number . Its Claws are broad , like the nails of a man ; so that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . will not to be sufficient to difference a man from a Stork with its feathers pluckt off . N. B. Herodotus attributes such like Claws to the white Aegyptian Ibis . The Claw of the middle Toe is not serrate . It is seldom seen in England , and not unless driven overby a storm of wind , or some other accident . My honoured Friend Sir Thomas Brown of Norwich , a person deservedly famous , for his skill in all parts of learning , but especially in natural History , sent me a Picture of one of these birds taken on the Coast of Norfolk , drawn by the life , with a short description of it , as follows . It was about a yard high : It had * * Of a red lead colour . red Bill and Legs ; the Claws of the Feet like humane Nails . The lower parts of both Wings were black , so that when the Wings were closed or gathered up , the lower part of the Back appeared black . Yet the Tail , which was wholly covered and hid by the Wings ( as being scarce an inch long ) was white , as was also the upper part of the Body . The quills were equal in bigness to Swans quills . It made a snapping or clattering noise with its Bill , by the quick and frequent striking one Chap against the other . It readily eat Frogs and Land-snails which we offered it ; but refused Toads . It is but rarely seen on our Coasts . So far Sir Thomas Brown : Whose description agrees exactly with ours in all points .

The white Stork , saith * * In his Annotations on Recchus his Animals . Joannes Faber , is very rare in Italy : All these twenty eight years that I have spent at Rome , I never but once saw a white Stork , and then but one , on the top of the Tower , called Torre de Conti , I know not by what wind driven thither . Aldrovandus also himself an Italian born , and then a very old man , confessed that he had never seen a white Stork , for that the Territory of Bologna did neither breed nor feed them . But sith it is most certain , that Storks before the approach of Winter fly out of Germany into more temperate and hot Countries , very strange it is , Italy being contiguous to Germany , and hotter than it , that they should not fly thither , at least pass over it in their flight Southward .

I know them ( saith the same Faber ) who have learned by ocular inspection , that Storks and Peacocks , when such Serpents as they swallow passed alive through their bodies , ( as they will do several times , creeping out at their Fundaments ) use to set up their Rumps , and clap their Tails against a wall so long , till they feel the Serpents dead within them .

§. II. The black Stork . Ciconia nigra .

IT is equal to the white Stork , or but little less than it . It s Head , Neck , Back , and Wings are black , with a certain gloss or mixture of green , not unlike the colour of a Cormorant : Its Breast , Belly , and sides are white . The Bill green : The Legs also green , and bare of feathers up to the Knees or second joynt from the Foot . The membrane connecting the Toes reaches on the outside as far as the first joynt of the middle Toe , not on the inside . The young ones when they want meat make a noise not unlike to Herons . We saw this Bird first near Frankefurt on the Main , after at Strasburgh : We suppose those we saw were young ones , for that their Bills and Legs were green , whereas in that which Faber described they were red .

Jo. Faber * * In his Annotations upon Recchus his Animals . describes this Bird very diligently and exactly thus : Its length from the point of the Bill to the Feet was six † † The Latine word is Spitha●ae . spans and an half : The measure was the same of the Wings extended . The Bill alone ( wherein was seen a short reddish Tongue ) was a Roman foot long : The Legs two spans . The Gullet was of that capacity or wideness , that the Bird being hanged up by the Feet , a great Frog dropt out of the mouth of its own accord , without any force , and four more were found entire in its stomach . In which stomach , made of hard flesh , were many Frogs bones , and a certain dry lump not unlike dung . The Neck was a span and half long : The Legs and Feet meager . The colour of the Wings and all the Back blackish , as far as the lower Belly . This black is mixt with a dark bluish and purple , the dusky colour being predominant , especially in the greater feathers of the Wings . The Neck recedes further from the colour of the Back , and doth wonderfully delight the Eyes with a most grateful mixture of blue , purple , and green ; such as is observed in the necks of Pigeons and Mallards . And because only the lower region of the Belly , beginning far below the Breast , hath white and soft feathers ; the whole Bird is rather to be denominated black than white . The orbits of the Eyes , the whole Bill , Legs , and Feet are of a most pleasant scarlet red , or * * Resembling the minium of the Ancients , or our Cinnabar . vermilion colour . All which things put together , viz. the stately structure of the whole body , and that symmetry of various and pleasant colours , render this Bird very elegant and beautiful to behold . It is not altogether whole-footed like a Duck , yet the three fore-toes are joyned together half-way by a tough membrane ; the back-toe or keel being pretty long , and armed with a strong Talon . These birds frequent Fens , Lakes , and Sea-shores ; into these waters they run , intent upon their prey , sometimes also diving under water , maintain themselves by fishing , as I am assured by our Fowlers upon their credit . This Bird is not very frequent at Rome , yet is it sometimes exposed to sale among other Sea-fowl . It s flesh hath such a fishy taste and stench , that being thrown to our Cat , she refused it , and would not touch it . He endeavours to prove this Bird to be the Mergus of Ovid. See the Author .

All Storks make a clattering or snapping noise with their Bills , by clapping one Mandible nimbly against the other . They are said to live only in Republics and free-States ; but this we found by experience to be false , observing them in the Territories of some Princes in Germany . There is a tradition also that they feed and nourish their Parents in their old age , when they are unable to seek their own food : Whence the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , signifying the duty of Children in requiting and maintaining their aged Parents .

§. III. * The American Stork , called by the Brasilians Maguari of Marggrave .

IT is a Bird lik to the Stork in figure , and bigness , and partly also in colour . It hath a Neck a foot long : A streight , sharp Bill , of nine inches length ; long , naked Legs , like the Stork ; a short Tail reaching no further than the Wings . It s Bill at botom half way up is of a yellowish green : The other half being of a bluish ash-colour . It hath small , silver-coloured Eyes with a black Pupil , and about them a Vermilion-coloured skin , and the like also below , near the rise of the Bill , or between the Bill and the Throat , which when she is angry she lets hang down under the Throat after the manner of the Senembi . The whole Head , Neck , and all the body is covered with pure white feathers ; and on the lower part of the Neck those white feafeathers are of a good length . The Tail also is white , but above covered with certain black feathers . The Wings at setting on are covered with white feathers , but near the Back with black ; which black hath a gloss of green . It Legs and Feet are red and like a Storks . It snaps also with its Bill like our Country Stork . It s flesh is esculent .

CHAP. III. * The Ibis of Bellonius .

FOrmerly ( saith he ) we took the black Ibis to be the Haematopus : But observing its manners and conditions , we found it not to be the Haematopus , but the black Ibis , which Herodotus first mentioned , and after him Aristotle . It is of the bulk of the * * Eloritis . Curlew , or a little less , all over black : Hath the Head of a Cormorant . The Bill where it is joyned to the Head is above an inch thick , but pointed toward the end , and a little crooked and arched , and wholly red , as are also the Legs , which are long , like the Legs of that Bird which Pliny calls Bos taurus , Aristotle names Ardea stellaris . It hath a long Neck like a Heron , so that when we first saw the black Ibis , it seemed to us in the manner and make [ habitu ] of its body like the Bittour .

This kind of Bird is said to be so proper to Egypt , that it cannot live out of that Country , and that if it be carried out it dies suddenly .

The Ibes are birds very useful to the Egyptians , for destroying Serpents , Locusts , and Caterpillars , with which that Country is greatly infested ; and therefore divine honours were given them . The Ibes ( saith Cicero ) dispatch a power of Serpents . They turn away a great Plague from Egypt , when they kill and consume those flying Serpents that are brought in thither by the West wind out of the Deserts of Libya . Whence it comes to pass , that they do no harm either alive by their biting , or dead by their stench . For which cause the Ibes are invocated by the Egyptians . What else the Ancients have delivered concerning the Ibis , see in Aldrovandus .

CHAP. IV.

§. I. The Spoon-bill . Platea sive Pelecanus of Gesner . Leucorodius sive Albardeola of Aldrovand . Lepelaer of the Low Dutch.

THat which we described was a young one taken out of the Nest . It weighed forty five ounces and an half . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws was thirty four inches , to the end of the Tail twenty four . The colour of the whole body was Snow-white like a Swans . Beyond the Eyes toward the Bill grow neither feathers nor down , as in the Heron and Cormorant . The angle also of the lower Chap is bare , which perchance is peculiar and proper to this Bird.

The first quil-feather of the Wing is black ; of the second only the exteriour Web , or outer half from the shaft ; and the tip of the interiour are black ; of the third only the top , and of the fourth yet less . In like manner the tips and shafts of the inferiour feathers of the second row were black . The Tail is very short , viz. three inches and an half , made up of twelve feathers .

The Bill is of a singular and unusual figure , plain , depressed , and broad , near the end dilated into an almost circular figure , of the likeness of a Spoon , whence also the Bird it self is called by the Low Dutch , Lepelaer , that is , Spoon-bill . The broad part of the Bill is graven with twelve or fourteen lines or crevises ; but its inward surface is smooth and even , without any such sculptures or gravings . The Bill in the young ones before they be grown up is white , or of a flesh-colour , in old ones black . The Tongue is sharp and little . The Legs half way up the second joynt are bare of feathers ; in the young ones of a whitish colour . The Feet strong : The fore-toes joyned together by a membrane ; the outmost and middlemost to the second joynt , the middlemost and inmost no further than the first . The Toes and Claws black .

We did not observe in our Bird those reflections of the Wind-pipe , which Aldrovandus mentions , describes , and figures . It had a large Gall : The Guts had many revolutions . Above the Stomach the Gullet was dilated into a Bag , whose inward surface was rough and uneven , with many papillary glandules .

Its Eggs are of the bigness of Hens Eggs , white , and powdered with a few sanguine or pale-red spots .

In a certain Grove , at a Village called Sevenhuys , not far from Leyden in Holland , they build and breed yearly in great numbers , on the top of high trees ; where also build Herons , Night-ravens , Shags , Cormorants , &c. In this Grove every sort of Bird ( as they told us ) hath its several quarter , where they build all together . When the young ones are ripe , those that farm the Grove with a hook on the top of a long pole catch hold of the bough on which the Nest is built and shake out the young ones , but sometimes Nest and all down to the ground .

§. II. * Tlauhquechul , or the Mexican Spoon-bill of Hernandez .

It is a Bird of a strange Palate : It feeds only on living fish , and will not touch dead ones . It delights in ravin : In shape of body is like to the Spoon-bill or Pelecan , but almost all over of a most beautiful scarlet or pale red colour . It s Bill is broad , round toward the end , and of an ash-colour : The Pupil of its Eye black , the Iris red , and wrinkled : Its forehead like that of a Turkey or Aura : Its Head almost void of hairs or feathers , of a white colour , with near the whole Neck , and part of the Breast : A broad black ring , distinguishing the Head from the Neck . It lives about the Sea-shores and Rivers .

§. III. * The Brasilian Spoon-bill , called Aiaia , and by the Portughese , Colherado , Marggrav . the same I suspect with the precedent .

IN figure it agrees with the European Platea , differing only in colour . Of the bigness of a Goose : Its Bill broad like a Spoon , and white : Its Neck long : Its Feet broad . It is all white , save that the Back and Wings are of a pale carnation colour . It s flesh is edible . It is very common about the River of St. Francis , and elsewhere in Fenny places . Probably this Bird is the same with the precedent . We have a Bill of ( I suppose ) one of these American Plateas , which is almost twice as big and long as that of the common European .

BOOK III. PART I. SECTION III. Water-fowl not Piscivorous with very long slender streight Bills .

CHAP. I.

§. I. The Woodcock : Scolopax Aldrov . tom. 3. pag. 472.

IT is somewhat lesser than a Partridge : The upper side of the body particoloured of red , black and grey , very beautiful to behold . From the Bill almost to the middle of the Head it is of a reddish ash-colour . The Breast and Belly are grey , with transverse brown lines . Under the Tail it is somewhat yellowish . The Chin is white , with a tincture of yellow . A black line on each side between the Eye and Bill . The back of the Head is most black , with two or three cross bars of a testaceous colour .

The prime feathers in each Wing are about twenty three , black , crossed with red bars . The feathers under the Wings are curiously variegated with grey and brown lines . The Tail is 3 ⅜ inches long , consisting of twelve feathers , the tips whereof are cinereous above , and white underneath ; their borders or outsides as it were indented with red ; the remaining part black .

The Bill is three inches long , or more , dark brown toward the end , near the Head paler or flesh coloured : The upper Mandible a very little longer than the nether : The Tongue nervous : The Palaterough : The Ears very great and open . The Eyes stand higher or nearer to the top of the Head than in other birds , that they be not hurt when she thrusts her Bill deep into the ground . The Legs , Feet , and Toes are of a pale brown or dusky colour : The Claws black : The back-toe very little , having also but a little Claw .

The Liver divided into two Lobes , having a Gall-bladder annexed : The Guts long , slender , and having many revolutions . The blind Guts very short , not half so long as that single blind gut the remnant of the Yolk-funnel .

These are Birds of passage coming over into England in Autumn , and departing again in the beginning of the Spring ; yet they pair before they go , flying two together , a Male and a Female . They frequent especially moist Woods , and Rivulets near hedges . They are said both to come and to fly away in a Mist . At Nurenberg in Germany I saw of them to be sold in August , whence I suppose they abide thereabout all the year . On the Alps and other high Mountains they continue all Summer . I my self have flushed Woodcocks on the top of the Mountain Jura in June and July . Some straglers by some accident left behind when their fellows depart remain also in England all Summer , and breed here . Mr. Jessop saw young Woodcocks to be sold at Sheffield , and others have seen them elsewhere . Their Eggs are long , of a pale red colour , stained with deeper spots and clouds .

Of two that I described , one was a Male , and the other a Female ; the Female was heavier than the Male by an ounce and half ; the Female weighing eleven ounces and an half , the Male but ten : The Female also was of a darker colour .

The flesh of this Bird for the delicacy of its taste is in high esteem . The Leg especially is commended , in respect whereof the Woodcock is preferred before the Partridge it self , according to that English Rhythm before recited in the Chapter of the Partridge .

If the Partridge had the Woodcocks thigh , 'T would be the best bird that ever did fly .

The length of this Bird , measured from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail , was thirteen inches and an half : The breadth between the tips of the Wings extended twenty six inches .

Among us in England this Bird is infamous for its simplicity or folly ; so that a Woodcock is Proverbially used for a simple , foolish person .

§. II. The Snipe or Snite : Gallinago minor .

THis weighs about four ounces . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Toes is thirteen inches ; to the end of the Tail eleven and an half . The Wings spread were seven inches and an half wide .

A pale red line divides the Head in the middle longways , and on each side parallel thereto a list of black , and without the black over the Eyes another line of the same colour with that drawn along the middle of the Head . Between the Eyes and the Bill is a dusky brown line . The Chin under the Bill is white : The Neck is mingled of brown and red . The Breast and Belly are almost wholly white . The long feathers springing from the shoulders reach almost to the Tail , having their outward halfs from the shaft of a pale red , the inner black and glistering , their tips red ; which colours succeeding one another make two lines down the Back . The covert-feathers of the Back are dusky , with transverse white lines : Those incumbent on the Tail are red , crossed with black lines . The greater covert-feathers of the Wings are dusky , with white tips , the lesser are particoloured with black , red , and grey . The inside coverts are curiously variegated with brown and white lines .

The Quil-feathers are in each Wing about twenty four in number ; of which the outer edge of outmost is white almost to the tip : of the succeeding the tips are something white , but more clearly from the eleventh to the twenty first ; else they are all brown . But the last five are variegated with transverse black and pale-red lines . The Tail is composed of twelve feathers , two inches and an half long . It seems to be shorter than it is , because it is wholly covered and hid by the incumbent feathers . The tips of its outmost feathers are white , the rest of the feather varied with cross bars or lines of brown , and grey , or pale red colour . The following to the two middlemost are of like colour with these outmost , save that their tips are less white , their bottoms more black , and the uppermost cross bar reddish . Of the two middle feathers the tips are white , next beneath the white is a brown bar , under the brown a red one , with some dusky spots in the middle . The rest of the feather is black , save that in the outer Webs are sometimes seen one or two reddish spots . [ I suppose the colours of the Tail vary , and are not exactly alike in all birds . ]

The Bill is almost three inches long , black at the tip , and somewhat broad and chamferd : The Tongue sharp : The Irides of the Eyes hazel-coloured . The Legs are of a pale green , the Talons black . The Toes long , and separated from the first rise , without any connection or cohesion . The back-toe is very small .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes , with a large Gall appendant . The Stomach not very fleshy . It s flesh is tender , sweet , and of an excellent rellish .

It lives especially on the fatty unctuous humour it sucks out of the earth ; but feeds also upon Worms and other Insects .

Some of these Birds abide with us all the Summer and build in our Moors and Marshes ; laying four or five Eggs at a breeding time . The greatest part leave us , and fly into other Countries . It seeks its food in moist and fenny places , and in Rivulets and Gills of water , where also it hides it self , so that it is very hard to find or espy it .

§. III. The Gid or Jack-Snipe or Judcock : Gallinago minima seu tertia Bellonii .

IT weighed two ounces : Its length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws was ten inches and a quarter , to the end of the Tail eight and a half . It is about half so big as a Snipe ; whence it is called by the French , * * i. e. Two for one . Deux pour un , as Bellonius witnesses . The colour of the Rump is a shining bluish purple , like the feathers on a Stares back ; the tips of the feathers being white . The scapular feathers covering the Back have their outward border yellow , the middle part brown , with red spots , their inner border of a shining blue , yet without any mixture of purple . The Neck is particoloured of brown , white , and pale red . The top of the Head black , with a red tincture : Above either Eye passes a broad line of a pale yellow . The Throat is of a pale red , painted with white and brown spots . The Breast and Belly white . Between the Eyes and Bill is drawn a black line or border . The Males in this kind differ from the Females neither in colour , nor in magnitude . The prime feathers of the Wings were in number twenty four , of which the first or outmost ten were brown or dusky : The tips of the next ten white . The three last or inmost on the outside the shaft were straked with red and black . The tips of the greater covert-feathers are white : The lesser rows of Wing-feathers are black , but partly tipt with red .

The Bill is almost two inches long : The upper Chap a little longer than the nether , toward the end broad and rough with * * As if it were carved or graven . points , [ chamfered ] yet the very utmost tip smooth . The Legs bare somewhat higher than the Knees , pale-coloured , with a dash of green . The Toes divided to the bottom : The back-toe small : The Claws black . It hath a Gall-bladder , a musculous Stomach : The single blind Gut or Appendiz being the remainder of the Umbilical funnel conveying the Yolk into the guts , shrunk up . It feeds upon Beetles , and other Insects .

It hides it self among Rushes , not rising sometimes till you are just ready to set your foot upon it : It is a simpler bird than the Snipe , and less frequent with us . I sometimes following the vulgar error , thought it not to differ from the Snipe in kind , but only in Sex , taking it to be the Cock-Snipe . But afterward being advised by Mr. M. Lister , I found it to differ specifically : For dissecting several of these small ones some proved to be Males , some Females .

§. IV. * The Brasilian Guarauna of Marggrave . Rusticula aquatica Brasiliensis .

IT is of the bigness of the Jacu ; hath a streight Bill , a little inclining downward , yellow , but dusky at the tip , four inches and an half long . It s body is also of the same length . The upper Legs are feathered down half way , six inches long . Each Foot hath four Toes so disposed as is usual , the middle of which is three inches long , the rest shorter . The whole bird is covered with brown feathers , mingled with much shade . The Head and all the Neck are indeed of the same colour , but besides , speckled with white , as in the Jacu . It is pretty good meat .

CHAP. II.

§. I. The Godwit , called in some places the Yarwhelp , or Yarwip , in others , the Stone-Plover : The Barge or Aegocephalus of Bellonius , as I take it . An Fedoa Gesneri ? An * * Tom. 3. pag. 439. Rusticula Aldrov ?

IT is like and equal to a Woodcock , or a little bigger : From point of Bill to the Claws seventeen inches and an half long : Between the tips of the Wings spread twenty eight and an half broad . The feathers of the Head are grey or cinereous , with some tincture of red , their middle parts being black ; above the Eyes white . The Neck and Throat are reddish . The Breast of a sordid white . The Back is particoloured of red , black , and white ; the middle parts of the feathers being black , the edges of a pale red . In the Cock the Throat and Breast are crossed with black lines : In the Hen the Throat and Neck are grey [ or ash-coloured , ] The whole rump almost is white , powdered with blackish specks . [ In the Bird that I described a triangular spot of white , took up the Rump or lower part of the Back , the vertex respecting the birds Head . ] The great feathers of the Wings are black , with white shafts : The rest of the first row , as also those of the second row have reddish ash-coloured tips and edges . The lesser covert-feathers of the Wings are of like colour with the body . The Tail-feathers are in number twelve , all crossed alternately with black and white lines ; the middlemost , which are the longest , of 3 ⅛ inches length : The rest on each side in order somewhat shorter , the exteriour than the interiour .

The Bill is white at the Base , black toward the point , longer for the bigness of the bird even than the Snipes or Woodcocks ; the upper Mandible a little longer than the lower : The Tongue sharp : The Nosthrils oblong : The Ears great .

The Legs are not very long ; naked to the middle of the second joynt : The Claws black . The Claw of the middle fore-toe on the inside is thinned into an edge . The outer Toe is joyned to the middle one from the rise to the first joynt by a pretty thick membrane of a dusky or dark green colour .

It lives and seeks it food on the sandy shores by the Sea-side , which for a great space are uncovered when the Tide is out , where it hides not it self like the Woodcock , but walks up and down the Sands in open view , like a Gull .

Barge of Bellonius , which he saith they in French call , * * A small Curlew . Petit Corlieu .

It lives in Meadows like the Curlew , and in like manner frequents the Sea . It is a timorous bird , not abiding the approach of a man . It hath a cry like a Goat ; whence we guess it was named by Aristotle , Aegocephalus , or Goathead . But lest perchance this my conjecture may seem rash and groundless , I will describe it . It is lesser than the Curlew , but for colour not much unlike it , hath also a shorter Bill , and streight . Aristotle writes thus of it . It altogether wants a Spleen , and a little after , For in some birds the Gall sticks to the Stomach , in some to the Guts , as in the Dove , Raven , Quail , Swallow , Sparrow ; in some to the Liver and the Stomach , as in the Aegocephalus , and lastly , in other to the Liver and the gut , as in the Hawk and Kite . But in our Barge dissected we found the Gall sticking both to the Liver and Stomach , as any one that will be content to take the pains to cut it up , may observe . It is esteemed a delicate bird by the French , but seldom appears in places far remote from the Sea , seeking its food most willingly in salt Marshes . A good part of Marsh-birds are nocturnal , as this also is , intent upon feeding by night rather than by day . Wherefore we shall receive it for the Aegocephalus , till some other more fit name be found out for it . Thus far Bellonius .

I take this bird of Bellonius to be the same with our Godwit , which in Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely they call Yarwhelp .

§. II. The second sort of Godwit , which seems to be the same with the Totanus of * * Tom. 3. pag. 430. Aldrovand , called at Venice , Vetola .

IT weighs above nine ounces : Its length from Bill to Tail is full seventeen inches ; to the feet twenty one : Its breadth from Wings-end to Wings-end twenty eight .

It s Bill is like a Woodcocks , three inches three quarters long , black at the end , else reddish : Its Legs long , and bare above the Knees : The outmost Toe joyned to the middle by a membrane as far as the first joynt : The middle Claw excavated on the inner side .

The Chin is white , with a tincture of red : The Neck * * Ash-coloured , or grey . cinereous : The Breast and Belly white : The Head of a dusky ash-colour , whitish about the Eyes : The Back brown : The Rump encompassed with a white ring , as in the Pygargus .

The quil-feathers in each Wing were twenty six : The first or outmost the longest , all black , as were also the six next . The rest to the nineteenth were half white : In the twentieth and twenty first the outer edges were also white . The tips of the feathers of the second row were white , and together made a white line crossing the middle of the Wing . It s Tail was three inches long , made up of twelve feathers . The two middlemost of which were almost wholly black : The outmost , especially on the outside Web , white almost up to the tips : In the rest in order the white part was less and less to the middlemost .

This bird hath thick blind-guts , ⅛ of an inch long , and besides that single one about the middle of the guts . It differs from the precedent , 1. In the colour of the Tail : 2. In the colour of the Back and upper side , which in that is various , in this one and the same : 3. In bigness , being less than that .

§. III. The third sort of Godwit .

BEsides the two already described Mr. Willughby acknowledges a third sort of Godwit , which in Cornwall they call the * * Others call the Oedicnemus of Bellonius the Stone Curlew . Stone-Curlew , differing from the precedent in that it hath a much shorter and slenderer Bill than either of them .

BOOK III. PART I. SECTION IV. Water-fowl not piscivorous with very long , slender , crooked Bills .

CHAP. I.

§ I. The Curlew : Numenius sive Arquata .

THe Female weighed twenty eight ounces ; the Male , which is somewhat less , and commonly called , The Jack Curlew , twenty five and a quarter . The length of the Female from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws was twenty nine inches : To the end of the Tail twenty three and an half . The distance of the tips of the Wings spread forty inches .

The middle parts of the feathers of the Head , Neck , and Back are black , the borders or outsides ash-coloured , with a mixture of red . In the Throat and Breast the middle parts or shafts of the feathers are black , the borders or edges , in the Breast white , in the Throat white , with a tincture of red . The Chin is not spotted . The Rump and Belly are white .

The feathers investing the underside of the Wing are all white : the first or outmost quil-feathers all over black , the rest spotted with white . The first feather of the second row is all black : the tips of the eighth or ninth next are white . This Bird hath a small , sharp-pointed , black feather at the end of the Wing , which whether or no it is to be reckoned among the quil-feathers one may justly doubt .

It s Bill is * * In some five inches and an half . in some above six . very long , narrow , bowed , of a dark brown or black colour : Its Tongue sharp , and very short , extending not further than the angle of the lower Chap: The Nosthrils long : The Legs long , of a dusky blue colour , bare of feathers half up the second joynt : The Claws small and black : That of the middle Toe thinned into an edge on the inside : All the Toes connected by a thick membrane from the divarication to the first joynt . It hath a great Gall-bladder , with a long neck extending to the gut , which concurs not in one common passage with the * * Porus bilarius . Gall-pore , but enters the gut at a distinct hole , though near to that .

It hath a musculous Stomach or Gizzard like granivorous birds : In the Stomach of one we found Periwinkle shells , small stones , and grit , &c. in anothers Frogs , &c. The single blind gut is very long : The common blind gut three or four inches long , and full of excrements . Above the Stomach the Gullet is dilated into a bag , granulated within with thick-set papillary glandules .

This bird for the goodness and delicate taste of its flesh may justly challenge the principal place among Water-fowl : Of this our Fowlers are not ignorant , and therefore sell them dear . They have a Proverb among them in Suffolk :

A Curlew , be she white , be she black ,

She carries twelve pence on her back .

It is a Sea-fowl , seeking its food on the Sands and Ouze , and in salt Marshes : It is found on the Sea-coasts on all sides of England .

§. II. The Whimbrel : Arquata minor , at Venice Taraniolo .

THis bird , the bigness excepted , is very like the Curlew . It weighs twelve ounces . The measure from Bill to Tail was seventeen inches , to the end of the Feet twenty : Of the Wings spread thirty three and an half . The Bill three inches long : The blind guts two : The guts twenty nine . Its Legs were greenish : The quil-feathers marked with great , semicircular , white spots . The lesser rows of covert-feathers had their edges white , their middle parts of a reddish black . The Belly and Thighs were white .

Mr. Johnson of Brignal , in his Papers communicated to us , describes this Bird by the name of a Whimbrel thus . It is less by half than the Curlew , hath a crooked Bill , but shorter by an inch and more : The Crown deep brown without speckles : The Back under the Wings white , which the Curlew hath not . Besides , the colour of the whole body is more duskish or dull . It is found upon the Sands in the Teez mouth .

The Gallinula Phaeopus of Gesner , which I suspect to be the same with the precedent .

This Bird about Strasburgh is called Brachvogel : It hath a black body , sprinkled with a few red and yellowish spots ; a slender , long , black Bill , moderately bending ; a whitish Neck , its underside about the middle and below tending to yellow or * * The word is russus , 〈◊〉 may be rendred russet . red : A white Belly ; dusky or ash-coloured Legs , as the Picture represents . This description was taken from a Picture , and therefore the less to be credited .

The other Phaeopus or lesser Curlew of Gesner ; the same with our Whimbrel .

This Bird some call ( as they do the greater Curlew ) Regenvogel , that is , Rain-fowl ; and in Italy , Tarangolo . It is almost like the last described , hath ash-coloured Legs like that , and a white Belly and Chin : A like Bill also , save that it seems a little longer . The Wings are spotted with white , else of a dusky red ; but their long feathers and the upper side of the Back are blackish . The Throat and Breast have something of an obscure and very faint red , and are speckled with many black spots .

I see no reason to doubt but this is our Whimbrel , sith the * * Taraniolo and Tarangolo in Italian . names agree , and the descriptions differ not in any considerable note .

CHAP. II. * The Falcinellus of Gesner and Aldrovand , which we may English , The Sithe-Bill .

WE have thought fit ( saith Aldrovand ) to place this next after the Herons , because that both in magnitude and the whole shape of its body it resembles a Heron , the Bill only excepted . This Gesner sometime saw alive at Ferraria in Italy . It s body was bigger that a Pigeons , of an elegant colour , almost green , with something of purple here and there mixt , as in the Back of the Lapwing , the colour varying , as it is variously exposed to the light : The Head and Neck brown : But the upper part whitish , spotted with black . It s Bill was slender , long , and bending downwards like that of the Curlew or Corvus Sylvaticus : Its Legs long , and Feet cloven . Some call it , * * Airon negro in Italian . The black Heron. But this that I saw was not grown up : They say it comes to be bigger , and perchance also may change something in colour by age . Among all the Birds that I have hapned to see , none seems to me to come nearer the Ibis . Thus far Gesner . Now ( proceeds Aldrovandus ) whether this be that Bird which our Country-men call Falcinellus , I do not well know . For it differs not a little from Gesners description . But it may happen ( as he well notes ) that this kind of bird may vary , according to the difference of age , both in bigness and also in colour . Our Falcinellus comes well up to the bigness of the Herons , and resembles them in the whole fashion and shape of the body , excepting the Bill . It s Head , Neck , Back , Breast , Belly , Thighs , Rump are of a spadiceous colour , tending to dusky : But the Neck and Breast are sprinkled with certain oblong dusky spots . In the middle of the Back is a kind of spot , of a dark green colour : Which same colour is also seen in the Wings and Tail . The Bill is blackish , very long , and falcate . The Thighs as far as they are naked , the Legs and Feet are of the same colour with the Bill . The Legs and Toes are extended to a conspicuous length .

CHAP. III. * Curicaca of the Brasilians , called by the Portughese Masarino .

IT is a Bird , in the judgment of Clusius like to the Curlew : Of the bigness of a handsom Goose : But its Head about as big as a Ducks . It s Neck six inches long , three thick , or a little more : Its Bill six inches long , crooked like an Hungarian Sword , of a dusky fire colour . The length of its body from Neck to Vent eleven inches , the thickness one foot . The length of the Wings sixteen inches , of the Tail ( which ends with the Wings ) nine : Its Legs are eight inches long : Its Feet two and an half ; red like a Ducks , but not flat , having four Toes with black Claws , three standing forward , and one backward . It s Head and Neck have a white Plumage , mingled with yellow , in the upper side pretty long . Its Eyes are black , with a yellow circle . About the Eyes and the beginning of the Throat there is a black skin . The whole body is covered with black feathers , excepting the Back , Head , and Belly , where are some of a dark ash-colour , and in the middle of the Wings others white , mixt with grey , as in Storks . The rest of the feathers of the body , of the beginning and end of the Wings and of the whole Tail are black . The upper Legs to the middle are void of feathers ; for it is a Water-fowl . It s flesh is good , which I have often eaten roasted and friend with butter .

There is found also another sort like to this , but much less , about the bigness of a Hen , which is called Matuitui .

It is common about the River of S. Francis , in Itapuama , and elsewhere .

CHAP. IV. * The Acacalotl or Water-Raven [ Corvus aquaticus ] of Hernandez .

THe Cock from the end of the Tail to the point of the Bill was almost four spans long ; and of a moderate bigness . The Legs a span and half : The Bill bending like a Bow , two Palms long , and pretty slender : The Feet cloven into four Toes , armed with very black Claws . The Legs are not so black as the Claws : The Bill is blue , and the Head small . The lower feathers are dusky , with red intermingled : But the upper promiscuously purple , black , green , and shining . The Neck is seven inches long . The Head and Neck are covered with dusky , white and green feathers , and some a little yellowish . The Eyes are black , but the Iris of a sanguine colour . From the outer angles of the Eyes as far as the Bill for the space of one inch the skin is bare of feathers and smooth , of a reddish colour . The Wings underneath are of a shining changeable colour , which varies according as it variously reflects the Sun-beams ; but above near their setting on first then of a lovely ●asseae . green and Peacock colour . It is native of the Coast of Mexico : It lives about Lakes , and feeds upon Fishes . It breeds and brings up its Young in the Spring time in fenny places . It yields a good nourishment , and not very unpleasant , but gross , and ( as other Marsh birds ) of a fishy sent . This Bird doth not much differ from the Falcinellus of Gesner and Aldrovand .

CHAP. V. * The Brasilian Guara of Marggrave : The Indian Curlew of Clusius , Exot.

IT is a Land and Water-fowl , of the bigness of the Spoon-bill ; It hath a Bill of the figure of a Polonian Sword , long , of a whitish ash-colour ; black Eyes ; a Neck and Head like the Spoon-bill . The Wings end with the Tail , which is short , and carried low . The Legs are long , the upper half whereof covered with feathers , the rest bare . In each footfour Toes , situate as is usual , long , with short Claws , at bottom joyned together by a skin . The Feet and Legs as far as naked are of a light grey , as is also the Bill . The whole Bird is covered with feathers of an elegant scarlet colour : Only the quil-feathers of the Wings have their ends black . This Bird , when first hatch'd , is of a blackish colour ; next it becomes ash-coloured ; then white : After by degrees it begins to grow red , and in the second year of its age is all over of that colour they call Columbin ; and as it grows older it acquires that elegant scarlet colour . It feeds upon fish and flesh , water always added .

That Bird which Clusius from a Picture sent him by the Duke of Areschot , described by the title of the * * Numenius Indicus . Indian Curlew , is without all doubt the same with this . It approached well to the bigness of a Curlew : Had a long Neck , a long and sharp Bill , but crooked like a Sithe : Long and slender Legs , furnished with four Toes , of which the three foremost are longest , the hind-toe short : All armed with black Claws . The Thighs for half that part that is above the knee are destitute of feathers : Which note is common to it with all other birds which are wont to frequent watery and fenny places . It s Tail was short , not exceeding the ends of the Wings . But the feathers investing the whole body were of another colour than those of our common Curlew , for they were wholly red like Vermilion , excepting the ends of the quil-feathers of the Wings , which were black . It s Bill and Legs were yellow , almost like Oker .

SECTION V. Water-fowl not piscivorous , with slender Bills , of a middle length .

CHAP. I. * The Himantopus of Pliny , Aldrov . lib. 20. cap. 30.

THe whole Belly , Breast , and under-side of the Neck is white , as is also the Head beneath the Eyes : For above the Eyes it is black , and so is it too on the Back and Wings . The Bill is likewise black , a Palm and more long , slender , and fit to strike Wood-lice , and other Insects . The Tail from white inclines to ash-colour , but underneath is white . On the upper side of the Neck are black spots tending downward . The Wings are very long . The Legs and Thighs are of a wonderful length , very small and weak , and so much the more unfit to stand upon , because it wants a hind-toe , and the fore-toes for the length of the Legs are short ; so that well and of right may it be called Himantopus , or Loripes , its Legs being soft and flexible like a thong or string . The Toes are of almost equal length , and of a sanguine colour , yet is the middle toe a little the longest . The Claws are black , small , and a little crooked .

See Gesners description of this bird , and what else he hath concerning it in the Author himself , or in Aldrovandus , who repeats it out of him , Ornithol . lib. 20. cap. 30. To say the truth , it hath not been our hap as yet to see this bird .

CHAP. II. * The Crex of Bellonius .

IT hath long Legs like the Limosa , called by the French , Chevalier , but is bigger ; yet lesser than the Curlew . It hath a long , black Bill like the Curlew ; and also black legs and Head , the Neck , back , and Breast white . The rest of the upper parts of the body incline to ash-colour . The Wings are blackish , crossed on both sides by a white line near the * * The Latine word is Costae . ridge . It seeks its food on the ground , and in the air also pursues and preys upon flies , in like manner as the Lapwing . When it flies it makes a great noise .

This Bird Bellonius saw about the River Nile ; and thence guessed it to be the Crex of Aristotle , because in its cry it often repeats this word Crex , Crex .

CHAP. III. The Sea-Pie : Haematopus Bellonii .

IT is of the bigness of a Magpie or Crow : of the weight of eighteen ounces : From Bill to Tail , or Claws ( for it is all one ) eighteen inches long .

It s Bill is streight , three inches long , narrow , or compressed sideways , ending sharp , of a red colour , [ In another bird , perchance a young one , the Bill was half black from the tip . ] By its figure the Bill seems to be framed by Nature , to thrust under * * Patella . Limpets , and to raise them from the Rocks , that so it may feed upon their meat . The upper Chap is a little longer than the nether . The Irides of the Eyes , and edges of the Eye-lids of a curious red colour , [ in another bird they were from yellow hazel-coloured . ] The Legs and Feet red . It wants the back-toe . The outmost and middle toe are for a good way up joyned together by a membrane : So that this Bird seems to be of a middle nature between whole and cloven footed . [ In some we observed the feet to be of a pale dusky colour , perhaps those also were young ones . ] The Claws were black .

The Head , Neck , Back , and Throat to the middle of the Breast were black . The rest of the Breast and Belly white , as also the Rump . From this likeness in colour it took the name of Sea-pie . In one bird there was a great white spot under the Chin , and another lesser under each eye .

The Tail is made up of twelve equal feathers , of four inches long , the lower half white , the upper black . The prime feathers of each Wing are about twenty eight , of which the first is black , having only the interiour edge white : In the rest in order the white part is enlarged , till in the twentieth and three following it takes up the whole feather . The succeeding from the tweenty third grow gradually black again . The covert-feathers of the middle quils are white , and together make up a transverse bed of white in the Wing .

The Stomach is great , not musculous , but membranous , in which dissected we found Limpets entire , upon which it seems chiefly to feed and live ; as from the make of its Bill we gathered before . It hath a great Liver , divided into two Lobes , with a Gall annexed : A small Spleen : Huge Ureters . The Cock differs not from the Hen in colour . It s flesh is very black , hard , having a rank taste , in a word very bad meat ; which we cannot but wonder at , seeing it feeds chiefly upon Shel-fish ; as do also the best rellish'd and most savoury of Water-fowl . On the Coast of Wales and elsewhere on the Western Shores of England we saw abundance of these birds .

Care is to be taken that the Haematopus be not confounded with the Himantopus or Loripes , so called from the weakness and flexibility of its long legs , as we said before .

CHAP. IV.

§. I. The greater Plover of * * Ornithol . lib. 20. cap. 66. Aldrovand : The Venetian Limosa of Gesner : As also the Glottis of the same Gesner and Baltner : Called at Venice Totano , a name it should seem common to this and the following bird .

IT weighs near seven ounces : In length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws it exceeds seventeen inches ; to the end of the Tail fourteen ; in breadth from tip to tip of the Wings expanded it is about twenty four and an half . It s Bill is black , yet at the angle of the lower Mandible red , slender , streight , two inches and an half long . It s colour on the upper side of the Head , Neck , Wings , Shoulders , and forepart of the Back is mixt of brown and whitish , we commonly call it grey . On the Head the outer borders of the feathers are white , the middle parts black . A white line passes above the Eyes . The under side of the body is all white and also the lower part of the Back or Rump .

The quil-feathers of the Wings are in number about twenty six , all dusky or dark brown . The five outmost darker than the rest , their interiour Webs being powdered with white specks : The inner quils are paler , speckled with white . The Tail is three inches long , composed of twelve feathers , waved with cross lines or bars of brown and white alternately placed .

Its Legs are very long , bare of feathers for two inches above the first joynt [ or Knees ] of a middle colour between green and livid , or * * Lead colour plumbeous : The back-toe small : The Claws black . The outmost Toe joyned to the middle at bottom . It s Stomach small , less fleshy than in granivorous birds .

This bird seemed to me in bigness to exceed the Redshank : Its Legs are also longer . Gesners description of the Limosa , which you have in Aldrovands Ornithology , lib. 20. cap. 28. answers in all points exactly to this bird . The description also of the Glottis in Gesner and its figure in Baltner agree to it . I believe also that this is the bird which the French call Chevalier aux pieds verds , or the green-leg'd Horseman , from the length and colour of its Legs . At Venice in Italy we saw many of them .

§. II. The other Totano , perchance Gesners Totanus , Aldrov . lib. 20. cap. 24. An Callidrys rubra Bellonii ?

WE saw and described at Venice another bird , we think different from the precedent : though the main difference were in the colour of its Legs , which were of a pale yellowish-red . It s Bill also seemed to be something shorter .

We take this to be the bird the French call Chevalier aux pieds rouges , the red-leg'd Horseman ; the precedent ( as we said before ) that they denominate , Chevalier aux pieds verds . And perchance they may differ only in Sex ; for this was a Male , that a Female . For in other birds also of this kind , as for example , the Erythra of Gesner , which he puts among the Water-hens , the Female differs from the Male both in bigness , and in the colour of the Legs . The red Callidrys of Bellonius is either the same with this or very like it : It differs in that the Neck and feathers under the Wings and Rump are ash-coloured , and that on the Temples on each side it hath two black spots , which give as it were a shadow to the Eye-brows , which themselves also are marked with a white spot . His figure of the red Callidrys doth not answer to the description , for the Bill and Legs are drawn too short .

CHAP. V.

§. I. The Redshank or Pool-Snipe : Gallinula Erythropus major Gesneri * * Ornithol . Book 20. Chap. 26. Aldrov . Totanus of the same Gesner , as it seems to us , Aldrov . tom. 3. pag. 439. An Bellonii Pardali congener longiore rostro ?

IT is of a middle size for bigness between a Lapwing and a Snipe , approaching to the quantity of a Plover . The Head and Back are of a dusky ash-colour , spotted with black [ In some I observed the Back to be of a dusky or brown colour , in lining to green . ] The middle of the Neck is more cinereous . The Throat particoloured of black and white , the black being drawn down longways the feathers . The white colour seems to have something of red mingled with it . The Breast is whiter with fewer spots , and those transverse .

The Tail , and feathers next to it are variegated with transverse waved lines of white and black alternately . The number of Tail-feathers is twelve ; the length of the Tail two inches three quarters . The quil-feathers in each Wing are twenty six , of which the first is brown , only its shaft white : The five next of a black brown ; on the inner side white , and as it were sprinkled or powdered with white . The tip of the seventh is white , with one or two transverse black lines . In the following feathers the white spreads it self further , till in the nineteenth it takes up the whole feather : The * * Understand it of the first row of coverts foremost covert-feathers are black ; the middle varied with white lines . The other rows of covert-feathers are of the same colour with the Back , that is of a dark ash-colour .

The Bill is two inches long , slender , and like a Woodcocks , of a dark red at base , black toward the point . The Tongue is sharp , slender , and undivided ; the upper Mandible longer , and something crooked at the very tip : The Eyes hazel-coloured : The Nosthrils oblong . The Legs of a fair , but pale red : The Claws small and black . The back-toe is very small , having a very little Claw . Of the fore-toes the inmost is the least : All are connected by a membrane below ; but the outmost with a larger , extending to the second joynt .

It is common on the sandy shores about England every where .

It breeds in Marshes , and if any one comes near its Nest it flies about , making a great noise like the Lapwing .

It differs from the Totanus of Aldrovandus , 1. In that it is much less . 2. That it hath shorter Bill and Feet . 3. In the dusky colour of its Back . 4. In the red colour of its Legs and Feet .

The figure of the * * Gallinula erythropus major . greater red-leg'd Water-hen in Gesner and Aldrovand doth not agree well to this bird : For the Bill is drawn too short and thick at the Head . Gesners description of his Totanus doth so well agree to it in almost all particulars that I doubt not but it is the same bird . Only in the length of the Bill and Legs , and in the bigness of the body is some diversity .

§. II. The Gambetta of * * Lib. 20. c. 25. Aldrovand .

THe Gambetta of Aldrovand is also near of kin to the Redshank , which he thus describes . It s Head , Neck , and Breast are cinereous , all over sprinkled with many * * Fuscis , i. e. dark or dusky . brown spots , greater on the Back , lesser on the Neck and Breast , least of all on the Head . The master-feathers of the Wings are black : The body cinereous , on the Wings and Back inclining a little to red : The Belly white : The Bill black . The Irides of the Eyes of a yellowish green , encompassed with a black circle . The legs and feet from yellow incline to red .

This Bird we saw at Milan in Italy , and thus described . It is something less than a Lapwing . The upper surface of its body is grey , of such a kind of colour as is seen in the Backs of Hen Ducks and Teal , or of the Curlew . Its Legs and Feet are long and yellow , its Claws black . It hath the back toe . It s Bill is shorter than the Redshanks , longer than the Lapwings ; near the Head of a flesh-colour , near the tip black . The prime feathers are twenty five in each Wing . The Tail half a hand-breadth long , not reaching so far as the ends of the Wings closed . It hath the Head and Neck of a Tringa .

CHAP. VI. Of the Birds called Tringae .

§. I. The Tringa of * * Tom. 3. pag. 481. Aldrovand : The Cinclus of Bellonius : The Gallinula rhodopus or phoenicopus , and also the Ochropus media of * * Aldrov . Ornithol . tom. 3. p. 461. Gesner . The Steingallel of Leonard Baltner .

IN bigness it equals or exceeds a Blackbird . The colour of the upper side is of a * * Or brown , with a tincture of green . dusky green , and shining like silk . The feathers growing on and between the Shoulders , as also the quil-feathers next the body , and most of the covert-feathers of the Wings are spotted on the edges with many white specks . Those on the top of the Head and upper side of the Neck want these spots . [ N. B. That this Bird was a Female , for in the Males there are many and thick set spots on the Head , so that they make up certain lines or strakes . ] The Circumference of the Eyes and the Chin are white . The Throat is white , and spotted with brown . The feathers on the middle of the Back are blackish , with white edges : Those next the Tail milk-white . The colour also of the Breast and whole Belly is purely white .

The Bill is an inch and half long , streight , slender , compressed at the sides , of a dark green , black at the point : The upper Mandible a little longer than the nether : The Tongue sharp , not cloven . The Eyes of a greater size , with hazel-coloured Irides . The Legs are long , lead-coloured , with a tincture of green : The Toes also long ; the two outmost connected by a membrane almost to the first joynt : The back-toe little : The Claws black .

This is a solitary bird ; yet in breeding time they fly two together , Male and Female , about the banks of Pools , Lakes , and Rivers .

The Gallinula rhodopus or phoenicopus of Gesner , which he saith the Germans call Steingallel , differs from the Steingallel of Baltner in the colour of the Legs , which in Gesners Bird was like that of a Rose or Amethyst , in Baltners a dirty green . But seeing the other notes agree , I judge it to be the same Bird , different perchance in Sex : since ( as Baltner hath observed ) in some of these Birds the Sexes differ in the colour of their feet .

§. II. * The third Tringa of Aldrovand , called by the Italians , Giaroncello & Pinirolo .

THe Bill of this is much blacker than that of the precedent , and a little shorter ; the upper Chap somewhat longer than the nether . It is the same for shape of body , only somewhat different in colours : For whereas both are chiefly of a dusky and chesnut-colour in the Head , Neck , Back , and Wings , that in all these parts hath more of dusky , this more of the other colour . The Tail in like manner , though it be something shorter , is white underneath , above approaches to the same chesnut colour . In the Breast , Belly , Thighs , Legs and Feet it differs little or nothing .

§. III. The lesser Tringa or Sandpiper : An Cinclus secundus seu minor * * Ornithol . tom. 1. p. 492. Aldrov ? Gallinula hypoleucos Gesneri , Aldrov . tom. 3. pag. 469. Ein Psisterlein Leon. Baltner .

IT weighs near two ounces ; and is from Bill to Feet eight inches three quarters in length .

The middle of the Neck is ash-coloured , else the whole upper surface of the body is of a dusky sordid green , elegantly variegated with darker transverse lines ; only there is something of red mingled with the feathers on the middle of the Back , and those that spring out of the Shoulders . The Head is paler , not varied with cross lines , but black strokes drawn downward along the shafts of the feathers . The Sides , Breast , and Belly are white . Above the Eyes is a white line . The Throat is of a sordid white , the shafts of the feathers being darker . The three or four quil-feathers next to the body are of the same colour with the body : The outmost is dusky , [ or dark brown ] the inner edge of the second , about the middle of the feathers length , hath a spot of white : Of the rest to the tenth the inner Webs in order have larger white spots . After the tenth the white spreadeth beyond the shaft into the other Web of the feather . The tips also of the feathers , from the fourteenth to the twentieth , are white . The primary covert-feathers of the Wings , or those of the first row , as well the upper , as the nether , have white tips : Of the upper , those especially from the tenth to the twentieth : Of the nether , those next the body , which indeed are wholly white , and not varied with lines . The ridge or base of the Wing is white . The feathers of the third row are white almost to the bottom . But between the third row and the basis of the Wing is a broad line of brown . The middle feathers of the Tail are of the same colour with the body : The third on each side from the two middlemost have their tips white : The fourth are more white : Of the fifth all the exteriour Web is white , and a little also of the interiour : In the outmost the white spreads further into the interiour Web.

The top of the Bill is of a dusky blackish colour , the bottom whitish : The tip a little bent downward : The Eyes hazel-coloured : The Ears great . The Feet of a pale green : The Claws black . The outmost fore-toe joyned at bottom to the middle one by a membrane ; the back-toe small : The Stomach less musculous than in granivorous birds , in which dissected we found water-insects .

These are also solitary birds , living singly , except in breeding time , when they fly together by pairs , the Male and his Female . I suppose this Bird is the same with that Gesner describes under the title of Pilvenckegen , especially for that he saith it makes a noise by night , like one crying or lamenting , which thing ( as we have been informed ) is true of our bird . Only it seems to be something lesser , and of a darker colour above . See Aldrovand . tom. 3. p. 485.

They frequent Rivers and Pools of water . I have seen of them about the River Tame in Warwickshire , the Lake of Geneva , &c.

CHAP. VII . The Knot : Canuti regis avis . An Bellonii Callidrys nigra ?

IT weighed four ounces and an half ; from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Feet was ten inches long ; between the ends of the Wings stretcht out twenty inches broad .

As for the colour , the Head and Back were of a dusky ash-colour , or dark grey : The Rump varied with white and black lines : The Breast and Belly white : The sides under the Wings spotted with brown . [ In some Birds we observed a white line between the Eyes and the Bill . ]

The greater quil-feathers of the Wings were black , with white shafts : The outer edges of the next after the fifth white : Of the second row of Wing-feathers , the foremost were black , with white tips : From the fourth the white increased , or spread it self further down the feather . The lesser covert-feathers of the Wings were of the same colour with the back , only fringed as it were with white . The Tail was two inches and a quarter long , made up of twelve feathers , the outmost whereof on each side was white .

The Bill was near an inch and half long , black , as in the Woodcock ; bigger and stronger than in the Snipe-kind : The Tongue extended to the very end of the Bill . [ Some Birds have a knob or eminency under the Bill like Gulls . ] The Eyes great , and hazel-coloured . The feet greenish : The back-toe small : The fore-toes divided from the very beginning of the divarication , no membrane intervening . The Liver divided into two Lobes , with a Gall appendant .

About the beginning of Winter they are said to come into Lincolnshire , where they continue two or three months about the Sea-shores , and away again . They fly in flocks . [ In the month of February , in the year of our Lord 1671 , on the Coast of Lancashire about Leverpool , I observed many of this sort of birds flying in company ; so that they are not peculiar to Lincolnshire . ] Being fed with white bread and milk they grow very fat , and are accounted excellent meat . King Knout is reported to have been so fond of them , that from him they got the name of Knots or Knouts .

They may at first sight be easily distinguished from the Tringae by the line of white cross their Wings , were other notes wanting .

CHAP. VIII . The Ruff , whose Female is called a Reeve . Avis pugnax * * Tom. 3. p. 413. Aldrov .

THat we described was a young one . It weighed five ounces : Its length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Feet was fifteen inches . It s Neck was ash-coloured : Its Head of a dusky ash-colour , spotted with a dark brown . The Back and scapular feathers particoloured , of cinereous , black , and white : The Breast and Belly white : The Throat white and cinereous : The Chin white . The outmost ten Wing-feathers of the first row were black : Of the following the tips began to be white : From the fourteenth to the twentieth the edges were also white . The five next the body were of the same colour with it , having darker spots . The tips of the second row of Wing-feathers were white ( of the foremost more obscurely ) the remaining part of the same colour with the Back . The covert-feathers of the under side of the Wing were white . Those of the exteriour bastard wing purely white . The Tail was two inches a quarter long , made up of twelve feathers , of a dusky colour , with whitish tips .

In the Cock birds a circle or collar of long feathers , something resembling a Ruff , encompasses the Neck under the Head , whence they took the name of Ruffs . This shaft in some is white , in some yellow , in some black , in some ash-coloured , in some of a deep blue , or black , with a gloss of blue shining like silk . For there is wonderful and almost infinite variety in the colours of the feathers of the Cocks , so that in the Spring-time there can scarce be found any two exactly like one to another . After Midsummer , when they have moulted their feathers they say they become all alike again .

The Hens are somewhat less than the Cocks ; they change not their colours , and are like the Bird here described : They seldom or never fight .

Their Bills are like the Tringa's , black , but somewhat red about the Nosthrils . The upper Mandible a little longer than the nether . The Tongue reaches to the end of the Bill . The Eyes are hazel-coloured . The Legs from yellow incline to red : The back-toe small : The outmost fore-toe joyned to the middlemost below with a membrane : The Claws black , pretty long , and almost streight . The Stomach within yellow : The Gall large .

They breed in Summer-time in the Fens of Lincolnshire about Crowland . They are fatted with white bread and milk , like Knots , being shut up in close dark rooms : For let in but the light upon them , presently they fall a fighting , never giving over till one hath killed the other , especially if any body stand by . The Fowlers when they see them intent upon fighting , spread their Nets over them , and catch them before they be aware .

In the Spring time they come over also to the Low Countries : And it is reported , that at their first coming in the beginning of the Spring there are many more Cocks than Hens , but that they never cease fighting till there be so many Cocks killed , as to make the number of both Sexes equal .

The Hens never have any Ruffs , the Cocks have none immediately after moulting time . When they begin to moult , white Tumours or Warts break out about their Eyes and Head .

CHAP. IX . The Sanderling , called also Curwillet about Pensance in Cornwal .

IT is somthing bigger than the Sand-piper , though both take their names from sand . It weighs almost two ounces . It s length from the Bill to the end of the Feet is eight inches and an half , to the end of the Tail eight . The breadth of the Wings spread sixteen . It is rather long than round-bodied .

It s Bill is streight , black , slender , an inch long ; for its figure and make like to a Tringa's Bill : The upper Mandible a little longer than the nether . The Tongue extended to the end of the Bill : The Nosthrils oblong . The Ears great . The Legs , Feet , and Claws black : And , which is especially remarkable , it wants the back-toe : The fore-toes disjoyned from the very rise .

The Head is small , particoloured of cinereous and black . The Neck more cinereous . The middle of the Back , the Shoulders , and scapular feathers are of a lovely colour , in some various , of black and white ; in others of black and ash-colour , each feather being black about the shaft , and cinereous about the edges . The rest of the Back to the Tail is of the same colour , but more faint and dilute . But the edges of the feathers have more of a reddish ash-colour .

Each Wing hath twenty two quil-feathers : The four outmost ( excepting the shafts , which are white ) all of a dark brown , or dusky colour . The rest have their upper halves , as far as they appear , above the second row brown , the lower white . Howbeit , these colours do not divide all the feathers equally , but from the fifth the white is gradually increased , so that in the twentieth it takes up almost the whole feather . The next following after the tenth have also their tips white . The first row of covert-feathers [ next the quils ] have white tips , which when the Wing is spread make a long transverse white line , broader and broader by degrees from the beginning . The feathers near the ridge of the Wing , and on the outmost joynt , are all dusky , in the Cocks almost black , of the same colour with the middle of the Back . The Wings , when closed , reach as far or further than the Tail it self ; which is short , of about an inch and half , or two inches , consisting of twelve feathers , of an ash-colour : The two middlemost darker than the rest , and almost black .

The whole Belly and underside of the Wings as white as Snow . The Breast in some spotted or clouded with brown ; in others ( perhaps these are the Males ) no spots appear , yet the Breast is darker than the Belly , and inclined to red . The blind guts are an inch and half long . The Stomach not very musculous . These birds live upon the sandy shores of the Sea , and fly in flocks . We saw many of them on the Sea-coasts of Cornwall .

CHAP. X. * The Rotknussel of Baltner , Rotkmillis or Gallinula Melampus of Gesner , * * Lib. 20. cap. 45. Aldrov .

THe German name Rotkmillis ( saith Gesner ) seems to be compounded of the colour . For this Bird is of a red or russet colour , with dusky spots in the Neck and about the Eyes . But Kmillis ( I know not whence derived ) is a more common or general word ; sith another Water-hen of this kind is also called Matkmillis . We from the colour of the Legs have imposed on it the name Melampus , which signifies Black-soot . For there is no bird I know of this kind that hath blacker feet . The body is dusky , with some spots of a sordid and dark colour . The Bill also is black : The Wings marked with black spots .

To this Bird ( saith Aldrovand ) that which I here give you , called by our Fowlers Giarola , a name common to many birds , is very like , if not the same . For on the Head , Neck , and Breast , down to the middle of the Belly it is red , sprinkled with brown , and sometimes also white spots . Its Feet [ and Legs ] are cole-black . The small Wing-feathers are distinguished with cinereous and black : The great ones are black . The Bill is long , and a little bending , sharp at point . The Belly is white , with a tincture of red , and curiously spotted with black spots . The Tail also is white , but black at the end .

CHAP. XI . * Matkneltzel of Baltner : Gallinula Erythra of Gesner .

THis Bird the Germans call Matkern , but for what reason ( saith Gesner ) I know not . I from the colour of its whole body have called it Erythra . But though almost the whole body ( I except the Belly , which is whitish , with a faint tincture of red , and the Legs , which are ash-coloured ) be red , yet is that redness darker on the Back , and intercepted with white spots : Brighter in some of the Wing-feathers ; the longest whereof approach to the colour of red Oker . In the Neck beneath are some white specks . The Bill is black , not without somewhat of red , shorter than in most others of this kind . It is taken among Reeds with snares . It hath a cry somewhat resembling the sound of Fullers striking of Wool .

Leonard Baltner describes his Matkneltzel ( if at least it be the same bird with Gesners Matkern ) thus : It is a very fair beautiful bird . From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws it is a full Strasburgh Ell long . It weighs six Lots and an half , that is , three ounces a quarter : For a Lot is about half an ounce . It Guts are an Ell long . It frequents Waters , and seeks its meat in watery places . The Cocks are adorned with beautiful feathers , like those of Partridges , and have pale-red Feet . The feathers of the Hens are less beautiful , and their Feet grey . Some also weigh thirteen Lots , and are three quarters of a Ell long . These birds in figure , magnitude , and colour do very nearly resemble the Female RUFFS , which they call REEVES . Whether they be the same or not let the Virtuosi at Strasburgh , where they are found , examine .

CHAP. XII . The North-Country Dunlin of Mr. Johnson .

IT is about the bigness of the Jack-Snipe or Judcock , hath a streight , channell'd , black Bill , a little broader at the end ; oblong Nosthrils ; a blackish Tongue . The Throat and Breast white , spotted with black . The middle of the Belly is blackish , waved with white lines . The lower Belly , and feathers under the Tail white . All the upper side is red , every where spotted with pretty great black spots with a little white . Yet the Wings from a * * Caesio . grey incline to a brown or dusky colour . The Legs and Feet are of a † † Longiuscula , i. e. rather of the longest . competent length , and black . The back-toe the shortest . The Tail consists of twelve feathers , of which the two middlemost are dusky [ brown ] with one or two red spots : the rest from brown incline to white . It gets its food out of the mud .

The Rotknussel or Gallinula melampus of Gesner and Aldrovand differs not much from this bird .

CHAP. XIII .

§. I. The Stint , which the French call the Sea-Lark : Schoeniclos seu Junco Bellonii : An Cinclus prior Aldrov ?

IT is equal to the common Lark , or but very little less : For the shape of its body like to a Snipe . From Bill to Feet eight inches and an half long . It s Bill is streight , slender , black , an inch and half long , and like to a Snipes bill . The Tongue extended to the end of the Bill . The Feet dusky or blackish , with a tincture of green . The toes not joyned by any membrane . The back-toe small . The colour of the upper side of the body , excepting the prime feathers of the Wings , and first row of coverts , is grey , or cinereous , with black spots , or lines in the middle of each single feather . The feathers in the middle of the Back and upper side of the Wings have a tincture of red . [ Mr. Willughby describes it a little differently thus : The middle parts of the feathers on the Head are black , the edges red or russet . The Neck is more of an ash-colour . The Back-feathers of a * * Or black with a purple gloss . dark purple , with reddish ash-coloured edges . Those on the Rump of a lighter red , with black lines or stroaks down their shafts . ]

The Wings are long , and when folded up reaching to the end of the Tail . The quil-feathers of each Wing twenty four , of a dusky colour as far as they appear above the covert-feathers , for their bottoms are white , and the interiour in order gradually more than the exteriour to the nineteenth , which is almost wholly white . [ Mr. Willughby in the bird he described observed the tips of the second row of Wing-feathers to have been also white , in the same proportion as in the Sanderling , making together a white line cross the Wing , yet narrower than in that . The exteriour edges of the fifth , counting from the outmost , and of the subsequent to the eleventh are white . The four next the body are wholly dusky , and by little and little streightned into sharp points , and when the Wing is closed reach almost to the end of the Tail . The Tail is scarce two inches long , not forked , made up of twelve feathers , of which the two middlemost are longer than the rest , sharper pointed also , and darker-coloured . All the rest are of a pale ash-colour , without any cross lines or bars , only their outmost edges whitish . All the under-side of the body is white , only the Throat and upper part of the Breast clouded a little with dark-coloured spots . Mr. Willughby observed small brown spots under the Wings , and the Throat to be of an ash-colour , thick-set with black spots , down sometimes to the Breast .

The Liver divided into two Lobes , of which the right is much the bigger . The Stomach musculous .

These Birds live about the Sea-shores , and fly together in flocks . At Westchester they call them Purres .

Bellonius his description of his Junco agrees in all points with this bird . His figure represents the Bill too short . The Bill of the Cinclus also in Aldrovands figure is drawn too short .

§. II. * The third Cinclus of * * Lib. 20. cap. 56. Aldrovand .

IT is of the same colours with the precedent , save that it hath a white Tail , adorned with transverse black lines : It hath also the same shape and make of body . It differs in the Bill ; for that hath it of almost an even bigness , this thicker where it is joyned to the Head , and by degrees slenderer to the tip . It seems also to differ in the Legs , they being somewhat longer and thicker . In bigness it agrees , and hath also a common name with it , being called by our [ the Bolognese ] Fowlers , Giaroncello .

CHAP. XIV . The Stone-Curlew : The Oedicnemus of Bellonius : Charadrius of Gesner , * * Lib. 13. c. 15. Aldrov . called at Rome , Curlotte .

IT s weight is eighteen ounces : Its length from Bill to Tail eighteen inches , to the points of the Claws twenty : Its breadth from tip to tip of the Wings extended thirty six inches . The length of the Bill , measuring from the tip to the angles of the mouth , two inches . The Bill is not much unlike a Gulls , but streight , sharp-pointed , black as far as the Nosthrils , then yellow . The Irides of the Eyes and edges of the Eye-lids are yellow . Under the Eyes is a bare space of a yellowish green colour . The Legs are long and yellow . The Claws small and black . It hath only three fore-toes , wanting the back-toe . The outmost Toe a little longer than the middlemost ; All joyned together by a certain membrane , which on the inside the middle toe begins at the second joynt , on the outside at the first , and reaches almost to the Claws of the outer Toes . The Legs ( as Bellonius observes ) are very thick below the Knees , as if they were swoln , by reason of the bones , which are there great ; wherefore that he might render the Bird more easie to be known , he named it , Oedicnemus . The upper Legs are above half way bare of feathers ; which note alone , were there no other , argues this Bird to be a Water-fowl . The Chin , Breast , and Thighs are white : The Throat , Neck , Back , and Head covered with feathers , having their middle parts black , their lateral or borders of a reddish ash-colour , like that of a Curlew : Whence they of Norfolk call it , The Stone-Curlew .

In each Wing are about twenty nine quil-feathers ; the first and second of which have a transverse white spot , else their exteriour surface black : The four next to these black : The three following have their bottoms and tips white : Then succeed thirteen black ones ; the last or next to the body are of the same colour with it . The first feathers of the second row are black : The rest have white tips , and under the tips a cross line or border of black . In the lesser rows of Wing-feathers is a transverse bed or bar of white . The coverts of the under-side of the Wings , especially those springing from the shoulders , are purely white . The outmost feathers of the Tail for the space of an inch are black , then white : The next to these , one on each side , are variegated , with one or two brown bars crossing the white part : The rest , the white by degrees fading and disappearing , become of the same colour with the body . The tips of the middlemost are a little black . The Tail is five inches long , consisting of twelve feathers . The guts great : The blind guts three inches long : The single umbilical blind gut half an inch . We bought this bird in the Market at Rome , and there described it .

It breeds very late in the year ( saith Bellonius ) for we found of the Young about the end of October , which could not yet fly . Bellonius when he travelled first in England , observed this Bird here ; for the feathers and the Feet very like to a Bustard .

The learned and famous Sir Thomas Brown Knight , Physician in Norwich , informed us , that it is found about Thetford in Norfolk , where they call it the Stone-Curlew , and that its cry is something like that of a green Plover .

Another bird congenerous to this , wanting also the back-toe , ( which Aldrovandus described from the intuition of a bare Picture ) but different in that its Thighs are feathered , and its Toes without any intermediate membrane , see in his Ornithology , Book 13. Chap. 15. I suspect it to be the same with the Oedicnemus , and those different notes to be but mistakes of the Painter .

The Charadrios of Gesner , which Aldrovand judges to be the same with our Oedicnemus , The Charadrios of Gesner . is a foolish and stupid bird . Being shut up in any room , it walks up and down , sometimes in a round about a Pillar or any other thing for a long time , and if any block or impediment be in its way it will rather leap over it , than decline from the right way . * * It winks not . It shuts not its Eyes though you put your finger to them . It is easily made tame , for when it is at liberty in the fields it is not much afraid of a man . It is a Water-fowl , and lives in fenny Meadows , or about Marshes . In houses also it catches Mice in the night time . I hear that it abounds in the Low Countries , that it wanders up and down in the night , and makes a noise like a Whistle , or Pipe .

SECTION VI. Cloven-footed Water-fowl with short Bills , that feed upon Insects .

CHAP. I. The Lapwing or Bastard Plover : Capella sive Vannellus .

THis Bird is in all Countries very well known ; and every where to be met with . In the North of England they call it the Tewit , from its cry . It is of the bigness of a common Pigeon , of eight ounces weight ; thirteen inches and an half length , measuring from Bill to Claws , and not much less from Bill to Tail : Its breadth , taken between the tips of the Wings spread out , is twenty one inches .

The top of the Head above the Crest is of a shining black . The Crest springs from the hind part of the Head , and consists of about twenty feathers , of which the three or four foremost are longer than the rest , in some birds of near four inches length . The Cheeks are white ; only a black line drawn under the Eyes through the Ears . The whole Throat or under side of the Neck , from the Bill to the Breast is black , which black part somewhat resembles a Crescent , ending in horns on each side the Neck . The Breast and Belly are white : As are also the covert feathers of the underside of the Wings . The feathers under the Tail are of a lovely * * 〈◊〉 spadi●●ae . bright bay : Those above the Tail are of a deeper bay : The feathers next them are dusky , with a certain splendour . The middle of the Back and the scapular feathers are of a delicate shining green , adorned with a purple spot on each side next the Wings . The utmost edges of the tips of the middlemost of the long scapular feathers are whitish . The Neck also is of an ash-colour , with a mixture of red and some black lines near the Crest .

Of the master-feathers of the Wing the three or four outmost are black , with white tips : The following to the eleventh are black . From the eleventh they are white at bottom , the hindmost more and more in order than the foremost . Yet this white doth not appear in the upper side of the Wing , but is hid by the covert-feathers . Those next the body from the twenty first are green . The lesser covert-feathers are beautified with purple , blue , and green colours , variously commixt . The outmost feather of the Tail on each side is white , saving a black spot in the exteriour Web. The tips of all the rest are white , and beneath the tips the upper half black , and the lower white . The Bill is black , hard , roundish , of an inch length . The upper Mandible a little more produced : The Tongue not cloven ; but its sides reflected upwards make a channel in the middle . The Nosthrils oblong , and furnished with a flexile bone . The Ears seem to be situate lower in this than other Birds : The Eyes are hazel-coloured .

The Feet are long , reddish [ in some Birds brown . ] The back-toe small . The outmost of the fore-toes joyned to the middle one at the bottom .

The liver is large , divided into two Lobes , with a Gall annexed . The Gizzard not so thick and fleshy as in granivorous birds , therein we found Beetles like to Meal-worms . It is infested with Lice like the Tetrao .

The Hen is a little lesser than the Cock : Her throat is all white as low as the * * That black ring , representing a crescent , we spake of . collar : The bay colour under the Tail paler . Moreover , the outmost feather of the Tail is wholly white , wanting that brown spot . The colours also in the Cocks do somewhat vary , not answering always exactly in all things to our description .

It lays four or five Eggs , of a dirty yellow , all over painted with great black spots and stroaks . It builds its Nest on the ground , in the middle of some field or heath , open , and exposed to view , laying only some few straws or bents under the Eggs , that the Nest be not seen . The Eyes being so like in colour to the ground on which they lie , it is not easie to find them though they lie so open . The Young so soon as they are hatcht instantly forsake the Nest , running away ( as the common tradition is ) with the shells upon their heads , for they are covered with a thick Down , and follow the old ones like Chickens . They say , that a Lapwing the further you are from her Nest , the more clamorous she is , and the greater coil she keeps , the nearer you are to it , the quieter she is , and less concerned she seems : That she may draw you away from the true place , and induce you to think it is where it is not .

These Birds are wont to be kept in Gardens in the Summer time , in which they do good service in gathering up and clearing the ground of Worms and other Insects . Their flesh is indifferent good meat . In Summer time they scatter themselves about the Country to breed : In Winter time they accompany together , and fly in flocks .

CHAP. II. Of the Plover : De Pluviali seu Pardale .

§. I. The green Plover . Pluvialis viridis .

IN bigness it equals or exceeds the Lapwing , weighing about nine ounces ; being in length from Bill to Tail eleven inches , in breadth between the tips of the Wings extended twenty four .

It s colour on the top of the Head , Neck , Shoulders , Back , and in general the whole upper side is black , thick set with yellowish green spots . If you heed each single feather , you will find the middle part to be black , the borders or edges round about spotted with a yellowish green colour . The Head for the bulk of the body is greater than in the Fringae ; the Bill streight , black , of an inch length , furrowed about the Nosthrils . The Neck short , equal to a Lapwings . The Breast brown , spotted with a yellowish green . The belly white , yet the feathers on the sides tipt with brown , and crossed also with brown lines .

Of the quil-feathers in each Wing the eleventh ends in a blunt point , those before it running out into sharp points on the outside the shaft , those behind it on the inside . All but the five next the body are brown . The shafts of the outmost eight or nine are half way white . The exteriour edges of the fifth , and those following it , are a little white toward their bottoms . The inmost five next the body are of the same colour with the Back . The second row of Wing-feathers are brown , [ or dusky ] with white tips . The rest of the covert-feathers are on the upper side of the Wing of the same colour with the Back , on the under-side with the Belly . The Tail is short , made up of twelve feathers , of the same colour with the Back , when spread terminated in a circular circumference .

The Feet and Claws are black . It wants the back-toe : By which note alone it is abundantly distinguished from the other birds of its kind . Its Legs are long , as in all other birds which live about waters , and bare of feathers for some space above the knees . It s flesh is sweet and tender , and therefore highly esteemed , and accounted a choice dish , as well in England as beyond Seas .

This Bird from its spots , something resembling those of a Leopard , is called Pardalis .

§. II. The grey Plover : Pluvialis cinerea , called at Venice , Squatarola .

IT is from Bill to Tail twelve inches long , to the Claws fourteen : Between the tips of the Wings spread twenty four inches broad . It s Head , Back , and lesser coverts of the Wings are black , with tips of a greenish grey . The Chin is white ; the Throat spotted with oblong , brown [ or dusky ) spots . The Breast , Belly , and Thighs white .

The quil-feathers in each Wing about twenty six : Of which the first or outmost are black : In the fourth the middle part of the outer edges is white , the white part in the five following being enlarged gradually . The outmost of the second row of Wing-feathers are also black . The tips of those next after the fourth are white , and the edges too after the tenth . Of the third row the foremost ten are black , with white tips . The Tail is three inches long , not forked , varied with transverse bars , or beds of black and white .

It s Bill is black , above an inch long , like to the rest of this kind : The Tongue not cloven : The back-toe very small : The fore-toes joyned by a membrane at the beginning of their divarication ; that between the middle and inmost lesser : The Feet of a sordid green : The Claws little and black . It hath a Gall.

The flesh also of this Bird is very tender , savoury , and delicate ; and in no less esteem than that of the former .

CHAP. III. The Dottrel : Morinellus Anglorum .

THe Males in this kind are lesser than the Females , at least they were so in those we hapned to see : For it might fall out to be so among them by some accident . The Female was almost ten inches long , the Male but nine and an half ; the Female nineteen inches and an half broad , the Male but eighteen three quarters : The Female weighed more than four ounces ; the Male scarce three and an half . The Bill , measuring from the tip to the angles of the mouth , was an inch long : The Head elegantly variegated with white and black spots , the middle part of each single feather being black . Above the Eyes was a long whitish line : The Chin whitish . The Throat is of a pale cinereous or whitish colour , with oblong brown spots . The Breast and underside of the Wings of a dirty yellowish colour , the Belly white . Each Wing hath about twenty five prime feathers , of which the first or outmost is the longest , the tenth the shortest ; from the tenth to the twentieth they are almost equal : The rest to the twenty fourth are again longer the foregoing than the following . The first or Pinion-quil hath a broad , strong , white shaft : The three outmost are blacker than the rest , which are of a dusky [ or brown ] colour , having the edges of their tips whitish . The lesser rows of the Wing-feathers are brown , with yellowish white tips , but those next the quils blackest . The middle of the Back between the Wings is almost of the same colour with them . The Rump and Neck are more * * Grey . cinereous . The Tail is composed of twelve feathers , two inches and an half long , but the middlemost something the longer : The bottoms of all are cinereous , the tips white , the remaining part black : In the outmost feather the white part is broader , in the middle ones narrower : The edges also of the outmost feathers are whitish . The Legs are bare for a little space above the Knees , of a sordid or greenish yellow ; the Toes and Claws darker coloured than the Legs . The inner Toe joyned to the middle only at bottom , the outer by a thick membrane as far as its first joynt . It wants the back-toe , wherein it agrees with the green Plover , from which yet it is sufficiently distinguished by its colour , magnitude , and other accidents . It s Bill is streight , black , and in figure like that of the Plover . It hath a fleshy stomach , in which dissected we found fragments of Beetles , &c. Its guts were fourteen inches and an half long . The Cock and Hen can scarce be known asunder , they are so like in shape , and colour .

It is a very foolish bird ( saith Dr. Key in his Letter to Gesner ) but excellent meat , and with us accounted a great delicacy . It is taken in the night time by the light of a Candle , by imitating the gestures of the Fowler : For if he stretches out an Arm , that also stretches out a Wing ; if he a Foot , that likewise a Foot : In brief , whatever the Fowler doth , the same doth the Bird ; and so being intent upon mens gestures it is deceived , and covered with the Net spread for it . I call it Morinellus for two reasons , first , because it is frequent among the * * Flemmings . Morini : And next , because it is a foolish bird , even to a Proverb , we calling a foolish dull person a Dotterel .

Of the catching of Dotterels , my very good Friend Mr. Peter Dent , an Apothecary in Cambridge , a Person well skill'd in the History of Plants and Animals , whom I consulted concerning it , wrote thus to me . A Gentleman of Norfolk , where this kind of sport is very common , told me , that to catch Dotterels six or seven persons usually go in company . When they have found the Birds , they set their Net in an advantageous place ; and each of them holding a stone in either hand get behind the Birds , and striking their stones often one against another rouse them , which are naturally very sluggish ; and so by degrees coup them , and drive them into the Net . The Birds being awakened do often stretch themselves , putting out a Wing or a Leg , and in imitation of them the men that drive them thrust out an Arm or a Leg for fashion sake , to comply with an old custom . But he thought that this imitation did not conduce to the taking of them , for that they seemed not to mind or regard it .

CHAP. IV. The Sea-Lark : Charadrius sive Hiaticula .

IN bigness it somewhat exceeds the common Lark : From the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail or Legs ( for they are equally extended ) being eight inches and an half long , a line of black compasses the base of the upper Bill . This black line from the corners of the mouth is produced through the Eyes as far as the Ears , and then turns up and passes cross the middle of the Head , encompassing a broad bed or fillet of white drawn from the inner corner of one Eye to the inner corner of the other . The hinder part of the Head is ash-coloured : The Chin white . The Neck encompassed by a double ring or collar , the upper white , which underneath reaches as far as the Bill , and under the Chin is dilated almost to the Eyes ; the lower black , which is broader in the middle , and takes up part of the Breast , before also runs out toward the Bill . The Back and lesser covert feathers of the Wings are * * Or grey . ash-coloured . The Breast and Belly white .

The outmost of the quil-feathers of the Wings is black , on the middle of the shaft only spotted with white , which colour spreads it self gradually and continually more and more in the following feathers , insomuch that the twentieth and twenty first are wholly white . Those next the body are of the same colour with the Back . The feathers of the second row have white tips , excepting the foremost or outmost . Hence , and from the white of the first row arises a long transverse white line in the Wings . The outmost feather of the Tail on each side is white , as also the tip and exteriour half of the next ; of the three following only the tips : The two middlemost are of the same colour with the Back , or a little darker . The Tail is two inches and an half long , made up of twelve feathers , of which the outmost are the longest , of the rest the interiour are a little shorter in order than the exteriour . [ The Tail-feathers in divers birds vary in colour , for in some the two outmost feathers are wholly white , and the tips also of the middlemost . ]

The Bill is short , scarce an inch in length , of two colours : For beneath toward the Head it is of a deep yellow or gold-colour more than half way , toward the point black . The upper Mandible a little longer , and somewhat crooked . [ In others ( perhaps they were young ones ) we observed the whole Bill to be black . ] The Tongue is not divided : The Eyes are hazel-coloured : The Legs and Feet of a pale yellow : The Claws black . It wants the back-toe . The outmost of the fore-toes is joyned to the middlemost by a membrane reaching to the first joynt . The Stomach hath not very thick muscles , in it dissected we found Beetles . The Gall-bladder is large .

It builds on the Sea-rocks , making its Nest of grass , straws , and stalks of Plants : Its Eggs are of a greenish colour , spotted with brown , all the blunt end being dusky . It runs very swiftly on the shores , and makes short flights , singing or crying continually as it flies . It is with us in England every where very common upon the Sea-coasts . We saw it also about the Lake of Geneva , and it hath been brought to us killed upon the banks of the River Trent , not far from Notingham .

This Bird is the very same which Marggravius describes , Book 5. Chap. 5. by the name of Matuitui , as he saith the Brasilians call it , as will clearly appear to him that shall but compare them together . So that it seems there are some Birds common to Europe , and even the Southern part of America . Leonard Baltner describes and pictures two sorts of this bird . Perchance his lesser kind is that which the Welsh call Goligod , and say is like a Sea-Lark , but less .

CHAP. V. The Turn-stone , or Sea-Dottrel : Morinellus marinus of Sir Thomas Brown . An Cinclus Turneri ?

IT is lesser than a Plover , and something bigger than a Blackbird : in length from the tip of the Bill to the points of the Claws ten inches : In breadth between the extremities of the Wings extended twenty . It is long-bodied , and hath but an indifferent Head . The Cocks and Hens differ not in colours . It s Bill is streight , black , an inch long , from a thick base lessening by degrees into a sharp point , something flat , stronger and stiffer than in the Woodcock kind .

The colour of the Plumage in the Head , Neck , Shoulders , Wings , and upper part of the Breast is brown . [ Mr. Willughby makes the feathers covering these parts to be black , or purplish black in the middle , cinereous , or of a white russet about the edges . ] All the under-side , but the Breast , is as white as snow . The Plumage on the middle of the Back is white ; but on the very Rump is a great , transverse , black spot . The long scapular feathers are brown , with edges of an ash-colour , or dirty white . The quil-feathers of the Wings are about twenty six , of a brown or dusky colour : But from the outmost three or four their bottoms are white , continually more and more , till in the nineteenth and twentieth the white spreads almost over the whole feather . In the second row the foremost feathers are wholly black : The tips of the following being white , together make a broad line of white cross the Wing . The edges of the lesser rows are red . Near the second joynt of the Wing is a white spot . The Tail is two inches and an half long , consisting of twelve feathers , of which the lower half is white , the upper black , yet the very tips white .

The Legs are short , of a Saffron or Orange colour . The Claws black : The Toes divided almost to the bottom , but the outmost and middle toe coupled by a membrane as far as the first joynt . It hath the back-toe .

The Liver is divided into two Lobes , of which the * * That on the right side . dexter is much the bigger . I found no Gall , yet dare not say that it wants one . Upon the Western shores of England , about Pensans in Cornwal , and Aberdaren in Merioneth-shire in Wales , we observed many of them , where they fly three or four in company : Nor are they less frequent on the Sea-coasts of Norfolk .

Our honoured Friend Sir Thomas Brown of Norwich sent us the Picture of this bird by the title of the Sea-Dottrel .

CHAP. VI. * The first Junco of * * Book 10. Chap. 55. Aldrovand .

IT is of the bigness of a Sparrow , hath a black , channelled Bill , sufficiently hard , and crooked at the end ; the Tongue also channelled , and at the tip hard , and cloven . The upper part of the Head , Neck , and the Belly are of a chesnut-colour . All the underside of the Neck and Breast white . All the other parts of the body from * * Are of a dark brown . dusky incline to black . The Tail is three inches long , consisting of ten feathers : The Legs and Feet dusky . The Cock differs from the Hen only in this , that in her the colours are more dull , in him more lively .

To this Aldrovand adds another , which being altogether of the same bigness , the same shape and fashion of body , and make of Bill and Feet , he thinks to be of kin to it , but to differ only in colour . For its Throat and Breast indeed are white , but its whole Belly from cinereous inclines to dusky [ or brown . ] The rest of the Plumage is dusky .

BOOK III. PART . II. Birds of a middle nature between Swimmers and Waders , or that do both Swim and Wade . Of these there be two kinds , the one of cloven-footed Birds that swim , the other of whole-footed with long Legs .

SECTION I. Cloven-footed Birds that swim in the Water .

I. Such whose Toes have no lateral membranes , called WATER-HENS .

CHAP. I. Of Water-hens or More-hens in general .

THe Characteristic notes of Water-hens or More-hens , by which they may be distinguished from other kinds of Birds , are a small Head , a slender , compressed , or narrow Body : A short Bill , moderately bending ; short concave Wings , like to Hens ; a very short Tail ; long Legs ; very long Toes : Short flights .

They are called * * i. e. Little Hens . Gallinulae by modern Writers , a diminutive word from Gallina , which signifies a Hen , for the likeness of their bodies , ( especially their Bills and Wings ) and conditions to Hens .

CHAP. II. Of Water-hens in particular .

§. I. The common Water-hen or More-hen : Gallinula chloropus major Aldrovandi .

IN shape of body it is like a Coot , but smaller : Narrow-bodies , or very much compressed sideways ( which is common to all this kind ) contrary to the Duck-kind , whose bodies are broad , flat and depressed . The Hen weighed twelve ounces , the Cock fifteen . The length of the Hen from the point of the Bill to the end of the Feet was more than seventeen inches , to the end of the Tail thirteen and an half ; of the Cock fourteen and an half . The extremes of the Wings extended were twenty two inches and an half distant .

The Bill from the tip to the corners of the mouth was more than an inch long , The Bill . streight , or but little bending : The nether Chap , as far as the angle , of a pale yellow , then red ; the upper less yellow at the end ; about the Nosthrils , and to the end of the bald part red . The bald part is round , and ends at the top of the Head , being like that of a Coot , save that the Coots is white , but this birds red . The redness on the Bill is as it were plaistered on , and may be scraped off . The red part of the Bill is separated from the yellow by a round circumference a little elevated , so that in the middle of the Bill it is produced further than on the sides . The Tongue is pretty broad , The Tongue , Eyes , not cloven , rough at the end . The Irides of the Eyes are red . The lower Eye-lid is not feathered . [ In the young birds neither the Bill , nor the bald spot in the forehead are red . ] The Legs are green : The Claws of a dark brown , near black , indifferently Legs , Claws , Toes , long . The Toes long , as in the Coot ; the middle the longest , next the outmost , all broader and plainer below than in the other cloven-footed birds for the use of swimming : The back-toe broad , as in Coots , serving them perchance as a Rudder , to steer and direct their course . The Legs are feathered almost down to the knees , between the feathers and the joynt marked with a red spot .

From the Shoulders or setting on of the Wing all along its base or ridge , and to the The colour of the feathers . very ends of the feathers runs a line of white . The longer feathers under the Wings are curiously adorned with white spots , or lines tending downwards . The Breast is of a lead-colour : The Belly inclining to grey or ash-colour . Under the Tail are white feathers ; as it swims or walks it often flirts up its Tail , and shews the white , especially when it puts down its head to pick up any thing . The Back and lesser rows of Wing feathers approach to a * * Rusty . ferrugineous colour : Else it is all over blackish . In the Male the feathers under the Tail are whiter , the Belly more † † Ash-coloured or grey . cinereous , and the Back more ferrugineous .

It s Liver is small ; Gall-bladder great ; the Gall within being of a greenish black The Liver and Gall. Its flesh good meat . It s food . colour . It will feed very fat . It s flesh is well tasted , and even comparable to that of Teal . It gets its food on grassie banks and borders near Waters , and in the very Waters , especially if they be weedy : Feeding ( I suppose ) upon the water-Insects it finds among the weeds . It builds upon low trees and shrubs by the water side ; breeding twice or thrice in a Summer , and when its young ones are grown up it drives Its breeding , them away to shift for themselves . Its Eggs are sharp at one end , white , with a tincture Eggs , of green , spotted with reddish spots . It strikes with its Bill like a Hen: It sits Manners , upon boughs , but those only that are thick and near the water . It lives about Motes Place . and great Pools of water near Gentlemens houses . It flies with its Feet hanging down .

§. II. The other green-footed Water-hen of Aldrovand , perchance our Water-Rail .

THis Bird from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is almost eighteen inches long . It hath a Bill two inches long , both above and underneath for some space yellow , the remaining part being black . The Neck and Head are black : The Back and upper part of the Wings of a chesnut-colour : The nether part of a dark cinereous : Only the extremes of the Wings are white . The lower Belly also is almost all white . On the sides towards the Wings it is covered with thick feathers . The Tail ends * * The Latine is in anum , but I suppose it is misprinted for in acutum . sharp , being above of a chesnut-colour , underneath white . The Thighs are covered with ash-coloured feathers , [ varied lightly with transverse white borders , not altogether down to the Knees . ] The Legs are green : The Toes long , furnished with Claws a little crooked , broad , and plain underneath ; perhaps that it may swim with them when there is need or occasion . The Female is in all parts paler than the Male.

This Bird , if it be not our Water-Rail , is , I confess , to me unknown . I do indeed suspect it to be the Rail , though , to say the truth , the marks do not agree . Wherefore I would not omit its description , that the Reader , comparing it with that of the Rail , may himself judge .

§. III. Another green-footed Water-hen of Bellonius like to a Coot , perchance our Grinetta .

WE have necessarily separated the Water-hen [ la Poulette d'eau ] from the lesser and greater Coot [ de la Poule & Macroule ] because it swims not in the water , nor is Web-footed . We have imposed the name of Water-hen upon this Bird from its likeness , though it be much less ; yet is it bigger than a Rail , so that it seems to partake of both . The Fowlers to whom we shewed it , seeing it to be like a Coot , would needs perswade me that it differed only in bigness , being not yet come to its full age and growth . Whereupon I did more diligently search out some discriminating notes : Among which this was the chief , that this Water-hen had green Legs and Feet , not unlike to a Bitterns , and not so plain , nor having such broad appendant membranes as in a Coot . The Tail also of this Water-hen is longer , and the bare spot upon its forehead less . In colour it is indeed like to a Rail , but tending to that of a Coot : Wherefore at first sight I took it to be a Rail , but viewing it more carefully , I observed that it had white Eye-lids , which neither Rail nor Coot have . In the Tail were two white feathers , one on each side . Under the Breast it inclined a little to blue . The Back is of a deep chesnut colour . Some also are blacker than others , and have the folds of their Wings white ; and moreover , another white line in the * * In minore ala , by which words and the following I do not well apprehend what our Author means . lesser Wing , which its first feathers longways of the quil or shaft compose . The same meat was found in its Stomach as in the Rails and Coots . It hath a Breast-bone and a Hip-bone different from other Birds , yea , even from the Coot .

It s flesh is like that of the Morehen , tender , and of easie digestion : Its bones easie to be broken : Its Liver also brittle : It s Craw large : Its Guts and Entrails as in a Coot : When roasted also it is of the same taste with a Coot . It builds , breeds , and brings up its young like the Rail .

This Bird in many things resembles our Grinetta , or The lesser grey footed Water-hen . Gallinula poliopus minor of Aldrovand , so that I doubt not but it is the same : Howbeit , I thought fit to insert its description in this work , that I might leave the Reader to the freedom of his judgment .

§. IV. The Water-Rail , called by some the Bilcock or Brook-Ouzel : Rallus aquaticus * * Ornithol . tom. 3. p. 455. Aldrov . i. e. Ortygometra Bellonii : Also the Gallinula chloropus altera , Aldrov . And perchance the Gallinula Serica of the some : So of one species he makes three .

IT is like the common Water-hen , but less ; bigger than a Quail ; of a slender , narrow or compressed body : From point of Bill to the end of the Claws sixteen inches long , to the end of the Tail but twelve : According to our usual way of measuring sixteen inches broad .

It s Head is small , narrow , or compressed sideways . It s Bill , like the Ruffs , about two inches long , streight , compressed likewise sideways , red , especially the lower Mandible , and lower part of the upper , for toward the top or point it is black , smooth , and hard . The Tongue reaches to the very end of the Bill , and is white and rough at the tip . It hath a round , black , bald spot or naked skin in the forehead , but much less than that of the Coot , so little that it is scarce observable . The colour of the Head , Shoulders , Back , covert-feathers of the Wings , in brief , the whole upper side is various of black or dark brown , and olive colour ; each single feather having its middle part black , and its edges olive-coloured . [ Mr. Willughby makes the colour of the borders or edges of the feathers a yellowish red or russet ; and attributes white spots to the Head , which were not , or at least not observed in the birds seen and described by me . ] The Chin is white , the Throat red , with a mixture of ash-colour ; the extreme edges , and as it were fringes of the feathers being a little grey . The Breast is more blue , with a bed of white in the middle . On the Thighs and sides under the Wings grow black feathers , elegantly variegated with transverse white lines . The Belly is russet , with white feathers under the Tail , like the common Morehen , marked with one or two black spots . The Wings are hollow , the quil-feathers short , black , or very near it , in number twenty two . Along the basis of the Wing is a line of white , as in the Morehen . The Tail is * * Of about two inches length . short and black , only the edges of the two middle feathers are red . The Legs and Feet are of a dark flesh-colour : The Legs strong : The Toes , as in the rest of this kind , very long , divided from the very rise , except that the outer Toe is joyned to the middle by a membrane at the bottom . The Claws are of the same colour with the Toes .

It had a great , long , crooked Gall-bladder ; and a large Gall-pore besides : Long blind-guts , filled with Excrements ; a musculous Stomach , in which we found a shell-Snail .

It runs very swiftly , and hides it self about the banks of Rivers : It walks rather than swims in the water . It flies with its feet hanging down . It is called at Venice , Forzane , or Porzana , a name common to other Water-hens also .

§. V. * The Velvet Runner : Gallinula Serica Gesneri . * * Tom 3. p. 470. Aldrov . Perchance the same with the precedent .

THis is a remarkable bird ; very handsomly particoloured of black and red almost all the body over , ( as far as I remember ) except that the Belly is white . And because the black colour in its feathers shines like Velvet , I thought sit to make and impose upon it the German name Samethunle . Its Legs are long and dark-coloured : Its Toes very long , but the back-toe short : Its Bill long . Thus far Gesner , and again in his Epitome : This Bird may be called Gallina Serica , because in it the black colour shines like silk . Quaere whether this be not the Ortygometra of Bellonius ? And we truly hitherto have been of that opinion , but then Gesner hath not well described it : Which yet is not at all strange , sith ( as we see ) he described it by memory .

§. VI. A small Water-hen , called Grinetta in Italy ; and at Milan Gillerdine : Poliopus Gallinula minor , Aldrov .

IT is less not only than the common Water-hen , but than the Rail , but in shape of body like . Its Legs and Feet are of the same , both figure and colour , with the common Water-hens , viz. a sordid green . The Toes very long , divided to the bottom : The Bill shorter than either the Rails or common Morehens , compressed or narrow , sharp-pointed , of a yellow colour , brighter at the head , darker toward the tip . The upper part of the upper Chap near the Head above the Nosthrils is crusted over with a kind of yellow plaister . The Head , as in the rest of this kind , is little . The colour of the feathers in the middle of the crown is darker : From the Bill above the Eyes on each side is drawn a line of grey or pale ash-colour : Beneath about the Ears the feathers are of the same colour with the rest of the body ; under the Throat again they are ash-coloured or blue . The Neck , both above and beneath , and all the Breast are particoloured , viz. of a middle colour between green , yellow , and dusky , elegantly sprinkled with black spots . [ Mr. Willughby makes the Breast white or cinereous , the bottoms of the feathers being black , the Throat black , with white spots , the Chin of a dark ash-colour without spots . ] The feathers on the crown of the head have their middle parts black , their edges red : Those on the Shoulders and middle of the Back their middle parts about the shaft black , their sides and tips of a sordid red , their utmost edges on each side white .

The quil-feathers of the Wings are all of a dark brown , with a certain tincture of red : The covert-feathers red , with transverse waved lines of white at intervals . The lateral parts covered by the Wings , are cloathed with brown feathers , variegated with transverse waved lines of white . The Tail is short , consisting of twelve feathers , of the same colour with the quils of the Wings , save that the middlemost on their lateral edges have something of white . But what is especially remarkable in the Tail is , that when spread it is not plain , as in most birds , but notably concave . The middle feathers are longer than the rest . Moreover , the Wings are very hollow , as in most Land-fowl of the Poultry-kind . The Gall is large , the Stomach musculous : In it we found seeds of Plants .

This sort of Water-hen we first saw and described at Milan , then at Florence , where the Fowlers call it Tordo Gelsemino , unless perchance that be a distinct kind ; and lastly , at Valence in Spain . That this is the Gallinula poliopus of Aldrovand the names imposed on it do perswade us , though the descriptions do not in all points agree .

The Bird that I described at Florence was of the bigness of the lesser Tringa , long-bodied , with a small Head , Wings of a mean size , a short Tail , Legs bare for a little above the knees , very long Toes except the back one , which is shorter in proportion than the rest , and situate higher . The Bill , for the bigness of the bird , is of a good length , streight , narrow , or compressed sideways ; of a greenish yellow colour : But the upper Mandible both at the base and toward the tip is darker coloured , and as it were of a dusky green . The Legs and Feet are of a sordid green , neither is the colour of the Claws different . In the colour of the feathers it agrees mostwhat with the described , save that in the middle of the Back between the Wings a black list runs down besprinkled with white spots , of a considerable length and breadth : to which also are two lines adjacent , one on each side , in the covert-feathers of the Wings , not parallel to the middle one , but running out wider toward the Tail . The Eyes are small , and their Irides of a greenish yellow . In the bird that Mr. Willughby measured the length from Bill to Claws was thirteen inches , from Bill to Tail nine and an half : The breadth between the tips of the Wings sixteen . The Bill , like that of the common Water-hen , from the point to the angles of the mouth scarce an inch long : The Tail two inches . along the utmost edge of the Wing from the Shoulders to the very tip of the outmost pinion feather runs a line of white , as in the common Water-hen . This line of white was not in the Bird we described at Florence : Yet I perswade my self that both these descriptions are of one and the same Species of bird , differing either in Age or Sex .

§. VII . * The Water-hen called by Gesner Ochropus : Schmirring , Aldrov . lib. 20. cap. 42.

SO he denominates it from the pale yellow or Brimstone-like colour of its Legs , ( which appears also in its Bill to the middle part or further , for the forepart of it is black . ) It is called in High Dutch Schmirring , a name ( as I guess ) framed in imitation of its voice or the noise it makes . It hath the greatest variety of colours of any bird of this kind ; there appearing in it seven distinct ones ( as the * * I wish Cesner had seen the bird from which the Picture was taken , we should have had a better and truer description of it . Picture shews . ) For besides the yellow colour I spake of , every where all over the whole body appears a russet , [ ruffus : ] In the ends of the shortest feathers of the Wings a red , like red Oker : A white both on the Head and about the Eyes , and also in the middle feathers of the Wings , and in the Belly . The longest feathers of the Wings are black , and elsewhere in the Back , Tail , Neck , and Wings are spots of black . The edges of the Eye-lids are tinctured with a Saffron-colour . There is also something of brown and cinereous in the Wings . The Feet want the back-toe , unless the Picture deceives me . It builds among shrubs with moss and grass . Thus far Gesner . This Bird ( if it be rightly described , of which we are very doubtful ) we have not yet seen .

§. VIII . * The Wyn-kernel or Gallinula ochra of Gesner , Aldrov . lib. 20. cap. 48.

I ( saith Gesner ) named this Ochra , from the greenish , but sordid and dark colour of almost the wholebody , more dusky on the upper side . The Head , Neck , Breast , and Wings are adorned with points and spots of white . The Tail is in part white . The Bill partly purple , partly black . The Legs pale yellow .

§. IX . * The Land-hen : Gallinula terrestris of Aldrovand . Perchance the Land-Rail .

WE suspect this Bird ( however Gesner contradicts it ) to be the Land-Rail or Ortygometra of Bellonius , however the Toes in the figure are drawn too too long . But that the Reader may satisfie himself whether or no we judge aright , we shall here put down Gesners description of it .

In the whole habit and fashion of its body it is very like the Water-fowl , if you except only the Bill . Gesner having no Greek or Latine name for it , it may , saith he , be called * * i. e. The Land Runner . Trochilus terrestris ; ( for there are also other Water-Trochili , likewise of the Hen-kind ) sith it is of the same † † Genus . common kind , and runs swiftly , whence the Grecians gave it that name ; howbeit some do call that very small bird the Regulus also by the name of Trochilus . This Bird runs very swiftly through shrubs , and sometimes leaps sideways . It flies ill , and with great difficulty raises it self from the ground up into the Air. So he . And in his Epitomy again he names it , the Land-Trochilus or Land-Rail , to difference it from that which lives about Waters , and adds , that Bellonius his Land-Rail is another bird . About the Lago maggiore ( so he goes on ) some call it Polle , which is as much as a Pullet or Hen , by a name too general . The German Fowlers call it , Eggenschar , Heggeschar , and Hegesar , because they run in companies near hedges , where they are found after Hay-harvest . For the Germans call a hedge Hegga , or Haga , and a flock or troup Schara : Or perchance because they dig the earth about hedges , for the word Scharren with us signifies to dig or scrape with the feet , as Hens are wont : Which whether or no these birds do is to me uncertain . There are some who call it periphrastically , Ein grosse wasser Hunle , that is , a great Water-hen . This Bird he thus briefly describes . It is thick and short-bodied , and shaped otherwise like its Picture , [ of which he there gives a draught , ] scarce any bird hath longer Toes for its bigness . The hind-toe also is about half as long as the fore ones . The colours I do not well remember , but I think their Legs were greenish . The Back and Wings from a reddish colour inclined to brown . It s note ( as they say ) is harsh , Ger , ger , ger , something like a Serpents . And therefore it is also taken by Fowlers imitating its voice by a knife drawn through dry wood . But whereas he saith , that the English , accounting it a very delicate bird , use several snares and devices to catch it among the standing corn , he was certainly deceived by a false relation ; for that England neither breeds nor feeds any such bird besides the Land and Water-Rail .

§. X. The Brasilian Water-hen , called Jacana .

THis most elegant Bird is of the bigness of a Dove , but hath much longer Legs , Out of Marggrave of a yellow colour mixt with green . The lower Legs are more than two inches long ; the upper ( for the greatest part bare , as in Water-birds ) a little less . It hath four Toes in each foot , the middle of those three which stand forward two inches long , the other two a little shorter ; the fourth or back-toe a foot or more long ; all armed with yellow Claws , half an inch long . It s Tail is short like a Water-hens . The feathers on the Back , Wings , and Belly are mingled of green and black : Those under the Tail white : Those near the Neck , and on the whole Neck and Breast of the same colour with the feathers that are seen on the Necks of Peacocks and some Pigeons . It hath a small Head like a Water-hen , covered with a certain round membranous tegument , of the colour of a Turcois stone . It s Bill is streight , like a Hens . above an inch long , from the beginning to the middle of a rare * * Or red-lead colour . scarlet colour , the remaining part being of an excellent yellow , wherewith something of green is mixt . It is very frequent every where in the fenny places or Marish grounds of Brasil . It s flesh is edible , but not much valued .

§. XI . The Brasilian Water-hen , called Aguapecaca .

IT is in bigness equal , and in shape like to the precedent , but different and inferiour to it in colour . Its feathers on the Back are like those of the former ; the Wings browner . It wants the Cap or Miter on the Head , and hath in each Wing on the inside a streight horn or spur , where with it defends it self .

§. XII . The third Brasilian Water-hen of Marggrave .

IT is for figure and bigness like and equal to the precedent , but different in colour . The whole Head , Neck , Back , and Tail are black , the beginning of the Wings brown : The remaining part green ; the ends of the quil-feathers brown : Moreover , the Breast and lower Belly are of a brown colour , as also the upper half of the upper Legs . The Bill is streight , of a Saffron-colour , with a red skin at its rise , and on the fore-part of the Head . The Legs are bare , the Feet ash-coloured . In the forepart of each Wing it hath the like horn or spur as the former , of a yellow colour .

This is the * * The horned bird . Avis cornuta of Nierembergius , or rather Hernandez , which the Indians ( saith he ) call Yohualcuachili , or Caput nocturnum .

§. XIII . The fourth Brasilian Water-hen of Marggrave .

IT is of the same figure or shape with the rest . It s Bill is yellow . It hath a red skinny Miter or Cap on its forehead near the rise of its Bill : It hath also processes extended down the sides after the manner of the * * Gallinae Numidicae , perchance he may mean Turkeys . Guiny Hens . It s whole Head , Neck , Breast , and lower Belly are covered with black feathers . The Back , Tail , and beginning of the Wings with red , or light brown . The quil-feathers of the Wings are of a Sea-green , with black tips ; but they are covered with those red [ or russet ] ones forementioned , and cannot be seen unless when the bird flies . Its Legs are long ; its Toes also long : Each hath * * I suppose he was herein mistaken , for no bird we ever saw hath an equal number of joynts in every toe save the Swift . four joynts , of an ash-colour . Each Wing in the fore-part hath a very sharp horn [ or spur ] of a Saffron colour .

§. XIV . A Water-hen , called by the Brasilians , Tamatia .

IT hath the Bill of a Sparrow-hawk , is of the bigness of Yassana asu , walking with a crooked Back , and crooked Neck . It hath a great Head , great , black Eyes , situate near the rise of the Bill : A Bill two inches long , more than one broad , like a Ducks indeed , but * * The Latine words are anteriùs acuminatum . sharp toward the tip : It s upper part black , its nether yellowish . The upper Legs are bare of feathers , and of a good length . It hath in each foot four Toes , three standing forward , one backward , long , as in Water-hens . The Legs and Toes are of a yellowish green colour . The Tail very short , not longer than in the Yassana . It s Head is covered with black feathers , the rest of its body with brown : But in the Belly some white feathers are intermingled .

CHAP. III.

§. I. * Of the Porphyrio , or purple Water-hen .

THis Bird neither Gesner , nor Aldrovandus , nor we truly have hitherto seen , but Pictures of it only . It is ( if the Pictures deceive us not ) of the Water-hen kind . It s body is all over of a blue colour . The extreme half of the Tail is a whitish ash-colour : The Bill and Legs of a shining purple . So Gesner describes it by a Picture sent him from Montpellier . Aldrovandus describes it otherwise , as may be seen in Book 20. Chap. 28. of his Ornithology . Seeing therefore the Pictures of this Bird do so much vary , and none of those who have compiled Histories of Animals do profess themselves to have seen the Porphyrio , we did sometimes doubt , whether there were any such bird in nature , especially seeing some of those things which the Ancients attribute to it , as for example , that it hath five Toes in each foot , are without doubt false and fabulous . But because all the Pictures of it do agree in the figure of its Bill , Legs and Feet , and indeed the whole body , we have now changed our minds , and are more apt to believe the affirmative , viz. that there is such a Porphyrio as they picture , akin to the Coots or Water-hens . Let others , who have the hap to see it , describe it more exactly , and so remove all doubt and scruple concerning this matter out of the minds of the learned and curious .

§. II. * The Quachilto or American Porphyrio of Nieremberg .

THe Quachilto doth imitate the watching and crowings of a Cock . Some call it Yacacintli . Late at night , and early in the morning it crows after the manner of Cocks . It is of a dark purple colour , with some white feathers intermixt . The Bill is pale at the beginning . In the young birds the bald part at the rise of the Bill is red . It is like a Coot . Its Legs are yellow , inclining to green , ending in four pale-coloured Toes , without any membrane . The Eyes are black , with a fulvous Iris [ or circle about the Pupil . ] It is a Marsh-bird , feeding upon fishes , it self being no unpleasant or ill-tasted meat .

CHAP. IV. * * Ornithol. book 19. chap. 16. Aldrovands Italian Rail .

THis Rail ( as Gesner describes it ) is more a Water than a Land Fowl : And at Mestre , a Village not far distant from Venice , it is taken , not without great toil and expence , viz. in Falcons , or other Hawks , and a troup of Servants , who wearing Buskins or high-shoos , do , in the room of hunting Dogs , wade up and down the shallow waters thereabouts , and put up those Birds with certain Clubs they carry , shaking and beating the shrubs and bushes where they lie ; that so they may afterwards become a prey to the Falcons that wait for them . This is a very noted Bird in that City , but in my judgment much inferiour for taste both to a Thrush and a Quail . Aloysius Mundella , principal Physician at Brescia , in his Letters to me , writes thus . This Bird differs from our * * Coot . Fulica , in that it hath more white in the Wings , and about the Eyes . It s Bill is black ; its Legs greenish . It hath no such dissected or scalloped membranes between the Toes , no baldness on the Head , as far as I gather from the Picture .

What Bird this is , and whether we have ever seen it , being so briefly described with a few , and some of those negative notes , we cannot certainly determine .

MEMB. II. Cloven-footed , fin-toed Birds , of kin to the Waterhens .

§. I. The Coot : Fulica .

IT weighs twenty four ounces : From Bill-point to Tail-end is sixteen inches long ; to the Claws twenty two . The Bill is an inch and half long , white , with a light tincture of blue , sharp-pointed , a little compressed or narrow ; both Mandibles equal . The feet bluish , or of a dusky green : The back-toe little , with one only membrane adhering , and that not scallop'd , but extending all the length of the Toe . The inner fore-toe is a little shorter than the outer : All the Toes longer than in whole-footed birds . About the joynts of the Toes are semicircular membranes appendant , on the inner Toe two , the middle three , the outer four . These circular membranes are bigger , and more distinct on the inside of the Toes , so that the intermediate incisures or nicks reach to the very joynts . [ This may be thus briefly expressed , The three fore-toes have lateral membranes on each side , scalloped , the inner with two , the middle Toe with three , and the outer with four scallops . ] From the Bill almost to the crown of the Head arises an Excrescency or Lobe of flesh , bare of feathers , soft , smooth , round , which they call the * * Calvities . baldness . The feathers about the Head and Neck are low , soft , and thick . The colour all over the body black , deeper about the Head . The Breast and Belly are of a lead-colour . The Thighs covered with feathers almost down to the knees : Just beneath the feathers is a ring of yellow about the Leg. The first ten quil-feathers are of a dark , dusky , or black colour , the eight next lighter , with white tips ; the last or next the body are of a deeper black The Tail consists of twelve feathers , and is two inches long .

The Liver is great , divided into two Lobes , having also a large Gall. The blind guts are nine inches long , their ends for an inches space being reflected or doubled backwards . It builds its Nest of grass , broken reeds , &c. floating on the top of the water , so that it rises and falls together with the Water . The Reed , among which it is built : stop it that it be not carried down streams . This Bird in the figure and make of its body resembles a Water-hen , to which genus it ought without all doubt to be referred . It seldom sits upon trees . The flesh of it with us is accounted no good meat : In Italy it is more esteemed .

§. II. Bellonius his greater Coot , called by the French Macroule , or Diable de mer.

IT always dives in fresh waters , and is of a colour so exquisitely black , as if it were laid on with a Pencil . The white bald spot on the Head is broader than in the common Coot : And it is somewhat bigger-bodied . It draws up its Legs , and hath broad Toes , divided from each other , like the common Coot .

SECTION II. Whole-footed long-leg'd Birds .

CHAP. I. The Flammant or Phoenicopter : Phoenicopterus .

IT hath extraordinary long Neck and Legs . The Bill is broad , of singular , strange , unusual figure . For the upper Mandible is flat and broad , crooked , and toothed : The lower thicker than it : The tip of the Bill black , else it is of a dark blue .

The Neck and body are white : The quil-feathers of the Wings black : The covert-feathers are wholly died with a most beautiful bright purple or flame-colour , whence it took the names Phoenicopter and Flammant .

It is whole-footed ( as Gesner rightly hath it ) from whom Aldrovandus , deceived ( I guess ) by the Picture of it dissenting , affirms the contrary , viz. that it is cloven-footed .

In Winter-time in hard weather it comes over to the Coast of Provence and Languedoc in France , and is often taken about Martiguez in Provence , and Montpellier in Languedoc . We saw several cases of it dried at Montpellier .

The French call it Flambant or Flammant , rather from the flammeous colour of its Wings and Feet , than because it comes from Flanders in the Winter-time to the Coasts of Languedoc . For I believe there was scarce ever seen about Flanders a bird of this kind , so far are they from being common there , and flying from thence into other Countries . Howbeit , the Provencals might perchance through mistake think so . Whence it comes , or where it breeds , is to me unknown .

It feeds upon Periwinkles and fishes . The Ancients reckon the Phoenicopters Tongue among the choicest dainties . Apitius , the most profound gulph of gluttony and riot , ( as Pliny relates ) wrote , that a Phoenicopters Tongue is of an excellent taste and rellish .

CHAP. II. * The Trochilus , commonly called , Corrira , * * Lib. 19. cap. 55. Aldrov .

THis Bird hath long Legs , yea , the longest of any whole-footed † † Here he is mistaken , for the Flammant hath longer . Fowl except the Avosetta : Wherefore because it runs very swiftly they call it Corrira [ Courier ] whence I conjecture it to be the Trochilus , which , as they write , runs along the shores with that celerity many times , that its running is swifter than its flying . It is a particoloured Bird , hath a streight yellow Bill , black at the tip : A wide slit of the mouth ; black Eyes , compassed about with a white circle , which is environed by another spadiceous one . Underneath on the Belly it is white . Two white feathers , which yet have black tips , cover the Tail . The upper side , Head , Neck , Back , and Wings are mostly of a ferrugineous colour . It hath ( as I said ) long Legs , short Thighs , Toes joyned together by membranes . Having not seen this Bird we have no more to add concerning it . It s figure somewhat resembles a Larus . Aldrovandus is mistaken in that he writes his Trochilus hath the longest Legs of any whole-footed bird but the Avosetta : For the Phoenicopter hath much longer Legs than the Avosetta it self . But Aldrovandus is herein to be excused , for that he held the Phoenicopter to be a cloven-footed bird .

CHAP. III. The Avosetta of the Italians : Recurvirostra .

IN bigness it somewhat exceeds a Lapwing , weighing ten ounces and an half ; being extended in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Toes twenty three inches and an half ; to the end of the Tail but eighteen : In breadth , taken between the tips of the Wings spread , it is full thirty one inches . The Bill is three inches and an half long , slender , black , flat or depressed , reflected upwards , which is peculiar to this Bird , ending in a very thin , slender , weak point . The Tongue is short , not cloven . The Head is of a mean size , round , like a ball or bullet , black above , ( save that the fore part of the Head is sometimes grey ) which colour also takes up the upper side of the Neck extending to the middle of it . The colour of the whole under side of the body is a pure snow-white ; of the upper side partly white , partly black , viz. the outmost quil-feathers of the Wings are above half way black , the rest white , as are also the feathers of the second row . The rest of the covert-feathers almost to the ridge of the Wing are black , which make a broad bed of black , not directly cross the Wing , but a little oblique . On the Back again it hath two black strakes , beginning from the point of the Shoulder or setting on of the Wing , and proceeding transversly till in the middle of the Back they do almost meet , being thence produced streight on to the Tail . The whole Tail is white , three inches and an half long , made up of twelve feathers . The Legs are very long , of a lovely blue colour , bare of feathers for almost three inches above the Knees . The Claws black and little . It hath a back-toe , but a very small one . The blind guts are slender , almost three inches long . The whole length of the Guts is three foot . It hath a Gall-bladder , emptying it self into the Gut by its own proper duct or channel , and a Gall-pore besides . The Stomach is small , in which dissected we found nothing but little stones , so that thence we could not learn on what it feeds . Indeed , the Bill being so slender , weak , long , and of so inconvenient a figure , turning upwards , one would wonder how it could gather its food , be it what it will .

Mr. Willughby describes the Wings thus . The interiour scapular feathers are black , which make a long black spot in the middle of the Back . The covert-feathers of the upper part of the Wing , from the setting on thereof to the first joynt , are white ; from the first to the second joynt the lesser covert-feathers are black ; from the second joynt to the roots of the greater quil-feathers white again . The first quill or pinion feather is wholly black , the succeeding have by degrees less and less black , till in the eight only the exteriour tip remains black .

We saw many of these birds both at Rome and Venice : They do also frequent our Eastern Coasts in Suffolk and Norfolk in Winter time . But there needs no great pains be taken or time spent in exactly describing this bird : For the singular figure of its Bill reflected upwards is sufficient alone to characterise and distinguish it from all other birds we have hitherto seen or heard of .

BOOK III. PART III. Of WHOLE-FOOTED BIRDS with shorter Legs .

WHole-footed birds with shorter Legs we distinguish into * * Or such as have but three toes , and such as have four . such as want the back-toe , and such as have it : These latter into such as have all four toes web'd together , and such as have the back-toe loose or separate from the rest : These latter again we subdivide into narrow-bill'd and broad-bill'd : The narrow-bill'd have their Bills either hooked at the end , or streighter and sharp-pointed . The hook-bill'd have their Bills either even , or toothed on the sides . Those that have streighter and sharp-pointed Bills are either short-winged and divers , called Douckers and Loons ; or long-winged , and much upon the Wing , called Gulls . The broad-bill'd are divided into the Goose-kind , and the Duck-kind . The Duck-kind are either Sea-ducks , or Pond-ducks .

The general marks of whole-footed birds are , 1. Short Legs ; Here we must except the Phoenicoptter , Corrira , and Avosetta : 2. Legs feathered down to the Knees : 3. Short hind-toes : 4. The outmost fore-toe shorter than the inmost : 5. Their Rumps less erect , than other birds : 6. Most of the broad-bill'd kind have a kind of hooked narrow plate at the end of the upper Chap of their Bills ; their bodies flat or depressed .

N. B. Under the name of whole or web-footed we comprise some birds , which have indeed their Toes divided , but membranes appendant on each side , such are some of the Divers or Loons . These might more properly be denominated sin-toed or sin-footed than whole-footed .

SECTION I. Whole-footed Birds that want the Back-toe .

CHAP. I. The Bird called Penguin by our Seamen , which seems to be Hoiers Goifugel .

IN bigness it comes near to a tame Goose . The colour of the upper side is black , of the under white . Its Wings are very small , and seem to be altogether unsit for flight . It s Bill is like the Auks , but longer and broader , compressed sideways , graven in with seven or eight furrows in the upper mandible , with ten in the lower . The lower Mandible also bunches out into an angle downward , like a Gulls Bill . It differs from the Auks Bill in that it hath no white lines . From the Bill to the Eyes on each side is extended a line or spot of white . It wants the back-toe , and hath a very short tail .

I saw and described it dried in the Repository of the Royal Society . I saw it also in Tradescants Cabinet at Lambeth near London .

The Penguin of the Hollanders , or Magellanic Goose of Clusius .

The Birds of this kind , found in the Islands of the strait of Magellane , the Hollanders from their fatness called Penguins . [ I find in Mr. Terries Voyage to the East Indies mention made of this Bird. He describes it to be a great lazy bird , with a white Head , and coal-black body . Now seeing Penguin in the Welsh Tongue signifies a white head , I rather think the Bird was so called from its white head ; though I confess that our Penguin hath not a white Head , but only some white about the Eyes . ] This ( saith Clusius ) is a Sea-fowl of the Goose-kind , though unlike in its Bill . It lives in the Sea ; is very fat , and of the bigness of a large Goose , for the old ones in this kind are found to weigh thirteen , fourteen , yea , sometimes sixteen pounds ; the younger eight , ten , and twelve . The upper side of the body is covered with black feathers , the under side with white . The Neck ( which in some is short and thick ) hath as it were a ring or collar of white feathers . Their skin is thick like a Swines . They want Wings , but instead thereof they have two small skinny sins , hanging down by their sides like two little arms , covered on the upper side with short , narrow , stiff feathers , thick-set ; on the under side with lesser and stiffer , and those white , wherewith in some places there are black ones intermixt ; altogether unfit for flight , but such as by their help the birds swim swiftly . I understood that they abide for the most part in the water , and go to land only in breeding time , and for the most part lie three or four in one hole . They have a Bill bigger than a Ravens , but not so * * Elated . high ; and a very short Tail ; black , flat Feet , of the form of Geesefeet , but not so broad . They walk erect , with their heads on high , their fin-like Wings hanging down by their sides like arms , so that to them who see them afar off they appear like so many diminutive men or Pigmies . I find in the Diaries [ or Journals of that Voyage ] that they feed only upon fish , yet is not their flesh of any ungrateful relish , nor doth it taste of fish . They dig deep holes in the shore like Cony-burroughs , making all the ground sometimes so hollow , that the Seamen walking over it would often sink up to the knees in those vaults . These perchance are those Geese , which Gomora saith are without feathers , never come out of the Sea , and instead of feathers are covered with long hair . Thus far Clusius , whose description agrees well enough to our Penguin ; but his figure is false in that it is drawn with four toes in each foot .

Olaus Wormius * * Musei , lib. 3. cap. 19. treating of this bird , to Clusius his description adds of his own observation as followeth . This Bird was brought me from the Ferroyer Islands ; I kept it alive for some months at my house . It was a young one , for it had not arrived to that bigness as to exceed a common Goose . It would swallow an entire Herring at once , and sometimes three successively before it was satisfied . The feathers on its back were so soft and even that they resembled black Velvet . It s Belly was of a pure white . Above the Eyes it had a round white spot , of the bigness of a Dollar , that you would have sworn it were a pair of Spectacles , ( which Clusius observed not ) neither were its Wings of that figure he expresses ; but a little broader , with a border of white .

Whether it hath or wants the back-toe neither Clusius nor Wormius in their descriptions make any mention . In Wormius his figure there are no back-toes drawn .

This Bird exceeding the rest of this kind in bigness justly challenges the first place among them .

CHAP. II. The Bird called the Razor-bill in the West of England , the Auk in the North , the Murre in Cornwal : Alka Hoieri in Epist. ad Clusium . Worm . mus .

THis is less by half than the Penguin , being not so big as a tame Duck : Between the tips of the Wings spread it was twenty seven inches broad . It s Head , Neck , Back , and Tail , in general its whole upper side is black . It s Belly and Brest as far as the middle of the Throat white . The upper part of the Throat under the Chin hath something of a dusky or purplish black . Each Wing hath twenty eight quil-feathers ; the tips of all * * But the eleven outmost . to the eleventh are white . The Tail is three inches long , consisting of twelve feathers , the exteriour shorter by degrees than the interiour : The excess of the two middlemost above the next them is greater than that of the rest .

The Bill from the tip to the angles of the mouth is two inches long , of a deep black , narrow or compressed sideways . A little beyond the Nosthrils in the upper Mandible there is engraven a furrow or incision deeper than that in the Coulter-neb . As far as this groove the Bill is covered with a thick , short , soft down , like the nap of Velvet , The upper Chap is crooked at the end , concave and overhangs the lower : Both are of equal length , channelled with two transverse furrows or grooves [ the upper for the most part with three , ] that next the Head , which is the widest , and almost crosses the whole Bill , being white . In these furrows there is some diversity in several birds , for some have more than two : Yet are the white lines like and equal in all . Besides from each Eye to the corner of the upper Mandible is a narrow white line drawn . The Mouth within is of a lovely yellow : The Eyes hazel-coloured . The Legs are situate as in the Penguin and Coulterneb , of a black colour , as are also the Feet and Claws . It wants the back-toe .

It lays , sits , and breeds up its Young on the ledges of the craggy Cliffs and steep Rocks by the Sea-shores , that are broken and divided into many as it were stairs or shelves , together with the Coulternebs and Guillemots . The Manks men are wont to compare these Rocks , with the Birds sitting upon them in breeding time to an Apothecaries shop , the ledges of the Rocks resembling the shelves , and the Birds the pots . About the Isle of Man are very high Cliffs , broken in this manner into many ledges one above another from top to bottom . They are wont to let down men by ropes from the tops of the Cliffs to take away the Eggs and young ones . They take also the birds themselves when they are sitting upon their Eggs , with snares fastened to the tops of long poles , and so put about their Necks . They build no Nests , but lay their Eggs upon the bare Rocks . They fetch many circuits in getting up to their Nests , and if they have not aimed right , and so miss of them , they drop down into the Sea , and ascend up again by degrees .

All the birds of this kind that we know lay extraordinary great Eggs in proportion to their bodies : This birds are two inches three quarters long , the lesser ends not so sharp as in the Guillemots , white , varied with black spots , as Hoierus rightly describes them . They feed altogether upon fish .

CHAP. III. * The Mergus of Bellonius , * * Tom. 3. pag. 240. Aldrov . Perchance the same with the precedent .

BEllonius , in his Book of Observations writes , that there is a peculiar sort of Sea-diver in Candy , differing from the * * The Coot . Phalacro-corax , and other divers , which he thinks to be the Aethyia of Aristotle . The Inhabitants of the Candy-shores ( saith he ) call it Utamania . It is of the bigness of a Teal [ d' une Sarcelle ] hath a white Belly , a black Head and Back , as also Wings and Tail . This alone among whole-footed birds wants the back-toe . [ Herein Bellonius is mistaken . ] Its feathers are like down , sticking fast in the skin . It s Bill hath sharp edges , is hollow , and almost plain , for a good part of it covered with downy feathers ; the upper Chap being black , the lower white : the crown of its Head is broad .

This bird in many things resembles the Auk , and perchance it may be the same , for its figure is not unlike : But if it be indeed , as it is described , no bigger than a Teal , and the lower Mandible of its Bill be white , it must be different .

CHAP. IV. The Bird called by the Welsh and Manks-men , a Guillem ; by those of Northumberland and Durham , a Guillemot , or Sea-hen ; in Yorkshire about Scarburgh , a * * It is another Bird which the Scots about the Bass Island , and the Northumbers about the Farn Islands call a Skout , viz. the Alka of Hoier . Skout ; by the Cornish , a Kiddaw : Lomwia Hoieri in Epist. ad Clusium .

IT is like the Auk , but greater , coming near to the bigness of a Duck : In length from Bill to Tail eighteen inches and an half ; in breadth the Wings being spread out thirty . It s Head , upper-side of the Neck , Back , Wings , and Tail , and beside , the Chin also as far as the middle of the Throat are of a dark brown , or black ash-colour : Its Belly , Breast , and the rest of its Throat are white , as in the Auk . The tips of the eleven foremost or outmost Wing-feathers of the first row are white , as in the Auk . The Tail is two inches long , consisting of twelve feathers , the middlemost the longest , the rest by degrees shorter and shorter to the outmost .

The Bill is streight , sharp-pointed , black , from the tip to the angles of the mouth , almost three inches long , round . The upper Chap near the point hath on each side a small angular process or tooth which is not received in the lower , but overhangs it on both sides when the mouth is shut . The Tongue undivided : The mouth within yellow . The Feet situate very backward near the Tail , as in the precedent , of a black colour , as are also the Claws . It wants the back-toe .

The skin of the stomach within is yellow : The Gall-bladder large : The Testicles in the Males great , from which the seminal vessel with various winding and reflections tend to the vent .

It lives and companies together with the Auks and Coulternebs : Breeding after the same manner , and in the same places : But it is a simpler bird , and more easily taken .

It breeds yearly on the steep Cliffs and inaccessible Rocks of the Isle of Man , as do the Auks , &c. Likewise on an Island or Rock called Godreve , not far from St. Ives in Cornwal : Also on Prestholm Island , about a League distant from Beaumaris in the Isle of Anglesey , where for want of fresh water no body at present dwels , nor are there any buildings remaining , save an old ruinous Chappel dedicated to St. Sirician . My Lord Bulkley is proprietor of this Island . Moreover , this Bird frequents and builds on the Farn Islands near the coast of Northumberland ; and the Clifts about Scarburgh in Yorkshire , in the Summer-months .

This lays the biggest Eggs of all this kind , more than three inches long , very sharp at one end , and blunt at the other , of a bluish green colour , some varied with black spots or strokes , some without any .

Mr. Johnson hath observed these birds to vary somewhat in colour , some having black backs , some brown or bay : Perchance these may be Hens , those Cocks .

CHAP. V. The Bird called Coulterneb at the Farn Islands , Puffin in North-Wales , in South-Wales Gulden-head , Bottle-nose , and Helegug , at Scarburgh Mullet , in Cornwal Pope , at Jersey and Guernsey Barbalot : Anas Arctica Clus . Pica marina vel Fratercula Gesneri * * Tom. 3. pag. 215. Aldrov .

THis is lesser than the tame Duck , extended in length from Bill to Feet twelve Inches . It s Bill is short , broad , and compressed side-ways , contrarily to the Bills of Ducks , of a triangular figure , and ending in a sharp point , the upper Mandible arcuate , and crooked at the point . Where it is joyned to the Head a certain callous substance encompasses its base , as in Parrots . Between this callous body and the first furrow , anon to be described , are long holes for the Nosthrils produced by the aperture of the mouth . The Bill is of two colours , near the Head * cinereous † † Ash-coloured . or livid , toward the point red ; it hath three furrows or grooves impressed in it , one in the livid part , two in the red . The Mouth is yellow within . The Eyes grey or ash-coloured . The Eye-lids are strengthened with a black cartilage : in the lower is a carneous protuberance of a * * Black and blue , the colour in the skin after a stroke or confusion . livid colour , in the upper a small triangular excrescency of the same colour .

The Feet of some are yellow ; I suppose those are young ones , of others red , situate backwards almost in the same plain with the Belly , as they are in Doukers or Loons , so that the Bird stands and walks almost perpendicularly erected upon the Tail . It wants the back-toe . The inmost of the fore-toes is the shortest , the middlemost the longest . The Claws are of a dark blue , inclining to black . The top of the Head , the Neck , and Back are black : The Breast and Belly white . A ring or muffler of black produced from the Neck encompasses the Throat . The sides of the Head from the crown , to the now mentioned muffler are white , or of a very pale ash-colour , so that the Eyes and Ears are included in these white spaces .

Their Wings are small , made up of short feathers , nevertheless near the supersicies of the water they fly very swiftly . They say that out of the sight of the Sea they cannot fly at all , nor unless they do ever and anon dip their Wings in the water . The Tail is two inches long , made up of twelve feathers , all black . The Stomach within is yellow : The Liver divided into two Lobes , with a Gall annexed .

They build no Nest , but lay their Eggs upon the bare ground . They breed in holes under ground , which either they dig for themselves , or borrow of the Rabbets , whom they drive out and dispossess of their burrows . They lay but one Egg apiece ( which is especially remarkable ) but if you take away the Egg out of any Nest , that Bird will lay a second ; if you remove that , a third , and so on to the fifth . It lays huge Eggs for its bigness , even bigger than Hens or Ducks , of a reddish or sandy colour , much sharper at one end than Hens Eggs , and blunter at the other .

In the Islands of Man , Bardsey , Caldey , Farn , Godreve , Sillies , and other small desert Islets near the Sea-shore they breed yearly in great numbers : And not only in Islands , but also on Rocks and Cliffs by the Sea-side , about Scarborough , Tenby , and elsewhere .

In the Summer time they abide in the places mentioned , being busie in breeding and feeding their Young : In the beginning of Autumn they fly away , returning again the next Spring . Whither they fly , and where they spend their Winter we know not . It is reported , that in the latter end of March , or beginning of April there come over first some Spies or Harbingers , which stay some two or three days as it were to view and search out the places they use to breed in , and see whether all be well : Which done they depart , and about the beginning of May return again with the whole troup of their fellows . But if that season happen to be stormy and tempestuous , and the Sea troubled , there are abundance of them found cast upon the shores lean and perished with famine . For they cannot , unless the Sea be calm , either proceed in their journey , or fish for their living . In August they all depart , nor are they seen any more any where about our Coasts till the next Spring . The Young which cannot then fly they leave to shift for themselves . All these things are to be understood also of the Auk and Guillemot . For these three kinds do for the most part fly together , and build in the same places .

A certain Fisherman told us , that in the middle of Winter he once found a Puffin under water , torpid , among the Rocks not far from * * This Island is not far distant from the Promontory of Carnarvanshire Bardsey Island , which being again cast into the Sea streightway sank to the bottom . Believe it that will . Mr. Fr. Jessop sent us one killed in the fresh waters not far from Sheffield in Yorkshire , much less than this we have described , which yet I think differed only in age ; for all marks agreed .

Of all the birds of this kind hitherto described I think it to be true which Mr. Johnson hath observed , that the underside is so far white as it is immersed in the water in swimming , the upper side as far as it is extant above the water being black .

The Auk , Guillemot , this Bird , and perchance all the rest of this kind and the Soland-Goose lay but one Egg , and bring up but one young one at once , which is a thing very remarkable and worthy the observation : But that Egg for the bigness of the birds is an extraordinary great one .

CHAP. VI. The Greenland-Dove or Sea-Turtle : Columba Groenlandica dicta .

HIther also is to be referred that bird which in Holland they call the Greenland-Dove , for that also wants the back-toe . It is like the Coulterneb , but less : Its Legs alike red : Its Bill longer , not compressed sideways , sharp-pointed , a little crooked at the end , and prominent .

It hath a large white spot on the upper surface of each Wing , else it is all over black , of the colour of a Coot . We counted in each Wing twenty six or twenty seven quil-feathers .

I guess this bird to be the same with the Puffinet of the Farn Islands , which they told us was of the bigness of a Dove : It s whole body in Summer-time being black , excepting a white spot in each Wing , but turning white in the Winter : That it had a narrow , sharp Bill , that it built in the holes of the Rocks , and laid two Eggs. I perswade my self also , that it is the same with the Turtle-dove of the Bass Island near Edinburgh in Scotland , being thereto induced by the agreement of names .

Why they call it a Dove or Turtle I cannot certainly tell . It is indeed about the bigness of a Turtle , and lays ( they say ) two Eggs at once like them , and possibly there may be some agreement in their voice or note .

SECTION II. Whole-footed Birds with four fore-toes , or four toes all web'd together .

CHAP. 1. The Pelecan : Onocrotalus sive Pelecanus , Aldrov .

THe length of this Bird from the point of the Bill to the end of the Feet or of the Tail was sixty inches : Of the Bill it self from the tip to the angles of the mouth fourteen . The space between the Eyes and the Bill is * * Bare of feathers . naked . Its feathers are almost like a Gooses : Those on the top of the Head longer than the rest , standing up like a Crest . The colour of the whole body white : Yet the Neck is yellowish . The shafts of the back-feathers are black . The Tail and covert-feathers of the Wings are of a dusky ash-colour , as in Geese : The ends of the quil-feathers black . The Tail is about seven inches long , made up of twenty or twenty two feathers , of almost equal length , save that the outmost are a little shorter than the middlemost . Each Wing hath twenty eight quil-feathers . The Bill toward the Head is of a Lead-colour , the end being yellowish : The upper Mandible broad and flat , the nether as it were two long ribs or spars joyned at one end , with a thick yellow skin interceding , which reaches backwards to the Throat beyond the Bill . At the end of the Bill is a little knob or protuberance , but the utmost tip of the Bill is hooked . The Nosthrils are situate at the base of the Bill near the Head ; above the cranny or furrow running along the length of the Bill , as in the Soland-goose , and are round . The Eyes are of a yellowish ash-colour , or rather whitish : The Legs and Feet of a lead colour . The shanks bare above the knees . All the four toes are web'd together , as Aldrovand hath rightly observed .

We saw and described this Bird in the Royal Aviary in St. James Park near Westminster . The Emperour of Russia by his Embassadours sent to his Majesty in the year 166● among other rarities presented the King with two birds of this kind .

Franciscus Stellutus , in a Letter to * * See his Annotations on Recchus his Animals . Jo. Faber at Rome , describes a Pelecan he saw at Fabriano thus . This Bird is much bigger than the biggest Goose , yea , equal to , or bigger than a Swan . [ That which Gesner described weighed twenty four pounds , of twelve ounces the pound : Of Aldrovands two one weighed eighteen pounds , the other twenty five . ] Of a whitish colour , yet not purely white , but clouded with something of dusky or red . Nor is this colour uniform all the body over , for the Wing-feathers are darker than of the rest of the body . Its Feet are made up of three Toes joyned together by a membrane , and a Heel behind . [ Here by inadvertency I suppose Stellutus is mistaken , for all four toes are web'd together . ] The Bill almost as long as ones arm , but not toothed . The tip of the upper Chap is bent downward , with a hook like the claw of some bird . I could not see any Tongue , [ neither could Faber , who saw this same bird afterward at Rome , find the Tongue , though he searched diligently for it ] but where the root of the Tongue was fixed I observed certain perforate bodies . On the crown of the Head there stood up some feathers elevated above the rest , imitating a Crest . The bag which hangs down under the Bill , and which makes the Pelecan greatly different from other birds , is membranaceous , which it sometimes contracts and draws up so to the Bill , that it is scarce conspicuous , other times it suffers to be so dilated as to receive and contain many ( Faber saith thirty ) pounds of water : The membrane being so stretcht and distended , that it appears transparent , many fibres and veins running up and down through it . I wondered most ( they are Fabers words ) when the Bill being opened very wide , I saw the whole head of a man of great stature received in that vast gulf of the * * He so calls this bag under the Bill . Craw. In the Head I discovered two manifest but small holes reaching to the brain , which served for smelling . Wanting a Tongue it must make that uncouth sound , like the braying of an Ass , by the help of its Larynx only . I heard not this , but the Keeper of this Bird , that carried it up and down to shew , when he provoked it , striking it on the Bill , and the Bird seemed angry , and ready to peck or strike with its Bill , so that it would sometimes catch hold of his hand , it made a noise somewhat like the cry of a Goose , and that a small and hoarse one .

The noble Lord Jo. Carolus Schaad related to me , that a great while since there were three Pelecans shot in the River Danow running through Bavaria , two of which were kill'd , the third brought alive to the Duke of Bavaria's Court , where it lived forty years . It was much delighted in the company and conversation of men , and in Musick both Vocal and Instrumental . For it would willingly stand by those that sung or sounded the Trumpet , and stretching out its Head , and turning its Ear to the Musick , listened very attentively to that sweet harmony , though its own voice is said to be like the braying of an Ass . This confirms what we read in Aldrovand of the age of the Pelecan . which was kept fifty years at Mechlin , and was verily believed to be eighty years old . Thus far Faber .

It is singular in this Bird , that its bones are pellucid , solid , without any marrow at all within ; and that the division of the Wind-pipe into two branches is near about the middle of the stomach , which I never observed in any other bird , saith Aldrovand .

This bird feeds upon fish , as do all the rest of this kind . Faber saw it swallow two fresh Hakes , that weighed about four pounds , whole .

Many of them frequent the River Danow , but breed not there . Bellonius saith he saw flocks of Onocrotali in Egypt : Olaus Magnus writes , that they are frequent in the Northern Countries . Oviedus reports , that there is often seen a great flock of them about Panama in the West Indies , where they breed on the adjacent Rocks and Islandr . There are said to be of them likewise on the Caspian Sea . Of old time it seems they have frequented the Coast of Italy about Ravenna , for Martial hath it , Turpe Ravennatis guttur Onocrotali . Matthiolus makes them very common in the Sea-coasts of Tuscany , especially about the Cape Argentaro , being frequently found about Port Hercole , and the Lake of Urbicello , where the Inhabitants call them Agrotti . What credit this deserves ( saith Faber ) I know not , this I know , that many of Matthiolus his Country men have scarce ever seen so much as the Picture of an Onocrotalus , which if they were so common there , would not sure be accounted such strange things as to be carried about to shew at Rome , and in other places of Italy .

CHAP. II. The Soland Goose : Anser Bassanus .

IN bigness it equals a tame Goose . It is by measure from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Feet thirty four inches long : To the end of the Tail thirty nine . Its Wings are of an extraordinary length , for being extended their extreme tips are seventy two inches distant .

It s Bill is long , streight , of a dark ash-colour , a little crooked at the point , having on each side not far from the hook an angular Appendix or tooth , like the Bills of some rapacious birds . Beyond the Eyes the skin on the sides of the Head is bare of feathers , as in the Cormorant . The Palate , and all the inside of the Mouth is black : The slit of the Mouth huge wide . At the angle of the * * Os hyoides . Upsilon-like bone is a very small Tongue : The Ears of a mean size : The Eyes hazel-coloured . [ In another bird they were yellow . ] By a diligent search we could find no Nosthrils , but in their stead a furrow or cranny extended on each side through the whole length of the Bill . If one view them attentively the edges of both Mandibles appear serrat , that it may more firmly hold the fish that it catcheth . It hath four fore-toes ; for all its four toes are web'd together , and stand forward . The Legs are feathered down to the knees : The Feet and Legs , as far as they are bare , black : The Claw of the middle Toe is broad , and pectinated on the inside as in Herons . The Plumage is like that of a Goose . The colour of the old ones that have moulted their Chicken-feathers is all over white , excepting the greater quil-feathers of the Wings , which are black , and the top of the head , which with age grows yellow . The young ones are particoloured of white and dark brown or black , especially on the upper part of the body . The number of quil-feathers in each Wing is about thirty two . The Tail is white , about seven inches long , consisting of twelve feathers . The skin is very full , sticking loose to the flesh .

The Bird we described was taken alive near Coleshil , a Market Town in Warwickshire , not being able by reason of the length of his Wings to raise himself from the ground , on which , I know not by what chance , he had fallen down . The blind guts were very short : Scarce any footstep remaining of the channel conveying the Yolk into the guts .

In the Bass Island in Scotland , lying in the middle of Edinburgh Frith , and no where else , that I know of , in Britany , a huge number of these Birds doth yearly breed . Each Female lays only one Egg. Upon this Island the Birds , being never shot at or frightned , are so confident as to alight and feed their young ones close by you . They feed only upon fish , yet are the young Geese counted a great dainty by the Scots , and sold very dear , so that the Lord of the Islet makes no small profit of them yearly . They come in the Spring , and go not away again before the Autumn . Whither they go , and where they Winter is to me unknown .

CHAP. III. The Cormorant : Corvusaquaticus .

IN bigness it is not much inferiour to a Goose . The colour on the upper side is dusky , shining with an obscure tincture of green ; exactly like that of a Shag . The Breast and Belly are white . Each Wing hath about thirty quil-feathers , the extreme tips whereof , as also of those of the second row , are a little ash-coloured . The Tail is extended beyond the Feet , being an hand-breadth and an half long , when spread ending in a round circumference , being concave on the underside , consisting of fourteen stiff hard feathers , not being in any part covered with feathers incumbent on it either above or beneath . The Bill is like that of the Shag , three inches and an half long , hooked at the end ; the upper Mandible black with sharp edges ; the sides of the lower Mandible compressed and broad . The Tongue small , and almost none . The Eyes situate nearer the aperture of the Mouth than in most other birds , having cinereous circles round the Pupil . The Legs are strong , thick , but very short , broad , and flat , at least in the young ones . The Feet and Claws black , covered with a skin not divided into perfect scales , but cancellated . It hath four Toes in each foot , all web'd together by a broad black membrane , and standing forward , the outmost the longest , the rest in order shorter , The Claw of the middle Toe is serrate on the inside . But what is especially remarkable in this Bird , wherein it chiefly differs , the bigness excepted , from the Shag , is , that the basis of the nether Chap is covered with a naked yellow skin or membrane , like the Elks.

It s stomach is membranaceous , but its upper part thick and glandulous : Within were bones of fishes which it had devoured , and also one fish entire ; that was a small Cod-fish ; also many little , long , blackish worms of the figure of Earthworms . Such like worms also Mr. Willughby found in the stomach of a young one , which he got at Sevenhuys in Holland , where many birds of this kind build upon trees . The Guts are long , having many revolutions : The blind Guts very small : The Liver large , divided into two Lobes , the right one the bigger . It is infested with Lice of a pale red colour , having a great black spot in the middle of their Backs .

They are wont ( saith * * In his Annotationsupon Recchus his Animals . Jo. Faber ) in England to train up Cormorants to fishing . When they carry them out of the rooms where they are kept to the fish-pools , they hood-wink them , that they be not frightned by the way . When they are come to the Rivers they take off their hoods , and having tied a leather thong round the lower part of their Necks that they may not swallow down the fish they catch , they throw them into the River . They presently dive under water , and there for a long time with wonderful swiftness pursue the fish , and when they have caught them they arise presently to the top of the water , and pressing the fish lightly with their Bills they swallow them ; till each Bird hath after this manner devoured five or six fishes . Then their Keepers call them to the fist , to which they readily fly , and little by little one after another vomit up all their fish a little bruised with the nip they gave them with their Bills . When they have done fishing , setting the Birds on some high place they loose the string from their Necks , leaving the passage to the stomach free and open , and for their reward they throw them part of their prey they have caught , to each perchance one or two fishes , which they by the way as they are falling in the air will catch most dextrously in their mouths . This kind of fishing with Cormorants is it seems also used in the Kingdom of China , as * * Lib. 10. chap. 54. Nierembergius out of Mendoza relates .

This Bird builds not only on the Sea-Rocks , but also upon trees . For ( saith a certain Englishman mentioned by Aldrovand ) I have seen their Nests on the Rocks near the mouth of the River Tine , and in Norfolk upon high trees together with the Herons . Which same thing we also have observed . For on the Rocks of Prestholm Island near Beaumaris we saw a Cormorants Nest , and on the high trees near Sevenhuys in Holland abundance . Which thing is worthy the notice-taking : For besides this and the following , we have not known or heard of any whole-footed bird that is wont to sit upon trees , much less build its Nest upon them .

CHAP. IV. The Shag , called in the North of England , the Crane : Corvus aquaticus minor sive Graculus palmipes .

IT is bigger than a tame Duck , weighing almost four pounds . It s length from Bill-point to Tail end was two foot and an half . It s breadth the Wings being spread forty four inches . It s Bill streight , slender , neither flat , nor compressed sideways , but rather round , from the tip to the angles of the mouth four inches long ; the upper Mandible black , hooked at the end , the nether from green of a pale yellow . It hath a wide gape . The Tongue is small , and almost none . The Nosthrils were not conspicuous , at least I could not discover any that it had . The Eyes small , situate lower and forwarder than is usual in other birds . It s body is small , flat and depressed like the dun Divers : The upper side of a black purplish colour , or black , with a dark tincture of green , shining like silk . The under-side is dusky , but in the middle of the Belly inclining to ash-colour . Under the Chin it is white , behind the Vent blacker than the rest of the Belly . The Tail is an hand-breadth and an half long , composed of twelve feathers , hard and stiff , the middlemost being the longest , and the outmost the shortest , so that being spread it seems to resemble an hyperbolical circumference . Each Wing hath thirty feathers in the first row . * * This mark agrees also to the Cormorant . The Wings when closed reach no further than the base or beginning of the Tail . The Legs are short , broad , compressed , feathered down to the Knees . The skin of the Legs is cancellated , not scaly . It hath four Toes , all connected by intervening membranes , armed with black Claws ; the outmost Toe the longest , the rest in order shorter . The soals of the Feet and backsides of the Legs are black : The membranes connecting the Toes dusky . The Claw of the middle toe is serrate on the inside . It hath a huge , long , membranous stomach , which in the birds we dissected was full of small fishes . It swims in the Sea with its Head erect , its body almost immersed in the water . When a Gun is discharged at it , as soon as it sees the fire flash , immediately it pops under water like a Doucker , so that it is a very hard thing to shoot it .

It differs from the precedent , 1. In bigness , being much less : 2. In the colour of the Belly , which in this is blackish , in that white : 3. In the number of the feathers of the Tail , which is this are but twelve , whereas in that they are fourteen : 4. In that the claw of the middle toe in this is serrate , as in Herons , in that only sharp-edged . [ Mr. Johnson gives the Cormorant a serrate Claw , and denies it to this . Perchance herein there may be variety , Nature ( as they term it ) sporting it self , and not observing constantly the same rule : ] 5. That in this there is not so much bare skin at the base of the Bill as in that , nor of the same yellow colour : 6. Lastly , in the slenderness and length of the Bill .

This Bird also builds on trees : Its Eggs are long and white .

CHAP. V. * The Sula of Hoier * * Auctar. ad lib. 5. cap. 6. exotic . Clus . near of kin to , if not the same with the Soland-goose .

FRom the bottom of the Neck to the Rump , measuring along the Back , it was a Roman foot long . From the top of the Head to the Back were eleven inches . The Neck was as much about . The length of the Bill ( which was very sharp-pointed and strong ) was five inches and an half . The thicker part of the Bill , and that about the Eyes was black . The compass of the body was full twenty four inches , that is , two Roman feet . The Wings were more than a foot long ; but the longer feathers of the Tail did not exceed the length of seven inches . It had but slender and infirm Legs , and those not more than two inches long , and wholly of a black colour , as were also the Feet , which were very broad , consisting of four Toes , of which the outermost , and that next it ( which were the longest ) consisted of three articulations , the third of two , the least of one , each armed with a small claw , except the second , the Nail whereof is a little broader than the rest , and serrate on one side ; but they are all joyned together by a black membrane . The longer prime feathers of the Wings are all black , as are also those three , which are longest , and lie uppermost , and take up the middle part of the Tail . The rest of the body was covered with white feathers , which yet in the Back were something yellowish , as if they were strowed with clay or dust .

This Bird in many things agrees with the Soland-goose , yet in some it differs , viz. the sharpness of the Bill , the black colour about the Eyes , the smalness of the Legs , and the black colour of the middle feathers of the Tail . But I suppose Clusius was mistaken in the number of the joynts of the outer Toe , for the outer and middle Toe in no bird that I have yet hapned to see , except only the Swift , do agree in the number of joynts : Nor doth the outer Toe consist of three articulations , but four , the middle of three , the inner of two , and the least or back-toe of one .

Clusius took this description from a dried bird , sent by Dr. Henry Hoier , Physician in Bergen in Norwey , to Dr. Peter Pauw , first Professor of Physick in Leyden . It is ( he saith ) called Sula by the Inhabitants of the Islands Ferroyer , where it is taken . Those Islands , Hoier writes in his Epistle to Clusius , are said to be so called from the abundance of feathers there .

CHAP. VI. The Tropic Bird.

IT is of the bigness of a Duck , hath a red Bill , about two inches long , somewhat bending downward , and sharp-pointed . A line of black is drawn on each side from the corner of the mouth to the back of the Head . The Belly is white : The Back also is white , but variegated with transverse lines of black thick set , which make it very beautiful to behold . The Wings are very long , yet each single feather short , as in the Soland-goose . In the outmost quil-feathers the one Web , i. e. that on the outside the shaft is black , the other or inner Web white ; in the next to these the middle part of the feather along the shaft is black , the edges on both sides white ; the next to these are all white ; those next of all to the body black , and longer than the rest . The Feet are black , the Legs white : All the four Toes web'd together . In the Tail ( if one may rely upon the stuft skin , or credit the relation of those those that sent it ) are only two very long feathers , of about eighteen inches , narrow , and ending in snarp points . This description I took from the case of the bird conserved in the Repository of the Royal Society .

It is called the Tropic-bird because it is found about the Latitude of the Tropic circles , and no where else , so far as hath been by our English Travellers hitherto observed .

My honoured and ingenious friend , Mr. Martin Lister of York , takes this to be the bird described in the History of the Carribbee Islands in these words : There are seen near these Islands , and sometimes at a great distance from them in the Sea , certain birds perfectly white , whose Beaks and Feet are as red as Coral . They are somewhat bigger than Crows : They are conceived to be a kind of Herons , because their Tails consist of two long and precious feathers , by which they are distinguished from all other birds frequenting the Sea . This , saith Mr. Lister , can be meant of no other than the Tropic-bird : But then it is wrong described , with red legs , and a perfectly white body .

CHAP. VII . * The Anhinga of the Tupinambae a people of Brasil . Marggrav .

IT is an elegant sort of * * Mergi aquatici . Diver . It s body ( excepting the Neck ) is of the bigness of a common tame Ducks : Its Bill streight , not thick , very sharp , three inches long , the foremost half both above and below having a double row of very sharp * * The word is Hamuli , signifying little hooks . teeth inclining backwards . It s Head is small , oblong , resembling a Serpents , a little more than an inch and half long : Its Eyes black , with a golden circle : Its Neck slender , round , a foot long : Its body but only seven inches . Its Legs are short : The upper two inches long , and feathered ; the lower scarce an inch and half . It hath four Toes , three turned forwards , joyned together by membranes , after the manner of Ducks or Cormorants , the fourth shorter , extended sideways below , joyned to the rest by a membrane ; very sharp , crooked Claws : A broad Tail , ten inches long , consisting of twelve feathers . The Wings end about the middle of the Tail . The Bill is grey , and after its rise a little yellowish . All the Head and Neck are covered with very fine feathers , to the touch as soft and sleek as Velvet , on the upper side of the Head and Neck of a colour from grey inclining to yellow : Under the Throat and beneath the Neck of a grey colour , like the fur of those skins called Verhfelle , of which womens * * In Germany the women wear great round furcaps as big and round almost as Turbants . Caps are made , which fur they resemble both to the touch and sight . The whole breast , lower Belly , and upper Legs are covered with soft feathers of a silver colour : The beginning of the Back with brown ones , each whereof hath in its middle an oblong spot of a whitish yellow colour , so that it appears speckled : The rest of the Back hath a black Plumage . It hath long Wings , at the * * Or their beginning perchance he may mean near the ridge . setting on covevered with the like short feathers as the beginning of the Back . Then follows a row of half grey , half black ones , that is , on one side the shaft gray , on the other black : But the prime feathers are black . The Tail consists of black and shining feathers , whose ends are grey . The Legs and Feet are of a colour from a dark yellow inclining to grey . It is very cunning in catching of fish . For after the manner of Serpents , first drawing up its neck , it darts forth its Bill upon the fishes , and catches them with its Claws . I have eaten of its flesh , but it is not much better than the flesh of a Gull .

SECTION III. Whole-footed Birds , having the back-toe loose , with a narrow Bill , hooked at the end , and not toothed .

CHAP. I. * Of the Artenna of the Tremiti Islands : De Ave Diomedea .

THis Bird Aldrovandus sets forth for the Diomedea avis , induced thereto by this argument chiefly , because the present Inhabitants of the Diomedean Islands , called now Tremiti , do affirm thereof what Pliny of old concerning the Diomedean Birds , viz. that they are found in no other place but in those Islands . His description he partly borrows of Gesner , partly takes from a Picture of the Bird.

They are ( saith he ) of the bigness of a good corpulent hen , but have pretty long Necks and Legs . Their colour is dusky , or a dark ash , and ( if I be not mistaken ) they have some white under their Bellies , as wild Pigeons sometimes have . [ My Bird on the under-side was almost wholly white . ] It s Bill is very hard , and hooked at the end like an Eagles , but not so much , of a bright red , if I well remember . [ I believe he did not well remember this , for the Bill in my Bird was of a pale yellow , all but the hook , which was black . ] Its Eyes fair , of a fire-colour , not very great . For I did once see one , which being smitten with a rod on the Head opened its Eyes and cried out , but shut them presently again , not being able to bear the light of the Sun . And again : Their colour is not simply white ( as Pliny writes ) but inclining to cinereous , as in Fulicae ( he means a Bird of the Gull-kind ) to which also he compares them . Whether they have toothed Bills or not , I did not observe , but they have them strong and pretty long . Thus far Gesner . Which notes ( saith Aldrovandus ) do for the most part agree exactly to my Bird , which had it not a hooked Bill , one might not unfitly judge to be of the great Gull-kind : It doth so resemble them in the whole body , but especially in the Wings . The Feet are of the same colour with the Bill , as are the Legs also .

But this description is not much to be confided in , being partly borrowed of Gesner , ( who had it from the relation of a certain friend , who described it by memory ) partly took from a Picture , or a dried case of the Bird sent him out of the Island . Those who happen to travel to the Islands called Tremiti , would do well to enquire diligently concerning these Birds , or rather themselves procure and exactly describe them , that so we may not be any longer without a true and perfect history of them .

CHAP. II. The Puffin of the Isle of Man , which I take to be the Puffinus Anglorum .

MR. Willughby saw and described only a young one taken out of the Nest , who makes it equal in bigness to a tame Pigeon . Those which I saw dried in the Repository of the Royal Society , and in Tradescants Cabinet , seemed to me somewhat bigger . It s colour on the Head , Neck , Back , and whole upper side is dusky or black , on the Breast and Belly white . The Bill is an inch and half , or it may be two inches long , narrow , black , and for its figure something like to a Lapwings Bill , the upper Chap being hooked at the end , like a Cormorants . It s base is covered with a naked skin , in which are the Nosthrils . From the Nosthrils on each side a furrow or groove is produced almost to the hook . The Head is blacker than the rest of the Back : The Wings long : The Tail an hand-breadth long , and black . The Feet underneath black ; above , the outer half of each foot is black , the inner of a pale or whitish flesh-colour , so that the middle toe is partly white , partly black . It hath a small back-toe , and black Claws .

For its extraordinary fatness its flesh is esteemed unwholsom meat , unless it be well seasoned with salt .

At the South end of the Isle of Man lies a little Islet , divided from Man by a narrow channel , called the Calf of Man , on which are no habitations , but only a Cottage or two lately built . This Islet is full of Conies , which the Puffins coming yearly dislodge , and build in their Burroughs . They lay each but one Egg before they sit , like the Razor-bill and Guillem ; although it be the common perswasion that they lay two at a time , of which the one is always addle . They feed their young ones wondrous fat . The old ones early in the morning , at break of day , leave their Nests and Young , and the Island it self , and spend the whole day in fishing in the Sea , never returning or once setting foot on the Island before Evening twilight : So that all day the Island is so quiet and still from all noise as if there were not a bird about it . Whatever fish or other food they have gotten and swallowed in the day-time , by the innate heat or proper ferment of the stomach is ( as they say ) changed into a certain oyly substance [ or rather chyle ] a good part whereof in the night-time they vomit up into the mouths of their Young , which being therewith nourished grow extraordinarily fat . When they are come to their full growth , they who are intrusted by the * * The Earl of Darby . Lord of the Island draw them out of the Cony-holes , and that they may the more readily know and keep account of the number they take , they cut off one foot and reserve it ; which gave occasion to that Fable , that the Puffins are single-footed . They usually sell them for about nine pence the dozen , a very cheap rate . * * The same is reported of the French Macreuse , perch ance the same bird with the Puffin . They say their flesh is permitted by the Romish Church to be eaten in Lent , being for the taste so like to fish .

Gesner , and Aldrovand following him , from the relation of a certain English man , write , that they want hard feathers , being covered only with soft feathers , or a kind of down : Which is altogether false , they being furnished with sufficiently long Wings and Tail , and flying very swiftly . They say it is a foolish bird , and easily taken . We are told that they breed not only on the Calf of Man , but also on the Silly Islands . Notwithstanding they are sold so cheap , yet some years there is thirty pounds made of the young Puffins taken in the Calf of Man : Whence may be gathered what number of birds breed there .

CHAP. III. * The Brasilian Maiaguè of Piso .

MAiaguè , also received into the number of whole-footed , edible , but Sea wild-fowl , is of the bigness and shape of a Goose ; not unlike to those great black diving birds of our Country , having in like manner the end of their Bills hooked and fitted for ravin : So that it seems to resemble Gesners * * The Cormorant . Corvus aquaticus . It hath a thick , round Head ; shining Eyes ; a long Neck , decently bowed like a Swans . The whole Bird is of a dusky and blackish colour , only the forepart of the Neck adorned with yellow feathers . It lives in the Sea about the mouths of Rivers : But builds its Nest and lays its Eggs on the shore . It is a swift bird , swims and dives well , and cunning in avoiding and escaping the snares of the Fowlers .

It s flesh is esculent , and good meat , especially if it be young , but because it feeds always upon fishit is disapproved and rejected by some .

Whether this Bird hath all its four toes web'd together or not Piso doth not tell us , therefore we have subjoyned it to those which have the back-toe loose , although we suspect that it doth rather belong to the former genus .

CHAP. IV. The Shear-water .

OUr learned and worthy friend Sir Thomas Brown of Norwich among the designs and Pictures of many other birds , sent us also that of this , with a short history of it as followeth . The Shear-water is a Sea-fowl , which fishermen observe to resort to their Vessels in some numbers , swimming swiftly to and fro , backward , forward , and about them , and doth as it were , radere aquam , shear the water , from whence perhaps it had its name . It is a fierce and snapping fowl , and very untractable . I kept two of them five of six weeks in my house , and they refusing to feed , I caused them to be crammed with fish , till my Servant grew weary , and gave them over : And they lived fifteen days without any food . So far Sir Thomas . This Bird , according to the Picture of it , hath a great head like a Gull : It s upper part [ Head and Back ] were of a dark brown or blackish : Its Chin , Throat , and Breast white : Its Feet of a flesh-colour : Its Bill long , round , hooked at the end like a Cormorants , and blackish : Its Wings long , when gathered up reaching to the end of the Tail .

SECTION IV. Of whole-footed Birds with the back-toe loose , having a narrow Bill , hooked at the end , and toothed , called DIVERS , in Latine , MERGI .

CHAP. I. The Goosander . Merganser , * * Ornithol . book . 16. chap 63. Aldrov . Harle , Bellonii .

IT s weight was almost four pounds : Its length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail or Claws ( for they were equally extended ) twenty eight inches : Its breadth , the Wings being spread , forty . It is long-bodied : It s Back broad and flat . The Head and upper part of the Neck is of a very deep shining green , almost black : The lower half of the Neck is of a glossie white . Yet the upper side of the bottom of the Neck , the middle of the Back , and the interiour scapular feathers are black [ the exteriour are white . ] The lower part of the Back is of a pale ash-colour . On both sides near the Rump , and on the very Rump and Thighs the feathers are variegated with transverse * * Or grey , for they are made up as it were of innumerable little black points or specks . dusky lines . The Tail is made up of eighteen feathers , wholly cinereous . Each Wing hath about twenty six prime feathers , the ten outmost black ; the four next also black , but tipt with white : The five succeeding white , with their bottoms black : The remaining six or seven next the body white , with their exteriour edges black . In the second row of the Wing those incumbent on the white quil-feathers are white from their tips to the middle , beneath black . Thence as far as the bastard Wing all are white : But between those white ones and the long scapular feathers some black ones intervene . Whence if you take the long scapular feathers , which cover the Back , for part of the Wing , the Wings will be ( as Aldrovandus describes them ) black toward the back , next white , with a certain paleness ; then black again , but more remissly ; after that again white , the extreme feathers at last being black . The whole under-side of the body ( excepting the Wings , which are white underneath ) of a faint yellow or Isabella colour . The exteriour feathers of the Thighs are elegantly varied with transverse waved lines of a whitish and blackish colour , alternately placed .

The Bill measured from the tip to the corners of the mouth exceeds the length of a mans middle singer : The lower Mandible black ; the upper along its middle or upper part black , on the sides red ; the tip being black and hooked , both upper and lower toothed on both sides like a Saw , the teeth inclining inward . The Tongue and Palate are yellow .

It hath not a Crest properly so called on the Head , but the feathers are more loose , and stand more staring upwards than ordinary , whence also the Head seems to be bigger than indeed it is . The Ears are round ; the Nosthrils large , the Irides of the Eyes of a sanguine colour . The Legs and Feet are of an elegant red-lead colour . The back-toe broad , with an appendant membrane . It hath a huge bony labyrinth on the wind-pipe just above the divarications and besides , the windpipe hath two swellings out one above another , each resembling a powder-puff .

The Stomach is scarce musculous ; out of it dissected we took a Roch and an Ed , whence it is manifest , that the bird feeds upon fishes . It hath a gall-bladder . The blind guts were two or three inches long , and full of Excrements .

The Dun-Diver or Sparlin-fowl : Merganser foemina . Mergus cirratus longiroster , Gesn . & Aldrov .

The Sexes in this kind of bird differ extremely from one another in colour , so that both Gesner and Aldrovand do set them forth for different species , calling the Female , Mergus cirratus longiroster major .

The Head of this ( which we take to be the Female of the precedent ) is of a sordid red . The feathers on the Crown of the Head stand out somewhat , and seem to bend backward in form of a crest or toppin . The Chin is white : The whole Back of bluish ash-colour ; the Fowlers call it Dun , whence this Bird also is by them called the Dun Diver . The underside of the body is of the same colour as in the Male . The quil-feathers of the Wings also do not much differ as to their colours . The Bill and Feet agree with those of the Male. The Wings in both Sexes are short , and little for the bulk of the body ; notwithstanding by the very quick agitation of them , it flies exceeding swiftly near the surface of the water .

The Stomach of this Bird is as it were a Craw and a Gizzard joyned together . The upper part resembling the Craw hath no wrinkles or folds in its inner membrane , but is only granulated with small papillary glandules , resembling the little protuberances on the third ventricle of a Beef , called the Manifold , or those on the shell of a Sea-Urchin .

CHAP. II. The Bird called at Venice , Serula : Mergus cirratus fuscus : Anas ( ut puto ) longirostra Gesneri , Aldrov . t. 3. p. 281.

THis Bird is very common at Venice . In bigness it comes near to the common Duck. All its Head and the upper part of its Neck are of a dark fulvous colour , but the crown of the head darker or blackish . It hath a pretty long crest or tuft on its head hanging down backward . The Back is dusky , or of a very dark cinereous . The Throat for an inch and halfs space is white , below grisled of black , white and red . The whole Belly white . The Bill from the tip to the angles of the mouth three inches , slender , and of a round figure : The lower Mandible wholly red , hath in the end an ash-coloured oval spot , the upper is of a dark brown above with some mixture of green , red on the edges , hooked at the end , and marked with a whitish oval spot : Both toothed on both sides along the edges with teeth like those of a Saw inclining inwards . The Eyes of a sanguine colour . The Wings are very short and little for the bigness of the bird , having each about twenty five or twenty six feathers in the first row . Of these the outmost ten are black , the eleventh hath the tip white , and the three next in order still more , the following six have their upper halves white : The rest are indeed white , but have their edges black , some on one side only , some on both . Of the second row those that cover the white ones of the first are themselves white half way . Above toward the base of the Wing is a great white spot , beginning from the bastard Wing . The coverts of the underside of the Wing , and the interiour bastard wing are white ; but those under the outmost quil-feathers are dusky . The Tail is short , consisting of eighteen feathers . The Legs short : The Feet red , or of a deep Saffron colour . The Wind-pipe at the divarication hath such a vessel as the precedent , and besides above swells out into a puff-like cavity . In the stomach we found a Mullet .

This Bird is not much more than half so big as the precedent : It differs also in its colour , its crest , the white spot below the bastard Wing , and other accidents . We suspect the Bird described was a Female , and that its Male represents the Goosander , though we have not as yet hapned to see it ; unless perchance it be that whose skin stuft we saw in Sir William Fosters Hall at Bambergh in Northumberland , which had on each Wing a white spot , and two small transverse black strakes . We cannot but wonder ( if the Male of this Bird be such a one as the Goosander ) that among so many Females at Venice we should not see one Male . Mr. Willughby saw and described at Venice another Bird of this kind , perchance specifically different from this , under the name of Cokall ; for 1. It was less : 2. It had no Labyrinth . This makes us doubt again concerning the Sexes of these birds ; for in others of the Duck-kind the Females have no labyrinth ; whereas in the dun Diver , which we take to be the female of the Goosander we found a large labyrinth ; and yet in this lesser Diver , called Cokall , it seems there was none ; so that we will not be very consident that the Goosander and Dun Diver differ no more than in Sex . This Bird Leon. Baltner calls Klein Merch , i. e. a little Diver .

Gesner besides these sets forth four or five species of this kind of birds , whose descriptions were sent him by a certain German . But those descriptions are so short , general , and obscure , that we cannot thence certainly learn what birds the Author means .

CHAP. III. The * * Diver of the River Rhine . Mergus Rheni of Gesner , Aldrov . tom. 3. pag. 275.

IT is in bigness equal to a Duck , and the most Duck-like of any of the Mergi : Its body all over particoloured of black and white : Its Bill and the space about the Eyes black . On both sides the back of the Head are black spots : The rest of the Head is partly black , partly dusky or cinereous . The lower or fore-part of the Neck with the Belly are of a white colour , but varied here and there with cinereous points or spots , which in the lower part of the Belly and sides being drawn out in waved lines , make a very pretty shew , and pleasant to behold . The Legs grow backwards about the bottom of the Belly . The Feet and Toes are dusky , the membranes on the inside black . The Tail black : The Wings and whole back distinguished with several black and white spaces alternately . Some call this Bird a White Nun.

I suspect that this Bird was no other than our Albellus , next to be described : Only the bigness and want of a crest forbid it . Perchance Gesner might describe it from the relation of others , or from a Picture . I am sure Leonard Baltner , a Fisherman and Fowler of Strasburgh , who did very diligently observe , gather together , and cause to be painted all the birds frequenting the Rhene thereabouts , gives us no other bird of this kind but the Albellus , to which also he gives the title of White Nun.

CHAP. IV. The other Albellus of Aldrovand , tom. 3. p. 279. the Mergus major cirratus of Gesner , Aldrov . tom. 3. p. 276. We may call it with the Germans the White Nun.

IN bigness it comes near to a Wigeon ; weighing about twenty four ounces . From the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail , or of the Feet it was by measure eighteen inches and an half long : between the tips of the Wings extended twenty seven inches broad . The Bill an inch and half , or near two inches long .

It s Head and Neck were white , excepting a black spot under the Crest ( which it hath hanging down backward from behind its Head ) encompassing the Crest , and ending in an acute angle below , and another on each side extending from the angles of the mouth to the Eyes . The Breast , Belly , and whole under-side is purely white . As for the upper side , all the Back is black . The long scapular feathers incumbent on the back are white . At the setting on of the Wing on each side there is a crooked line of black , half encircling the Neck just above the shoulders , and higher up the Neck , where the black we mentioned in the middle of the Neck begins , there is another such like arcuate line on each side , resembling half a collar .

The ten outmost quil-feathers of the Wings are wholly black ; the tips of the next ten are white , of the hindmost in order more than the foremost . Then follow two half white , viz. on the outside the shaft , the other half being black : The rest of the feathers are cinereous : The number of all twenty seven . The feathers of the second row growing on the middle of the Wing are black , only their utmost tips being white . Above , a broad and long spot or bed of white beginning from the bastard wing reacheth to the twentieth quil-feather . The interiour bastard wing is white . The side-feathers under the Wings variegated with transverse waved black lines are very pleasant to behold . The Tail is dusky , or between ash-coloured and black , composed of sixteen feathers , a quarter of a yard , or three inches and an half long , the middle feathers being the longest , the rest on each side gradually shorter to the outmost .

The Bill is of a cinereous or lead colour , [ but at the tip of each Mandible is a spot of forbid white ] thicker at the Head , growing slenderer by degrees toward the point , narrower , and less than in the Duck-kind . The upper Mandible hooked at the end , toothed on the sides : The Nosthrils oblong , open , at a good distance from the feathers : The Eves of a dark colour . The Legs and Feet of a cinereous or lead colour , the Toes being joyned by a dusky membrane . The foremost Toe and the back-Toe have lateral appendant membranes , reaching their whole length .

The Wind-pipe at the divarication ends in a certain great , strong , bony vessel , which we are wont to call a Labyrinth ; whence proceed the two branches tending to the Lungs .

This Bird hath not two blind guts , after the manner of other Birds , but only one short blunt one , [ yet in one bird of this kind we found two . ] The Wind-pipe is fastned to the upper angle of the Merry-thought by a transverse ligament , and then ascends upward to the Labyrinth . It feeds upon fishes .

The Albellus aquaticus of Aldrovand , as it seems to me , differs not from this bird , for both the figure , and all the marks he gives of it , agree ; only he makes no mention of the crest , perchance it was a young bird he described .

There is in this kind also so much difference between the Sexes , that the Writers of the History of Birds have taken the Male and Female for different sorts . The Female is described by Gesner under the title of Mergus glacialis , which Mr. Johnson Englisheth the Lough-diver . It was sent us by Mr. Dent from Cambridge by the name of a Smew .

In the Female the whole Head and the Cheeks are red or fulvous : The Throat white . On the beginning of the Breast above the Craw there is seen as it were a collar of a darker or brown colour : It hath no Crest . All the upper side except the Wings is of a dusky ash-colour or brown . About the middle of each Wing are two transverse white lines . In other particulars it agrees well enough with the Male.

It hath a great Gall ; oblong Testicles : The Guts have many revolutions . The Stomach larger than in granivorous birds , less musculous , filled with fishes , in the birds we opened .

SECTION V. Of DOUCKERS or Loons , called in Latine , COLYMBI .

CHAP. I. Of Douckers in general .

DOuckers have narrow , streight , sharp-pointed Bills : Small Heads , and also small Wings : Their Legs situate backwards near the Tail , for quick swimming , and easier diving ; broad flat Legs ; by which note they are distinguished from all other kinds of birds : Broad Claws like humane nails . Of these Douckers there are two kinds , The first is of such as are cloven-footed , but fin-toed , having lateral membranes all along the sides of their Toes , and that want the Tail ; the second is of those that are whole-footed and * * Have the Tail . caudate , which do nearly approach to those birds we call Tridactylae , that want the back-toe . These are not without good reason called Douckers , for that they dive much , and continue long under water , as soon as they are up dopping down again .

CHAP. II. Cloven-footed DOUCKERS that have no Tails .

§. I. The greater Loon or Arsfoot : Colymbus major , Aldrov .

IT weighed a pound : Was from Bill to Claws twenty three inches long : Between the extremities of the Wings spread twenty three and an half broad . The Bill from the tip to the angles of the mouth was two inches long . The feathers investing the whole body were fine , soft , and thick : The Head and Neck brown : The Back blacker : The sides and lower Belly dusky : The Breast of a silver colour . It wholly wants the Tail . Each Wing hath about thirty quil-feathers : Of which the outmost twelve are black ; the tip of the thirteenth is white ; and the tops of the following in order more and more to the twentieth , after which the next four are wholly white : The twenty fifth towards the tip is brown , and in the twenty sixth the white ends . The lesser rows of Wing-feathers underneath are white .

It s Bill is black , narrow or compressed sideways ; about the angles of the mouth and on the nether Chap yellowish . The Tongue long , and a little cloven : The Eyes of an ash-colour with some mixture of red : Its Claws are broad like the nails of a man , black on one side , on the other of a pale blue or ash-colour : The outmost toe the longest . The Legs broad , flat , serrate behind with a double row of asperities : The Toes are broad , bordered on each side with appendant membranes , but not web'd together .

It hath no Labyrinth on the Wind-pipe : That we described had a great Gall : A large Stomach , almost round , and therein we found Sea-weeds and fish-bones .

§. II. The greater crested or copped Doucker of Aldrovand , lib. 19. cap. 52.

BOth Mandibles of the Bill , where it joyns to the Head , are tinctured with a Saffron-colour . The Head is black on the crown , beneath cinercous ; which colours meet near the ends of the Eyes ( which are yellow . ) From the back of the Head hangs down a tuft of black feathers . The upper part of the Neck is also black , the remaining part of a middle colour between * * Rusty . ferrugineous and rose . The Breast and Belly are of a whitish ash-colour . The Back and Wings black , but of these the ridges and extremes are white . It hath no Tail at all : The Rump from cinereous is black . The Legs , Feet , and Claws are of the same make and shape as in the former .

§. III. Of the Water-Hare , or crested Mexican Doucker of Hernandez .

THat kind of Duck [ so he calls it ] which Aristotle calls Colymbus , but Gaza renders Urinatrix , the Mexicans are wont to call Acitli or the Water-hare . This would be altogether the same with that described and delineated by some of the later Writers , were not the Head adorned with a greater and black crest , the Belly of a shining silver colour , and the Neck beneath of a pure white , above of a dark brown . It frequents Lakes , either swimming in the water or abiding near it : For it can neither fly , nor conveniently walk on the Land , its Thighs being so joyned and as it were * * Coalitis . i. t. growing together . united to the body , that they serve only for swimming , not for walking . It feeds upon the fishes it catches , and they are its sustenance . It breeds up its young among rushes and reeds ; and exceeds not the bigness of our common Ducks . The Male is somewhat longer-bodied , and hath a larger neck and crest . The Bill of the Female is shorter , black , and on both sides near the Eyes covered with fulvous feathers , whereas the Males is with white . This is that Bird which the Indians fabulously report to call forth or conjure up winds , when he perceives the Fowlers aim to catch him , which blowing trouble the waters so that their Canoes are overturned and the men drown , if they do not happen to kill him in the shooting of five arrows out of a bow . They fancy that in his heart dissected is or may be found a Jewel , useful for many things , and highly prized , not to be consecrated to any but God . But these are idle stories and lies , proceeding from the credulity of these people . It s flesh is not pleasant , nor very wholesome , like that of other fenny birds , and therefore not to be used for food by any one of a critical palate .

Between this and the precedent Doucker there is so little difference , that I scarce doubt but they are the same .

§. IV. The grey or ash-coloured Loon of Dr. Brown .

THis Bird differs from the common Doucker , as well crested as not crested , in the grey colour of its body , being much rarer with us . The Picture represents the feathers on the crown of the Head standing up in form of a crest or toppin .

§. V. The greater crested and horned Doucker .

IT is something less than that described in the first place , but hath a thicker and longer Bill , approaching to a ferrugineous colour . It is both crested and horned , having long feathers standing out about the crown of the Head and upper part of the Neck , black above , and red on the sides . The Chin and space about the Eyes is white , bounded with red . The Neck is not so long as in the first kind . The upper or backside of the Neck is partly blackish , and partly shews something of red . The Breast and Belly are almost of the same colour with the spot we mentioned encompassing the Eyes , viz. white with a mixture of red . On the Back some long downy feathers of a cinereous and a reddish colour are mingled with the black ones . The Wings are longer in proportion than in the first , their ridges and almost all their quil-feathers being whitish , else of a sooty colour . [ In the Bird we saw the Wings were of a dusky or brown colour , but the lesser quil-feathers were white , as also those small feathers on the base or ridge of the Wing . ] The Legs are not situate so backward as in the first .

§. VI. The Didapper , or Dipper , or Dobchick , or small Doucker , Loon , or Arsfoot : Colymbus five Podicipes minor .

FOr the shape of its body it is like to a Teal , but lesser by almost a third part : Of the weight of six ounces : From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws ten inches and an half long : between the tips of the Wings distended sixteen broad . It s Bill from the point to the angles of the mouth is one inch , streight , sharp , almost like a Thrushes Bill , thicker at the Head , and lessening by degrees to the point : The upper Chap black , excepting only its very tip and sides , which are of a white or pale yellow , as is also the whole lower Mandible . The Tongue is long , sharp like the Bill , and cloven . The Nosthrils are a little remote from the feathers ; The Eyes great , with hazel-coloured Irides . The whole body is invested with a thick and soft Plumage or down , especially on the under-side . It s colour on the Back is a dusky or dark brown , on the Belly a white , or rather silver-colour . The Chin white : The Head and Neck darker than the Belly , lighter-coloured than the Back . The Throat and sides of the Neck are a little red : The lower Belly of a sordid dusky colour . The Thighs have a little mixture of red . The Neck is slender , scarce an hand-breadth long . Its Wings are small and concave : Each having about twenty six quil-feathers : The twelve outmost are of a Mouse-dun , or black brown , the interiour to the twenty third particoloured , the outer Webs being dusky , the inner partly white , the white part being in the nearer to the body broader , in the more remote feathers narrower . As for the lesser rows of Wing-feathers , those above are black , those beneath white . It hath no Tail at all , but yet hath the rump-glandules , though lesser than ordinary , out of which also springs a brush or tuft of feathers , as in other Birds . The Legs are situate very backwards at the end of the body , made rather for swimming than walking , ( so that it cannot walk , but with the body erect almost perpendicularly ) compressed or flat , of a sordid green colour , serrate behind with a double row of asperities . The soals of the feet are black . The Feet are divided into three broad Toes , finned on each side with lateral membranes , having thin , broad , blunt Claws like humane nails . Yet are the Toes joyned together by intervening membranes from the divarication to the first joynt . It hath also a small back-toe finned in like manner on each side : Two blind guts of a moderate length : No Labyrinth on the Wind-pipe : A membranaceous stomach : Strong musculous Thighs , by the help whereof it swims very swiftly , diving down to the bottom , and rising again at pleasure . From the make and conformation of its parts it moves with more ease and expedition under water , than either upon the surface of the water , or upon the Land . So soon as it is risen above water it holds up its Head , looks about it , and with wonderful celerity plunges it self under water again . It can hardly raise it self up out of the water , but when it is once gotten upon the Wing it can hold out flying a long time . The stomach of that we dissected was full of grass and weeds . Bellonius saith , that it feeds most willingly upon fishes . Being rosted it smells very strong .

Both Gesner and Aldrovand describe two kinds of small Douckers , but they differ so little one from the other that I suppose the diversity is rather in Age or Sex than in Species .

CHAP. III. Whole-footed Douckers with Tails .

§. I. The greatest speckled Diver or Loon : Colymbus maximus caudatus ; Mergus max. Farrensis five Arcticus , Clus .

THis is a singular kind of Bird , and as it were of a middle nature between whole-footed birds with four fore-toes and with three . In bigness it exceeds a tame Duck , coming near to a Goose . It is long-bodied , hath a round Tail , and a small Head . The upper part of the Neck next to the Head is covered with feathers so thick set , that it seems to be bigger than the very Head it self .

The colour of the upper part , viz. the Neck , Shoulders , covert-feathers of the Wings , and whole Back , is a dark grey or dusky , pointed or speckled with white spots , thinner set on the Neck , and thicker on the Back . These white spots are bigger upon the long scapular feathers and coverts of the Wings , and smaller in the middle of the Back . The lower part of the Neck , the Breast and Belly are white . In a bird I saw that was killed in the Isle of Jarsey the Head was black and also the Neck , which had a white ( or rather grey ) ring , about the middle of an inch or inch and half broad , consisting of abundance of small white specks . We counted in the two outmost * * Internodia . i. e. bones between joynt and joynt . joynts of each Wing thirty quil-feathers , but they are short , all black , or of a dark brown . It hath a very short Tail , of the figure of a Ducks , made up of at least twenty feathers . It s Bill is streight , sharp , like that of the Guillem , almost three inches long ; the upper Mandible black or livid , covered with feathers to the very Nosthrils , reflected a little upwards ; the nether is white . The Nosthrils are divided in the middle by a skin hanging down from above . It is whole-footed , and hath very long fore-toes , especially the outmost . The back-toe is very short and little . Its Legs are of a mean length , but flat and broad like the ends of Oars , the exteriour surface being brown or black : The interiour livid or pale-blue . The Claws broad like the nails of a man . The Legs in this bird are situate almost in the same plain with the Back ; so that it seems not to be able to walk unless erected perpendicularly upon the Tail . It hath no Labyrinth upon the Wind-pipe . The Liver is divided into two Lobes , and hath a bladder to contain Gall : Above the stomach the Gullet is dilated into a kind of Craw , the interiour surface whereof is granulated with certain papillary glandules . The Throat is vast , loose , and dilatable . The guts large , especially towards the stomach ; The stomach less fleshy and musculous than in granivorous birds .

The Bird described was shot on the River Tame in Warwickshire . I have seen four of them , 1. One at Venice in Italy : 2. One in Yorkshire at Dr. Hewleys , shot near Cawood : 3. A third in the Repository of the Royal Society : 4. A fourth in the house of my honoured friend Mr. Richard Darley in London , taken in the Isle of Jarsey . They differ something one from another in colours . For some of them have a ring about their necks , their Back , Neck and Head blacker , and painted with little white lines : Others want the ring , and have the upper side of their bodies more ash-coloured or grey , varied with white specks , and not lines . Perchance these are the Hens , those the Cocks .

§. II. * Gesners greatest Doucker : Colymbus maximus Gesneri .

IN the Lake of Constance I hear there is taken , though but seldom , a certain bird congenerous to the aforesaid , but bigger than a Goose , called Fluder , from its uncouth fluttering motion on the surface of the water , for that it can neither fly well , nor walk conveniently , unless it leans both upon Feet and Wings , as do also the other Douckers , by reason of the position of the Legs so turned backwards : That it hath a long , sharp Bill : A loud , shrill cry , of a singular kind : That it dives exceeding deep , so that it is sometimes taken twenty yards deep under water , viz. with a Net , or an Iron-hook baited with a fish : that they are commonly sold for two drachms and an half of silver a piece .

Leonard Baltner , a Fisherman of Strasburgh , describes this bird thus . In bigness it equals a Goose : Its length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Toes is one Strasburgh yard and an half . It s Bill from the point to the Eyes is five inches long : The Legs from the Claws to the feathers ( that is the bare part ) ten inches : The space of the Wings extended two yards and a quarter . The Stomach small : It feeds upon fish : The Bill sharp : The Feet broad , the toes web'd together . The upper side of the body is cinereous and black , the under-side white . The Tail three inches long . It dives very far , a Pistol-shot before it rises again . It s flesh is commended for good meat , and is of no unpleasant taste .

This Bird if it be different from the above described , is I confess hitherto to me unknown . Mr. Johnson , in his Papers sent us , writes , that he hath seen a bird of this kind without any spots in its Back or Wings , but yet thinks it not to differ specifically , but accidentally .

§. III. * Wormius his Northern Doucker , called , Lumme .

IT is common among the Norwegians and Islanders , who in their own Country Language call it * * I suppose our English name Loon is borrowed of them . Lumme . Carolus Clusius mentions it in his Auctarium , pag. 367. It is an elegant bird , of the bigness of a Duck , with a black , sharp Bill , two inches long . It s Head and Neck are covered with grey [ cinereous ] feathers , ending in a sharp point , as if it had a Monks hood on its Back . It s Back and Wings are black , sprinkled over with square spots of white , which yet are bigger on the Back than the Wings . Under the Neck is a square oblong black spot like to a shield , five inches long , and two broad , compassed on all sides with feathers variegated of black and white as with a * * Zona , a border or fringe , Girdle . The whole Belly and lower parts of the Wings are white . The Legs are stretcht forth beside the Tail [ as if they grew out of the Vent ] fitted not so much for walking as for swimming , not slender , but flat and broad . Each foot hath three Toes , that are black , and joyned together with black membranes , armed with sharp and crooked Claws . The Thighs are also hid in the Belly . It is of the Mergi [ Diver ] or rather Colymbi [ Doucker ] kind . In diving it can hold its breath a long time , and no bird can plunge under water more nimbly and speedily than it , as they experience who shoot them . For so soon as the powder flashes , it presently ducks under water , before the bullet can come at it . It builds its Nest so near the water , that it can , if need be , speedily cast it self into it : But when it betakes it self again to its Nest , fastning its Bill into the earth , it hangs its whole weight upon it , till it raises up its body , and so by degrees reaches its Nest . It perceives before by a peculiar natural instinct when there are about to fall great showers and shots of rain , and fearing lest the flouds should destroy its Nest and Young , its makes a querulous noise and cry : On the contrary , when it presages fair weather , it expresses its joy by chearful acclamations , and another more pleasant note . It lays yearly three or four Eggs as big as Geese Eggs , of a * * Prasini , i. e. a leck colour . green colour , and spotted . They say , that at set times of the year they depart into hotter Regions , and return not until the Spring be well come on . Whence they think it ominous for any one to hear the cry of this bird first fasting . The Norwegians think it * * Nefuc . a sin to kill or disturb this Bird , which they account holy . They sometimes catch it in their Nests against their wills , and sometimes shoot it with Guns . The Islanders because they eat it , take it either with a snare , or with an angle-line . They fasten two stakes at the entrance of the Nest , upon which they hang , and so accommodate the Snare , that the Bird going to her Nest may thrust her head into it . Or they cross the Pool where she frequents at its narrowest part with a fishing line , so that one on each side holds it , raking therewith the surface of the water , till the bird fearing some danger towards dives down to the bottom ; then observing the place where she is rising up again by the circles there made in the water , thither they direct and there hold a snare fastned to the line , that coming up out of the water , she may put her head into it , and so be caught by the Neck .

It s skin is used to defend the Head and Breast from the injury of cold , and preferred before a Swans . This Bird Besler hath figured in his Gazophylacium by this title . A singular kind of exotic Water-Swallow . But it hath nothing almost common with a Swallow .

§. IV. * The small black and white Diver with a short , sharp-pointed Bill .

THe Picture of this Bird was communicated by that worthy person Sir Thomas Brown . It hath a short Bill , a little bending at the end , [ both Mandibles . ] The top of the Head , the Back , Wings , and in general the whole upper part is black , excepting a transverse line of white in the Wings . The Chin , Throat , Breast , as far as the middle of the Belly , and sides of the Tail white : The Tail short : The Legs of a sordid green . The Toes web'd together . The Picture doth not shew any hind-toe . This Bird ( saith Sir Thomas ) is not usual with us ; I have met with but two of them , brought me by a coaster , who could give it no name .

SECTION VI. Of SEA-GULLS , called in Latine , LARI .

CHAP. I. Of Gulls in general .

GUlls are a whole-footed fowl , with an indifferent long , narrow , sharp-pointed Bill , * * This is true especially of the greater Gulls . a little crooked at the end ; oblong Nosthrils ; long and strong Wings : short Legs , small Feet ( for they do not swim much ) a light body , but invested with many and thick-set feathers , a carrion carkass , the fat that is sticking to the skin , [ as in other birds ; ] much upon the Wing , very clamorous , hungry , and * * Feeding upon fish . piscivorous .

These we divide into two kinds , First , The greater , which have Tails composed of feathers of equal length , and an angular prominency or knob on the lower Chap of the Bill underneath , to strengthen it , that they may more strongly hold fishes . 2. The lesser , which have a forked Tail , and no * * Or but a very small one . knob on the Bill . Both kinds may be divided into pied or particoloured , and grey , or brown .

CHAP. II. The greater Gulls with Tails of equal feathers .

And first such as are pied or particoloured of white and cinereous or black .

§. I. The great black and white Gull : Larus ingens marinus Clusii .

THis Bird , the biggest by much of all the Gulls we have hitherto seen , weighed four pounds and twelve ounces . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was twenty six inches : Its breadth from tip to tip of the Wings distended sixty seven . It s Bill was yellow , compressed sideways , more than three inches long , something hooked at the end , and like in figure to those of the rest of this kind . The lower Mandible underneath bunched out into a knob , marked on each side with a double spot , the lower red , the upper black . The edges of the Eye-lids round about were of a Saffron colour . The Head great , flat-crowned . Both Head , Neck , Breast , Belly , and Tail white . The middle of the Back and the Wings , excepting the tips of the quil-feathers , were black . Each Wing had about thirty four feathers in the first row , all black , with white tips . It s Tail was six inches long , made up of twelve snow-white feathers : Its Legs and Feet white : Its Claws black . It had a small back-toe ; a wide Mouth , a long Tongue , a large Gullet . It preys upon fishes : For out of its stomach dissected we took a Plaise entire . It had a great Liver divided into two Lobes , with a Gall adhering : Short and small blind guts : A musculous Stomach , and an oblong Spleen .

In another bird of this kind , ( which was I suppose a young one ) both the top of the Head and the Neck were particoloured of black and white : The Back and Wings paler than in that described . I suppose that this is the very same bird which Clusius describes in the fifth Book of his Exotics , Chap. 9. under the title of a * * Larus ingens marinus . huge Sea-gull , though his description be not so full and exact , as being taken only from a Picture .

This Bird we saw and described at Chester , being not rarely found on the Sea-coasts near that City . In the Feroe Islands it is called , The Swarth-back .

§. II. The Herring-Gull . Larus cinereus maximus .

IT is well nigh as big as a tame Duck : From tip of Bill to the end of the Toes twenty four or twenty five inches long , to the end of the Tail twenty two or twenty three : Between the terms of the Wings stretched out fifty , and in some fifty five inches broad . The weight was different in several birds , one weighing only twenty six ounces , another thirty , another thirty four . The Bill was yellow , two inches long , narrow , as in the rest of this kind , but pretty deep : The lower Mandible not streight , as in other birds , but the upper edges convex or arcuate ; underneath it bunches out into an angle or knob , on the sides of which is a large spot of red . The Irides of the Eyes were of a lovely yellow . The edges of the Eye-lids in some yellow , in some , ( perchance these were Cocks ) of a red-lead colour . The Legs in some yellow , bare of feathers for some space above the knees , in others white , or of a pale flesh-colour : The hind-toe small : The Claws black : The inner edge of the middle Claw sharp . It s Head , Neck , Rump , Tail , and whole under-side white : It s Back , the covert-feathers of its Wings , and the quil-feathers also , except the outmost five , of a dark ash-colour . The two outmost quils were marked with a white spot near the tip , the outmost with a greater , the inner with a lesser , but the very tips of both were black . The tips of the fifth and sixth were dusky . All the rest had white tips . [ These colours in several Birds vary something : Yet in general the quil-feathers in all Birds of this sort are particoloured of white , black and cinereous . ] The Tail was about five inches long , not forked , made up of twelve feathers of equal length . The Wings when gathered up reached beyond the end of the Tail , and crossed one another . It had a large Craw , a musculous Stomach , in which were fish-bones . They say that is preys upon Herrings , whence it took the name Herring-gull . It lays Eggs as big as Hens Eggs , sharp at one end , whitish , but spotted with a few black spots .

In the young ones the Back and Head are ash-coloured , with black spots , the Bill black , but white at the tip .

This sort , though it be very common with us , yet hath it not hitherto , that I know of , been described .

§. III. The common Sea-Mall : Larus cinereus minor .

THat which I described was a Hen-bird . It weighed a full pound of sixteen ounces : It was from the beginning of the Bill to the end of the Toes fifteen inches and an half long , to the end of the Tail sixteen and an half . The tips of the Wings extended were forty one inches distant from each other . It is something less than the greater Gull described by Aldrovand ; like to the Herring-Gull , but much less . It s Bill was like to those of the rest of this kind , narrow , but deep , sharp-pointed , of a whitish colour , but yellow toward the tip . The knob under the lower Chap small , and scarce conspicuous , the upper Chap something hooked or bending at the point . The Tongue cloven : The Nosthrils oblong . The Eyes were great , and furnished with membranes for nictation ; the Irides of a pale hazel-colour : The Ears of a mean size : The Feet of a pale green : The Claws black ; that of the middle Toe sharp on the inner side : The back-toe very small , yet armed with a Claw . The membranes connecting the Toes reached as far as the Claws . The Head and upper part of the Neck were clouded with brown spots , the nether part white : The Back ash-coloured , but the feathers covering the Tail white . The Throat and whole under-side of the body was as white as snow : The Tail also purely white . The Shoulders and upper covert-feathers of the Wings ash-coloured , the coverts of the underside white .

In each Wing were about thirty quil-feathers ; the first of which at the tip in the inner Web had a black spot , and on the outer edge a black line , scarce appearing , then followed a white bar about two inches broad , the rest of the feathers to the bottom being black . The tip of the second was white : Under the white a cross bar of black , half an inch broad , beneath that a white bar of an inch breadth , the rest of the feather to the bottom being black , but the very bottom ash-coloured . The tip also of the third was white ; from the tip the upper half of the feather was black , the lower ash-coloured . The three next had also white tips , but the black part was still shorter and shorter , or narrower and narrower in the following than the foregoing feathers , till in the sixth it became scarce a quarter of an inch broad . All the rest of the quils were ash-coloured , with white tips . The Tail was six inches long , not forked , made up of twelve feathers .

The Liver was large , divided into two Lobes : The Gall yellow : The * * Sweet-bread . Pancreas great : The muscles of the Gizzard not so thick and strong as in granivorous birds ; within which we found grass and Beetles . It is a gregarious bird , frequenting Meadows , and the banks of Lakes . That which we described we shot on the bank of the Lake of Bala in Merioneth-shire in Wales , commonly called Pimble-mear , through which the River Dee , on which Chester is built , runs , and they say mixes not its waters with those of the Lake .

It differs from the Herring-gull , 1. In that it is less . 2. In the colour of the Bill : From Bellonius his ash-coloured Gull , 1. In that it is bigger : 2. That it hath a back-toe armed with a Claw .

§. IV. * Baltners great ash-coloured Sea-Mew , perchance our Pewit .

THe whole body ( at least on the upper side is of a dark ash-colour or bluish , as are also the Tail and lesser quil-feathers , for the greater are black . The crown or top of the Head is black , with an obscure tincture of green ( if the * * Sure the Picture is false in this , for nothing of green appears in any Gull we ever yet saw . Picture deceive us not . ) The Bill streight , of a red-lead colour : The Legs and Feet black : The Wings very long , and when gathered up reaching beyond the end of the Tail . The length of the Bird from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was a † † A Strasburgh yard is not much above half a yard English . Strasburgh Yard or more : The breadth from tip to tip of the Wings extended two yards . The Leg so far as it was bare [ from the feathers to the end of the Claws ] a quarter of a yard long : The Guts seven quarters . I suspect this Bird was no other than the Cepphus of Turner and Gesner , that is , our Pewit : But then the Legs are painted of a wrong colour ; for in the Pewit they are red : so is also the Tail .

§. V. Bellonius his ash-coloured Gull , called in Cornwal , Tarrock .

IN bigness it exceeds not a common Pigeon , neither is it much different in the shape of its body , save that its Head is bigger . It weighs seven ounces : Its length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail is almost sixteen inches . Its Wings extended were by measure full thirty six inches . It s Tail almost five inches long , not forcipate , consisting of twelve feathers . The under-side of the body was all purely white : As for the upper side , the Head and Neck were white , save that at the Ears on each side was a black spot : The lower part of the Neck was black : The middle of the Back and the Shoulders ash-coloured : The Tail white , only the tips of the feathers for about an inch black : Yet the outmost feather on each side was all white . The four outmost quil-feathers were above half way black : The two next to these had only black tips , being else white . The seventh had only a black spot near the tip : All the rest were white : In brief , the ridge , upper or fore-part of the Wing extended was all along black ; which colour near the Back was dilated into a large and broad stroak , [ or spot . ] The Bill was more than an inch long , something arcuate or bending downwards , especially toward the point , which is sharp , of a black colour . The lower Mandible , not far from the tip , bunched out into an angle underneath , as in the rest of this kind . Its Legs and Feet were of ash or livid colour : Its Claws black . It hath some rudiment of a hind-toe rather than a perfect toe ; for it is only a carneous knob without any Claw . The Legs also are destitute of feathers for about the length of an inch above the knees .

The colour of the Mouth within and the Tongue is like that of an * * Or Adams Apple . Assyrian Apple , as Bellonius hath observed . The Tail is five inches long , made up of twelve almost equal feathers : The number of quil-feathers in each Wing twenty eight , or twenty nine .

This Bird is easily known and distinguished from all others of this kind , that we have hitherto observed by its wanting the back-toe . It is common on our Sea-coasts .

§. VI. The Pewit or Black-cap , called in some places , The Sea-Crow and Mire-Crow : Larus cinereus , Ornithologi * * Tom. 3. pag. 73. Aldrov . Also the Larus cinereus tertius , Aldrov . The Cepphus of Turner and Gesner .

IT is about the bigness of a tame Pigeon . That which we described weighed about ten ounces : Its length from tip of Bill to end of Tail was fifteen inches : Its breadth thirty seven . It s Bill was of a sanguine colour , bending something downwards , from the point to the angles of the Mouth two inches long . The Palate was of a red-lead colour : The Eyes hazel-coloured , The edges of the Eye-lids red : Both upper and lower Eye-lids towards the hind-part of the Head were compassed with white feathers . The Head and Throat were black , but dilute . The middle of the Back ash-coloured : The Neck , Tail , Breast , and Belly white : The number of quil-feathers in each Wing twenty nine : The tip and extreme edges of the first were white , the rest of the feather black ; the following feathers to the tenth had black tips , yet with some diversity in several birds ; else the whole Wings were ash-coloured . The Tail all snow-white , of about five inches length , not forked , consisting of twelve feathers . The Wings gathered up reach beyond the end of the Tail . The Legs were of a dark sanguine colour : The back-toe small : The Claws little , and black . The Males differ little from the Females in colour or outward appearance . Near Gravesend a huge number of these birds frequent the River Thames .

We saw and described at Chester a Bird of this kind , which there they called the Sea-Crow , which differed from the precedent in some accidents of less moment , viz. The crown or top of its Head only was black , not its Throat . Each Wing had twenty eight quil-feathers , the outmost of which had its tip and exteriour edge black ; the three next in order had their outer Webs white , their tips and interiour edges black ; the three succeeding had only their tips black . [ The third , fourth , and fifth , and in some also the second feathers have a spot of white on their tips . ] Of this kind also are those birds which yearly build and breed at Norbury in Staffordshire , in an Island in the middle of a great Pool , in the Grounds of Mr. Skrimshew , distant at least thirty miles from the Sea . About the beginning of March hither they come ; about the end of April they build . They lay three , four , or five Eggs , of a dirty green colour , spotted with dark brown , two inches long , of an ounce and half weight , blunter at one end . The first Down of the Young is ash-coloured , and spotted with black : The first feathers on the Back after they are fledg'd are black . When the Young are almost come to their full growth , those entrusted by the Lord of the soil drive them from off the Island through the Pool into Nets set on the banks to take them . When they have taken them they feed them with the entrails of beasts , and when they are fat sell them for four pence or five pence apiece . They take yearly about a thousand two hundred young ones : Whence may be computed what profit the Lord makes of them . About the end of July they all fly away and leave the Island .

Some say , that the crowns of those Birds are black only in Spring and Summer . A certain friend of mine ( saith Aldrovand ) did sometime write to me from Comachio , that the feathers on their Heads grow black in March , and that that blackness continues for three months , viz. so long as they are breeding and rearing their Young , and that the other nine months of the year they are white . Which thing if it be true ( for to me indeed it seems not probable ) no wonder that of one and the same Species of Bird described at several times of the year there should be three or four made . Aldrovandus writes , that the description of Gesner agrees in other things to his ash-coloured Gull , disagreeing only in the colour of its Bill and Feet . But perhaps ( saith he ) the colour of the Bill and Feet may vary in birds of the same species , which I will not easily grant , unless they differ in Age or Sex .

§. VII . * The greater white Gull of Bellonius , which we judge not to be specifically different from our Pewit .

IT is , saith he , lesser than the ash-coloured Mew , and a veryhandsom bird , as fair to see to as a white Pigcon , though it seem to be bigger-bodied ; and yet being stript of its feathers it hath far less flesh . It is as white as snow , yet * * I suppose it should have been upon the Wings . under the Wings it hath somewhat of ash-colour . The Eyes are great , and encompassed with a black circle . Near the region of the Ears on both sides is a black spot . It is well winged , for the Wings exceed the Tail in length . Its Legs and Bill are red , which they are not in the ash-coloured Gull . It stands streight upon its Legs , carrying the hinder part of the body more elevated , so that the lower parts seem to be bent like a bow . The Bill is round and sharp-pointed , the ends of the Wings black . This Bird in most things approachòs to our Pewit last described , it differs in the colour of the crown , and in the black spots about the Ears . Aldrovandus makes the lesser white Larus of Bellonius to be the same with the Cepphus of Turner , that is , our Pewit . I rather think it to be the Sea-Swallow , because he writes , that it frequents fenny places , and thò banks of Rivers .

CHAP. II. Great brown and grey Gulls .

§. I. Our Catarracta , I suppose the Cornish Gannet . Skua Hoier , Clus .

THe skin of this stuft was sent us by our learned and worthy friend Dr. Walter Needham , who found it hung up in a certain Gentlemans Hall . The Bird it self living , or newly kill'd we have not as yet seen at hand . It is of the biggest of this kind , equal to , or bigger than a tame Duck. Its Bill is stronger , bigger , and shorter than in other great Gulls , black , hooked at the end , and seemed to be covered with a skin from the base to the Nosthrils , as in Land-birds of prey . Its Legs and Feet were black : Its Toes armed with strong , crooked Claws , such as we never before observed in any whole-footed Fowl . The colour of the Back is a rusty cinereous or brown , like that of a Buzzards : Its Belly and underside paler . The greater quil-feathers of the Wings are black : The Tail also is black , about seven inches long , made up of twelve feathers , of which the two middlemost are somewhat longer than the rest . The bottoms of the feathers as well of the Tail as Wing-quils are white . The length of the Bill from the tip to the angles of the Mouth was no more than two inches and an half . The angular prominence on the lower Chap is small and scarce conspicuous .

Hapning to read over the description of Hoiers Skua in the Auctarium of Clusius his Exotics , pag. 367. I find it exactly to agree with ours , so that I do not at all doubt but this Bird is the Skua of Hoier . Clusius his description being more full than ours I shall here subjoyn .

The Bird sent me by Hoier was ( saith he ) of the bigness of a great Gull , from the bottom of the Neck to the Rump nine inches long . The compass of its body , measuring under its Wings , was sixteen inches . The Neck from the crown of the Head to the Back was seven inches long . The Head not very great , nor the Bill flat , but rather long and narrow , on the part next the Head rugged and rough , towards the point smooth , black , and crooked , almost like those of rapacious birds or Gulls , not exceeding the length of two inches . The Wings were almost seventeen inches long , reaching something further than the end of the Tail . The four greater quil-feathers of the Wings were black , not white at the tip , as Hoier wrote , unless perchance he had observed that mark in other birds of this kind . From the quill or naked part I found them to be white half way up the feather , as were also the three greater and uppermost Tail-feathers below where they were inserted into the Rump , the upper part being black as in the quil-feathers . As for the rest of the feathers investing the body they were of a colour between black and cinereous , but the black predominant , and did nearly resemble the feathers of a bald Buzzard or Kite . The Legs were placed backward , in the hindmost part of the body , at in most Water-fowl , above the Knee they were very short , below the Knee down to the Foot almost three inches long . The Feet were flat , having three Toes and a short Heel . The outmost Toe ( next in length to the middlemost ) consisted of four joynts ; the middle ( which was the longest ) of three ; the inmost ( which was the shortest ) of two ; and the heel or back-toe of one . All ending in sharp , crooked Claws , and joyned together by a black membrane or cartilage to the very Claws .

The characteristic notes of this species are , 1. The thickness and its Bill . 2. The uniform black colour of its Tail [ as far as it appears beyond the incumbent feathers . ] 3. The bigness and crookedness of its Talons .

Hoier writes , that it preys not only upon fish , but on all kinds of small birds .

The Cornish Gannet ( as they told us ) doth constantly accompany the sholes of Pilchards , still hovering over them in the Air. It pursues and strikes at these fish with that violence that they catcht it with a strange artifice . They fasten a Pilchard to a board , which they fix a little under water . The Gannet espying the Pilchard , casts himself down from on high upon it with that vehemence , that he strikes his Bill clear through the board , and dashes out his brains against it , and so comes to be taken . We saw many of these Gannets flying , but could not kill one . They seem to be very strong birds , long-winged , and fly swiftly .

§. II. * Aldrovandus his Catarracta .

IT comes near to the bird last described . It ( saith he ) exactly resembles a Goshawk . [ to which our Bird also answers very well , both in bigness and figure , and in the colour of the upper side of the body , ] so that you can scarce distinguish them ; for on the upper side , like that , it is variegated with brown , white and yellow mingled ; on the under side it is all white , spotted with brown , as the Picture shews . Aristotle also writes , that it is less than a Hawk , and that it hath a large and broad Throat or Gullet ; which last note agrees exactly to my bird , though indeed other Gulls also have a wide throat as well as this . But I think Aristotle likened it to a Hawk , not only for its bigness , but because it was alike spotted , and especially because it preys after the manner of a Hawk ; and for that purpose is endued with a Bill for the bigness of its body very great and strong , sharp-pointed also , and the upper Chap more than ordinarily hooked . It is an inch thick , and of a deep black . The Neck also is pretty long : The Head lesser than in Gulls . The Wings in length are even with the Tail . The Tail is a Palm long , and black : The Hips covered with feathers to the Knees , which in other Gulls are not so , but bare a little higher . Its Legs , Feet , and intervening membranes cinereous : The Claws black , crooked , and small .

It differs from our Catarracta chiefly , 1. In the colour of the underside of the body : 2. In the colour of the Feet : 3. In the smalness of the Claws . But these things notwithstanding , perchance it may be the same . For Aldrovandus ( as I gather from his words ) took his description from a Picture . But Painters are not wont to be very exact either in expressing of the colours , or delineating the parts .

This description also doth in many things agree to that Gull which we shall next describe under the title of the Cornish Wagel .

§. III. The great grey Gull , which we take to be the Cornish Wagel , called at Venice , Martinazzo , at Amsterdam , the Burgomaster of Groenland : An Larus albo-cinereus torque cinereo of Aldrov ?

IT weighed twenty two ounces ; being stretcht out in length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Feet twenty one inches and an half , to the end of the Tail twenty one : its breadth was fifty three inches . It s colour as well in the lower as upper side was grey , such as is seen in the back of a wild Duck , or a Curlew , being mixed of whitish and brown . [ Mr. Willughby gives also some mixture of ferrugineous both to the brown , and to the ash-colour in the Wings and Back . ] The feathers of the Back are black in the middle , and ash-coloured about the edges . The Rump-feathers incumbent on the Tail are for the most part white , only spotted in the middle with brown . The Chin is white . Each Wing hath thirty quil-feathers , all black . The tips of the lesser rows of Wing-feathers in some are black , in some cinereous . The Tail is six inches and an half long , consisting of a dozen feathers , the outmost tips of which are white , then succeeds a cross bed or bar of black , of about two inches broad : The lower part is varied with transverse bars of white and black , the white also spotted with black .

The Bill is almost three inches long , all black , the upper Chap bending a little downward , and as it were hooked : The lower between the angle and the tip underneath bunches out into a knob . The Nosthrils oblong : The Eyes grey : The Neck short : The Head great , which in walking or standing still it always draws down to its shoulders , as do also other Gulls , so that one would think they had no necks , of a whitish grey colour . Its Legs and Feet are white , or white with a little duskishness : The hind-toe small : The Claws black , that of the middle toe sharp on the inside .

It hath a huge Liver , divided in two : a Gall annexed to the right Lobe . The Stomach more musculous than in carnivorous birds : The blind guts short and little , yet turgid , and full of Excrement .

The Cornish men related to us for a certain truth , that this Bird is wont to persecute and terrifie the Sea-Swallows , and other small Gulls so long , till they mute for fear ; and then catches their excrements before they fall into the water , and greedily devours them as a great dainty : This some of them affirmed themselves to have seen .

The Larus albo-cinereus torque cinereo of Aldrovand is very like to , if not the same with this . On the Breast and Belly it is of a colour from white inclining to cinereous , as also on the upper side of the Wings . It hath a very great Head , encompassed with a kind of ash-coloured wreath , which yet reaches not to the Neck behind , but turns up to the middle of the crown . Along the Neck and Back it declines from grey to blue . The covert-feathers of the Wings are of a colour mixt of white and cinereous . The longer quil-feathers are black , reaching an inch further than the Tail . The Tail is ash-coloured , and black at the end . The Legs , Bill , and Eyes red , yet the tip of the Bill black .

§. IV. The Winter-Mew , called in Cambridge-shire the Coddy-moddy . Larus fuscus five Hybernus .

IT weighs well nigh seventeen ounces . In length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws or Tail it was by measure eighteen inches and better . The extremes of the Wings extended were forty five inches distant . The lower part of the Throat about the Craw is a little dusky , else the under-side of the body is all white . The Head is white , spotted with brown : The Neck brown : The middle of the Back cinereous . The long scapular feathers varied with brown spots . The Rump is white . The Tail more than five inches long , made up of twelve feathers . The extreme tips of the Tail-feathers are white ; then succeeds a black bar an inch and an half broad , the rest of the Tail being white . The outmost quil-feather of the Wing is of a dark brown or black colour ; the second ash-coloured on the inner side : In the following the black part is lessened by degrees , till in the sixth and seventh the tips only remain black . The tips of the eighth and all the following are white . The eleventh feather is wholly cinereous , yet in the middle of the shaft , not far from the tip , darker : In the two next is a brown spot . The succeeding have also their exteriour edges black . In the twenty third the blackness disappears again , so that the twenty fourth and twenty fifth are wholly cinereous . Of the last or those next the body the one half is black . The lesser covert-feathers in the upper part of the Wing are of a mixt colour of cinereous and black : Those on the underside of the Wing are white .

The Bill is more than two inches long ; from the Nosthrils to the end whitish : The upper Mandible longer and crooked , the nether underneath bunches out into an angle or knob , as in other great Gulls : The Tongue white , cloven , reaching to the end of the Bill : The Eyes hazel-coloured , and furnished with nictating membranes : The Ears great : The Legs and Feet of a dusky or greenish white : The back-toe little , armed with a small Claw : the inner fore-toe the least : The Claws black ; that of the middle Toe sharp on the inner side .

The Guts were long [ twenty eight inches ] having many spiral revolutions : The stomach musculous : The Liver divided into two Lobes : The Gall-bladder large . It frequents moist Meadows , Fens , and Rivers , and sometimes plowed Lands too many miles distant from the Sea .

This Bird in many things comes near to the Larus major of * * Ornithol . Book 19. Chap. 4. Aldrovand , but differs from it in the colour of the Eyes , Bill , and Feet , the Bill and Feet in Aldrovands bird being yellow . But the description of this greater Gull [ Larus major ] in Aldrovand answers exactly to that bird which Leonard Baltner hath painted under the title of Ein Winder-Meb : wherefore we will here subjoyn his description .

§. V. * The Larus major [ Greater Gull ] of Aldrovand , called by Leonard Baltner , Ein Winder-Meb , that is , A winter Mew .

FRom the point of the Bill to the end of the Wings it was almost two spans long : Had a very great and thick Head , particoloured of white and cinereous : Also a large full Breast of the same colour , but more dilute , especially towards the lower belly : A thick yellowish Bill , black at the tip , and very sharp , in the upper Chap whereof are long Nosthrils . It gapes very wide . The Pupil of the Eye is black ; the Iris yellow , or shining like gold ; the yellow is encompassed with a circle of black , the black with a white , and lastly , the white with a grey or ash-colour . The Wings are of a colour mingled of white , * * Cinereous . grey , and brown , or chesnut , to the quils , which on the outside are dusky or blackish , on the inside for the most part cinereous , and † † Reach beyond . exceed the Tail by an hand-breadth : The longest of them are more than a span . The Tail it self is four inches and an half long and better , all cinereous , except a cross bar or border of black , near the end , of more than an inch broad . The Thighs are cinereous , and near the Legs bare of feathers : The Legs of a good length , and slender , as became a light bird , of a pale yellow colour . The Feet , Toes , and intervening membranes also yellow : The Claws black , short and crooked : The back-toe conspicuous enough , armed also with a claw .

§. VI. * Baltners great grey Sea-Mew , the same perchance with ours described in the third place .

FRom the point of the Bill to the end of the Wings it was 1⅛ of a Sirasburgh Ell long : Between the tips of the Wings extended two Ells broad . It weighed scarce a pound . The length of its foot from the feathers to the Claws was a quarter of a yard : Of its guts seven quarters . It s Bill and Feet were brown [ braunlecht . ] The Picture represents them of a dark purple . The colour of the whole body was grey [ grau , ] I take this to be no other than the great grey Gull described in the third place , but then the colour of the Legs is mistaken .

§. VII . * Aldrovands Cepphus .

IT 's not like a Gull in any thing save the Bill and shape of the Legs and Feet , for in other things it rather resembles a Duck. From the Bill to the end of the Tail it is a span and half long , and because it hath abundance of feathers it seems to be corpulent , whereas the matter is nothing so . The Bill is of a moderate both length and thickness , of a horn colour , on the sides of the Mandibles red , at the tip ( which is hooked ) black . The Eyes little , for the most part red , encompassed with a white circle . The Head ( which is something less than in Gulls ) together with the Neck , Breast , Belly , Thighs , and Rump are variegated with white and * * Dusky , brown spots , with a mixture of bay and yellow . The Wings are black , the ends of the feathers being yellowish . The greater feathers of the Tail are also black : The Legs and shanks greenish ; the Feet and membrane connecting the Toes dusky .

This Bird is as yet to us unknown , and therefore we have no more to add concerning it . What the Ancients have left us concerning the Cepphus see in Aldrovand . Turner thinks that bird which we call the Pewit to be the Cepphus of the Ancients , as we have already told the Reader .

§. VIII . The brown Tern : Larus cinereus minor Aldrov . called by Baltner , Ein Kessler .

IT is about half so big as Bellonius his ash-coloured Mew , for it scarce exceeds a span in length . On the Back and Wings it is of an ash-colour , but far deeper than in that , inclining to a blue . The quil-feathers of the Wings are on the outside cinereous , but on the inside black ; on both sides at * * The word extremitatibus , which may as well signifie edges or extremities . the ends white . The Bill is slender [ or small ] for the proportion of the body , a little bending and black . The crown of the head towards the hind-part black . The Feet , Legs and membranes uniting the Toes of a Saffron-colour : The Claws black . All the other parts purely white . This is the bird which Leon. Baltner describes and paints under the title of Ein Kessler , of the bigness of a Blackbird , with long Wings , short legs , a small Head , and black for the most part ; the Back and quills of the Wings brown , the covert-feathers cinereous , yellow or Saffron-coloured Feet ; a black , sharp Bill , moderately bending . It flies up and down continually over the water in pursuit of Gnats and other water-Insects . It feeds also upon fish . This is also the brown Tern of Mr. Johnson , ( if I be not mistaken ) whose underside is all white , the upper brown : The Wings partly brown , partly ash-coloured : The Head black : The Tail not forked . The Birds of this kind are gregarious , flying in companies .

§. IX . * Marggraves Brasilian Gull , called Guaca-guacu , Gaviota of the Portughese .

IT is of the bigness of a common Hen ; hath a streight , long , thick , yellow Bill . It s Head above is covered with black feathers , as are also the hinder moieties of the Wings and Tail . The Throat , whole Neck , Breast , and lower Belly , and fore-part of the Wings are white . It lays its Eggs in the sand , which are like to a Hens for figure , bigness , and colour : They are indeed well tasted , but the flesh of the Bird is nothing worth .

CHAP. III. The lesser Gulls with forked Tails .

§. I. The Sea-Swallow : Hirundo marina , Sterna of Turner , Speurer of Baltner .

THe weight of this Bird was near five ounces : Its length from Bill to Tail sixteen inches : its breadth from Wings end to Wings end thirty two inches .

It is a small bird , slender , and long-bodied : Hath a forked Tail , whence it got the name of a Swallow : A black crown , the black being terminated by a line drawn from the Nosthrils through the Eyes to the Neck , so that above the Eyes the Head is black , under the Eyes white . The Cheeks , Chin , lower Belly , underside of the Wings are all white : The Breast hath something of cinereous mingled . The Rump is white : The Back and upper side of the Wings are of a dark ash-colour . Each Wing hath twenty nine quils ; the outmost ten whereof have their outer Webs running out into sharp points , the rest their inner . The exteriour Web of the first or outmost feather is black , the shaft white , and of a notable thickness : The tips of the following till the tenth , and the inside of all white , and moreover half the interiour Web of the four or five foremost . The Tail is composed of twelve feathers , the outmost being half a foot long and better , and having their exteriour Webs from cinereous inclining to black : The two middlemost scarce three inches long and white : The rest having their outer Webs cinereous , their inner white .

It s Bill is long , almost streight , black at the tip , else red . It s mouth is red within : Its Tongue sharp : Its Legs red ; the back-toe small : The fore-toes web'd together as far as the very Claws . The craw was large , out of which we took a Gudgeon : The Gizzard full of fish-bones : The Guts twenty inches long : The blind guts very short .

These Birds flock together , and build and breed on Islands uninhabited near to the Sea-shores many together in the same quarter . In the Island of Caldey , adjacent to the Southern shore of Wales , they call them Spurres ; [ a name ( as appears by Baltner ) common to them with the Germans about Strasburgh , ] and that little Islet where they build Spurre Island . In other places of England they are called Scrays , a name , I conceive , framed in imitation of their cry : For they are extraordinarily clamorous . In the Northern parts they call them Terns , whence Turner calls them in Latine , Sternae , because they frequent Lakes and great Pools of water , which in the North of England are called Tarns .

They lay three or four Eggs , either upon the bare ground , or in a Nest made of Reeds . Their Eggs are like the great Gulls Eggs , though much less : The Young are also spotted with black like theirs . They fly up and down over the water , intent upon their prey , and when they espy a fish , they cast themselves down with wonderful swiftness into the Water , and catching it up , fly away with it in a trice . They frequent Rivers far remote from the Sea , as for example , the Rhene about Strasburgh , where they were taken , described and painted by Leonard Baltner , by the title of Ein Speurer , who tells us also that they build in gravelly and sandy places by the banks of the River ; so that if it happen there be a floud in their breeding time , their Eggs are marred , and Nests destroyed .

This Bird for its long Wings , small Feet , forked Tail , continual flying , and finally , for the figure of its whole body , is commonly , and not undeservedly , called , the Sea-Swallow .

§. II. The lesser Sea-Swallow : Larus Piscator of Gesner and Aldrov . Ein Fischerlin of Baltner .

GEsner describes this Bird thus . They say that it is white , with a black crown . It is lesser than the ash-coloured Gull , with a black head like the Sterna , Bill and Feet of a pale dusky colour : Of swift flight , and when it catches fish , plunging it self into the water , which the ash-coloured Gull doth not .

Leonard Baltner describes his Fischerlin after this manner . It is a very little kind of Speurer , that is , Sea-Swallow , even less than a Blackbird . It hath long ash-coloured feathers : Bill and Feet of a Saffron-colour : A black crown : The neither side of the body all white , in like manner the Tail . It preys upon small fishes , whence it had its name . Its guts are half a yard long . The Females are less than the Males . Their flesh is good to eat . The Picture represents the Tail forked , and the point of the Bill black : The greater quil-feathers of the Wings likewise black .

It differs from the greater Sea-Swallow chiefly in bigness , and the colour of the Bill and Feet .

Mr. Johnson thus briefly describes it . It hath the Wings , Tail , and swiftness of a Swallow : A red Bill ; a black crown ; brown Legs ; a forked Tail six inches long . In the colour of the Legs he agrees with Gesner : but perchance the colour may vary with Age , or differ in the Sexes .

§. III. The Scare-crow : Larus niger Gesneri ; * * Tom. 3. pag. 81. Aldrov . Ein Brandvogel or Megvogel of Baltner .

THis small Gull hath black Bill , Head , Neck , Breast , Belly , and Back , ( as far as one can judge by the Picture ) ash-coloured Wings , reaching beyond the Tail . The Legs have a light dash of red . About Strasburgh it is called Megvogelin , that is , the May-fowl , because ( saith Baltner ) it comes to them in the month of May. Baltner describes and paints it under the title of Brand-vogel . It is ( saith he ) of the bigness of a Blackbird ; hath long Wings , small and short Legs and Feet , partly cloven , a black Bill , of which colour is also the whole body . They fly in flocks for the most part , twenty or thirty together . They catch Gnats , and other water-Insects . Their flesh is good to eat .

This is ( Isuppose ) the same with that which Mr. Johnson saith , they in the North call the Scare-Crow ; and thus briefly describes . It cannot abide the presence of men : Its Head , Neck , and Belly are black ; its Wings ash-coloured ; its Tail a little forked : Its feet small and red . The Male hath a white spot under his chin .

§. IV. Our black cloven-footed Gull .

IT is less than the Sea-Swallow : In length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail ten inches : in breadth from Wings end to Wings end twenty four . The Bill from the point to the angles of the mouth is an inch and half long , sharp-pointed , and black : The Tongue sharp , and slit at the end : The Head black : The back and upper surface of the Wings of a dark cinereous : The Throat and Breast black : But the feathers of the lower belly under the Tail pure white . The number of quils in each Wing twenty seven : The Tail forked , made up of twelve feathers , the outmost 3⅛ inches long , the middlemost two and an half . The outmost on each side is all white , all the rest ash-coloured . The Legs are bare up to the middle of the second joynt : The Feet small , of a reddish black colour : The Claws black : The hind-toe little ; the middle fore-toe the longest , and next to that the outmost . The membrane connecting the inmost and middle toes in the inmost is extended to the Claw , in the middle toe proceeds not beyond the first joynt ; so the upper bone of the Toe is altogether free and loose . That which joyns the outmost and middle Toes , though it begins in both from the very Claws , yet is it depressed in the middle , and as it were hollowed into the form of a Crescent , whose horns are the Toes . The Claw of the middle toe on the inside is thinned into an edge , Its cry is hardly distinguishable from that of the Sea-Swallow . It builds among the Reeds , and lays three or four Eggs , like to those of other Gulls , of a sordid green , spotted with black , compassed with a broad black girdle about the middle . The blind Guts , as in the rest of this kind , are very short . In the Stomach were Beetles , Maggots , &c.

This Bird comes very near to the black cloven-footed Gull of Aldrovand : But its Tail is forked , of which remarkable note he makes no mention , which sure could not have escaped him , if it had been in the birds he described .

It frequents Rivers , Mears , and Plashes of Water far from the Sea .

§. V. * Aldrovands cloven-footed Gull , with longer Wings .

THis Bird on the Wings and Breast is all ash-coloured , hath very large Wings , exceeding the Tail three inches in length , and towards the end black . The Tail is short , and cinereous : The part under the Tail white : The Toes are of a good length , and armed with notable Claws ; the Legs short ; both black . The Eyes very black , as is the whole Head , and also the Neck , and the Bill beside , which is pretty long , and a little crooked at the end .

§. VI. * The other cloven-footed Gull of Aldrovand , with shorter Wings .

IT is almost of the same bigness with the precedent , but hath far shorter Wings , and on the contrary a much longer Tail . Its bigness is equal to that of a Blackbird ; its colour cinereous ; its Head black . It s length from the Head to the Rump is nine inches : The Tail is a full Palm [ hand-breadth ] long . The ridges of the Wings are white : The Bill black , slender , a little crooked . The feathers under the Tail are white . The Feet are reddish , small , as in Swallows , It hath four Toes , with some rudiment of a membrane between them . The Claws are black , and small , however crooked .

These Birds ( saith Aldrovand ) because they do in the shape of their bodies something resemble Swallows , are called by us Rondini marini .

§. VII . Mr. Johnsons small cloven-footed Gull .

IT is of the bigness of a Blackbird , or something less . It s Bill is slender , streight , sharp-pointed , black , round , having no knob in the lower Mandible . The crown of a black or dark red . The sides and under-side of the Neck are red : The Belly and whole nether side white : The Back and Wings brown , spotted with yellowish spots . In the Wings is a transverse white line in the tips of the feathers . The Wings are long ; the Tail short . The Toes not web'd together , but bordered on each side with lateral membranes scalloped , and elegantly serrate : Whence when I first saw the skin of it stuft at Mr. Johnsons at Brignal in Yorkshire , from the make of its Feet I judged to be of the Coot-kind . But afterwards being informed by Mr. Johnson that it is much upon the wing , hath sharp Wings , and cries like a small Gull , differs also in the fashion of the Bill , I changed my opinion , and think that it ought rather to be referred to the Gulls , to which I have subjoyned it .

SECTION VII . Of Whole-footed Birds with broad Bills .

THese may be divided into the Goose-kind , and the Duck-kind . The marks of the Goose-kind , of which we shall first treat , are a bigger body : Large Wings ; a long Neck ; a large , and round-ended train : A white ring about the Rump : A rounder Back , not so flat and depressed as in the Duck-kind : A Bill thicker at the base , slenderer toward the tip , and not so flat and broad at the end as in Ducks : To which might be added shorter Legs .

MEMB. I. The Goose-kind .

CHAP. I. Of the Swan : De Cygno .

§. I. The tame Swan : Cygnus mansuetus .

THis Bird is much the biggest of all whole-footed Water-fowl with broad Bills . An old one we made trial of weighed twenty pounds : From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was fifty five inches long , to the end of the Feet fifty seven . The distance between the tips of the Wings extended was seven foot and eight inches .

The whole body is covered with a soft , delicate Plumage , in the old ones purely white , in the young ones grey . The quils of the greater Wing-feathers in this Bird are greater than in the wild Swan .

The Bill in the young ones of the first year is of a lead colour , having a round nail as it were at the tip , and a black line on each side from the Nosthrils to the Head . From the Eyes to the Bill is a triangular space , bare of feathers , of a black colour , the base whereof respects the Bill , the vertex the Eyes . In old ones the Bill is red , the hook or nail at the end being black . Above at the base of the Bill grows a great Lobe of tuberous flesh of a black colour , bending forward or downward . The space under the Eyes always continues black . The Tongue is indented or toothed : The Feet of a lead colour , bare a little above the knee . The inmost Toe hath a lateral membrane appendant . The Claws are black .

The stomach is furnished with thick and strong muscles : The Guts have eight or nine revolutions , and are large . The Wind-pipe in this kind enters not the Breast-bone . Wherefore Aldrovand doth not rightly infer that Aristotle never dissected this Fowl , because he makes no mention of this ingress , and of the strange figure of the Wind-pipe . For this is proper to the wild Swan , not common to both kinds ; we having not observed such a conformation of the Wind-pipe in any of those tame Swans we have dissected . Aldrovandus therefore thinking there was but one kind of Swan , viz. that which he dissected , did erroneously attribute what was proper to that one kind , to the Swan in general . We have opened two wild Swans , and in both have observed the Wind-pipe so to enter the cavity of the Breast-bone , and to be there so reflected as Aldrovandus hath expressed both in words and figures : Of tame Swans we have anatomized many , and in all have observed the wind-pipe to descend streight down into the Lungs without any such digression or reflection .

It is a very long-lived fowl , so that it is thought to attain the age of three hundred years : Which ( saith Aldrovandus ) to me seems not likely . For my part , I could easily be induced to believe it : For that I have been assured by credible persons that a Goose will live a hundred years or more . But that a Swan is much longer-lived than a Goose , if it were not manifest in experience , yet are there many convincing arguments to prove , viz. that in the same kind it is bigger : That it hath harder , firmer , and more solid flesh : That it sits longer on its Eggs before it hatches them . For , that I may invert Plinies words , Those creatures live longest that are longest born in the Womb. Now incubation answers to gestation . For the Egg is as it were an exposed Womb with the young enclosed , which in viviparous Animals are cherished , and , as I may so say , hatched within the body , in oviparous Animals without the body , by the warmth of the old one sitting upon them .

The Swan feeds not upon fish , but either upon herbs growing in the water , and their roots and seeds , or upon Worms , and other Insects , and shell-fish . Albertus writes truly , that its flesh is black and hard . As the Bird it self is far bigger than a Goose , so its flesh is blacker , harder , and tougher , having grosser fibres , hard of digestion , of a bad and melancholic juice : Yet for its rarity serves as a dish to adorn great mens Tables at Feasts and entertainments , being else in my opinion no desirable dainty . It lays seven or eight Eggs , and sits near two months before its young ones be hatcht .

They make use of the skin , the grosser feathers pluckt off , and only the Down left , and so drest , as a defensative against cold , especially to cover and cherish the Breast and Stomach .

§. II. A wild Swan , called also an Elk , and in some places a Hooper .

IT weighs less than a tame Swan , not exceeding two hundred sixty five ounces , or sixteen pound three quarters , Its length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Feet was sixty inches , to the end of the Tail fifty six . The figure of the body is the same with the tame Swans : The colour white , yet not all over so white as the tame Swans : For the middle of the Back , and the smaller covert-feathers of the Wings are cinereous : Sometimes also here and there a brown feather is mixt with the white ones in the Back . Each Wing hath thirty eight quils . The first feather of the bastard-wing is longer than ordinary , as in the tame Swan : The quils much less than in that . The Bill towards the tip , and as far as the Nosthrils , is black : Thence to the Head covered with a yellow membrane . [ Mr. Willughby describes the Bill a little differently thus . The upper Mandible is moveable , from the Eyes to the Nosthrils bare , and of a fair yellow colour , beyond the Nosthrils black . The lower Mandible is black , but the membrane under the Chin yellow . ] The Legs are bare of feathers a little above the knees , of a dusky yellow , as are also the Feet . The Wind-pipe after a strange and wonderful manner enters the Breast-bone in a cavity prepared for it , and is therein reflected , and after its egress at the divarication is contracted into a narrow compass by a broad and bony cartilage , then being divided into two branches goes on to the Lungs . These branches before they enter the Lungs are dilated , and as it were swoln out into two cavities .

On the sides of the Rump grow two huge glandules , out of which by a light pressure may be squeezed a certain glutinous substance like to ear-wax , wherewith she anoints and composes her feathers . But these glandules are not peculiar to this Bird , though perchance greater and more remarkable in her , but common to all . The Bird we described was a Female . The knot or bunch of Eggs was situate far within the body , between the very Lobes of the Lungs . The Wind-pipe enters the breast-bone , and comes out again below the Merry-thought : The stomach is very fleshy , and furnished with thick muscles . Above the Stomach the Gullet is dilated into a bag , thick-set , and as it were granulated within with many papillary glandules , excerning a kind of Saliva , which serves as a menstruum to macerate the meat .

The Wind-pipe reflected in form of a Trumpet seems to be so contrived and formed by nature for modulating the voice . Hence what the Ancients have delivered concerning the singing of Swans ( if it be true , which I much doubt ) seems chiefly to agree to this bird , and not to the tame Swan .

For my part , those stories of the Ancients concerning the singing of Swans , viz. that those Birds at other times , but especially when their death approaches , do with a most sweet and melodious modulation of their voice , sing their own Naenia or funeral song , seemed to me always very unlikely and fabulous , and to have been therefore not undeservedly exploded by Scaliger and others . Howbeit Aldrovandus , weighing on both sides the Arguments and Authorities of learned men , hath ( he saith ) observed them to be equal ; wherefore to cast the scale , and establish the affirmative , he thinks that wonderful structure of the Wind-pipe , by him first observed , is of weight sufficient . But this Argument though it be very specious and plausible , yet doth it not conclude the controversie . For we have observed in the Wind-pipe of the Crane the like ingress into the cavity of the Breast-bone , and reflection therein , or a more remarkable one ; yet no man , that I know of , ever commended the Crane for singing , or musical modulation of its voice . But if you ask me , to what purpose then doth the Wind-pipe enter into the breast-bone , and is in that manner reflected there ? I must ingenuously confess , I do not certainly and fully know . Yet may there be other reasons assigned thereof ; as that which * * Ornithol . t. 3. p. 19. Aldrovand alledges in the first place , 1. That whereas sometimes for almost half an hours space the Swan continues with her heels up , and her head under water , seeking and gathering up her food from the bottom of the Pool or River she swims in , that part of the Wind-pipe enclosed in the breast-bone may supply her with air enough to serve her all that while . So the use of it will be to be a store-house of air , for the advantage of diving and continuing long under water . 2. This kind of structure doth undoubtedly conduce much to the increasing the strength and force of the voice . For that the wild Swan hath a very loud and shrill cry , and which may be heard a long way off , the English name Hooper , imposed upon it ( as I suppose ) from its hooping and hollowing noise doth import .

Hence it appears how uncertain and fallacious a way of arguing it is from the final cause . For though Nature , Gods ordinary Minister , always acts for some end , yet what that is we are often ignorant , and it doth not rarely fall out to be far different from what we fancy : Nay we may be deceived when we think we are most sure , and imagine it can be no other than what we have presumed .

Wherefore I make more account of the testimonies he alledges ; as of Frederick Pendasius , that affirmed he had often heard Swans singing sweetly in the Lake of Mantua , as he was rowed up and down in a Boat . But as for the testimony of George Braun concerning flocks of Swans in the Sea near London , meeting , and as it were welcoming the Fleets of Ships returning home with loud and chearful singing , is without doubt most false : We having never heard of any such thing .

* * Masae . book 3. chap. 13. Olaus Wormius of late confirms the opinion of Aldrovand , and the reports of the Ancients concerning the singing of Swans , producing the Testimonies of some of his familiars and Scholars who professed themselves to have heard their music . There was ( saith he ) in my Family a very honest young man , one Mr. John Rostorph Student in Divinity , a Norwegian by Nation . This man did upon his credit , and with the interposition of an Oath solemnly affirm , that himself in the Territory of Dronten did once by the Sea-shore early in the Morning hear an unusual and most sweet murmur composed of most pleasant whistlings and sounds : Which , when as he knew not whence it came , or how it was made , for that he saw no man near which might be the author of it , looking round about him , and climbing up the top of a certain Promontory , he espied an infinite number of Swans gathered together in a Bay of the Sea near hand , making that harmony ; a sweeter than which in all his lives time he had never heard . By some Islanders , my Scholars , I have been told , that nothing is more frequent with them than this harmony , in those places where there are Swans . This I therefore alledge , that it may appear that the report of those famous ancient Authors concerning the singing of Swans is not altogether vain , but attested and proved by modern experiments . Thus far Wormius . Let the Readers judge whether his witnesses be sufficient .

This Bird hath not as yet , that I know of , been described by any Author .

CHAP. II. Of the Goose .

§. I. Of the tame Goose .

IT is less than a Swan , bigger than a Duck ; weighing sometimes when fatted ten pounds . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail , in that we measured , was thirty five inches and an half , to the end of the Feet thirty seven and an half : The Wings extended were sixty inches and an half over . The length of the Neck from the tip of the Bill to the setting on of the Wings seventeen inches . The Bill it self from the tip to the angles of the Mouth was two inches three quarters long , to the Eyes three and an half . The Tail was six inches and an half long , compounded of eighteen feathers , the outmost the shortest , the rest by degrees longer to the middlemost , which are the longest . The colour in these , as in other tame Birds is various , in some brown , in some grey , in some white , in some flecked , or particoloured of white and brown . The Bill and Legs in young ones are yellow , in old ones for the most part red . The Bill is thick at the head , and slenderer by degrees to the point . Each Wing hath twenty seven quils or feathers in the first row . When it is angry it hisses like a Serpent . It is very long-lived . A certain friend of ours of undoubted fidelity told us that his Father had once a Goose that was known to be eighty years old , which for ought he knew might have lived the other eighty years , had he not been constrained to kill it for its mischievousness in beating and destroying the younger Geese .

But of the Goose , a Bird so well known in all Nations , more than enough .

§. II. The common wild Goose : Anser ferus .

IN bigness it equals a tame Goose ; is for the shape of its body very like it , and not much different in colour . It s Head , Neck , Back , generally its whole upper side , excepting the feathers incumbent on the Tail is of a dark grey or brown . Yet the uppermost covert-feathers of the Wings are paler . The second , third , and fourth rows of Wing feathers , and likewise the scapular ones have white edges about their tips . The feathers also next the Tail are purely white . The quils of the Wings are twenty seven in number , of a dark brown , almost black . The Tail is six inches long , composed of eighteen black feathers , having their tips and exteriour edges white . The colour of the underside of the body is a light grey , by degrees lighter from the Head to the Tail , whereunder it is perfectly white . The Bill is more than two inches long , from the Head almost half way black , then of a Saffron colour , the tip again being black . The upper Mandible all along is toothed or indented with many rows of small teeth ; the nether only with one row on each side . The Tongue also hath on either side a row of Teeth in its bordering membrane . Its Legs and Feet are of a Saffron colour : Its Claws black or livid . Under each Eye is a whitish line . That we described weighed seven pound and a quarter .

§. III. The Bernacle or Clakis : Bernicla seu Bernacla .

IT is lesser than a tame Goose . It s length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws or Tail ( for they are equally extended ) is thirty one inches . It s Bill black , much lesser and shorter than a Gooses , from the tip to the angles of the Mouth scarce an inch and half . The Chin , Cheeks , and what of the forehead touches the Bill is white , excepting only a line or bed of black between the Eyes and Bill . The Neck and fore-part of the Breast to the * * Breast-bone . sternum both above and beneath is black . The under-side of the body is white , with some mixture of cinereous , yet the lower feathers on the Thighs a little above the Knees are black . The feathers next the Tail are white , those above them black , else the Back is particoloured of black and cinereous . The Tail black : The quil-feathers of the Wings brown : The lesser rows of covert-feathers of the Wings have white edges , then they are black for a good way , the remaining part of the feather being ash-coloured : which colours so succeeding one another make a very fair shew . The hind-toe is very small .

It frequents the Sea-coasts of Lancashire in the Winter-time . This is the Bird which Bellonius describes under the title of Cravant or Oye Nonnette , which he thinks to be the Chenalopex of the Ancients . See Bellonius his description in * * Ornithol . tom. 3. p. 166. Aldrovand , which agrees exactly to this bird . We have sometimes thought the Bernacle and Brent-Goose to differ only in Sex , not in † † Kind . Species , but afterwards more diligently considering and comparing both their cases we changed our opinion , for there are remarkable notes by which they may be distinguished , as will easily appear to whosoever will take the pains to compare their descriptions . For in this the Chin and Cheeks are white , in that the whole Head and Neck black , save only a black line on each side the Neck ; which in the Bernacle are wanting . Besides , the Bernacle seemed to us bigger , and much fairer , for those cinereous and black colours alternately disposed in the feathers of the Back and Wings make a very lovely shew .

This also seems to be the same with the Brenta or Bernicla of Gesner , although his description be not very exact . Perchance also the Baumgansz or tree-goose of Gesner may be the same , although he make them different birds : For the description of this he took from a Picture , as it seems , not exactly drawn : Unless his Baumgansz be the same with Baltners , i. e. the Brenta , next to be described .

What is reported concerning the rise and original of these birds , to wit , that they are bred of rotten wood , for instance , of the Masts , Ribs , and Planks of broken Ships half putrified and corrupted , or of certain Palms of trees falling into the Sea , or lastly , of a kind of Sea-shels , the figures whereof Lobel , Gerard , and others have set forth , may be seen in Aldrovand , Sennertus in his Hypomnemata , Michael Meyerus , who hath written an entire book concerning the Tree-fowl , and many others . But that all these stories are false and fabulous I am confidently perswaded . Neither do there want sufficient arguments to induce the lovers of truth to be of our opinion , and to convince the gainsayers . For in the whole Genus of Birds ( excepting the Phaenix whose reputed original is without doubt fabulous ) there is not any one example of equivocal or spontaneous generation . Among other Animals indeed the lesser and more imperfect , as for example many Insects and Frogs , are commonly thought either to be of spontaneous original , or to come of different seeds and principles . But the greater Animals and perfect in their kind , such as is among Birds the Goose , no Philosopher would ever admit to be in this manner produced . Secondly , those shells in which they affirm these Birds to be bred , and to come forth by a strange metamorphosis , do most certainly contain an Animal of their own kind , and not transmutable into any other thing : Concerning which the Reader may please to consult that curious Naturalist Fabius Columna . These shells we our selves have seen , once at Venice growing in great abundance to the Keel of an old Ship ; a second time in the Mediterranean Sea , growing to the back of a Tortoise we took between Sicily and Malta . Columna makes this shell-fish to be a kind of Balanus marinus . Thirdly , that these Geese do lay Eggs after the manner of other Birds , sit on them , and hatch their Young , the Hollanders in their Northern Voyages affirm themselves to have found by experience .

§. IV. The Brent-Goose : Brenta .

IT is a little bigger than a Duck , and longer-bodied . The Head , Neck , and upper part of the Breast are black . But about the middle of the Neck on each side is a small spot or line of white , which together appear like a ring of white . The Back is of the colour of a common Goose , that is , a dark grey . Toward the Tail it is darker coloured : But those feathers which are next and immediate to the Tail are white . The lower Belly is white : The Breast of a dark grey : The Tail and greater quils of the Wings black , the lesser of a dark grey . The Bill is small , black , an inch and half long , thicker at the head , slenderer toward the tip : The Eyes hazel-coloured : The Nosthrils great : The Feet black , having the back-toe . The length of the Bird from Bill to Tail was twenty inches .

I am of opinion that the Brant-Goose differs specifically from the Bernacle , however Writers of the History of Birds confound them , and make these words Synonymous .

We have seen both alive among his Majesties Wild-fowl kept in St. James's Park . The Case of the Brent-Goose stuft we have seen with Mr. Johnson at Brignal in Yorkshire , of the Bernacle in Sir William Fosters Hall at Bamburgh in Northumberland : Mr. Jessop also sent us them both out of Yorkshire .

This is the Bird whose figure Aldrovandus gives us in the third Tome of his Ornitho-logie , Chap. 37. which Brancion sent him painted out of the Low-Countries : The whole Head , and Neck besides a certain imperfect white circle in its upper part , the Back and inside of the Thighs were black , the Eyes yellow : The Bill shorter than in that of Bellonius [ our Bernacle ] and thicker where it joyns to the Head : The Wings from ash-colour inclined to brown .

Both the description and the figure of the Ring-Duck [ Anas torquata ] of Bellonius agree in all points to this Bird of ours , so that I doubt not but they are the same . See Aldrovands Ornithologie , Book 19. Chap. 37. It is painted and described by Leonard Baltner under the title of Baumganss , that is , Tree-Goose ; and perchance may be also the Baumgansz of Gesner .

Mr. Johnson , in his Letters lately sent us , writes , as if he thought that this were only the Female of the precedent , induced chiefly by this argument , that the Fowlers observe these to company and fly together with them , as themselves told him .

§. V. The Swan-Goose : Anser cygnoides Hispanicus seu Guineensis .

THe Back , as in other Geese , is of a dark grey : The Belly white : The Throat and Breast of a reddish brown . A line or list of dark brown runs all along the ridge of the Neck from the Head to the Back . The Bill is black , from the root whereof arises a knob or bunch over-hanging it , which in the Males and old Birds is bigger than in the Hens and Young . A line or fillet of white between the Eyes and Bill adorns the Head . The Tail is of the same colour with the Back and Wings , the tips of the feathers being whitish . The Feet are red , and in some the Bill too . The back-toe is little . It is a stately Bird , walking with the Head and Neck decently erected .

§. VI. The Gambo-Goose , or Spur-wing'd Goose .

IT is for shape of body like to the Muscovy Duck , and of equal bigness : Hath long red Legs : A white Belly ; the Back of a dark , shining , purple colour . It s Bill is red : Its Cheeks and Chin white . It s Head hath a red * * Fleshy protuberance . Caruncle . But what is most remarkable in it , is a strong Spur proceeding from the first joynt of the Wings : The like whereto Marggrave hath observed in four or five sorts of Brasilian Birds : But no Europaean Fowl , that I know of , hath them .

§. VII . The Canada Goose .

IT s length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail , or of the Feet is forty two inches . The Bill it self from the angles of the mouth is extended two inches , and is black of colour : The Nosthrils are large . In shape of body it is like to a tame Goose , save that it seems to be a little longer . The Rump is black , but the feathers next above the Tail white : The Back of a dark grey , like the common Gooses . The * * Bottom . lower part of the Neck is white , else the Neck black . It hath a kind of white stay or muffler under the Chin , continued on each side below the Eyes to the back of the Head . The Belly is white : The Tail black , as are also the greater quils of the Wings , for the lesser and covert-feathers are of a dark grey , as in the common tame Geese . The Eyes are hazel-coloured , the edges of the Eye-lids in some , I know not whether in all , white : The Feet black , having the hind-toe .

The title shews the place whence it comes . We saw and described both this and the precedent among the Kings Wild-fowl in St. James's Park .

§. VIII . The Rat-Goose , or Road-Goose : Brenthus fortasse .

MR. Johnson , who shewed us this Bird at Brignal in Yorkshire , thus describes it . It is less by half than a tame Goose , about two foot long ; its Bill scarce an inch , black of colour , as are also the Feet . The top of the Head and part of the Neck black : The feathers next the Bill , the Throat and Breast brown : The rest of the under-side white : The upper-side grey , but the ends of the feathers from grey darken into a brownish colour , the edges changing into white , as is usual also in the common tame Goose . The quils of the Wings , and the Tail are black , but this hath white feathers on each side . The Rump is also white .

It is a very heedless Fowl , ( contrary to the nature of other Geese ) so that if a pack of them come into Tees , it is seldom one escapes away , for though they be often shot at , yet they only fly a little , and suffer the Gunner to come openly upon them .

SECTION VII . MEMB. II. Broad-billed Birds of the Duck-kind .

CHAP. I. Of the Duck in general .

THe Duck-kind have shorter Necks and larger Feet in proportion to their bodies than Geese : Lesser bodies : Howbeit , the biggest in this kind do equal , if not exceed the least in that . They have shorter Legs than Geese , and situate more backward , so that they go wadling : A broader and flatter Back , and so a more compressed body ; and lastly , a broader and flatter Bill . Their Tongue is pectinated or toothed on each side , which is common to them with Geese .

These are of two sorts , either wild or tame . The wild again are of two sorts , 1. Sea-Ducks , which feed most what in salt-water , dive much in feeding , have a broader Bill , ( especially the upper part ) and bending upwards , ( to work in the slem ) a large hind-toe , and thin , ( likely for a Rudder ) a long train , not sharp-pointed . 2. Pond-Ducks , which haunt Plashes , have a streight and narrower Bill , a very little hind-toe , a sharp-pointed Train , white Belly , speckled feathers , black , with glittering green in the middle Wing , with a white transverse line on either side . For this distinction of Sea-Ducks and Pond-Ducks we are beholden to Mr. Johnson .

CHAP. II. Of Sea-Ducks .

§. I. * Wormius his Eider or soft-feathered Duck.

THere hath been brought me ( saith Wormius ) from the Ferroyer Islands a certain sort of Duck they call there Eider : What name the Latines give it I know not , I have thought fit to intitle it , * * The soft-feathered Duck. Anas plumis mollissimis . The Cock differs from the Hen in many things , though the lineaments of the body are much what the same . The Cock in figure or shape exactly resembles a tame Drake or Mallard ; hath a flat , black Bill , coming nearer the figure of a Gooses than a Ducks ; perforate in the middle with two oblong holes , serving for respiration ; of the length of three inches , pectinated on the sides . From the Nosthrils through the crown of the Head above the Eyes two very black spots or strokes consisting of soft feathers tend to the hinder part of the head , divided by a narrow white line ending in the upper part of the Neck , * * Upper part of the Neck . which from green inclines to white . The whole Neck , the lower part of the Head , the Breast , the upper side of the Back and Wings are white : The quils of the Wings black , as also the whole Breast and Rump , The Tail , which is three inches long , is also black : The Legs short and black : The Feet consist of three black Toes , joyned together to the ends by a black membrane : The Toes armed with sharp , crooked Claws . They have a * * A back-toe he means . Spur behind , situate at the beginning of the Leg , furnished also with the like membrane and claw .

The Hen is of the same bigness and figure , but all over of one uniform colour , viz. brown , sprinkled here and there with certain black spots : in its other lineaments and parts agreeing with the Cock.

They build themselves Nests on the Rocks , and lay good store of very savoury and well-tasted Eggs ; for the getting of which the neighbouring people let themselves down by ropes dangerously enough , and with the same labour gather the feathers ( Eider dun our People call them ) which are very soft , and fit to stuff Beds and Quilts . For in a small quantity they dilate themselves much ( being very springy ) and warm the body above any others . These Birds are wont at set times to moult their feathers , enriching the Fowlers with this desirable merchandize . This same description Wormius repeats again in the third book of his Museum , pag. 310.

§. II. The Cutbert-Duck : Anas S. Cuthberti seu Farnensis .

IT is bigger than the tame Duck. The Male is particoloured of white and black , the Back white , the Tail and feathers of the Wings black . The Bill is scarce so long as a Ducks : The upper Mandible a little crooked at the end , over-hanging the lower . The Legs and Feet black ; having a back-toe . But , what is most remarkable in this kind is , that on both sides the Bill in both Sexes the feathers run down in an acute angle as far as the middle of the Nosthril below [ under the Nosthrils . ] The Female is almost of the colour of a Hen-Grouse . This Fowl builds upon the Farn Islands , laying great Eggs. I suspect , nay , am almost confident , that it is the same with Wormius his Eider . I saw only the Cases of the Cock and Hen stuft , hanging up in Sir William Fosters Hall at Bambergh in Northumberland . It breeds no where about England but on the Farn Islands , that we have ever heard of . When its young ones are hatcht it takes them to the Sea , and never looks at Land till next breeding time , nor is seen any where about our Coasts .

§. III. Aldrovandus his black Duck.

IT is bigger than the common Duck. Its Bill is broad and short , yellow on both sides , black in the middle , with a red hook at the tip . The Head and part of the Neck are of a black green , or black , with a tincture of green : The Legs and Feet are red on the out-side , of a citron-colour on the inside : The Web of the Foot and the Claws of a deep black . All the rest of the body is black , saving a cross line of white in the middle of the Wings , and a white spot behind each Eye . The feathers of the whole body are so soft and delicate as nothing more , so that it might be not undeservedly called the Velvet-Duck . In the Stomach and Guts , almost down to the streight Gut , I found small indigested fragments of Cockle and Periwinkle-shells : But in the streight gut they were all concocted , and reduced into a fine powder or sand . It is seldom seen with us , unless driven over by a storm , but on the shores of Norway there are great flocks of them , hundreds together .

This is that Duck which William Mascerellius , a Physician of Collen , sent to Aldrovandus , giving it this title : The black Duck with a black , red , and yellow Bill ; whose figure , though not very elegant , we have borrowed . The description of this Bird we owe to Mr. Johnson , with whom also we saw its Case stuft .

§. IV. The Sheldrake or Burrough-Duck , called by some , Bergander ; Tadorna Bellon . Vulpanser quibusdam .

IT is of a mean bigness , between a Goose and a Duck. Its Bill is short , broad , something turning upwards , broader at the tip , of a red colour all but the Nosthrils , and the nail or hook at the end , which are black . At the base of the upper Mandible near the Head is an oblong carneous bunch or knob . The Head and upper part of the Neck are of a black , or very dark green , shining like silk , which to one that views it at a distance appears black : The rest of the Neck and region of the Craw milk-white . The upper part of the Breast and the Shoulders are of a very fair orange or bright bay-colour . [ The fore-part of the body is encompassed with a broad ring or swath of this colour . ] Along the middle of the Belly from the Breast to the Vent runs a broad black line . Behind the Vent under the tail the feathers are of the same orange or bay colour , but paler . The rest of the Breast and Belly , as also the underside of the Wings is white : The middle of the Back white : The long scapular feathers black . All the Wing-feathers , as well quils as coverts , excepting those on the outmost * * Bone● joynt , are white .

Each Wing hath about twenty eight quil-feathers , the ten foremost or outmost whereof are black , as are those of the second row incumbent on them , save their bottoms : Above these toward the ridge of the Wing grow two feathers , white below , having their edges round about black . The next twelve quils , as far as they appear above their covert-feathers , are white on the inside the shaft , on the outside tinctured with a dark shining green . The three next on the inside the shaft are white , on the outside have a black line next the shaft , the remaining part being tinctured with an orange colour . The twenty sixth feather is white , having its outer edge black .

The Tail hath twelve feathers , white , and tipt with black , all but the outmost , which are wholly white .

The Legs and feet are of a pale red or flesh-colour , the skin being so pellucid that the tract of the veins may easily be discerned through it .

It hath as it were a double Labyrinth at the divarication of the Wind-pipe .

It s flesh is not very savoury or delicate , though we found neither fish nor fish-bones in its stomach .

They are called by some , Burrow-Ducks , because they build in Coney-burroughs : By others , Sheldrakes , because they are particoloured : And by others , it should seem , Berganders , which name I find in Aldrovand , Book 19. Chap. 19.

We have seen many of them on the Sea-coasts of Wales and Lancashire , nor are they less frequent about the Eastern shores of England .

§. V. The sharp-tail'd Island Duck of Wormius , called by the Islanders , Havelda .

IT is less than the broad-bill'd Duck , called by Gesner Schellent : From the crown of the Head to the Rump of a foot and three inches length . It s Head is small , compressed , having white feathers about the Eyes ; on the crown black ones inclining to cinereous . The Neck is of the same colour : The Back down to the Rump is black , with a mixture of * * Gilvo . Isabella colour . The Plumage on its Rump is mingled of black and white . Out of the end of the Rump spring four sharp , black feathers ; two of which are nine inches long , the other two of the same colour and figure , being but one third of the former in length . The underside of the Neck and the Belly half-way are black ; the other half , and the sides , so far as covered by the Wings , white . The feathers on the upper surface of the Wings are of a purplish black , on the under side cinereous . The Bill is broad like the common Ducks , toothed ; the tip , and the part next the Head black , the middle part of an elegant red-lead-colour : It is small and proportioned to the body . The Feet are * * Or dusky , fascil . brown ; the Claws and membranes between the Toes black . The fourth ( which stands backward , and resembles a Spur ) hath a broad membrane annexed .

§. VI. The Swallow-tail'd Sheldrake of Mr. Johnson .

THe Bill is short and simous , black at the root to the Nosthrils , and at the end , the rest red : The Head and Neck all white , which colour reacheth to a good part of the Breast , but further on the Back almost to the Scapulae , save that there and behind the Ears there is a mixture of dusky Plumage : The Back and Wings black , as is the Breast to the mid-belly ; but the Wings are lighter than the Back , especially the middle Pens , which incline to a russet . On either side the Back from the Scapulae go down divers long , sharp-pointed white feathers , which make an area of about four inches long , and one broad : The rest of the Belly and under the Tail is all white : The Tail hath sixteen pens ; the two outmost all white , the four middle all black , and two of those longer than the rest by three inches at least , and very sharp-pointed , the rest black on the out edge , and white on the inner ; the Legs whitish blue , with black Webs . She is a great diver , and of the size of a Wigeon .

I should have taken this to be the Male , and that described by Wormius the Female Havelda , in respect of some common notes in Tail and Neb ; but that the Female was with this of mine ( as may be presumed , a pair only feeding together , several days in Tees River , below Barnards-Castle ) and did not much differ in colour . Thus far Mr. Johnson : I am almost perswaded that it is specifically the same with Wormius his Havelda , differing only in Age or Sex , or perhaps both .

§. VII . The great red-headed Duck : Seen and described at Rome .

IT is full as big or bigger than the tame Duck ; weighing two pounds and ten ounces Roman . It s Bill is broad , as in the rest of this kind , thicker and broader at the base , slenderer , and narrower toward the point , streight , of a light sanguine colour . Each Mandible is pectinated or toothed with low teeth . The Tongue is thick , broad , as is usual in Ducks , of a flesh colour , cut in on each side with black teeth , like those of a Sickle . The Head seems greater and thicker than in proportion to the body . The crown of the Head is covered with a curious silken Plumage of a pale red colour . These feathers are longer than ordinary , and more erect , so that they appear like a great crest or tuft . The Eyes are red like the Bill , or rather of a red-lead colour . Beneath the Eyes on each side and under the Throat the feathers are of a deep * * Ruffus . red . The whole Neck , the Breast , Shoulders and whole Belly are black . The sides under the Wings , and the interiour surface of the Wings white , with a very sleight tincture or dash of red . Each Wing had twenty six quils of the same colour also above , excepting only the six next the body , which are grey , or ash-coloured . Yet the tips of all are black , and in the four or five outmost the exteriour Webs also . In the middle quils the extreme tips are again white . All the covert feathers are grey , excepting a white line in the uppermost ridge of the Wing . The middle of the Back is of a grey or ash-colour , with a light tincture of red . Of the same colour are those long feathers growing at the setting on of each Wing , and covering the Back : Above which appear in the Back two broad white spots of the figure of the segment of a circle . The hinder part of the Back to the very Tail is black . The Tail it self very short , composed of sixteen feathers , their upper sides grey , their under white , with a light tincture of red . The Legs and Feet , as in other birds of this kind , red , yet here and there , especially about the joynts , clouded with sable . The membranes connecting the Toes , and all the soals of the Feet black . The Bird I described was a Cock , and had a Labyrinth at the divarication of the Wind-pipe . The Wind-pipe it self was greater at the head , slenderer in the middle , and above the Labyrinth again swoln into a greater tube . It s Stomach or Gizzard very large , and provided with very thick and strong muscles , filled with very small stones mingled with grass . It s Liver pale ; Gall-bladder little , blind guts long .

This Bird I found in the Market at Rome , shot , I suppose , upon the Sea-coast . I never hapned to see it else where , neither do I find any description of it , or so much as any mention made of it in any book . Where it lives and breeds I know not .

§. VIII . The Scaup-Duck : Perchance the Fuligula of Gesner .

IT is somewhat less than the common Duck , about two foot long . It s Bill is broad , and blue ; the upper Mandible much broader than the nether . The Head and part of the Neck are of a black green : The Breast and underside of the Neck black , the lower part of the Neck hath something of white mingled . The Belly is white , with a sprinkling of yellow in its lower part , about the Vent of black . The upper part of the Back is of a sooty or sable colour ; the middle white , waved with transverse lines of brown ; the lower , together with the Tail , brown . The Tail is scarce two inches long : The Wings brown , adorned on the upper side with white spots , having also a cross line of white . The Legs and Feet , together with the Web and Claws , are of a dusky blue colour .

This Bird is called the Scaup-duck , because she feeds upon Scaup , i. e. broken shel-fish : She varies infinitely in colour , especially in Head and Neck , so that among a pack of forty or fifty you shall not find two exactly alike : A thing not usual in this kind .

This Bird we have not as yet seen : We owe this description and history of it to Mr. Johnson .

§. IX . The tusted Duck : Anas Fuligula prima Gesneri , * * Ornithol . c. 3. p. 217. Aldrov . Mergus cirratus minor Gesn . Querquedula cristata five Colymbis Bellonii , Aldrovand . p. 210. as we think . Capo negro at Venice .

THe Bill from the tip to the corners of the Mouth is about two inches long , broad , of a pale blue colour all but the tip , which is black . The feathers on the forehead descend down the middle of the Bill in a peak or angle . The Nosthrils are great , at a pretty distance from the Plumage . The Irides of the Eyes of a yellow or gold colour : The Ears small , as perchance in all Water-sowl . The Head , especially the crown , of a dark purple inclining to black , or rather black with some mixture of purple ; whence at Venice , and elsewhere in Italy , it is called , Capo negro . It hath a crest or cop hanging down backwards from the Head , of an inch and halflong . The colour of the Neck , Shoulders , Back , in fine the whole upper part is a dark brown , almost black .

The Wings are short , all the covert feathers black : The four outmost quils of the same colour with the body ; the succeeding little by little whiter , the subsequent than the antecedent . The second decad or middle quils are purely white , all but their tips , which are black . The next six are wholly black . The Tail is very short , composed of fourteen black feathers .

The nether side of the Neck and forepart of the Breast are black , the rest of the Breast and Belly , as far as the Vent , of a white or silver-colour , the lower the darker . Behind the Vent it is black . The lateral feathers covered by the Wings when closed , those on the Thighs , and the under-coverts of the Wings are white . The interiour bastard-wing consists of six white feathers .

The Legs are short and situate backwards : The Feet of a livid or dark blue colour , the Web black : The Toes long .

The body is short , thick , broad , and something compressed or flat , weighing about two pounds .

In the angle of the lower Mandible some have a white spot , which in others is wanting .

The Wind-pipe hath its labyrinth . The Liver is divided into two Lobes , having a Gall annexed . The Gizzard is composed of thick muscles : Therein we found nothing but small stones and Sea-wrack .

We saw a Bird very like this , perchance the same , in his Majesties Pools in S. James's Park .

It s Bill and Legs were of a lead-colour : Its Head black . Its Wings little , but above the Wings the sides white . A long crest hangs down backward from behind the Head . [ To me , beholding the Bird at a distance , the whole Wings seemed white , but perchance that colour was proper to the covert-feathers , not common to the quils . ]

§. X. The black Diver or Scoter : Anas niger minor .

IT is almost as big as the common Duck , but rounder-bodied . The whole body all over is of a black or sable colour . From the Shoulders in some birds spring blacker feathers . In the Chin and middle of the Breast some ash-coloured or whitish feathers are mingled with the black . The Wings are of the same colour with the body , without any diversity of colours at all . The Bill such as in the Duck-kind , yellow about the Nosthrils , else black ; pectinated about the sides , yellow within , without any bunch in the upper Mandible . Its Feet are black . This description is of a Hen.

In the year 1671. I found the Male of this kind at Chester , killed on the Sea-coasts thereabouts , and bought in the Market by my Lord Bishop Wilkins his Steward , and described it in these words .

It is something less than a tame Duck , short-bodied for its bigness , and broad ; all over black both upper and under-side : Only the Head had a dark tincture of purple , and the under-side of the first , second , and third rows of Wing-feathers inclined to cinereous . The wings were short ; the quils in each twenty five . The Tail more than an hand-breadth long , consisting of sixteen feathers , the outmost of which were the shortest , the rest in order longer to the middlemost , which were the longest , so that the Tail runs out into an acute angle , more acute than I remember to have observed in other Sea-ducks ; and each single feather is very sharp-pointed .

The Bill in this Bird is especially remarkable , being broad , blunt , as in the rest of this kind , of about two inches length , having no Appendix or nail at the tip , contrary to the manner of other Ducks . The upper Mandible above the Nostrils , next the forehead , bunches out into a notable protuberance , being so divided in the middle as to resemble Buttocks , distinguished by a yellow intercurrent line . Now the colour of this upper Mandible is black about the sides , yellow in the middle , the yellow part being so broad as to contain the Nosthrils , and about an inch long . The Tongue is very great . The Eye-lids yellow . The Irides of the Eyes dark . The Legs and Feet dusky : The Toes very long , and web'd together , so that its oars are broad and large . The shorter Toe hath a membranous border extant along its outside . This had no labyrinth on its Wind-pipe . The blind-guts for a bird of this kind were very short : The Gall great . It weighed two pounds and nine ounces : Its length from Bill to Tail was twenty two inches : It breadth from Wings end to Wings end thirty four and an half .

This Bird hath not as yet been described by any Author extant in Print that we know of . It abides constantly at Sea , gets its living by diving , and is taken in Nets placed under water . In the wash in Lincolnshire it is found plentifully . It s Case stuft was sent us first by Mr. Fr. Jessop out of Yorkshire : Next we got it at Chester , as we have said : Then Sir Thomas Brown sent us a Picture of it from Norwich ; and lastly , Mr. Johnson sent a description of it in his method of Birds , in which description are some particulars not observed by us , viz. that the Male hath on the upper side some tincture of shining green , and that in the Hen the Neck and Head on both sides , as far as the Eyes , is white .

§. XI . The Poker , or Pochard , or great read-headed Wigeon : Anas fera fusca of Gesner , Aldrov . t. 3. p. 221. Penelops veterum & Rothalss of Gesner , Aldrov . p. 218. Cane a la teste rouge of Bellonius .

THat we described weighed thirty two ounces : From tip of Bill to end of Tail was nineteen inches long , to the Claws points twenty one . It is bigger than the common Wigeon , and for its bigness shorter and thicker . The lesser covert-feathers of the Wings , and those on the middle of the back are most elegantly variegated with dark brown and cinereous waved lines [ or ash-coloured , with very narrow , waved , cross , dusky lines . ] The Rump and feathers under the Tail are black , so that the Tail is compassed with a ring of black . The lower part of the Neck is likewise black , so that the forepart of the body seems also to be encircled with a ring or swathe of black . The Head and almost the whole Neck are of a deep fulvous or red colour : the middle part of the Breast white , the sides and lower part , and Belly all of the same colour with the Back , and varied with the like transverse undulated lines , but both colours paler : Toward the Vent it is by degrees darker coloured . The Tail is very short , not exceeding two inches , made up of twelve feathers , of a dark grey , the outmost the shortest , the rest gradually longer to the middlemost ; yet the excess is not considerable , so that notwithstanding it is not to be reckoned among those that have sharp Tails . The quils of the Wings are about twenty five , all of one colour , viz. a dark cinereous , though if they be carefully heeded , there will appear some diversity , for the tips of the exteriour and greater feathers are marked with black , of the middle ones with white . The interiour bastard-wing and lesser covert-feathers of the underside of the Wings are white .

The Bill is bigger and broader than in the Wigeon . The feathers divide the middle of the upper Mandible coming down from the forehead in form of a peak or acute angle . The upper Mandible is of a lead-colour , but its tip black : The nether is wholly black . The Irides of the Eyes are of a very beautiful colour , from yellow inclining to a sparkling red : The Feet lead-coloured : The membranes connecting the Toes black : The inmost toe the least , having a membranous border annexed to its outside . The back toe hath likewise an appendant membrane or fin .

The characteristic note of this Bird , is one uniform colour of its Wings , without any feathers of different colour in the middle of the Wing , as is usual in most Birds of this kind .

In another Bird of this kind , ( which we take to be the Female of this ) the Bill was black with an ash-coloured spot of the form of a crescent a little above the tip . The back feathers and coverts of the Wings had no such transverse waved lines as those of the Male. In other points it agreed mostwhat with the Male.

§. XII . The lesser red-headed Duck : Perchance the Anas Filigula altera of Gesner , Aldrov . p. 227. The Glaucium or Morillon of Bellonius : Capo rosso at Venice .

IT is bigger than a Teal , and something less than a Wigeon . It s Bill two inches and an half long , of a moderate breadth , of a dark blue colour , paler about the edges , and toward the tip . The very tip or nail is round and black . The Nosthrils small , long , situate almost in the middle of the Bill . The Irides of the Eyes of a cream or Ivory colour . The Head is pretty great , all over red : But in the very angle of the lower Mandible is a small white spot . The Neck , as in others of this kind , is short , encompassed in the middle with a ring of brown . The whole Back and covert-feathers of the Wings are of a dark brown or dusky colour . All the quils of the Wings ( which are in each about twenty six ) except the three or four outmost , and the three or four inmost are white with brown tips , so that when the Wing is spread they represent a broad transverse line of white . The Tail is very short , the middle feathers which are the longest being about two inches and a quarter in length , the outmost shorter ; of a brown or dusky colour , the number of feathers fourteen . The Breast below the ring down to the Merry-thought is red , which colour above also reaches to the middle of the Shoulders . The rest of the Breast and the upper Belly is white , the lower to the Vent dusky or dark grey . The feathers under the Tail are white , those long ones on the thighs red . The Legs and Feet black , especially the joynts and membranes connecting the Toes . The back-toe hath a broad appendant membrane or sin , as in the rest of this kind . The Wind-pipe hath a labyrinth at the divarication , and besides above swells out into a puff-like cavity . The stomach is musculous . These Birds vary something in the colour , especially of their Wings .

A Bird of this kind weighed twenty one ounces ; was in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the toes seventeen inches and an half ; in breadth between the extremes of the Wings expanded twenty six and three quarters : The length of the guts forty two inches .

The description of the Anas Fuligula altera of Gesner in * * Ornithol . p. 227. Aldrovand agrees well to this Bird : So doth also the description and figure of the Morillous or Glaucium of Bellonius , especially in the colour of the Eyes . But because there is some difference , we will subjoyn his description that the Reader himself may judge .

The Glaucium or Morillon of Bellonius .

There is ( saith he ) also another Water-fowl , called in our common speech Morillon , very like to a Duck , and of the same bigness , having its Bill cut in the edge like a Saw ; its Legs and Feet red on the inside , dusky on the out : It s whole Head to the middle of the Neck of a deep ferrugineous . Below the ferrugineous a whitish circle encompasseth the Neck . The Breast is of an ash-colour , the Belly white : The Back and Wings black . But in these , if they be stretcht out appear seven white feathers , which render the Wings particoloured as in a Pie . The rest of the Wings , as also the Tail ( resembling that of a * * Corvus aquaticus . Cormorant ) are black . Getting its food for the most part out of the water , it lives upon little vermine and creeping things , which it finds in the bottom of the water : Diving also , and continuing long under water , it catches small fishes , and water Millepedes or Lice , which the French call les Escrouelles . It feeds also upon the seeds of herbs which grow on River-banks , and upon young Cray-fish and Snails . It hath a Tongue so fleshy , that near the root it seems double : A broad Breast , like the rest of the Duck-kind : Short Legs , stretched out backwards , like the Divers [ Mergi . ] In the inward parts this only is peculiar to it , that no Gall appears in it . The Liver is divided into two Lobes , one whereof is incumbent on the stomach , the other on the guts .

This description in most notes , the magnitude excepted , agrees to our Bird. For though Bellonius in his description affirms , that the ring about the Neck is white , yet in his figure he represents it black .

§. XIII . The Golden-eye : Anas platyrhynchos mas , Aldrov . p. 225. Clangula Gesneri , Aldrov . p. 224. * * That is , four eyes . Quattro occhii Italis : Weisser Dritvogel of the Germans about Strasburgh .

IT is thick and short-bodied ; and hath a great head . It s Neck , as in the rest of this kind , is short : Its Bill broad indeed , but short ; more elevated , and not so flat or depressed as in the rest of this kind , thicker at the head , lesser and narrower toward the tipl all black , from the tip to the angles of the mouth an inch and three quarters long . The Head is of a very dark green , or of a changeable colour of black , purple , and green , as it is variously exposed to the light , shining like silk . At the corner of the Mouth on each side is a round white spot , as big as a three pence , whence it got its name Quattr' occhii in Italian . The Irides of the Eyes are of a lovely yellow or gold-colour . The whole Neck both above and underneath , the Shoulders , Breast , and whole Belly are white : The space between the Shoulders and all the lower part of the Back are black . The Wings particoloured of black and white , viz. the middle feathers , both quils and coverts , are white ; the outer and inner black . To speak more exactly . The fourteen outmost Quils are black ; the seven next white ; the four inmost again black . The covert-feathers above the seven white ones are white , all but those near the ridge of the Wing . But the bottoms of those of the second row are black half way up . The long scapular feathers are also mixt or particoloured of black and white . The Tail is three inches and an half long , made up of sixteen feathers , from the outmost by degrees longer , yet is not the Tail sharp , but rather round-pointed , all of one uniform black colour .

The Legs are very short , of a Saffron or yellowish red colour , as are also the Feet . The Toes are long , dusky about the joynts ; the outmost the longest ; the inmost hath a broad appendant membrane . The membranes connecting the Toes , and the Claws are black . The back-toe is small , having also a broad appendant membrane or sin . The Wind-pipe hath a labyrinth at the divarication , and besides , above swells out into a Belly or puff-like cavity .

It s weight was about two pounds , its length from Bill to Claws nineteen inches : its breadth thirty one .

These Birds are very common at Venice in Italy , and not rare upon our Sea-coasts .

Our smaller reddish-headed Duck , which it seems is no other than the Female of the precedent : Perchance the Anas Schollent of Gesner , or the Anas fera fusca alia of Aldrovand , p. 222.

It is about the bigness of the Anas fuligula prima of Gesner : Weighs twenty four ounces ; is from Bill to Claws seventeen inches long . It hath a great Head , of a fordid red colour : A short Neck of a grey or hoary : A white Breast and Belly : It s Back , Tail , most of the covert-feathers and ten outmost quills of the Wings are of a dark brown or black . The quil-feathers from the tenth to about the twentieth are white . In the lesser rows of covert-feathers is also a great spot of white . [ The second row of Wing-feathers , as many as are incumbent on the white quils , are white , but tipt with black . ] In the lesser rows of wing-feathers there is also a large white or ash-coloured spot : So that in some the whole Wing almost seems to be white . The Wings are small for the bigness of the Bird , their feathers being short . The Tail is made up of sixteen feathers , and is for this kind long . The Bill is shorter and narrower than that of the tufted Duck , thick at the head , sharper toward the tip , the extreme hook or nail being black , and encompassed by a broad yellow space , very elegant to behold ; the rest of the Bill black . The Eyes were of a lovely yellow or gold-colour . The Feet large , situate backwards , of a yellowish red colour , the Web of the Feet dusky ; the soal black . I observed no labyrinth on the Wind-pipe , It hath a small Gall-bladder of an oval figure . In the Craw we found a Crab-fish .

Since the finishing of the Latine History we have been informed that this Bird is no distinct kind , but only the Female Golden-eye . And truly , the shape of the body , the make of the Bill , the length , number of feathers , figure and colour of the Tail , the fashion and colour of the Feet , and other accidents induce us to think so , neither is there more difference in weight than is usual between different Sexes . Besides that , this was a Female the want of the labyrinth proves ; but in the next Article I shall shew some reason to doubt whether of the Golden-eye or not . Mr. Willughby also was suspicious that it might be the Hen Golden-eye .

§. XIV . The greater reddish-headed Duck , perchance the same with the last described , or the Male thereof : An Anas Schellent dicta Gesnero ? Aldrov . p. 223.

IT weighed twenty four ounces , being in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail eighteen inches and an half , to the end of the Toes nineteen ; in breadth the Wings being spread out , thirty , The Bill two inches long , yellow , not only about the tip , like the precedents , but also of a fordid or dark yellow all along the middle beyond the Nosthrils , The Irides of the Eyes are of a bright lovely yellow : The Head of a fordid red : the Neck grey . For that chesnut or red colour of the Head extends not to the middle of the Throat . The Back and whole upper side are of a dark brown or black . The Throat , Breast , Belly to the very Tail white ; but at the Vent is a cross bar of brown .

Each Wing hath about twenty six quils ; of which the outmost ten are black , the tip of the eleventh white ; in the succeeding the white increases , till after three or four it reaches to the bottom . The twentieth or twenty first hath its exteriour half white , its interiour black . [ There is some variety in several Birds in the colours of these feathers . ] The feathers immediately above the white feathers are also white : Besides , in the lesser covert-feathers is a great spot of white in some birds , of grey in others . The Legs and Feet are of an obscure , fordid yellow , but about the joynts black . The web of the Foot is also black . The Legs are situate backwards , as in the rest of this kind , feathered down almost to the knees , the Shanks short , but the Feet large : The inmost Toe hath a membrane bordering on the outside of it . The hind-toe hath also its membrane annext . The Tail is three inches and an half long , made up of sixteen feathers , of the same colour with the Back .

I should take this Bird to be the very same with the precedent , not only in Species , but in Sex , notwithstanding its difference in bigness , were it not that it had a labyrinth on the Wind-pipe , which I suppose is proper only to the Males . So that either this is the Male of the precedent , and both different in species from the Golden-eye : Or , which I rather incline to believe , this must be a young Cock-Golden-eye , that had not moulted its chicken-feathers ; and the precedent an old Hen-Golden-eye : And so these two supposed Species are reduced to the Golden-eye ; they being all three the same .

§. XV. The Shoveler . Anas platyrhynchos altera sive clypeata Germanis dicta : Taschenmul * * Tom. 3. pag. 224. Aldrov . Anas latirostra major , Gesner . Aldrov . p. 227. Breitschnabel Germanis .

IT is something less than the common tame Duck , weighs twenty two ounces , being in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail twenty one inches . It s Bill is three inches long , coal-black , much broader toward the tip than at the base , excavated like a Buckler , of a round Circumference . At the end it hath a small crooked hook or nail . Each Mandible is pectinated or toothed like a comb , with rays or thin plates inserted mutually one into another when the mouth is shut . The Tongue is fleshy , thick , broad , especially toward the tip ; but the tip it self is thinner and semicircular . The Eyes are of a deep yellow : The Legs and Feet of a Vermilion colour : The Claws black : The hind-toe little . The membrane connecting the Toes serrate about the edges . The Feet are less than inothers of this kind .

The Head and Neck almost half-way are of a fair blue . [ In the Bird which I described at Rome , and in another which Mr. Willughby saw at Crowland it was very * * Blackish . dark , lightly tinctured with a deep shining green . ] The under-side of the Neck and region of the Craw are white ; the upper-side and Shoulders particoloured of white and brown . The rest of the Breast and the whole Belly to the Vent are red . Behind the Vent the feathers under the Tail are black . The Back is brown , with a light dash of a shining green , blue or purple colour . The feathers covering the outside of the Thighs are adorned with transverse dusky lines , as in many others .

The number of quils in each Wing is about twenty four : The ten or twelve outmost whereof are wholly brown : The next nine have their outer edges of a deep shining green : The four next the body are varied in the middle and about their edges with white lines . The feathers of the second row incumbent on the green quil-feathers have white tips , which together taken make a cross line of white in the Wing . The lesser covert-feathers of the Wing , excepting those on the outmost bone , are of a pleasant pale blue , inclining to ash-colour . The Tail is about three inches and an half long : consists of fourteen feathers , particoloured of white and black , the outmost feathers being wholly white , the middlemost , except the extreme white edges , wholly black , the rest black in their middle parts , white about the borders or outsides .

At the divarication of the Wind-pipe it hath a small labyrinth : A large Gall : Oblong Testicles : A small musculous Stomach or Gizzard : Guts many times reflected , very long . The Female in respect of colours both in the Head and Neck , and also in the whole body , upper-side and under-side , excepting only the Wings , is very like to a wild Duck. The Wings are of the same colours with the Wings of the Male , but more dull , and not so bright and pleasant . The Fowlers affirm , that these Birds change their colours in Winter . Gesner and Aldrovand set forth this kind twice or thrice under several titles . It is sufficiently characterized and distinguished from all others of this kind by the breadth and bigness of its Bill .

§. XVI . * * Anas platyrhynchos erythropus . Hen-Shoveler .

THe Legs and Feet wholly are of a deep red . The Bill is almost three inches long , very broad , and * * Recurvum . turning up after the fashion of a Buckler , of a dark chesnut colour ; yet the lower Mandible , which almost enters the upper [ being received into it ] is in some places of a spadiceous colour , and hath a remarkable strake running through its middle long-ways . The Bill hath such teeth on both sides as Gesner attributes to his * * Anati muscariae . Muggent . The colour of the feathers , almost the whole body over , comes near to that of pulveratricious birds [ Partridge and Quail , &c. ] called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , testaceous or pot-sheard colour . [ Their pots were paler than ours now adays . ] The whole Head and middle of the Neck were of a * * Mustilin● coloris . Weasel colour , sprinkled with greater and lesser spots , partly white , and those very small and scarce conspicuous , partly brown , and those most in the crown and hinder part of the Head . The Neck underneath is of a pale whitish cinereous colour , with semilunar brown spots . The same spots , but greater , are dispersed over the fore-part of the Back , the Breast , the Belly , the Rump , and the Tail , all which parts are of the same colour with the Head , or yellowish . The middle and lower part of the Back are covered with feathers of a dark spadiceous colour , only white about the outmost edges . The ridges of the Wings are of a Woad colour . A line of the same colour crosses the middle of the Wings , above which is likewise seen a transverse white line . The remaining parts of the Wings are of a dark spadiceous colour .

§. XVII . * A broad-bill'd Duck with yellow Feet , of Aldrovand .

IT differs little from the precedent in magnitude , unless perchance it be somwhat bigger . It s Bill is partly brown , partly yellowish . Over the whole body , which is of a yellowish ash-colour , are brown spots disseminated , thick-set , and little in the Head , greater , and thinner , or more scattering in the Neck , Breast , Belly , Rump , and Tail , but much greater yet and thicker in the whole Back . The Wings to the middle part are brown . A white line crosses them in the middle ; after which is seen a * * Or four corner'd . square blue spot , three angles whereof end in a black line : To this succeeds a white line . Its Legs are yellow ; its Toes also yellow , but connected by dusky membranes .

This seems to be some Hen-bird of the Duck-kind , not hitherto observed by us .

CHAP. III. Pond-Ducks , frequenting chiefly fresh waters .

§. I. The common wild Duck and Mallard : Boscas major ; Anas torquata minor * * Tom. 3. pag. 212. Aldrov .

IT weighs from thirty six to forty ounces ; being about twenty three inches long , measuring from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail . The Wings stretcht out reacht thirty five inches . The Bill is of a greenish yellow , from the angles of the mouth produced two inches and an half , of about an inch breadth , not very flat . The upper Mandible hath at the end a round tip or nail , such as is seen in most Birds of this kind . The lower Eye-lids are white : The Legs and Feet of a Saffron-colour ; the Claws brown ; but that of the back-toe almost white : The inmost fore-toe is the least . The membranes connecting the Toes are of a more sordid colour than the Toes . The Wind-pipe at its divarication hath a vessel we call a labyrinth .

The Legs are feathered down to the Knees . In the Mallard the Head and upper part of the Neck are of a delicate shining green : then follows a ring of white , which yet fails of being an entire circle , not coming round behind . From the white ring the Throat is of a Chesnut colour down to the Breast . The Breast it self and Belly are of a white ash-colour , bedewed or sprinkled with innumerable dark specks , as it were small drops . Under the Tail the feathers are black . The upper side of the Neck from cinereous is red , sprinkled in like manner with spots . The middle of the Back between the Wings is red , the lower part black , and still deeper on the Rump , with a gloss of purple . Thesides under the Wings , and the longer feathers on the Thighs are adorned with transverse brown lines , making a very fair shew . In them the white colour seems to have a mixture of blue .

The lesser rows of Wing-feathers are red : The long scapular feathers are silver-coloured , elegantly variegated with transverse * * Fuscis , dusky . brown lines . In each Wing are twenty four quils , the outmost ten of a dusky or dark brown : The second decad have white tips , then their outer Webs are of a shining purplish blue colour : But between the white and blue intercedes a border of black . The tip of the twenty first is white , the exteriour Web of a dark purple : The middle part of the twenty second is a little silver-coloured : The twenty third is wholly of a silver-colour , yet the edges on each side are black : The twenty fourth is likewise of a silver-colour , only the exteriour border black . The outmost covert-feathers are of the same colour with the quils ; but those immediately incumbent on the purple-blue quils have black tips , and next the tips a broad line or cross bar of white , so that the blue spot is terminated with a double line , first black , and above that white . The Tail hath twenty feathers , ending in sharp points . The four middle of these are reflected circularly toward the Head , being black , with a gloss of purple . The eight next to these on each side are white , especially the outer ones , and on their exteriour Webs , the nearer to the reflected ones , the greater mixture of brown have they . The covert-feathers of the inside of the Wing , and the interiour bastard Wing are white .

In Winter time they company together , and fly in flocks ; in the Summer by pairs , Duck and Mallard together . They build their Nests among Heath or Rushes , not far from the water , seldom in trees ; laying twelve , fourteen , or more Eggs before they sit . The Female or Duck hath neither green head , nor ringed Neck , but both particoloured of white , brown , and dark red . The middle parts of the Back-feathers are of a dark brown , the edges of a pale red .

As for the great Ring-Duck of Gesner , he being very brief in describing of it , and using only general notes , and my self having never seen any such bird , I know not what to make of it , and do doubt whether there be any such Bird in nature ; especially because the description he brings of it , made by a certain German , doth in all things answer to our Mallard above described .

AB , CD are Nets extending a great length in form of a wall or hedge , inclining one to another , at the further end of which , before they concur in an angle are placed 1 , 2 , 3 , or more conoideal Nets , like tunnelling Nets for Partridges . Which things being so prepared , and the day for fowling set , there is a great concourse of men and boats . These drive the Birds , now unable to fly , into the grounds enclosed in the Nets with long Staves and Poles , and so by degrees into those Conoideal Tunnels , 1 , 2 , 3 , disposed , as we said in the angle . By the way many are knocked down by the Boatmen and other Rabble with their Poles , others and more are driven upon the side Nets AB , CD . These belong to them who own the Nets ( for the Nets for the most part have several owners ) those fall to their shares that killed them . Those which are cooped up , and driven into the end-tunnels 1 , 2 , 3 , belong to the Lord of the Soil . To one Fowling sometimes you shall have four hundred Boats meet . We have heard that there have been four thousand Mallards taken at one driving in Deeping Fen.

The Mallards change their feathers ( we call it Moulting , a word derived from the Latine , muto , signifying to change ) when the Hens begin to sit ; the Ducks not before their young ones are grown up and ready to fly , at what time they come hither for that purpose , viz. the Mallards about the end of May , the Ducks not before the end of June , when the Mallards have recovered their feathers and begin to fly again . The Cock - Teal and Wigeons accompany the Ducks , and moult together with them . The Hens of these Birds moult something later . So that this kind of sport or ( if you please ) exercise lasts from the middle of June till the end of August . In a Weeks time all the old feathers fall off ; the new ones come not to their full growth in less than three Weeks space . When they begin to moult they are all very fat and fleshy ; but before their feathers be perfectly grown , they become lean . The Ducks and Mallard are called whole fowl ; the Wigeons and Teal half fowl , because they are sold for half the price of the other .

Here it may be worth the while to enquire , why Birds do yearly moult their feathers ? Mr. Willughby supposes that there is the same cause of the casting the feathers in Birds , that there is of the falling off of the hair in Men and other Animals upon recovery from a Fever or other disease , or upon refection after long abstinence . For in Cock-birds the heat and turgency of lust , is , as it were , a kind of Fever , and so in the Spring-time their bodies being exhausted by the frequent use of Venery , they become lean : But in the Hens the time of sitting and bringing up their Young answers to a disease or long abstinence , for at that time they macerate themselves by hunger and continual labour . When these times are over , both Sexes returning to mind their own bodies and feed for themselves , do in a short time recover their flesh and grow fat again , whereupon the pores of the skin being dilated the feathers fall off .

Our Country-men ( imitating , as I suppose , the Low Dutch , who were Authors of the invention ) in maritime and fenny places , in Pools prepared by a new Artifice and fitted with their Channels and Nets , and stored with Coy-Ducks , take yearly in , the Winter-time Duck and Mallard , Wigeon , Teal , and other Birds of the Duck-kind in great numbers .

Of the Coy-ducks some fly forth and bring home with them wild ones to the Pool , others have the outmost joynt or pinion of their Wings cut off , so that they cannot , fly , but abide always in the Pool . The Fowlers house is to be covered with trees and reeds , and hid as much as possible .

§. II. The Gadwall or Gray , perchance the * * Anas mediae magnitudinis . Mitelenten of Gesner : Anas platyrhynchos rostro nigro & plano . Aldrov . p. 233. fortè Anas strepera Gesneri , Aldrov . p. 234.

IN bigness it equals or exceeds the Pochard , and comes very near the Duck. Its length from Bill to Tail was nineteen inches : Its breadth thirty three : Its Bill from the tip to the corners of the mouth two inches long . It is long-bodied : It s whole Rump black : It s Back brown , the edges of the feathers being of a whitish red : Its Chin and Cheeks white , speckled with small brown specks . It s head from blue inclines to black , the edges of the feathers being of an ash-colour in the Throat , and of a whitish red near the Breast . The lower part of the Neck and upper part of the Breast and Shoulders are covered with a most beautiful Plumage particoloured of black and white . The extreme edges and as it were fringes of the feathers are reddish , then a black line of a semicircular figure encompasses the tip of the feather , running parallel to its edges ; within this is included another semicircular white line parallel to it , and in the white again a black . The Breast is white : The Belly darker , with transverse black spots . Under the Tail the feathers are crossed with brown . The lesser covert-feathers under the Wings and the interiour bastard Wing are purely white . The sides are curiously variegated with alternate black and white lines . The Tail is short , scarce appearing beyond the feathers incumbent on it , round-pointed , made up of sixteen feathers with sharp tips , of a white colour , especially on the under side , for the two middle ones above are of a dark ash-colour : In the rest , especially the outmost , there is something of red mingled with the white : The edges of all are whitish .

Each Wing hath twenty six quils , of which the first ten are brown ; the three next tipt with white : The four following have their outer Webs black , their tips also being whitish : In the three succeeding the inner Web of the feather is wholly white : The four next the body are of a cinereous or reddish brown . The feathers of the second row , incumbent on the white quils , have their exteriour Webs of a black purplish shining colour . In the third row are spots of red scattered .

It s Bill is like that of the common Duck or Teal , flat , broad , with a hook or nail at the end : The lower Mandible inclines to a Saffron colour ; of the upper the sides are of the same colour , the middle part black : The Nosthrils great .

The Legs are feathered to the Knees : The Feet whitish : The hind-toe small : The inner fore-toe shorter than the outer : The membranes connecting the Toes black . It hath a huge Gall-bladder .

The Female hath the same spots in the Wings , but far duller colours ; wants the black colour on the Rump , the feathers there growing having pale red edges ; as have also those on the Back and Neck . It wholly wants those elegant semicircular black and white lines and spots in the Neck and Breast feathers , and the strakes under the Wings .

This Bird may be distinguished from all others of the Duck-kind by this characteristic note , that it hath on the Wings three spots of different colour , one above another , viz. a white , a black , and a red one .

§. III. * Gesners Muggent : Anas muscaria , Aldrov . lib. 19. cap. 41.

IT is so called because it catches flies flying upon [ or above ] the water . It is of the bigness and shape almost of a tame Duck. The Bill is broad and flat , it s upper Chap being wholly of a Saffron-colour , in length beyond the feathers two inches : it is serrate on both sides with broad and in a manner membranaceous teeth , pretty high or deep ; but those of the nether Chap are lower , and * * Stand up or out but very little . rise not much , making long striae . The Plumage almost all the body over is particoloured of blackish , fiery colour , and white , with a mixture of Weasel colour in some places , or in short almost like that of the Partridge , that is , testaceous , as of most of the pulveratricious kind , but yet differing . Its Feet are yellow : Its Toes joyned by blackish membranes : Its Neck both on the upper and under side is speckled [ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ] with the colours we mentioned . The crown of the Head is blacker than the other parts , which colour also is seen in the Wings , which are shorter than the Tail . Thus far Gesner . This Bird , if it be different from the Gadwall , as the colour of the Bill and Feet might perswade one , is to me unknown .

§. IV. The common Wigeon or Whewer : Penelope Aldrovandi , tom. 3. p. 218. lin. 30. Anas fistularis , Argentoratensibus Ein Schmey .

IT weighs twenty two ounces : Its length from Bill to Feet is twenty inches . The Head and upper end of the Neck are red . The crown towards the Bill is of a dilute colour , from red inclining to a yellowish white . The upper part of the Breast and sides as far as the Wings is beautified with a very fair tincture of a red Wine colour , with small transverse black lines . The scapular feathers , and those on the sides under the Wings are very curiously varied with narrow transverse black and white waved lines . The middle of the Back is brown , the edges of the feathers being cinereous , especially towards the Tail . The feathers behind the Vent , next the Tail are black : The Breast and Belly white , with a little mixture of yellow . On both sides under the Legs are spots of a reddish brown : Under the Tail are white feathers alike spotted , mingled with the black . The Tail is sharp pointed , and consists of fourteen feathers , of which the six outer on each side are brown , their exteriour edges being whitish ; the two middle ones are black , with a mixture of ash-colour .

Of the quil-feathers the ten outmost are brown : The next ten have white tips , and among them the fifteenth , sixteenth , seventeenth , and eighteenth have their outer webs first of a black purplish colour , then as far as they appear beyond the covert-feathers of a lovely blue . In the eighteenth feather the exteriour half of the outer web is of a purplish black , the interiour toward the bottom is cinereous : But along the border of the black are small white spots from the white tip to the bottom . The twentieth feather is all of a pale or white ash-colour : The twenty first and twenty second are white about the edges , black in the middle along the shaft . The small covert-feathers of the Wings are of a light brown or dark ash-colour ; but those that cover the quils from the tenth to the twentieth are particoloured of brown , white , and cinereous .

Mr. Willughby in this and other Birds is , in my opinion , more particular and minute in describing the colours of each single feather of the Wings and Tail than is needful ; sith in these things nature doth as they say sport her self , not observing exactly the same strokes and spots in the feathers of all Birds of the same sort .

In the structure of the Mouth , Tongue , and Head , it differs little from the common wild Duck , unless perchance the Head be less in proportion to the body . The upper Mandible of the Bill is of a lead-colour , with a round black nail at the end . The Feet from a dusky white incline to a lead-colour . The Claws are black : The outmost Toe longer than the inmost : The back-toe short .

It feeds upon grass and weeds growing in the bottoms of Rivers , Lakes , and Channels of water , also upon Whilks , Periwinkles , &c. that it finds there . The Males in this kind at Cambridge are called Wigeons , the Females Whewers .

The flesh of it for delicacy is much inferiour to that of Teal , or indeed Wild-Duck .

§. V. The Sea-Pheasant or Cracker : Anas caudacuta , Aldrov . tom. 3. pag. 234. Coda lancea at Rome .

IT is of the bigness of the common Wigeon ; of twenty four ounces weight : twenty eight inches long from Bill to Tail : From tip to tip of the Wings extended thirty seven inches broad .

It s Head is slender , its Neck long for this kind : Its Bill from the tip to the angles of the mouth two inches and an half , of equal breadth almost throughout ; the nether Mandible wholly black , the upper partly blue , partly black , viz. black in the middle , on the sides beneath the Nosthrils blue : Black also at the corners of the mouth , at the very tip , and in the lower edges near the tip . The colour of the Plumage on the whole Head is ferrugineous or brown , behind the Ears tinctured with a light purple . Beyond the Ears on each side from the hinder part of the Head begins a line of white which passes down the sides of the Neck to the Throat . All the feathers between or adjacent to these lines are black : Under the black the Neck is ash-coloured , then curiously varied with transverse black and white lines , as is also almost the whole Back . The long scapular feathers are black in their middle parts , but the exteriour have their outer Webs almost to the shafts black , their inner ( which are much the narrower ) varied with white and black [ brown ] lines . All the nether part , Neck , Breast , Belly , to the very Vent is white . Yet in the lower Belly the white is a little darkned with a mixtue of cinereous . The feathers under the Tail are black .

As for the Wings , the ten outmost quils and most of the covert-feathers are of a dark cinereous [ In some Birds the interiour edges of the seventh , eighth , ninth , and tenth quils are white . ] The second decad of quils is particoloured ; for the tips of all are white , [ or from white red ] then in the outer Web succeeds a black line , the remaining part thereof , as far as appears beyond the incumbent feathers being of a glistering purple , or purplish blue colour : The interiour Webs of all are of the same colour with the rest of the feathers . Of the following the exteriour Webs are cinereous , the interiour black . The covert feathers of the second row immediately incumbent on the second decad of quils have their tips of a fair red or Lion-colour . The long feathers covering the Thighs are elegantly varied with black and white transverse lines , beneath which the Plumage is yellow .

The Tail is made up of sixteen feathers , all ash-coloured excepting their exteriour edges , which are whitish . The two middlemost run out into very long and sharp points , being produced two inches and an half beyond the rest : Whence also this Bird is in some places of England called the Sea-pheasant .

Its feet are of a lead-colour , darker about the joynts . It hath a small Labyrinth , and a great Gall.

The Hen is like in colour to the common Wild-Duck , but fairer , and variegated with more full and lively white and brown colours . The Wing-feathers agree in colour with those of the Cock , save that they are duller and less lively . The Belly is reddish , the middle part of each single feather being black . The Chin is white , with a tincture of red . The Back of a dark brown , with transverse lines and beds of a pale red . The Breast of a sordid white , and the Belly yet darker .

This Bird may be distinguished from all others of the Duck-kind by the length of the middle feathers of its Tail as by certain and characteristic note .

§. VI. The Teal , Querquedula secunda , Aldrov . p. 209.

THis , next to the Summer-Teal , is the least in the Duck-kind ; weighing only twelve ounces , extended in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Feet fifteen inches ; in breadth , measuring between the ends of the Wings spread , twenty four . It s Bill is broad , black , at the end something reflected upwards : The Eyes from white incline to hazel-coloured . The Nosthrils are of an oval figure . The top of the Head , Throat , and upper part of the Neck of a dark bay or spadiceous colour . From the Eyes on each side to the back of the Head is extended a line of a dark , shining green . Between these lines on the back of the Head a black spot intervenes . Under the Eyes a white line separates the black from the red . The feathers investing the lower side of the Neck , the beginning of the Back , and the sides under the Wings are curiously varied with transverse waved lines of white and black . The region of the Craw in some is yellowish , elegantly spotted with black spots , so situate as somewhat to resemble scales . The Breast and Belly are of sordid white or grey colour . Under the Rump is a black spot encompassed with a yellowish colour .

Each Wing hath above twenty five quils . Of these the outmost ten are brown ; the next five have white tips ; under the white the exteriour Web of the Feather is black : In the sixteenth begins the green , and takes up so much of the feather as we said was black in the precedent three , The exteriour Web of the twenty third is black , with some yellowness on the edges . The covert-feathers of the black quils have white tips , of the green ones have tips of a reddish yellow : Else the Wings are all over brown [ dusky . ] The Tail is sharp-pointed , three inches long , made up of sixteen feathers , of a brown or dusky colour .

The Legs and Feet are of a pale dusky colour , the membrane connecting the Toes black : The inmost Toe the least . The Back-toe hath no fin annexed . The Wind-pipe in the Cock is furnished with a Labyrinth : in the Hen we found none .

The Female differs from its Male in the same manner almost as the wild Duck does from the Mallard , having neither red nor green on the Head , nor black about its Rump : Nor those sine feathers variegated with white and black lines on the back and sides .

This Bird for the delicate taste of its flesh , and the wholsom nourishment it affords the body , doth deservedly challenge the first place among those of its kind .

§. VII . The Garganey : Querquedula prima Aldrov . t. 3. p. 209. Kernel at Strasburgh .

IN bigness it something exceeds the common Teal ; yet that Mr. Willughby described weighed no more than the common Teal . viz. twelve ounces . It s length from Bill to Claws was seventeen inches : Its breadth from tip to tip of the Wings extended twenty eight . For the shape of its body it was very like to the common Teal : Its Bill also black : Its Legs and Feet livid with a certain mixture of green , [ Mr. Willughby hath it from dusky inclining to a lead-colour . ] The back-toe small .

The crown of the Head is almost wholly black , but the Bill besprinkled with small reddish-white specks . From the inner corner of the Eye on each side begins a broad white line , which passing above the Eyes and Ears is produced to the back of the Head , till they do almost meet . The Cheeks beneath these white lines and the beginning of the Throat were of a lovely red colour , as if dashed with red wine , having white spots or lines along the middle of each feather about their shafts . Under the Chin at the rise of the lower Mandible is a great black spot . The whole Breast is curiously varied with black and dusty , transverse , arcuate [ elliptical ] waved lines in each feather . The Belly in some is white , in others tinctured with yellow : But toward the Vent are brown lines , and bigger spots under the Tail . The colour of the Back is brown , with a purplish gloss . The Thighs are covered with feathers handsomly variegated with transverse black and white lines . The scapular feathers next the Wings are ash-coloured , the rest are of a very beautiful purple colour , with white lines in the middle .

Each Wing hath twenty five quils , the outmost ten of which are brown on the outside the shaft , on the inside of a Mouse-dun : The eleven next have white tips , beneath the tips , as far as they appear beyond the covert-feathers , their exteriour Webs of a * * Mr. Willughby describes them to be of a purplish colour , with a mixture of cinereous . shining green , the interiour and the bottoms of the feathers being of a dusk or Mouse-dun . The rest are brown , only the exteriour Webs edged with white . The lesser rows of Wing-feathers are ash-coloured excepting those immediately incumbent on the quils , some of which have white tips .

The Tail is short [ three inches ] and when closed ending in a sharp point , of a dusky or dark brown colour , consisting of fourteen feathers ; the outmost feathers are varied with spots of a pale or whitish red . The soal of the foot is black .

The Cock had a Labyrinth at the divarication of the Wind-pipe , the Hen none .

The Hen is less than the Cock , and duller-coloured , wants the black spot under the Chin , and the red colour of the Cheeks . The Wings underneath are as in the Cock , above more brown . The Back coloured like the Cocks ; but the scapular feathers have not those beautiful colours .

§. VIII . * Of the Summer-Teal , called by Gesner Ana circia .

GEsner takes that Duck they call Circia to be of the kind of the lesser * * Teal . Querquedulae : A certain German renders it in High Dutch , Ein Birckilgen , and saith it is so called from the sound of its voice ; that it is like a small Duck , but differs in the colour of the Wings and Belly . For the Wings want those glistering feathers , and the Belly is more spotted .

This kind ( so he proceeds ) I think is also found in our Lakes , for I saw not long since a small sort of Duck taken in the beginning of January , little bigger than a Dobchick , brown all over , having the Bill of a Duck , that is broad and brown : Also dusky coloured Legs and Feet ; the Neck an hand-breadth long , the rest of the body six inches . But it was a Hen , and had Eggs in the Belly . The Cock , I guess , hath more beautiful colours . In the Stomach I found nothing but small-stones , and the seeds of some water-plants , almost of the fashion of Lentiles ( but lesser and thicker ) and reddish . Thus far Gesner .

From this short description , and that too of a Hen bird , we cannot certainly gather , whether it be a distinct Species from the precedent . But we suspect it was of that bird which our Country men call the Summer-Teal , which Mr. Johnson informs us is of that bigness ; for we have not as yet seen it .

It s Bill is black : The whole upper side of a dark grey or light brown ; the edges [ or extremes ] of the feathers in the Back are white . In the Wings is a line or spot of an inch breadth , partly black , partly of a shining green , terminated on both sides with white . In the Tail the feathers are sharp-pointed . The whole under side seems to be white , with a slight tincture of yellow ; but on the Breast and lower Belly are many pretty great black spots . The Legs are of a pale blue , the membranes between the Toes black . This is the least of all Ducks . In its stomach dissected I found nothing but grass and stones . This description we owe to Mr. Johnson .

§. IX . * A wild Brasilian Duck of the bigness of a Goose . Marggrave .

IT hath a black Bill , dusky Legs and Feet . It is all over black except the beginnings [ setting on ] of the Wings , which are white ; but that black hath a gloss of shining green . It hath a crest or tuft on it heads consisting of black feathers , and a corrugated red mass or bunch of flesh above the rise of the upper Mandible of the Bill . It hath also a red skin about the Eyes . It is very fleshy , and good meat . They are commonly shot sitting on high trees : For after they have washt themselves in cold water , they fly up high trees , for the benefit of the fresh air and Sun .

§. X. * A Wild Brasilian Duck , called , Ipocati-Apoa , by the Portughese , Pata , that is , A Goose . Marggrav .

IT is of the bigness of a Goose of eight or nine months , of the very shape and figure of our common Ducks : The Belly , lower part of the Tail , the whole Neck and Head are covered with white feathers ; the Back to the Neck , the Wings and top of the Head with black , having a mixture of green , as in the Necks of our Ducks . In the Neck and Belly are black feathers , all about sparsedly mingled with the white . It differs from our Country Ducks in these particulars : 1. That it is bigger . 2. It hath indeed a Ducks Bill , but black and hooked at the end . 3. Upon [ or above ] the Bill it carries a fleshy crest , broad , and almost round , of a black colour , remarkably spotted with white . The Crest is of equal height . Between the Crest and the Bill ( viz. on the top of the Bill ) is a transverse hole of the bigness of a Pease , conspicuous on both sides , which serves instead of Nosthrils . 4. The colour of the Legs and Feet is not red , but of a dusky ash-colour . It is full of flesh , and good meat . It is found every where about the Rivers .

I had another in all things like this , excepting that those long feathers in the Wings were of a shining brown colour . I suppose this is the Male , the other the Female .

§. XI . * The first Brasilian wild Duck , called Mareca , of Marggrave .

IT hath a Ducks Bill , of a brown colour , at the rise whereof on each side is a red spot . The Head above is of a grey Hare-colour : The sides of the Head under the Eyes all white . The whole Breast and lower Belly hath an obscure resemblance of the colour of Oaken boards ; and is besides variegated with black points [ specks . ] The Legs and Feet are black ; the Tail grey . The Wings elegant , at the setting on of a dark grey colour . * * I suppose he means , that the inner quils , or those next the body are of a dark grey as was before intimated . The quil-feathers on one side are of the former colour , but all the outer half of them [ medietas extrema ] of a pale brown : In the middle they are of a shining green , with a border of black ; like the colour of the Mallards Neck . It s flesh is very good meat . The outmost of a light brown , and the middlemost of a shining green , with a fringe or border of black .

§. XII . * The second Brasilian wild Duck , called Mareca , of Marggrave .

IT is of the same bigness and figure with the precedent , hath a black shining Bill . The top of the Head , the upper part of the Neck , and the whole Back are of an Umber colour mixed with brown [ fusco . ] Under the Throat it is white . The Eyes are black , and before each Eye is a small round spot of a yellowish white colour . The whole Breast and lower Belly are of a dark grey , with a mixture of golden . The Tail is black : The Wing-feathers dusky , with a gloss of shining green , and the middle feathers of the Wings are of a rare green and blue shining in a dusky : Here also they have a waved line of black : But the * * Or border , or perchance outside . end [ extremitas ] of the quil-feathers is wholly white . The Legs and Feet are of a bright red or vermilion colour . The Bird roasted colours the hands of those that touch it , and linnen cloth with a sanguine colour . It hath well tasted flesh , but a little bitter .

CHAP. IV. Of Tame Ducks .

§. I. The common Tame Duck : Anas domestica vulgaris .

IT is called by the Greeks , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from the Verb 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , signifying , to swim : As Anas also by Varro is derived from no , nas , to swim . It is a Bird every where known , and therefore it would not be worth while to bestow many words in exactly describing it . It is less than a Goose , almost as big as a Hen , but much lower , having a broad , flat Bill , a broad Back , short Legs , situate backward , that in swimming it may more strongly strike the water with the finny oars of its Feet : As Aristotle rightly . Hereupon they become less convenient for walking , so that this Bird goes but slowly , and not without some difficulty . Ducks vary infinitely in colours , as do Hens , and other tame fowl .

Between the Duck and the Drake there is this difference , that he hath growing on his Rump certain erect feathers reflected backwards toward the Head , which she hath not . The Duck lays twelve , fourteen , or more Eggs as big as Hens Eggs , and white , with a light tincture of blue or green , the Yolk being of a deeper and redder colour .

The best Physicians ( saith Aldrovand ) disallow the flesh of these Birds , because they are hard and of difficult concoction , and agree not with the stomach : We rather think them disagreeable to the stomach , for their moistness and clamminess than for their hardness , whence also they are apt to produce excrementitious , gross , and melancholic humours . The flesh of wild Ducks is preferred before that of tame , as being more savoury and wholsom .

The Drake hath a certain bony vessel or buble at the divarication of its Wind-pipe , which we are wont to call a labyrinth ; of the use whereof we have said as much as we thought fit , in the first Book at the end of the second Chapter .

Of the vertues and use of the Duck , and its parts in Physic , out of Schroder .

1. A live Duck asswages Colic pains , the feathers being pluckt off , and the naked part applied to the Belly .

2. The Fat heats , moistens , mollisies , digests , discusses . Therefore is of use in inward and outward pains , viz. of the sides and joynts , in the cold distempers of the Nerves , &c.

Note . This Fat is preferred before all others , especially that of the wild Duck.

3. The bloud is * * Good against poison and infection . Alexipharmacal , and hereupon is sometimes received into Antidotes . It is a known history which A. Gellius in the seventeenth Book of his Noctes Atticae , Chap. 16. relates . The Pontic Duck is said to maintain her self by feeding commonly upon Poisons . It is also written by Lenaeus Cn. Pompeys * * A freed man . libertus , that Mithridates , that King of Pontus , was skilful in Physic , and cunning in remedies of that kind : And that he was wont to mingle their bloud in Medicaments , which were of force to digest and carry off Poisons ; and that that bloud was the most effectual ingredient in such Confections . Moreover that the King himself by the use of such Medicines did secure himself against the secret practices of such as sought to poison him at Feasts and Banquets . Yea , that he would wittingly and willingly for ostentation sake often take a draught of violent and quick poyson , and yet received no harm by it . Wherefore afterwards when he was overthrown in battel by the Romans , and had fled into the furthest parts of his Kingdom , and resolved to die , and had in vain made trial of the strongest Poisons to hasten his death , he ran himself through with his own Sword .

4. It s dung is applied to the bites of venemous beasts .

§. II. The hooked-bill'd Duck.

IN shape of body and outward lineaments it is very like the common tame Duck ; differs chiefly in the Bill , which is broad , something longer than the common Ducks , and bending moderately downward . The Head also is lesser and slenderer than the common Ducks . It is said to be a better layer .

§. III. The Muscovy Duck : Anas moscata , an Cairina , Aldrov ?

IT is in this kind the biggest of all we have hitherto seen . The colour both of Male and Female is for the most part a purplish black . Yet I once saw a Duck of this kind purely white . About the Nosthrils and the Eyes it hath red * * Tuberous naked flesh . Caruncles . It hath a hoarse voice ; and scarce audible , unless when it is angry . Its Eyes are rounder than ordinary : Those of the young ones at first are of a sordid green , afterwards become continually whiter and whiter .

§. IV. The Cairo-Duck of Aldrovand .

THese Ducks Aldrovand thus briefly describes . They exceed ours in bigness of body . The Male also in this kind is bigger than the Female . It Bill where it joyns to the Head is very thick and tuberous ; thence to the very tip it is continuedly narrower , till it ends in a sharp and crooked hook : It is of a black colour excepting toward the end , where it hath a good large red spot , and in its beginning another small one of the same colour , but more dilute . It s Head was black and tufted : Its Throat just under the Bill was powdered with whitish specks . The Eyes yellow , wherein appeared many little sanguine veins . The whole body almost was also black . The feathers of the Back in the beginning , and also in the middle , were black , in the end green , or at least black , with a tincture of green . In the Wings also and in the Tail were some green feathers to be seen , and one or two white ones , which made a kind of white spot . The Legs were very strong , but short , coming near to a Chesnut colour , as did also the feet . The Female was less than the Male , and had a less tuberous Bill , where it was joyned to the Head , marked with a pretty broad line , partly white , and partly red . Besides , that spot we mentioned , which in the Bill of the Male was red , in the Bill of this was of an ash-colour , wherewith something of red was mixt : Else it was of a colour from black inclining to cinereous , if you except two whitish spots , which in the middle of the Bill turning one to another , each by it self formed the letter C. It had no tuft on its black Head . Its Breast also was of the same colour , spotted with white pricks . The Back as in the Male , but the Wings were much greener than his , and spotted also with two white spots . In other particulars it differed little or nothing from him .

§. V. * The Guiny Duck : Anas Libyca , Aldrov . and Bellon . which we take to be the same with the Muscovy and Cairo Duck.

THis kind of Duck Bellonius thus describes . A few years agone a certain kind of Ducks began to be kept in France , of a middle size , between a Goose and a Duck , having a broken voice , as if it had distempered or ulcerated Lungs . Now there is so great plenty of them in our Country , that they are every where kept in Cities , and publicly exposed to sale : For at great entertainments and Marriage Feasts they are sought for and desired . They have short Legs : The Male is bigger than the Female ; and , as is usual in other Birds , of a different colour , so that it is hard to ascribe any certain colour to it , unless one would say that it comes near to a Duck-colour . They are for the most part either black or particoloured . They have a Bill in a manner different from Geese and Ducks , hooked at the end , also short and broad . In the Head rises up something of a red colour like a Crest , but much different from a Cocks Comb. For it is a certain tuberous eminency , situate between the Nosthrils , exactly resembling the figure of a red Cherry . The Temples near the Eyes are without feathers , the skin shewing like a red hide ; of the same substance with that Cherry-like bunch between the Eyes : By which Marks I think it may be certainly known and distinguished from other Birds . But this one thing may seem very strange in this Bird , that it hath so great a privy member , that it is an inch thick , and of four or five inches length , and red like bloud . If it were not very chargeable many more of them would be kept than are : For if you give them but meat enough they will lay many Eggs , and in a short time hatch a great number of Ducklings . Their flesh is neither better nor worse than that of a tame Goose or Duck.

This seems to me to be the very same Bird with Aldrovands Cairo-Duck , for most of the marks do agree , as will appear to him who will take the pains to compare the descriptions ; and also the same with our Muscovy Duck. For Scaligers Indian Duck , which Aldrovand makes the same with his * * African or Guinny Duck. Libyc , is the same with our Muscovy-Duck , or we are very much deceived . So that I strongly suspect our Muscovy-Duck , the Guinny Duck of Bellonius , and Aldrovands Cairo-Duck , yea , and Gesners Indian Duck too , to be all one and the same bird , more or less accurately described . Perchance also the Birds themselves may differ one from another in those tuberous eminencies and naked skin about the Bill , and upon the Bill between the Nosthrils .

§. VI. * Gesners Indian Duck , which perchance may be also the same with our Muscovy .

THere is with us ( saith he who sent us [ Gesner ] the figure and description of this Bird out of England ) a Duck brought out of India , of the same shape of body , the same Bill and Foot with the common Duck , but bigger and heavier by half than it . It s Head is red like bloud , and so is a good part of the Neck adjoyning , on the back-side . All that red is a callous flesh , and divided by incisures ; and where it ends at the Nosthrils , it lets down a Caruncle of a different figure from the rest of the flesh , like that of a Swans , contiguous [ or joyned ] to the Bill . It s Head is bare of feathers , and that part also of the Neck which is red , save that on the top of the Head , through the whole length of it , there is a crest or tuft of feathers , which when it is angry it sets up . Under the Eyes at the beginning of the Bill the skin is spotted with black spots placed in no order : Above the Eye also are one or two spots tending upward . The Eye is yellow , separated from the rest of the Head by a circle of black . Under the further end of the Eye backwards is a singular spot separated from the rest . The whole Bill is blue , only it hath a black spot at the tip . The feathers all along the rest of the Neck are white . At the setting on of the Neck is a circle of black , spotted with a few white spots , and unequal , narrower below , broader above . Behind this circle the Plumage of all the lower Belly is white , of the upper side of body brown , but the white Plumage is divided at the top by that black circle . The ends of the Wings and the Tail are of a shining green like Cantharides . The skin of the Legs is brown , with light , circular incisures . The membrane between the intervals of the Toes is more pale , sprinkled with two or three brown spots , placed in no order , except in the left foot , where there are six set in arrow alongst the outmost Toe . It walks softly by reason of the heaviness of its body . It s voice is not like that of other Ducks , but hoarse , like a mans that hath his Jaws and Throat swoln with a cold . The Cock is bigger than the Hen. The Hen is like the Cock , but hath not such variety of colours . It gets its living out of muddy waters , and delights in such other things as the common Duck doth .

There are many things in this description , which do perswade me , that this Bird also is no other than our Muscovy Duck : As , equal bigness , naked tuberous flesh about the Bill , a hoarse voice , the Cock being bigger than the Hen , &c. Nor is the diversity of colours a sufficient argument of the contrary : For that they ( as we have often said ) in tame Birds of the same kind vary infinitely .

§. VII . The Brasilian Ipeca-guacu of Piso .

IT is a domestic , whole-footed bird , reputed for the goodness of its flesh . As to the bulk and shape of its body it is of a middle proportion between our Country Ducks and Geese ; but in the beauty of its feathers and colours excells them both . It s Bill from the end to the middle is yellow : The middle of its Head is curiously tinctured with red ; the whole body from the crown to the Tail being of a delicate white colour like a Swans . It hath Ducks Feet , of a yellowish red . It feeds fat as well upon Land , as in Pools . For the goodness of its flesh it is not inferiour to our Ducks , and had in esteem by persons of quality . It is a fruitful bird , lays great Eggs , and a great many , almost all seasons of the year , dispatching its sitting in a short time . It is also salacious ; its penis and other internal parts serving for generation , being more than usually strong and great . As for its bowels and entrails , they are of like constitution and make with those of our Ducks .

AN APPENDIX TO THE History of Birds . Containing Such Birds as we suspect for fabulous , or such as are too briefly and unaccurately described to give us a full and sufficient knowledge of them , taken out of Franc. Hernandez especially .

Of the foolish Sparrow .

THis Bird is deservedly famous for its notable folly . It is not afraid of them that go to catch it , but sits still with a great deal of confidence till they lay their hands upon it , not offering to fly away , but only seeming to wonder what they intend to do . It is a Sea-fowl , and feeds upon fish . It hath the cry of a Jay ; is of the bigness of a Mag-pie , of the shape and colour of the Gull , excepting that part of the forehead next the Bill , which is cinereous ; whole-footed . It s Bill is three inches long , slender , round , and streight , only a little crooked near the tip : Its Legs and Feet ( which are like those of other whole-footed Birds ) black : Its Pupil is also black , but the membrane about the Pupil grey .

The tameness of the Birds of the Island Cerne is well known and celebrated . They alight upon the heads and shoulders of the Mariners that go ashore there , as it were upon trees , and suffer themselves without difficulty to be caught , coming readily to hand .

Of the Bird called Daie laying great Eggs.

THe Bird called Daie is remarkable for the extraordinary and unusual nature or manner of its Eggs and Young . It is not bigger than a Pigeon , and tolerable good meat . For its Nest it scrapes a hole with its Feet and Tail in sandy grounds four spans deep ; where when the rains fall it lays its Eggs , ( which are bigger than Goose-eggs , almost as broad as ones fist , called by the Natives Tapun ) fifty or more in number , being of a gross and fat substance , without any Yolk in them , which roasted or boiled are good wholsom food , but fried * * Coarse . tough , bad , and of hard concoction .

It is very strange [ more strange I dare say than true ] that so little a Bird should lay so great Eggs , and so many together , and in such deep vaults under ground , and that being there hidden they should be hatched without being ever sitten upon or cherished by the old ones , and that the Young once hatched should of themselves presently fly away .

I dare boldly say that this History is altogether false and fabulous . For though some Birds lay very great Eggs ( as for example , Puffins , Guillemots , Razor-bills , &c. ) some also build in holes under ground . Yet such lay but one Egg , not a great many before they sit . Neither do I think that there is any Bird in the world whose Eggs want the white .

Of the Guitguit that sets upon Ravens .

A Little body contains a great spirit and courage . There is a very small Bird ( Guitguit the Indians call it ) like the Wren , of a green colour , and sweet-tasted flesh . Such is the wonderful force of nature , that this Bird , as little as it is , and next to nothing , dares set upon and pursue whole flocks of Ravens , and forces them to hide themselves from it , and to take shelter among the Reeds .

I suppose that this story is feigned in imitation of what the Ancients have delivered concerning the Wren , viz. that with great courage [ indeed fool-hardiness ] she dares enter combat with the Eagle .

Of the Bird called Maia .

THere is another sort of small Birds , especially in the Island Cuba , that fly in flocks , and waste the fields or plantations of Rice , ( which grain grows abundantly , and is of much use in those Countries ) called Maia , of a fulvous colour , its flesh pleasant , of easie concoction , and yielding a plentiful nourishment : Whose Stomach , ( or rather Craw ) and first receptacle of nourishment , is on the back side of the Neck : A wonderful and singular thing , of which there is not another instance in nature .

Of the Yayauhquitotl or long-tail'd Bird.

THere proceed from the end of the Tail [ or Rump ] of this Bird two feathers longer than the rest , below naked , without any lateral hair-like bodies , adorned at the tips with blue and black Vanes . The body of the Bird is as big as a Stares , particoloured of blue , green , fulvous , and grey . Perchance this may be the same Bird which Marggrave hath accurately described under the title of Guira-guainumbi .

Of another sort of Xochitenacatl , that is the Toucan or Brasilian Pie .

THis Bird breeds and feeds on the shores of the Southern America , being of the bigness of a Pigeon , with a thick , sharp-pointed , black Bill , black Eyes , and a yellow Iris. The Wings and Tail are particoloured of black and white , a black list reaching from the Bill to the very end of the Breast , yet is there some yellow about the forepart of the Wings . The rest of the body generally is of a pale colour , excepting the Feet and Legs , which are brown , and the Claws , which from white incline somewhat to a pale yellow . It lives about flowring trees , feeding upon the honey it sucks out of their flowers . It breeds its Young in the Spring , and is much esteemed by the Tototepecenses , in whose Country it is very frequent .

Of the Bird called Momot .

THis abides and delights in hot Countries . It is of the bigness of a Dove ; hath scarlet-coloured Eyes , with a black Pupil : A crooked , blackish Bill , almost three inches long , sharp-pointed , the nether Chap shorter , the upper serrate : A blue Head , like a Peacocks ; brown Feet , the rest of the body green . What is rare and extraordinary in this Bird is , that it hath in its Tail one quil longer than the rest , and which is feathered only at the end , [ This is , I dare say , more strange than true : For the Tails of all Birds I ever yet saw have their feathers growing by pairs , that is , two of a sort , on each side one , ] and that so beautiful a Bird should be of no use , but for its feathers .

Of the Verminous Bird or Tuputa .

THis Bird seems to be of a strange nature , as we gather from its note , from which it took its name Tuputa ; but it is , and deservedly , more famous for its singular putrefaction . For while it is living it is wholly stuft with worms instead of flesh , all its members and muscles being full of them . Nothing of flesh besides these and the skin . Yet they do not eat or make their way through the skin , which is adorned with thick-set feathers . It abides among Sedge , and in grassie places . For shape of body it is like a Pheasant , but lesser .

What is here delivered concerning this Bird , if understood generally of all the individuals of this sort we are so confident to be false , that we think it needless to spend time in the confuting of it . This however we thought fit to signifie to the Reader , lest he should imagine we gave any credit to the story .

Of the Mozambick Hens .

THe feathers , flesh and bones of these Hens are so black that being boil'd one would think they had been sodden in ink ; yet are they thought to be very savoury , and far better than those of other Hens . This history is as true as the precedent .

Of the laughing Bird or Quapachtototl .

MIrth is often unsecure . Quapachtototl or the fulvous Bird imitates humane laughter , and yet is dreaded and hated by the Indians as inauspicious and ominous , fore-boding some evil or mischief . The body [ from Bill to Tail ] is eight inches long ; and the Tail as much . The Bill from blue inclines to black , being pretty long and crooked . The circle about the Pupil of the Eye is white : The Breast cinereous : The Belly from thence to the Tail black . The Tail of a dark fulvous : But the Wings , Neck , and Head fulvous , whence it got its name among the Indians . They say it is pleasant and wholsom meat .

Of the Water-Quail or Acolin .

A Certain brown Bird of the Lake of Mexico is called Acolin , because it is of the bigness of a Quail . It hath a long Bill , bending downward ; and long Legs . It runs very swiftly near the top of the water : And seldom or never flies . It feeds upon fish : And it self is made food by man .

Of the Cornet Ducks .

THere is a certain sort of Ducks in Asia , which one may not underservedly reckon among Cornets or Horn-winders : Their voice doth so nearly resemble the sound of a horn such as Post-boys use . This same Bird though it be feeble and weak , yet is it bold and stout , and the Turks have a perswasion that it frightens and drives away evil spirits . Certes it is so constantly desirous of liberty , that though it be kept up and fed three whole years in a Cage , if it get an opportunity of escaping , it will prefer its liberty before its ease , and fly away to its natural and usual haunts and manner of living .

Of Birds that cannot stand .

THe Indians call a sort of Duck with a black Bill , indifferently broad ; tho whole body almost being white , black , and grey , but about the Head and Neck purple , white , blue , green , and changeable according as it variously reflects the Sun-beams , like the Heliotrope stone , or a Peacocks head , Yztactzon Yayauhqui , or the Bird of a particoloured Head . Its Legs and Feet are red : Its food like that of other marshbirds . It is a Bird of passage , coming to the Lake of Mexico at a certain season . We must not omit to tell you , that this Bird like the Acitli or Water-Hare cannot walk but only swim ; the Legs of both growing in like manner at the very end of their bodies .

Of the broad-bill'd Bird or Tempatlahoac .

THere is a certain sort of wild Duck among the Indians , called by them Tempatlahoac , [ the Spaniards , Natives of America , call it a Swallow ] of the bigness of a tame Duck , and therefore called among the Indians by the same name . It hath a broad , long Bill , all over black ; A white Tongue : Pale-red Legs and Feet : Its Head and Neck shine with green , purple and black colours , like those of a Peacock , or the heliotrope stone . Its Eyes are black , and Iris pale : Its Breast white : But the rest of the body beneath fulvous , and adorned with two white spots on both sides near the Tail ; above beautified with certain semicircles , the circumference of which from white tended to brown , the middle or inner part from black to a shining green . The Wings at the setting on [ or beginning ] are blue , next white , and then lastly of a shining green . Yet their extremes are on one side fulvous , on the other side shining and green . The circumference of the Tail both above and beneath is white , else it is black underneath , and of a Peacock colour above . This also is a stranger coming from some other Country to the Lake of Mexico , and its flesh is such kind of meat as that of other marsh Birds .

Of the crested Eagle .

THis is a beautiful kind of Eagle , and as it were crowned like a Kingly Bird ; the Indians call it Yzquauhtli . It s Bill is yellow at the root , then black ; Its Talons black : Its Feet of a pale colour : Its Legs and Belly mingled of black and white : Its Neck fulvous ; its Back and Tail black and brown : Its crest or crown black . It is about as big as a common Ram ; and is as stout and hardy as the fiercest creatures , so that being reclaimed and kept tame upon a sleight provocation , it will assault and fly upon even men themselves . Yet is it very tame and gentle , and becomes as fit and serviceable for hawking as other Hawks , of which it is a kind .

Of the Bird having three tunes , or notes .

A Small Bird that sings very sweetly is found in Hispaniola . It sings in three several voices or notes , varying its tune with almost indivisible modulations : from a sharp note presently falling down to others , that it seems to utter them all together , and with one breath to form several notes , as if they proceeded from three throats . An anonymous manuscript Author , who affirms that himself hath heard , thinks that there is no bird in the World sings more pleasantly , yea , that it clearly excels the Nightingale in the almost inexplicable sweetness of its accents . This Bird he saith he saw not , only heard it : But from the testimony of others he declares that it is very beautiful , and adorned with wonderful variety of lovely colours .

Of the Water-Sparrow .

A Cototloquichitl or the Water-Sparrow , the Cock sings pertinaciously without intermission . From Sun-rising to Sun-setting it chirps and cries stiffly with a noise like the squeaking of Mice . It gratifies the Palate more than the Ear. It sits upon Rushes and Seggs , and among them it builds . For bigness and shape it resembles a Sparrow , yet its Bill is black ; its Legs and Feet fulvous . The lower or underside of the body is for the most part white : The rest fulvous , varied with a kind of white and black . It is found in the coasts of Mexico .

This Bird is not much unlike that we have intitled the Reed-Sparrow .

Of the hoarse Bird.

THe ludicrous motion and contraction of its Neck at pleasure hath ennobled the Acaca cahucactli , or water bird that cries hoarsly : For the hoarseness of its voice hath given it its name , It is of that kind of Halcyons [ King-fishers ] which our Country-men [ Spaniards ] are wont to call Martinet Pescador , which naturally frequents Rivers and Streams of water to get its food . It is a little less than a wild Duck , having its Bill and Neck of a spanlong : Its Bill is about three fingers breadth long , of a moderate thickness , ending in a sharp point , and very fit to strike and peck withall , black above , white underneath , and pale about the sides . The Pupil of the Eye is black , the Iris next the Pupil red , then pale , and at last white . From the Eyes to the rise of the Bill proceeds a * * Or Swathe . line [ fascia ] of a pale green . Its Legs and Feet ( which are cloven into toes , are green on the out-side , on the inside incline to paleness . The colour of the whole body is for the most part white , with fulvous feathers intermixt : But the upper side inclines more to brown , the underside is whiter . The Wings underneath are grey ; above about the extremes black , next from fulvous inclining to red , then from fulvous declining to pale , and lastly near the Back fulvous . It feeds and lives upon fishes , very easily becomes tame , and sings not unpleasantly ; but must be carefully and tenderly fed with worms , and water-insects . You may also for want of other more natural food give its flesh to eat . It yields a gross nourishment , not unlike to that which wild Ducks afford . It is native of the Country of Mexico , and breeds in the Spring among the Rushes . Whereas the Neck , in comparison with the rest of its body , is very long , it is wonderful strange into what a shortness it can contract it ; which it is commonly wont to do . It s Tail is little and black , shewing something of splendour , and widening into a greater breadth . * * Here seems to be some fault in the Copy , the following sentence arguing the word Tolcomoctli to be the name of another though like Bird. They call it by its Country-name Tolcomoctli . This Bird would be altogether like its fellow , were not its Bill black above ; and red underneath , as also its Legs and Feet : And the colour of its whole body fulvous and black promiscuously .

Of the Hoactzin .

IT s use in Physic recommends the bird Hoactzin , that utters a sound like its name . It is almost as big as a Turkey ; hath a crooked Bill , a white Breast inclining to yellow : Wings and Tail spotted at intervals of an inch distance : Of a white and pale colour ; the Back and upper part of the Neck fulvous , but both inclining to brown ; as do also the temples of the Head as far as the Bill and Eyes . It hath black Claws , and dusky Legs . It hath a crest made up of feathers from white inclining to a pale colour , but their back-side black . It feeds upon Snakes . It hath a great voice , representing a kind of howling . It appears in the Autumn , and is by the Natives accounted an unlucky bird . Its bones asswage the pain of any part of mans body by launcing . The smoak or suffumigation of its feathers brings them to their right mind who grew distracted by any sickness . The ashes of its feathers taken inwardly cure the French Pox , giving marvellous help . It lives in hot Countries , as is Yautepec , and very often is found sitting upon trees near Rivers .

Of the dry Bird or Hoactli .

NEither is the Hoactli or Tobactli , that is , the dry bird , feeding about the Lake of Mexico , a contemptible spectacle . From the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail it is three spans long , and of the bigness of a common Hen. Its Legs are a foot long : Its Bill is five inches long , [ perchance he may mean 1 ⅓ of an inch , the words are , Cum uncia trientem , ] and an inch thick , black above , pale on the sides , and underneath black and brown . Its Eyes are great ; it s Iris yellow , and Eye-lids red . The crown of the Head is covered with black feathers , and adorned with a crest in like manner black . It s Neck , Breast , Belly , and whole body are white , but its Tail ash-coloured , as are also its Wings above , for underneath they are whiter . The upper parts of its Wings shine with a kind of greenness . The Back though it be covered with white Plumage [ or down ] yet is wont to be invested with black feathers , inclining to a shining green . The Feet which are cloven into Toes , and also the Legs are pale . It s Head is compassed with a white wreath or ring proceeding from the rise of the Bill to the Eyes . It is a stranger to the Lake of Mexico , coming from some other place ; and is called by Spaniards Natives Martinete pescador , from its catching of fish , upon which it feeds . It breeds among the Reeds ; it bites shrewdly ; and hath a great flat voice .

Of the Wind-bird , Heatototl .

HEatototl or the Wind-bird is also worthy to be beheld . It is adorned with a great orbicular crest , standing up like a crown , and a little whitish . It s Breast from brown inclines to cinereous : Its Belly is white , and Feet flat : Its Legs and the feathers growing about them fulvous . It s Tail is round underneath varied with white and a sooty colour , but above brown : Its Wings underneath are white , ash-coloured and sooty , above black , yet with some white feathers interspersed . In other respects it is of the same nature with other Water-fowl , and like to the other Heatototle , which is something less then a tame Duck , with a black , slender round Bill , and near the end wreathen : Its feathers underneath white , but above near the Thighs fulvous . Its Wings underneath are ash-colour , but above brown , black , and white . It s Head is black and crested ; but from the hinder part of the Head black stroaks proceed on both sides to the Eyes , which are black , with a yellow Iris. In other things they are like to birds frequenting Fens and Marshes .

Of Achalalactli and Amalozque , birds with rings about their necks .

IT s silver-coloured ring adorns the Neck of Achalalactli , or the Bird that tosses and throws fishes about . Some call it Michalalactli . It is of the bigness and shape of a Dove , hath a black , sharp Bill , three inches long , and thick for the proportion of its body . It s Head is adorned with a long crest , from blue inclining to black . It s Belly is covered with white feathers , and its Neck beautified with a white ring . Its Wings underneath are white , but their ends brown , spotted with white : Above , like the rest of the body , blue , but their extreme parts black , and spotted every where with white specks . It s Tail is partly black , partly blue , but at intervals also varied with white spots . Its Legs are red ; its Feet divided into Toes , ending in black Claws : Its Eyes black , and Irides white . It is a * * Not native of it , being a bird of passage . stranger to this Country of Mexico , and frequents Rivers and Fountains , feeding upon little fish and water Insects . It is edible , but of like taste and nourishment with other Fen and Marsh birds .

Nor is the Amalozque or red-neckt bird of less beauty . It is also a Marsh-bird , of the bigness of our common Turtle-dove : Its Legs and Feet ( which are divided into Toes ) being of a delayed red , [ or white dashed with red : ] It s Claws black : Its Bill of a moderate length , slender , and black : Its Eyes black , and Irides red . The lower parts of the Breast , Belly , and Wings are white : But its Tail , which is of a moderate bigness , is sprinkled with fulvous and black : But , what is most remarkable , two black collars , distant by the breadth of ones little finger , encompass the Neck and Breast ; the foremost whereof incircles it round , the hindmost fails and disappears in the upper part , [ or above the Neck . ] On both sides are two white spots of equal bigness , above the Eye toward the Neck , and reaching almost to it . The upper part of the body and also the tail are of a white , black , and fulvous colour . But the Wings above fulvous and brown . This Bird is native of the Lake of Mexico , breeding and bringing up its young there in the Spring-time . It s flesh is eaten , and affords like nourishment with that of other Water-fowl . It feeds upon little fishes , Gnats , and other Water-Insects . It hath a louder and stronger cry than sutes to the proportion of its body : yet is it not to be numbred among the clamorous birds .

The healing Wood-pecker , or Tleuquecholtototl .

THis Tleuquecholtototl or Bird with a Head like the Spoon-bill [ Platea . ] It is bigger than a Blackbird , hath a long black Bill , but the nether Chap much the shorter . The crown of the Head , and almost the whole Neck above is red , the lower parts being altogether cinereous . The Wings and Back are black , varied with transverse white lines . It lives in the fields of Pavatlan , in the Province of Totonacapae . It is a kind of Wood-pecker , that perforates trees , the red feathers of whose Head being applied and glued to the Head are reported to cure the Head-ach : Whether they came to be of that opinion , because they grow on the birds Head , or found it to be so by some experiment .

Of the Wood-pecker that breeds in the time when the rains fall .

QUatotoni is a kind of Woodpecker of the bigness of a Hoopoo , varied with a black and brown colour . It s Bill , wherewith it perforates trees , is three inches long , strong and white , the nether Chap the shorter . It s Head is small , covered with a red plumage , adorned also with a red crest , three inches long , and black at top . On each side the Neck goes down a white stroke [ fascia ] as low as the breast . Its Legs and feet are of a livid or lead-colour . It lives not far from the South Sea : Builds upon high trees : Feeds upon Cicadae , or Tlaolli , Worms , and other Insects . It breeds in the time that the rains fall , that is from the month of May to September . It is neither good to eat , nor useful for any thing else that I have heard of .

Of the Queen of the Aurae .

COzcacoauhtli the Indians call a Bird , which they say is the Queen of those fowl the Mexicans call Aurae . It doth not less deserve that name from its constancy or firmness against all the force of blasts , and impulse of winds . It approaches in bigness to the Gnossian Eagles . it s whole body besides the Neck and those parts which are near the Breast is from a black purple , fulvous and dark or sad-coloured . Its Wings underneath about their rise black , else cinereous ; but above mixed of fulvous and black , and something inclining to purple . Its Legs are red , and Claws hooked . The extremes of the Bill ( which one would think were those of a Parrot , they are so undiscernably like ) are white , the rest of the Bill of a sanguine tincture . The Nosthrils are large ; the Eyes black , but Iris fulvous ; the eye-lids red : The forehead died with a sanguine colour , and frowning or wrinkling , which wrinkles it doth sometimes explicate and smooth . In which particular , and also in some thin , scattered hairs , frisled , not unlike Blackmores hairs , it seems to resemble the Turkey . It hath a Tail like an Eagle , grey beneath but black above . It feeds upon Snakes , Mice , and Lizzards that it catcheth ; but especially upon Carrion , or dead beasts , and mans dung . It soars aloft , flying high with its Wings spread , and almost without intermission . It is native of the Province of Mexico , and breeds in the Spring . With an incredible force it resists the Winds , bearing up stiffly against them , and persisting in the same place immovable , let them blow never so boisterously . It s flesh is unuseful for food , not being tasted of by any man , that I have yet known of , but only for Physic . I hear that the Indians do heal Ulcers by applying to them the feathers of this bird outwardly , and giving the Patient its flesh boiled to take inwardly for his food during the distemper : Which they say also is a present remedy for the French Pox.

Of the Garagay .

GAragay is said to be a Bird of prey , of the bigness of a Kite : Having its Head and the ends of its Wings white : Being of short flight , a great destroyer of Crocodiles and Tortoises Eggs. It smells them out though hidden under the sand in the banks of Rivers , scrapes them up and devours them . It is a solitary bird , save that the Aurae follow it that they may partake of its prey : For they cannot scrape in the ground to dig up Eggs.

Of the Hoacton .

THe Female of this Bird , called Hoacton , is a little bigger than the Male called Hoactli , akin to , or like the common Heron ; white on the Neck and Belly , with brown feathers intermixt . The rest of the body is brown , set here and there with white feathers . Its Eyes great , and black , with a pale Iris.

Of the Scarlet-feathered Indian Bird.

THe Iustre of its Wings commends the Acolchichi or red-shouldered bird , and obtained for it of the Spaniards an honourable name , who call these Birds Commendadores , because they resemble the badge or cognizance of those Knights , who wear on their side the like shining red . They seem to be a sort of Stares , which the Spaniards call Tordos , agreeing with them in bigness , colour , and shape , and every where companying with them ; although their shoulders at first appear fulvous , inclining to red , and as they grow older are wholly changed into a I suppose here is the the mistake in the Copy or Author , and that it should be red . fulvous colour . Being kept in Cages they learn to imitate humane speech , and prattle very pleasantly . They eat any thing you offer them , but especially Bread and Indian Wheat . You may find these Birds both in hot and cold Countries : By their numerous flocks they are very troublesome to people living in Towns , especially in hot and maritime Countries . They yield a bad and unpleasant juice ; and build in trees not far from Towns and the commerce of men , wasting and destroying the corn-fields where they light . They sing and play whether they be shut up in Cages , or suffered to walk freely up and down the house .

Of fair-feathered Birds .

ITs feathers have made the Quetzaltototl more precious than gold , and therefore it is called the bird of feathers . It hath a crest , and is in good part adorned with Peacocks feathers , of the bigness of a Pie or Pigeon , having a crooked yellow Bill , and Feet something yellow . The Tail is composed of very long feathers , of a shining green , and of a Peacock colour , like for shape to the leaves of Flower-de-luce ; and covered above with other black ones , but beneath and where they touch the Peacock-coloured or purple ones , ( which are in the middle ) inclining to green , as if nature took care of the beauty of the middle feathers . The Crest consists of shining and very beautiful feathers . The Breast and Neck underneath are covered with a red and shining Plumage ; and with a purple [ pavoninâ ] as is also the Back and the sides under the Wings , and the Belly between the Legs ; but the feathers in this last place are of a fainter colour , slender , and soft . The feathers of the Wings are very long , tinctured with a dilute green , and ending in sharp points . The feathers growing on the shoulders are green , but black underneath ; but those between the Wings are something crooked , and of the colour of the * * The word is unguium , it may be the Author may mean humane nails . Claws . The feathers of this Bird are highly esteemed among the Indians , and preferred even before Gold it self ; the longer ones for crests , and other ornaments both of the head and whole body , both for War and Peace : But the rest for setting in feather-works , and composing the figures of Saints and other things ; which they are so skilful in doing , as not to fall short of the most artificial Pictures drawn in colours . For this purpose they also make use of , and mingle and weave in together with these the feathers of the humming bird . These Birds live in the Province of Tecolotlan beyond Quauhtemallam towards Honduras , where great care is taken that no man kill them : Only it is lawful to pluck off their feathers , and so let them go naked ; yet not for all men indifferently , but only for the Lords and Proprietors of them ; for they descend to the Heirs as rich possessions . Fr. Hernandez in some pretermitted annotations adds concerning the manner of taking these Birds some things worth the knowing . The Fowlers ( saith he ) betake themselves to the Mountains , and there hiding themselves in small Cottages , scatter up and down boil'd Indian Wheat , and prick down in the ground many rods besmeared with Birdlime , wherewith the Birds intangled become their prey . They fly in flocks among trees , on which they are wont to sit , making no unpleasant noise with their whistling and singing in consort . They have by the instinct of nature such knowledge of their riches , that once sticking to the Birdlime , they remain still and quiet , not strugling at all , that they may not mar or injure their feathers . The beauty whereof they are so in love with , that they chuse rather to be taken and killed , than by endeavouring to get their liberty do any thing that may deface or prejudice them . They are said to pick holes in trees , and therein to build and breed up their Young . They feed upon Worms , and certain wild * * I suppose this word is mistaken , for what pinnae sylvestres mean I know not . Pinnae , of that sort which the Mexicans are wont to call Matzatli . They love the open air , nor hath it been yet found , that ever they would be kept tame , or brought up in houses . They make a noise not much unlike Parrots : But they have a chearful and pleasant whistle , and they sing thrice a day , to wit , in the Morning , at Noon , and about Sun-set .

Next to the Quetzaltototl the Tzinitzian is most esteemed . It is a small bird , almost as big as a Dove , clothed with feathers of many colours , with which the Natives compose Images and Figures of wonderful subtilty and curiosity : For from this artifice they are become known and famous all the world over . These they use and make shew of on Feast days , in War , in their Temples , and public Merriments and Dancings . It s Bill is short , crooked , and pale ; its Head and Neck like a Doves , but covered with green and shining feathers . It s Breast and Belly are red , excepting that part which is next the Tail : For that is died with blue and white promiscuously . It s Tail green above , and black underneath : Its Wings partly white , and partly black . The Iris of its Eye is yellow , but inclining to scarlet : The Legs and Feet cinereous . It lives in hot Countries near the Southern Ocean . It is nourished up in Cages , and fed with fruits . It is as beautiful and lovely a Bird as any is , but neither doth it sing , nor is its flesh ( that I know of ) good .

Totoquestal also ( as Antonius Herrera writes ) is a lesser-sized bird than a Pigeon , all over green . The feathers of its Tail are very long , highly prized , and a special commodity used in commerce . It was a capital crime to kill this bird ; wherefore they only pluckt it , and let it go .

Of the Thrushes of Chiappa and Artisicer-Sparrows .

THere is a sort of Thrushes found in Chiappa , which they call Artisicer-Sparrows . They are black only on the Breast , and red on the Head . They feed only upon Acorns . With their Bill they perforate the barks of Pine-trees ; and in each hole fitly accommodate or stick in an acorn , so that by the hand it cannot be pluckt out ; and so very elegantly set the Pine-tree round with Acorns . Then sticking to the bark with their Feet , they strike the A corn with their Bill , and devour the kernel .

Of the long bird or Hoitlallotl .

HOitlallotl or the long bird is more taken notice of for its running than for its feathers . From the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail ( which also is a span long ) it is extended nine inches . It s Bill is black above , cinereous underneath , three inches long , and moderately thick . It s Tail is green , but with a purplish splendour . The feathers of the whole body from white tend to fulvous , but toward the Tail from black to the same colour . Yet the feathers on the upper side of the body are black , sprinkled with white spots . It flies near the ground , and makes but short slights ; but runs so swiftly that it far exceeds the speed of the fleetest horses . It lives in hot Countries , and yields no very desirable nourishment .

Of Indian Quails .

THose of New Spain call Quails Colin . These are like our Country Quails , though they be without doubt to be referred to the kind of Partridges . There are found many sorts of them in New Spain : Some brown and crested , which they call Quauhtzonecolim ; of a moderate bigness , and a remarkable , but mournful cry : Others brown in like manner , but without crests , and a little less : Others , the biggest of all , of a fulvous colour , but their Heads varied with white and black , the ends [ extremis ] of their Wings and Back white , their Bill and Feet black . They are all ( as I said ) like to the Spanish Quails , very good and pleasant meat , provided you kill them two or three days before they be rosted and served up . Physicians allow sick persons to eat of their flesh : Neither is there any Fowl among the Indians , next to tame Poultry , whose flesh is to be preferred before it , either for wholsomness or taste . They have a tune like our Quails , and some a more pleasant one than others . They are kept in Coops , and fed either with common or Indian Wheat ; and are common in many parts of this Country .

The same Author [ Fr. Hernandez ] of the Coyolcozgue or sounding Quail in another place writes thus . It is one among many other sorts of Colin or Mexican Quails , of which we shall speak singly : like to our Quails for bigness , note , feeding , flight , and conditions , but of a different colour ; above mingled of fulvous and white , underneath only fulvous ; yet the crown of the Head and the Neck are set with black and white feathers ; which make seams or strakes on each side from the Neck to both Eyes . The Eyes are black , and the Legs fulvous . It is native of this Country , and frequent in the open fields , as is the common Quail , and yields a like nourishment , coming next to the Spanish Partridge , of which it is a sort .

Colcuicuiltic or the Quails Image is also a sort of Quail varied with white , black , and scarlet Plumes ; above rather produced in lines than round spots , underneath disposed rather into thick-set spots than lines . Its Feet and Legs are blue : But for its note , bigness , conditions , and all other qualities , it is altogether like the precedent .

Acolin is of the bigness of a Stare , hath pale-green Legs and Feet , divided into four pretty long Toes . It s Bill is yellow , and of the longest for the proportion of its body , slender also , and sharp-pointed : Its Eyes black , its Irides fulvous , and Head small , The under side of the body is white , the sides spotted with brown : The upper surface of the body and the Tail ( which is short ) are fulvous , but spotted with black ; lines of white encircling all the feathers , sprinkled or powdered sometimes with specks of the same colour . It frequents Lakes , and hath a fishy taste , yet is it no unpleasant meat . It feeds usually upon Worms , Flies , and other Insects flying about the Fens . It breeds in the Lake of Mexico . It s Head glisters with a wonderful variety of colours , a black line dividing it in the middle , and others of a grey or ash-colour distinguishing the sides : The exteriour corners being pointed with small white spots . The Neck and Breast are grey [ cinerea , ] the rest of the Plumage from fulvous rather incline to green .

Of the Snow-bird or Ceoan .

IT is a little bigger than a Thrush : Esteemed of for imitation of humane speech : About the Breast , Belly , and setting on of the Wings fulvous ; near the Tail are grey feathers mingled with the fulvous . The ends of the Wings and the Tail it self underneath are cinereous : But above , all the body is of a dark brown . The Bill , ( which is small and slender ) and the Legs are fulvous : The Chin is white , yet having some black feathers intermixt . It imitates humane speech , mocking , and as it were deriding those that pass by : Whom yet if it may it will follow .

Of the Cenotzqui or Snow-calling bird .

IT deserves its name , because before it snows it cries , afterwards is silent . It is remarkable for variety of colours : Having a fulvous Breast , pale Legs , black Claws , a Belly spotted with black and white . Under the Wings it is white and ash-coloured ; above fulvous , black , and then cinereous spotted with black , and near the ends or tips speckled with white . It s Tail underneath is black and white , above fulvous , spotted with black . It s Head is black , encircled with a wreath of grey : Its Bill small , grey both above and beneath , but above near its rise encompassed with a yellow line . Its Eyes are black , and Eye-lids pale . It endures any kind of air or weather , but abides in mountainous places , and in the Spring-time breeds and brings up its Young . It so turns its Head up and down , winding its Neck every way , that abiding immovable in the same site it can look round about it .

There is also another sort of this Bird differing in some varieties of colour , having its Head fulvous and grey , its Neck partly black , and partly white , which some call Loceto .

Of the Bird called Pauxi .

I Take this to be the same with the Mitu of Marggravius , and with the Mountain Bird or Tepetototl above described . The whole difference is in the Crest , instead whereof this Bird hath a certain tumour at the root of its Beak , of the figure of a Pear , and the hardness of a stone ; of a blue colour like that of the Turcois stone . In another place he saith , that this tumour called a stone , though it be not over-hard , is like an Egg or bigger , of a rusty colour .

Of Picicitli .

THe small Bird called Picicitli appears after showers : It is noted for the obscurity of its original . The Tetzcoquenses do not yet know where it breeds . It is a mute Bird , brought up in the house it soon dies and decays . It gratifies both the Palate and Stomach . It is all over ash-coloured , except the Head and Neck , which are both black : Only a white spot encompasses its black Eyes .

Of the * * Of many notes . Polyglott Bird.

I Saw , heard , and admired a small Bird brought to Madrid , the Queen of all singing Birds , that could command any voice or tune . The Indians from its multiplicity of notes call it Cencontlatolli or four hundred tongues . It is not bigger than a Starling , white underneath , brown above , with some black and white feathers intermixt ; especially next the Tail , and about the Head which is encircled with the likeness of a silver crown . It is kept in Cages to delight the ear , and for a natural rarity or rather wonder . It excells all Birds in sweetness and variety of Song , and perfect command of its voice ; imitating the note of any sort of Bird whatsoever , and excelling its exemplar . It goes far beyond the Nightingale . I my self kept it a long time , It is content with any meat ; it loves hot Countries , but can abide temperate .

Tzaupan is like to this . Some suspect that it is only the Hen of the same sort , they being equal in bigness , singing alike , and agreeing in shape , saving that the feathers underneath are white , cinereous , and black , those above sad-coloured , black and white .

Of the singing Night-bird .

CHicuatli or the Night-bird is of the bigness of our Woodcock , hath a long , slender , black Bill , and crooked yellow seams near each Eye . The lower parts of the body are of a pale colour , with a few black feathers intermixt about the Neck . The Eyes are black , with yellow Irides . The rest of the body is of a mingled colour of fulvous , brown , and grey . It lives in the Mountains , and flies low : Being kept in a Cage it prattles or chatters prettily . It is easily brought up , for it is wont to feed upon bread made of Tlaolli , Worms , Gnats , and other Insects . It is taken both in hot and cold Countries ; it feeds fat , and affords no contemptible nourishment . Some there are that call it Chiquatototl from the Owl , being a Bird not less Augural and ominous than that .

Of the Xomotl .

WE owe the protection and coverture of our nakedness not to Sheep and Quadrupeds only ; for the Indians weave the feathers of this Bird into their Garments . It is whole-footed , hath its Back and Wings above black , its Breast brown . When it is angry it ruffles up the feathers upon its Head like a Crest .

Of the Rabihorcado .

THis Bird divides its forked Tail into two parts , sometimes opening , sometimes shutting or drawing them together like a Tailors Sheers : Therefore it is called Rabihorcado , and by the Portughese , Raboforcado .

An account of some Birds of the Ferroe or Ferroyer Islands , out of Hoiers Epistle to Clus .

THe Birds of the first and second Classis are inserted already into this work in their proper places .

In the third Classis or rank ( saith the Author ) I place three Species different in shape , but in this quality very near of kin that they presage storms and tempests , and abide only far out at Sea . The biggest of these is much about the bigness of an ordinary Pullet , [ or middle-sized Hen , ] of the shape of a Falcon. It is commonly , and not improperly , called Haffhert , i. e. The Sea-horse . It is all over of an ash-colour , and every where spotted with white ; it hath a crooked Beak like a Falcons , but shorter . At the sight thereof the Fishermen are horribly afraid , as they are also at the appearance of the two following , and make to the Shoar as fast as they can , being sure that there is a dangerous tempest at hand .

The second , called Stormfinck , is a little bigger than a Sparrow . This also is all grey , but without spots , having a very slender Bill . You might with better reason term this Pegasus than the former : For that you shall to admiration see it with incredible velocity run upon the very Waves , crossing of them as swift as the Wind , being carried on like a storm , as its name imports . If flocks of these draw near to any Vessels at Sea ; experienced Mariners know they must presently lowr their Sails . This Bird seems to have some affinity with that which Oviedus mentions in his fourteenth Book of the natural and general History of the Indies , about the beginning of the first Chapter , telling us , that the Mariners call it Patines : It being of equal velocity in flying even in a troubled and tempestuous Sea , so that one would think it ran with a swift course over the tops of the Waves .

The third Species named Barnfiard , is equal to a Sparrow , white under the Breast , with the Neck and Back black : Its Beak is also black , and somewhat broad : Its Feet red : This is as swift in swimming as the Stormfinck in running . Where these three kinds breed their Young is not known . Whence , in my opinion , among all that we have enumerated they seem to come nearest to the description of the Halcyon ; though in colour they do not altogether agree with Plinies description .

5. In the fifth rank remain to be described two different sorts of wild Geese ; the former whereof , called Helsingegnaas , hath a black Head and Neck encompassed with a white ring , a white Breast , grey Wings , a blue Back , and red Feet . In bigness it answers to a Duck : The other sort [ Erandgaas ] is a little less than a wild Goose . It s Head is grey : Its Neck compassed with a circle of red : Its Breast grey , in like manner its Wings and Neck : Its Feet red . These kinds of Geese are very rarely seen in the Ferroyer Islands , nor do they breed there . Whence they come , and whither they go no man knows . But the Inhabitants have a superstitious conceit , grounded upon long experience , that when they do appear they portend a change of Magistracy of Government . Beside these here is also plenty of common wild Geese .

Gesners Wood-Crow . Aldrov . lib. 19. cap. 57.

OUr Wood-crow is of the bigness of a Hen , black all the body over , if you behold it at a distance . But if you view it near hand , especially in the Sun , the black seems to be mingled with green . Its Feet are almost like a Hens , but longer : Its Toes divided : Its Tail not long . It hath a Crest hanging down backwards from the Head , which I know not whether it be in all Birds of this sort , and always . It s Bill is red , long , and fit to thrust into the narrow chinks and holes of the Earth , Trees , Walls , and Rocks , to fetch out Grubs and Insects lurking there , upon which it feeds . Its Legs are long , and of a dark red . I hear that it feeds upon Grashoppers , Crickets , little Fishes , and Frogs . It builds for the most part in the high Walls of demolished or ruinous Towers , which are common in the mountainous parts of Switzerland . In the stomach of one dissected , besides other Insects I sometimes found very many of those which eat the roots of corn , especially Millet ; the French call them Curtillas , our Countrimen [ the Germans ] Tuaren , from the site of their Feet , as I conjecture . They eat also those Grubs of which the May-flies are bred . They flie very high : They lay two or three Eggs. The first of all ( as far as I know ) fly away about the beginning of June , if I be not mistaken . Their Young taken out of the Nest before they can fly may easily be fed , and made so tame , as to fly out into the fields and return of their own accord . The young ones are commended for good meat , and counted a dainty : Their flesh is sweet , and their bones tender . Those that take them out of the Nests are wont to leave one in each , that they may the more willingly return the following year . They are called by our Country-men , Wald-rapp , that is Wood-Crows , because they are wont to live in woody , mountainous , and desert places : Where they build in Rocks , or old forsaken Towers : Wherefore also they are called Steinrapp , and elsewhere [ in Bavaria and Stiria ] Clauszrapp , from the Rocks , or Crags , and straits between Mountains , which the Germans call Clausen , that is , enclosed places , wherein they build their Nests .

Mr. Willughby suspects this Bird to be no other than the Coracias or Pyrrhocorax : But if it be rightly described its bigness and the crest on its head forbid it .

A SUMMARY OF FALCONRY , Collected out of several Authors .

FAlconry is usually divided into two parts : The first concerning the reclaiming and managing of Hawks : The second concerning the diseases of Hawks , their signs , prevention , and cures . Which method I shall also observe .

In the first part I shall give 1. An Exposition of some words and terms of Art. 2. Some general observations . 3. I shall proceed to the managing and reclaiming of 1. Long-winged Hawks , viz. The Falcon , Ger-falcon , Lanner , Merlin , and Hobby . 2. Short-winged Hawks , viz. The Goshawk , and Sparrow-hawk .

CHAP. I. Terms of Art used in Falconry explained . B. BAting , is endeavouring to fly off the Fist or Pearch to which the Hawk is tied : from the French word Battere . Bathing needs no explication . Bowsing is when a Hawk drinks often , and seems to be continually thirsty . A Brancher , Vide A Ramage Hawk . C. CRabbing is when Hawks , standing too near , fight one with another . A Creance is a fine small long line of fine and even twined Packthred , which is fastned to the Hawks Lease . The Cere is that skin which covereth the base of a Hawks Bill , from the Latine word Cera , signifying Wax , because it is in most birds of prey of the colour of Bees Wax ; The skin of the Legs and Feet , as far as it is bare of feathers , is also so called . Check , or to kill check is when Crows , Rooks , Pies , or other Birds coming in the view of the Hawk , she forsaketh her natural flight to fly at them . Casting is any thing you give your Hawk to cleanse her gorge with , whether it be Flannel , Thrums , Thistle down , Feathers , or the like . What ever you give them of this kind , over-night , or at any other time , it is the nature of these Birds to cast it up again the next morning , or after a convenient time , made up into a lump or pellet . A Cadge is that on which the Falconers carry many Hawks together , when they bring them to sell . To Cope a Hawk is to cut her Beak or Talons . D. DIsclosed is newly hatcht . Dropping is when a Hawk mutes directly downward , and jerketh it not long ways from her . E. TO Endew is when a Hawk digesteth her meat , not only putting it from her gorge , but cleansing her pannel . An Eyas or Nyas Hawk is a Hawk taken out of the Nest , or brought away in the Nest . The Eyrie is the Nest , or place where Hawks build and breed their Young . G. THe Gorge is that part of the Hawk which first receiveth the meat , called in other fowls the Craw or Crop . Gurgiting is when a Hawk is stuft or suffocated with any thing , be it meat or ought else . I. THe Ink , whether it be of Partridge , Dove , or any other prey , is the Neck from the Head to the body . Intermewd is from the first exchange of a Hawks coat , or from her first mewing till she come to be a white Hawk . Jesses are those short straps of leather , which are fastned to the Hawks Legs , and so to the Lease by Varvels , Anlets , or such like . To Imp is to put a feather into Wings or Train , instead of one lost or broken : from the Latine impono . L. THe Lease is a small long thong of leather , by which the Falconer holdeth his Hawk fast , folding it many times about his finger . The Lure is that whereto Falconers call their young Hawk , by casting it up in the air ; being made of Feathers and leather , in such wise that in the motion it looks not unlike a fowl . M. THe Mail of a Hawk is the Breast or Plumage of the Breast in reference to its colour : So they say a Hawk changes the mail , or is white-maild , &c. To mail a Hawk is so to wrap her up in a handkerchief , or other cloth , that she may not be able to stir her Wings or struggle . Muting is the excrement or ordure that comes from a Hawk , and contains both dung and urine . A make-hawk is an old staunch flying Hawk , which being inured to her flight will easily instruct a younger Hawk . To make or manage a Hawk , is by Art to prepare , fit , and instruct her to fly at any game . The Mew is the place , whether it be abroad , or in the house , where you set down your Hawk during the time she changes her feathers . The word mew signifies to change , being derived of the Latine muto . N. THe Nares , i. e. The Nosthrils : It is a Latine word . P. PLuming is when a Hawk seizeth on a Fowl , and plucks the feathers from the body . Plumage are small downy feathers , which the Hawk takes , or are given her for casting . The Pelt is the dead body of any fowl however dismembred . The Pill and pelf of a fowl is that broken remains or refuse , which are left after the Hawk hath been relieved . The Plume is the general colour or mixture of feathers in a Hawk , which sheweth her constitution . A Pearch is that whereon you set down your Hawk when you put her off your fist . The Pannel is that part of the Hawk next her fundament . I take it , they mean the stomach [ ventriculus ] by this word . Q. THe Quarry is the fowl which is flown at , and slain at any time , especially when young Hawks are flown thereto . R. A Ramage-Hawk or Brancher is a young Hawk that hath just left the Nest , but flies not far from it , only leaping from bough to bough , and following the old one . Ramage is also said of a Hawk that is wild , coy , or disdainful to the man , and hard to be reclaimed . Reclaiming is to tame , make gentle , or bring a Hawk to familiarity with the man . A Rufter-hood is the first hood a Hawk wears , being large , wide , and open behind . S. THe Sarcel is the extreme pinion feather in a Hawks Wing . Seizing is when a Hawk takes any thing into her foot , and gripeth or holdeth it fast . Slicing , is when a Hawk muteth from her long-ways , in one entire substance , and doth not drop any part thereof . Stouping is when a Hawk being on her Wings at the height of her pitch , bendeth violently down to strike her prey . Summed is when a Hawk hath all her feathers , and is fit to be taken out of the mew . Setting down is putting a Hawk into the mew . A Sore-hawk is from the first taking her from the Eyrie till she hath mew'd her feathers . To Seel a Hawk is artificially to sow up her Eyes , so that she may see but little . T. THe Train of a Hawk is her Tail . Trussing is when a Hawk raseth a fowl aloft , and so descendeth down with it to the ground . To truss a Hawk is to tye her Wings so as she cannot stir them . U. UNsummed is when a Hawks feathers are not come forth , or not come to their full length . Varvels joyning the Jesses to the Lease . W. WEathering is setting abroad your Hawk to take the air either by day or by night , in the frost or in the Sun , or at any other season .

CHAP. II. Some general Rules and Observations for a Falconer or Ostrager to remark and practise , collected out of Carcanus and other Authors .

1. A Falconer out to learn and mark the quality and mettle of his Hawks , to know which he shall fly with early , and which late .

2. He must be fond of his Hawk , patient with her , and careful to keep her clean of Lice and Mites , &c.

3. He must rather keep his Hawk high and full of flesh than poor and low , being when poor much more subject to infirmities .

4. Every night after flying he must give her Casting , sometimes Plumage , sometimes pellets of Cotton , or the like : Sometimes also he must give her Physic , as by her casting and mewts he shall perceive her to need it .

5. Every night he must make the place very clean under her Pearch , that he may know assuredly whether she hath cast or not ; and by her casting whether she needs scouring , Stones , or the like .

6. He must remember every day to weather his Hawk in the Evening ; excepting such days wherein she hath bathed ; after which in the Evening she should be put in a warm room , on a Pearch with a Candle burning by her , where she must sit unhooded if she be gentle , to the end she may trick her self , and rejoyce by enoiling her after the water , before she fly again . In the morning early he must also set her out to weather , where she may cast , if she hath not done it already , and there keep her hooded till such time as she goes into the field .

7. In feeding his Hawk he must beware of giving her two sorts of meat at one time ; and have a care that what he give her be perfectly sweet .

8. If he have occasion to go abroad , let him not leave his Hawk tied on too high a Pearch , for fear of bating and hanging by the heels , whereby she may spoil her self . Two Hawks must not be set so near as to approach one another , for fear of crabbing .

9. He ought to carry into the field with him mummy in powder , with other medicines ; for frequently the Hawk meets with many accidents , as bruises at encounters , &c. nor must he be unfurnished with Aloes washt , Cloves , Saffron , Casting , Cryance , and such like necessary implements , as coping Irons to cope the Beak and Talons , if need be .

10. He must be able to make his Lures , Hoods , Jesses , Bewets , and other needful furniture .

CHAP. III. Of the reclaiming and managing long-winged Hawks , and first of the Falcon.

§. I. Of the reclaiming and making a Falcon , out of Turbervile , according to Tardiff , as I suppose .

A Falcon newly taken should be seel'd in such sort , that when the seeling begins to slacken , she may see forwards the meat that is streight before her , for she is better content when she sees it so , than if she saw it sideways , or looking back . And she should not be seel'd too streight .

Such a Hawk should have all new furniture , as new Jesses ( maild ) a Lease made with a button at the end , and new Bewets . You must also have a little round stick hanging in a string , with which you must frequently stroak your Hawk . For the more she is handled , the sooner and better will she be reclaimed and manned , she must have two good Bells , that she may the better be found and heard when she stirreth or scratteth . Her Hood must be well fashioned , raised and bossed against her Eyes , deep , and yet streight enough beneath , that it may better abide on her head without hurting her . You must also a little cope her Beak and Talons , but not so near as to make them bleed .

The Soar Falcon , which hath been timely taken , and already passed the Seas , is held by some to be the best Falcon , and also hard to be won and manned : Such an one you must feed with warm meat , as Pigeons , and such like quick birds , until she be full gorged , twice a day for three days . For you must not all at once break her off her accustomed diet , which was warm meat .

When you feed her you must whoop and lure as you do when you call a Hawk , that she may know when you will give her meat .

You must unhood her gently , giving her two or three bits , and putting on her Hood again give her as much more . Be sure that she be close seeled . After three days , if you perceive her feed with a good appetite , begin to abate her meat , giving her but little at once and often till Evening , and bear her late on your fist before you go to bed , setting her near you , that you may wake her often in the night . Before day take her on your fist again , with some quick bird . After two or three nights , when you find she begins to grow gentle , and feed eagerly on good meat , change her diet , giving her sheeps heart , often , but little at once .

Late at Even let her seeling thread a little loose , spouting water in her face , that she may jeouk the less , and watching her all night hold her upon your fist unhooded . But if she see any thing she mislikes , and makes shew of being afraid , carry her into some dark place , where you have no more light but to hood her again . Afterwards give her some beaching of good meat ; and watch her divers nights together till she be reclaimed , and jeouk upon the fist by day . Although to let her jeouk also sometimes in the night will make her the sooner manned . In the Morning by break of day give her warm meat . When she begins to be acquainted you may unhood her in the day time far from company ; at taking off , and after putting on the Hood , giving her a bit or two of meat . For to unhood her in a place where she may be frayed is enough to mar her at first . When she begins to be acquainted with company , and is sharp-set , unhood her , and give her a bit or two , holding her right against your face , for that will cause to dread no company . At night cut the thread wherewith she was seeled . You need not watch her , but only set her by you , and wake her two or three times in the night . For over-watching is not good , if she may be reclaimed otherwise . When you have brought her thus far , then give her washt meat , laid in clear water half a day , and beach her in the morning , that she may always have somewhat in her gorge . Cause her to feed in company , giving her about Sun-rising the wing of a Hen or Pullet , and at Evening take the foot of a Hare or Coney , chopt off above the joynt , and flay it , cutting away the Claws ; steep the skin in fair water ( pressing and wringing it a little ) the which you shall give her with the joynt of the pinion of a Hens wing . Give your Hawk no feathers till she be throughly reclaimed : For till then she dares not cast on the fist : and on the fist you must bear her till she be throughly manned . When she makes semblance to cast , unhood her gently by the tassel of the hood . [ You may give her two days washt meat , and the third Plumage , as she is clean or foul within . ] When she hath cast , hood her again , giving her nothing to eat till she hath gleamed after her casting ; but when she hath cast and gleamed give her a beaching of hot meat in company , by two or three bits at once : And at Evening make her plume a Hens wing , being in company also .

If the feathers of her casting be foul or slimy , and of a yellowish colour , be sure to cleanse her with washt meat and casting : If she be clean within , give her not so strong casting as Hares feet , but the pinion of an old Hens wing , or the neck-bone chopt four or five times between the joynts , washed and steeped in fair water .

§. II. How to lure a Hawk lately manned .

HAving well reclaimed her , throughly manned her and made her eager and sharp-set , then you may venture to feed her on the lure .

But before you shew her the lure you must consider these three things : 1. That she be bold and familiar in company , and no ways afraid of Dogs and Horses . 2. That she be sharp-set and hungry , regarding the hour of the Morning and Evening when you will lure her . 3. That she be clean within . The Lure must be well garnished with meat on both sides , and you must abscond your self when you would give her the length of the Lease . You must first unhood her , giving her a bit or two on the Lure , as she sitteth on your fist : Afterwards take the Lure from her , and so hide it that she see it not ; and when she is unseized , cast the Lure so near her that she may catch it within the length of her Lease ; use your voice according to the custom of Falconers , and feed her upon the Lure on the ground , with the heart and warm thigh of a Pullet . Having so lured her at Evening give her but a little meat , and let this luring be so timely that you may give her Plumage , and the jack of a joynt .

In the Morning betimes take her on your fist , and when she hath cast and gleamed give her a little beaching of warm meat . Afterwards when it is time to feed her , take a Creance , and tie it to her Lease , and go into some pleasant field or meadow , and give her a bit or two on the Lure ; and if you find that she is sharp-set , and hath seized eagerly on the Lure , then give her some one to hold , to let her off to the Lure . Then unwind the Creance , and draw it after you a good way ; and let him which holds the Hawk hold his right hand on the Tassel of the Hawks hood in readiness , so that he may unhood her as soon as you begin to lure : And if she come well to the Lure , and stoop upon it roundly , and seize it eagerly , then let her eat two or three bits thereon . Then unseize her and take her off the Lure , hood her , and deliver her again to him that held her , and going further off lure her , feeding her as before with the accustomed voice . Thus lure her every day further and further off , till she is accustomed to come freely and eagerly to the Lure . After this lure her in company , but have a care that nothing affright her and when you have used her to the Lure on foot , then lure her on horseback , which you may effect the sooner , by causing horsemen to be about you when you lure her on foot : Also you may do it the sooner by rewarding her upon the Lure on horse-back among horsemen . When this way she grows familiar , let some body on foot hold the Hawk , and he that is on horseback must call and cast the Lure about his head . Then must the holder take off the hood by the Tassel : And if she seize eagerly upon the Lure , without fear of man or horse , then take off the Creance , and lure her loose at a greater distance . And if you would have her love Dogs as well as the Lure , call Dogs about you when you feed her , or give her Tiring or Plumage .

§. III. Of bathing a Falcon lately reclaimed , and how to make her flying , and to hate the Check .

HAving weaned your Hawk from her ramageness , she being both ways lured , throughly reclaimed , and likewise in good case , offer her some water to bathe her self in , in a Bason , wherein she may stand up to the thighs , chusing a temperate , clear day for that purpose . Having lured your Hawk , and rewarded her with warm meat , in the Morning carry her to some bank , and there hold her in the Sun till she hath endewed her gorge , taking off her hood , that she may preen and pick her self : That being done hood her again , and set her near the Bason , and taking off her hood let her bathe as long as she pleases : After this take her up , and let her pick her self as before , and then feed her . If she refuse the Bason to bath in , shew her some small River or Brook for that purpose . By this use of bathing she gains strength and a sharp appetite , and thereby grows bold : But that day wherein she batheth give her no washt meat .

If you would make your Falcon upwards , the next day after she hath bathed get on horse-back , either in the Morning or Evening , and chuse out some field wherein are no Rooks or Pigeons : Then take your Lure well garnished on both sides , and having unhooded your Hawk give her a bit or two on the Lure , then hood her : Afterwards go leisurely against the Wind , then unhood her , and before she bate , or find any Check in her eye , whistle her off from your fist fair and softly . As she flieth about you trot on with your horse , and cast out your Lure , not suffering her to fly long about you at first : Continue thus doing Morning and Evening for seven or eight days . But if you find your Hawk unwilling to fly about you , or stoop to the Lure , then must you let her fly with some Hawk that loves the company of others , and will not rove at any Change or Check : And that must first be done at a Partridge , for they will not fly far before the Hawk . If she hath flown twice or thrice , cast out the Lure , and reward her on horse-back , feeding her up to a full gorge , on the ground , with good hot meat , to make her more couragious and resolute in flying , and to return to you with a better will . If the fowl you flew her at be killed by another Hawk , let her feed with him a little , and then further reward her on the Lure .

If you would have your Hawk prove upwards and high-flying , you must let her fly with such as are so qualified . If she love the company of others , and is taught to hold in the Head , then if the Fowl be in Pool , Pit , or Plash , cast off your high-flying Hawk , and let him that hath your new-lured Hawk get under the Wind , and when he seeth his advantage let him unhood her , and if she bate , it is out of desire to get up to the other Hawk . Let him then cast her off , and before she get up to the other , now near his full pitch , lay out the Fowl . If she kill her Game reward her with the heart , and let her partake of the Breast with the other Hawk .

To take your Falcon from going off to any check , thus you must do . If she hath killed a check , and hath feed thereon before you could come in , rebuke her not severely at first , but take her down to the Lure , give her a bit or two , hood her , and fly her not in three or four days ; and if you do , let it be where no checks are : But if you come in before she hath tasted the check she hath killed , then take the Gall of a Hen and anoint the breast of the fowl she hath killed [ any other bitter thing will do , but you must not put on too much ] and this will make her hate to go at Check again , hving little list to fly at such a fowl .

§. IV. How to enseam and make a Falcon , with her castings and scowrings , &c.

THe longer a Falcon hath been in the Falconers hands the harder she is to be enseamed : Because a Hawk that preyeth for her self feeds cleaner and better according to her nature ; and hath the benefit of open air , and more exercise . When you draw your Hawk out of the Mew , if she be greasie , ( which you shall know by the roundness of her thighs , and fulness of her body , the flesh being round , and as high as her Breast bone , ) and if she be well mew'd , and have all her feathers full summed , then give her in the Morning a bit or two of hot meat : at night give her but little , unless it be very cold . If she feed well and freely , then give her washt meat thus prepared : Take the Wings of a Hen or Pullet for her dinner , and wash them in two waters ; and if you give her Hares flesh or Beef , let it be washed in three waters : On the morrow give her the Leg of a Hen very hot , and at Noon meat temperately warm , a good gorge , then let her fast until it be late in the Evening ; and if she have put over her meat , then give her a little warm meat , as you did in the Morning , and thus let her be dieted till it be time to give her Plumage : Which you shall know by three tokens . 1. By the tenderness and softness of the flesh at the end of the pinion of the Wing , above what it was before she eat washt meat . 2. By the mewts being clean and white , the black thereof being right black , and not mingled with any foul thing or colour . 3. If she be sharp-set and plume eagerly . You may give her casting of a Hares or Conies foot , as was before prescribed , or the small feathers on the pinion of an old Hens Wing .

Having set her on the Pearch , sweep clean underneath , that you may see whether the mewt be full of streaks , or skins , or slimy : If it be , then continue this sort of casting three or four nights together ; but if you find the feathers digested and soft , and that her casting is great , then take the Neck of an old Hen , and cut it between the joynts ; then lay it in cold water , and give it your Falcon three nights together : In the day-time give her washt meat after this casting or plumage , as you shall see requisite : And this will bear all down into the pannel .

When you have drawn your Falcon out of the Mew , and her principal feathers be not yet full summed , but some in the quill , do not give her washt meat , but quick birds , and good gorges thereof , and set her as much as may be in open places , for otherwise her feathers may chance to shrink in the quil and come to nothing .

When you feed your Falcon call and lure as if you called her to the Lure , and every day profer her water , and every night give her castings accordingly as she endeweth . Take off her hood frequently in company , that you may hinder her from bating , holding the hood always ready by the Tassel in your hand .

In the Evening by Candle-light take off her hood among company , till she rowze and mewt ; then set her on the Pearch , and not before , setting a light before her .

Every Falcon ought to have a Make-Hawk to teach her to hold in the head : If that will not do , cut off some part of her two principal feathers in each Wing , the long one , and that next to it , which will force her to hold in .

Be sure to reward your Hawk well at the beginning , and let he feed well on the Quarry , which will so encourage her that she will have no fancy to go out to the Check . When she is well in bloud and well quarried , then let her fly with other Hawks .

If you would make your Falcon to the Crane , her Lure should be a counterfeit Crane . If you would make her to the Hare , her Lure should be then a Hares Skin stuft with some light matter : When she is well lur'd , and you would enter her , tie the Hares Skin so stuft to the end of a Creance , and fasten it to your Saddle-pummel , by which means when you gallop it will resemble a running Hare : Then unhood your Hawk , and cry , Back with the Dogs , Back with the Dogs . When you find she hath seized it , let go your Creance , and suffer her to fasten thereon ; then instantly reward her upon it , and encourage her as much as is possible .

When she is well entred after this manner , take a living Hare and break one of her hinder Legs , and having before well acquainted your Falcon with your Dogs by coutinual feeding among them , I say then put your Hare out in some fair place with your Dogs , and the Falcon will stoop and ruff her until the Dogs may take her ; then take the Hare from the Dogs , and cast her out to the Falcon , crying , Back , back there .

If you would make your Hawk flying to the Partridge or Pheasant after she is reclaimed and made , then every time you lure her cast your Lure into some low Tree or Bush , that she may learn to take the Tree or Stand : If she take the Stand before she sees the Lure , let her stand a while , and afterwards draw the Lure out before her , and cry with what words you have acquainted her to understand you by , and then reward her well . After this manner she will learn to take stand .

Feed her always on the ground , or in some thick place , for in such places she must incounter with the Pheasant at Pearch .

At first fly with her at young Pheasant or Partridge , to encourage her by advantage , and afterwards at the old .

If a Falcon will not take stand , but keep on the Wing , then must you fly her in plain places where you may always see her upon you .

Draw your Falcon out of the Mew twenty days before you enseam her : If she truss and carry , the remedy is to cope her Talons , her Powlse and petty-single .

Never reward your Hawk upon River-fowl , but upon the Lure , that she may the better know , love , and esteem thereof .

The Crane ought to be flown at before Sun-rising , for she is a slothful Bird , and you may cast off to her a Cast or Lease of Falcons , or a Goshawk from the Fist , without Dogs . You must fly but once a day at the Crane , after which you must reward your Hawk very well , ever succouring her with the Greyhound , which is the best of Dogs for that purpose .

Give your Falcon a Beaching very early in the Morning , and it will make her very eager to fly when it is time for it .

If you would have her a high-flying Hawk , you must not feed her highly , but she should be fed nine days together before Sun-rising , and at night late in the cool of the Evening .

The Falcon will kill the Hern naturally if she be a Peregrin or Traveller : Yet you will do well to give her Trains .

A Falcon may fly ten times in a day at a River , if the Season be not extreme , but more is inconvenient .

A Hawk ought to have forty Castings before she be perfectly made . And indeed all Hawks ought to have Castings every night , if you would have them clean and sound : For Hawks which have not this continual nocturnal Casting will be surcharged with abundance of superfluous Humours , which ascending to the Brain , breed so great a disturbance that they cannot fly so high as otherwise they would . And it is good to give them Tiring or Plumage at night , especially Field-Hawks , but not River-Hawks , for fear of weakning their Backs .

When your Hawk hath flown or bated , feed her not so long as she panteth , ( but let her be first in breath again ; ) otherwise you may bring her into a disease called the Pantas .

If a Falcon or other Hawk will not seise nor gorge , take the Quill of a Wild-goose , and tie it under her long - Single ; then will she seise and gripe . When she beginneth to seise , take away the said Quill , and she will seise long afterwards .

If you cannot give Covert to your Falcon or Goshawk , then cast her off with the Sun in her back .

CHAP. IV. How to man , hood , and reclaim a Falcon according to an Italian Falconer , quoted by Turbervile .

LEt his Jesses and Bewets be of good Leather , having Bells big and shril according to the proportion of the Hawk , with a Hood that is bossed at the Eyes , and sizable for the Head .

He must use his Hawk in such manner that he may make her grow familiar with him alone , or in company , and to that end he must often unhood and hood her again .

In nine nights the Falconer ought not to let his Hawk jouk at all , nor suffer her to pearch , but keep her during that time continually on his Fist .

When the Falconer would call his Hawk , let him set her on the Pearch , unhood her , and shew her some meat within his Fist , call her so long till she come to it , then feed her therewith : If she come not , let her stand without food till she be very sharp set . Observe this order for about nine days .

When you would lure her , give her some man to hold , and call her with a Lure well garnished with meat on both sides , and give her a bit : Use her to this six or seven days , then cause her to be held farther from you , and cast the Lure about your head , and throw it on the ground a little way from you : if she come to it roundly , reward her bountifully , walking softly about her while she is feeding on the Lure , and using your voice . Having used her to this some certain days , take your Lure garnished as aforesaid , and every day call her to you as far as she may well see or hear you , and let her be loose from all her furniture , without Loins or Creance . If she come freely , reward her , and stop her now and then in her feeding , for that will make her come the better . Call her also sometimes on horseback . After you have thus used her a month , or till she will come freely to you , you may do well to stop the Lure upon her sometimes , and let her fly upon you . Here note , it is requisite to bathe her before you take this course , lest when she is at liberty she rangle to seek water , and in the mean time you lose your Hawk ; wherefore bathe her every seven or eight days , for her nature requireth it .

When you have thus manned , reclaimed , and lured your Hawk , go out with her into the Fields , and whistle her off your Fist , standing still to see what she will do , and whether she will rake out or not : But if she fly round about you , as a good Hawk ought to do , let her fly a Turn or two , and fling her out the Lure , and let her foot a Chicken or Pullet , and having killed it , let her feed thereon .

Unhood he often as you bear her , continue so doing till she hath endewed and mewted sufficiently .

Your Hawk being thus made and mann'd , go abroad with her every Morning when it is fair , and let the place where you intend to fly her be plashy , or some narrow Brook ; and when you cast her off , go into the Wind so far that the Fowl may not discover you . When she is cast off , and beginneth to recover her Gate , make then to the Brook or Plash where the Fowl lie , always making your Hawk to lean in upon you : And when you see her at a reasonable pitch , ( her Head being in ) lay out the Fowl , and land it if you can ; and if you cannot , take down your Hawk , and let her kill some Train , to which end you must always carry some live Fowl with you , as a Duck , &c. And having slipt one of her Wing-feathers , thrust it through her Nares , and cast her up as high as you can underneath your Hawk , that she may the better know your hand . Never fly a young Hawk without some Train , that if she fail to kill the wild Fowl , you may make her kill that .

If you would have your Hawk fly at one particular Fowl more than at another , you wust then feed her well upon a Train of the same kind , as thus : Take a Creance and tie that Fowl you would accustom her to fly to by the Beak , with meat on her back , and cause one to stand close that shall hold the Creance ; then standing a far off unhood your Hawk , and let the Fowl be stirr'd and drawn with the Creance until your Hawk perceive it stir ; and if she foot it , make another Train thus : Take a living Fowl that can fly , half seel it , and cast it out ; then let your Hawk fly to it ; and if she kill it , reward her well upon it .

CHAP. V. How to man and make a Falcon according to Carcanus the Vicentine , abbreviated .

§. I. Of the Eyass or Nyass Falcon.

THese , he saith , seldom prove well , and require much pains and patience to make them kill and stoop a Fowl well , or fly to a high pitch .

But if any one will needs be doing with them , he advises him , first to make them to the Heron from the Fist , or to other such great fowls ; for that they are bold and hardy birds , and good seisers .

After they are entred to these and well in bloud , you may make them to the River going into some large field , where there be Crows , or some other great Fowl , with your Hawk on your fist ; loose her hood in a readiness , drawing as near the Fowl as you can ; and the first fowl that springs unhood her and let her fly from the fist to it ; that it may draw the Hawk upwards . When she is at a reasonable pitch , throw her out a Duck or Mallard seel'd , with a feather through the Nares , and if she kill it , then reward her well , and feed her upon it with as much favour as you can , always luring and crying to her to encourage her .

§. II. Of the Ramage-Falcon .

IF a Falconer chance to recover a Ramage-Hawk that was never handled before , let him immediately seel her , and at that instant put on her Jesses made of soft Leather , at the end thereof fix two Varvels , the one may bear your Coat of Arms , the other your Name , that if she chance to be lost , they that take her up may know where to return her : Put her on also a pair of Bells with two proper Bewets . Having thus furnished her , you must begin her manning by gentle handling . To avoid the danger of her Beak , you must have a smooth stick about half a foot in length , with which you must stroak your Hawk about the Pinions of her Wings , and so downwards thwart her Train . If she offer to snap at the Stick , withdraw not your hand , and let her bite thereon , the hardness whereof will soon make her weary of that sport .

If you would man her well , you should watch all the night , keeping her continually on your Fist .

You must teach her to feed seel'd ; and having a great and easie Rufter-hood , you must hood and unhood her often , seel'd as she is , handling her gently about the Head , coying her always when you unhood her , to the intent she may not be displeased with her Keeper .

Let her plume and tire sometimes upon a Wing on your Fist , keeping her so day and night , without perching , until she be weary , and will suffer you to hood her without stirring .

If your Hawk be so rammage that she will not leave her snapping or biting , then take a little Aloes socotrina , and when she offers to snap , give it her to bite ; the bitterness whereof will quickly make her leave that ill quality . Garlick I have heard will do the like , the strong sent thereof being equally offensive .

§. III. How to hood a Hawk .

HAving seel'd your Hawk , fit her with a large easie Hood , which you must take off and put on very often , watching her a night or two , handling her frequently and gently about the Head as aforesaid . When you perceive she hath no aversion to the Hood , unseel her in an evening by Candle-light , continue handling her softly , often hooding and unhooding her , until she takes no offence at the Hood , and will patiently endure handling .

Take this Observation by the way , that it is the duty of a Falconer to be endowed with a great deal of Patience ; and in the next place he ought to have a natural love and inclination to Hawks : without these two qualifications all the Professors of this Art will prove Mar-Hawks instead of good Falconers .

But to return where I left off : If your seeled Hawk feeds well , abides the Hood and handling without striking or biting , then by Candle-light in an Evening unseel her , and with your finger and spittle anoint the place where the Seeling-thread was drawn through ; then hood her , and hold her on your Fist all night , often hooding , unhooding , and handling her , stroaking her gently about the Wings and Body , giving her sometimes a bit or two , also Tiring or Plumage . Being well reclaimed from striking and biting at your hand , let her sit upon a Pearch ; but every night keep her on the Fist three or four hours , stroaking , hooding , and unhooding , &c. as aforesaid : And thus you may do in the day-time , but in a Chamber apart , where she may see no great light , till she feed surely and eagerly without dread .

§. IV. How to make a Hawk know your Voice , and her own Feeding .

HAving mann'd your Hawk so that she feeds boldly , acquaint her with your Voice , Whistle , and such words as Falconers use : You may do it by frequently repeating them to her as she is feeding on your Fist , &c. But I think the best way of making her acquainted with them is by your experience and practice . If your Hawk be not eager or sharp-set , wash her meat sometimes in fair water , and other whiles in Urine , wringing it a little , and feeding her with it for two or three gorges , intermitting a day or two .

When she feeds boldly , and knows your Voice and Whistle , then teach her to know her Feeding , and to bate at it , in this manner . Shew her some meat with your right hand , crying and luring to her aloud : if she bate or strike at it , then let her quickly and neatly foot it , and feed on it for four or five bits . Do thus often , and she will know her Feeding the better .

After this give her every night some Casting either of Feathers , or Cotton with Cloves or Aloes wrapt up therein , &c. These Castings make a Hawk clean and eager .

§. V. How to make your Hawk bold and venturous .

IN the first place , to make her hardy , you must permit her to plume a Pullet or large Chicken in a place where there is not much light : Her Hood in a readiness , you must have either of the aforesaid alive in your hand ; then kneeling on the ground , luring and crying aloud to her , make her plume and pull the Pullet a little ; then with your teeth drawing the Strings , unhood her softly , suffering her to pluck it with her Beak three or four times more ; then throw out the Pullet on the ground , and encourage her to seise it . When you perceive she breaks it and takes bloud , you must lure and cry aloud to her , encouraging her all the wayes imaginable : Then hood her gently , and give her Tiring of the Wing or Foot of the said Pullet .

§. VI. How to make a Hawk know the Lure .

YOur Hawk having three or four times thus killed a Pullet or large Chicken in some secret place , then thus teach her to know the Lure .

Having fastned a Pullet unto your Lure , go apart , giving your Hawk unto another , who must draw loose the strings of her Hood in readiness : Being gone a little way , take half the length of the String , and cast it about your Head , luring with your voice at the same time ; then let your Hawk be unhooded as you are throwing your Lure a little way from her , not ceasing luring all the while . If she stoop to the Lure and seize , suffer her to plume the Pullet , still coying and luring with your voice ; then let her feed on the Pullet upon the Lure : After that take her on your Fist together with her meat , then hood her and let her tire as aforesaid . And thus you may teach her to come by degrees to a very great distance .

§. VII . How to make a Hawk flying .

WHen your Hawk or Haggard-Falcon will come and stoop to the Lure roundly without any fear or coyness , you must put her on a great pair of Luring-bells ; the like you must do to a Soar-Hawk : By so much greater must the Bells be by how much your Hawk is giddy-headed , and apt to rake out at Check .

That being done , and she sharp set , go in a fair morning into some large . Field on Horseback , which Field must be very little incumbred with Wood or Trees : Having your Hawk on your Fist , ride up into the wind , and having loosned her Hood whistle softly , to provoke her to fly ; and then you will observe she will begin to bate , or at least to slap with her Flags and Sails , and to raise her self on your Fist : Then suffer her until she rouze or mewt : When she hath done either of them , unhood her , and let her fly with her Head into the wind , for thereby she will be the better able to get upon the Wing ; then will she naturally climb upwards , flying in a circle .

When she hath flown three or four Turns , then cry and lure with your voice , casting the Lure about your head , unto which you must first tie a Pullet : And if your Falcon come in and approacheth near you , then cast out the Lure into the wind ; and if she stoop to it , reward her as before .

There is one great fault you will often find in the making of a Hawk flying , and that is , when she flieth from the Fist she will not get up , but take stand on the ground ; a frequent fault in Soar-Falcons . You must then fright her up with your Wand , riding in to her ; and when you have forced her to make a Turn or two , take her down and feed her . But if this do no good , find out some Chough , Starling , or such like bird , and making ready your Hawks Hood , draw as near them as you may till they rise . Then unhood your Hawk , and no doubt if she will fly them , they will train her well upwards . Then you must have in readiness a Duck seel'd so that she may see no way but backwards , and that will make her mount the higher . This Duck you must hold by one of the Wings near the body in your right hand , then lure with your voice to make your Falcon turn the head : When she is at a reasonable pitch , cast up your Duck just under her , that she may perceive it : If she strike , stoop , or truss the Duck , permit her to kill it , and reward her , giving her a reasonable Gorge . Use this custom twice or thrice , and your Hawk will leave the Stand , delighting on the Wing , and will become very obedient .

Here note , that for the first or second time it is not convenient to shew your Hawk great or large Fowl , for it often happens that they slip from the Hawk into the wind ; the Hawk not recovering them , raketh after them , which puts the Falconer to much trouble , and frequently occasions the loss of his Hawk .

But if it so chance that your Hawk so rake out with a Fowl that she cannot recover it , but gives it over , and comes in again directly upon you , then cast out a seeled Duck ; and if she stoop and truss it , cross the Wings , and permit her to take her pleasure , rewarding her also with the Heart , Brains , Tongue , and Liver . For want of a quick Duck , take her down with the dry Lure , and let her plume a Pullet , and feed her upon it .

By so doing your Hawk will learn to give over a Fowl that rakes out , and hearing the Lure of the Falconer , will make back again to the River , and know the better to hold in the Head .

§. VIII . A flight for a Haggard .

WHen you intend a Flight for a Haggard , for the first , second , and third time make choice of such a place where there are no Crows , Rooks , or the like , to take away all occasion of her raking out after such Check .

Let her not fly out too far on head at the first , but run after and cry , Why lo , why lo , to make her turn Head . When she is come in , take her down with the Lure , unto which must be fastned a live Pullet , and let her tire , plume , and feed as aforesaid .

Sometimes a Haggard out of pride and a gadding humour will rangle out from her Keeper : Then clog her with great Luring-bells , and make her a Train or two with a Duck seel'd , to teach her to hold in and know her Keeper : Take her down often with the dry Lure , and reward her bountifully , and let her be ever well in bloud , or you may whoop for your Hawk to no purpose .

§. IX . How to make a Soar-Falcon or Haggard kill her Game at the very first .

IF she be well lured , flieth a good Gate , and stoopeth well , then cast off a well quarried Hawk , and let her stoop a Fowl on Brook or Plash , and watch her till she put it to the plunge ; then take down your Make-Hawk , reward her , hood her , and set her : So you may make use of her if need require .

Then take your Hawk unentred , and going up the wind half a Bow-shot , loose her Hood , and softly whistle her off your Fist , until she have rouzed or mewted : Then let her fly with her Head into the wind , having first given notice or warning to the company to be in readiness against the Hawk be in a good Gate , and to shew water , and to lay out the Fowl .

When she is at a good pitch , and covering the Fowl , then notifie that all the company make in at once to the Brook upon the Fowl , to land her : If your Falcon strike , stoop or truss her Game , run in to help her , and crossing the Fowls Wings , let her take her pleasure thereon .

If she kill not the Fowl at first stooping , give her then respite to recover her Gate . When she hath got it , and her Head in , then lay out the Fowl as aforesaid , until you land it at last ; not forgetting to help her as soon as she hath seized it , giving also her due Reward . You shall do well always to have a quick Duck in readiness , that if the Hawk kill not the Fowl stooped you may seel and throw it up to her being at her pitch .

§. X. Remedy for a Hawks taking Stand in a Tree .

IN the first place you must chuse such places where are no Wood or Trees , or as little as may be . If you cannot avoid it , then have two or three live Trains , and give them to as many men , placing them conveniently for to use them . When therefore your Hawk hath stooped , and endeavours to go to Stand , let him to whom the Hawk most bends cast out his Train-Duck seel'd : If the Hawk kill her , reward her therewith . If this course will not remedy that fault in her by twice or thrice so doing , my advice is then to part with the Buzzard .

§. XI . How to help a Hawk forward and coy through pride of grease .

THere is a scurvy quality in some Hawks proceeding from pride of grease , or being high kept , which is a disdainful Coyness . Such a Hawk therefore must not be rewarded although she kill : Yet give her leave to plume a little ; and then let the Falconer take a Sheeps Heart cold , or the Leg of a Pullet , and whilst the Hawk is busie in pluming , let either of them be conveyed into the body of the Fowl , that it may savour thereof ; and when the Hawk hath eaten the Brains , Heart , and Tongue of the Fowl , then take out your Inclosure , and call your Hawk with it to your Fist , and feed her therewith : After this give her some Feathers of the Neck of the Fowl to scour and make her cast .

§. XII . What must be done when a Hawk will not hold in the Head .

IF you find your Hawk rake after Checks , and lean out so far that neither Whooping , Luring , nor casting of the Hawks Glove is any way available , but she rather gads out more and more , and at last flies away ; I know not how to advise otherways , than to follow after with Whooping and Luring : If she turn and come to the Lure , shew her all the kindness imaginable . This fault is frequently found in Soar-Hawks , or Hawks of the first Coat .

§. XIII . How to keep a Hawk high-flying .

IF your Hawk be a stately high-flying Hawk , you ought not to ingage her in more Flights than one in a morning : For often flying brings her off from her stately pitch . If she be well made for the River , fly her not above twice in a morning ; yet feed her up though she kill not .

When a high-flying Hawk , being whistled to , gathers upwards to a great Gate , you must continue her therein , never flying her but upon broad waters and open Rivers ; and when she is at the highest , take her down with your Lure ; where when she hath plumed and broken the Fowl a little , then feed her up ; And by that means you shall maintain your Falcon high-flying , inwards , and very fond of the Lure .

Some will have this high-flying Falcon seldom to kill , and not to stoop : Yet if she kill every day , although she stoop from a high Gate , yet if she be not rebuked or hurt therewith , she will , I can assure you , become a higher Flier every day than other ; but she will grow less fond of the Lure . Wherefore your high-flying Hawks should be made inwards , it being a commendable quality in them to make in and turn Head at the second or third toss of the Lure , and when she poureth down upon it as if she had killed .

And as the teaching of a Falcon , or any other Hawk , to come readily to and love the Lure , is an Art highly commendable , because it is the effect of great labour and industry : So it is the cause of saving many a Hawk , which otherwise would be lost irrecoverably .

Mark this by the way , that some naturally high-flying Hawks will be long before they be made upwards , still fishing and playing the slugs : And when they should get up to cover the Fowl , they will stoop before the Fowl be put out . And this may proceed from two causes . In the first place , she may be too sharp set ; and in the next place , it may be she is flown untimely , either too soon , or too late .

When you see a Hawk use those evil Tatches without any visible cause , cast her out a dead Fowl for a dead Quarry , and hood her up instantly without Reward , to discourage her from practising the like another time : Half an hour afterwards call her to the Lure and feed her , and serve her after this manner as often as she fisheth in that fashion .

Besides , to correct this error , the Falconer ought to consult the natures and dispositions of his Hawks , and should carefully observe which fly high when in good plight , and which best when they are kept low , which when sharpest set , and which on the contrary in a mean between both , which early at Sun-rising , which when the Sun is but two hours high , which sooner , and which later in an evening .

For know that the natures of Hawks are different ; so are the times to fly each one : For to fly a Hawk in her proper time , and to fly her out of it , is as disagreeable as the flight of a Gerfalcon and a Buzzard . Therefore the Ostrager must fly his Hawks according to their natures and dispositions , keeping them always in good order .

Where by the by take notice , all Hawks , as well Soar-Hawks as Mew'd-Hawks and Haggards , should be set out in the evening two or three hours , some more , some less , having respect to their nature as it is stronger or weaker ; and in the morning also according as they cast , hooding them first , and then setting them abroad a weathering , until you get on Horse-back to prosecute your Recreation .

§. XIV . To make a Falcon to the Heron.

THis Flight hath less of Art in it than pleasure to the beholders ; and to say the truth , the Flight is stately and most noble .

As it is less difficult to teach a Hawk to fly at Fowl than it is to come unto and love the Lure , the first being natural , and not the last ; so there is less industry to be used in making a Hawk fly the Hern than Water-Fowl . To the first she is instigated by a natural propensity and inclination ; to the latter she is brought with Art , pains , and much diligence .

At the beginning of March Herns begin to make their Passage : If therefore you will adapt your Falcons for the Hern , you must not let them fly longer at the River , and withal you must pull them down to make them light : which is done by giving them Hearts and flesh of Lambs and Calves , also Chickens : But give them no wild meats .

To the intent you may acquaint them one with the other , so that they may the better fly the Hern and help one another , you must call a Cast of them to the Lure at once ; but have a care they crab not together , for so they may endanger one another in their flight .

When your Hawk is scoured and clean and sharp set , you must then get a live Hern , upon the upper part of whose long sharp Bill you must place a joynt of a hollow Cane , which will prevent her from hurting the Hawk : That being done , tie the Hern in a Creance ; then setting her on the ground , unhood your Hawk , who will fly the Hern as soon as she sees her . If she seise her , make in apace to succour her , and let her plume and take bloud of the Hern : Then take the Brains , the Marrow of the bones , and the Heart , and laying it on your Hawking-glove give it your Falcon . After this rip her Breast , and let your Hawk feed thereon till she be well gorg'd : This being done , hood her up upon the Hern , permitting her to plume at her pleasure ; then take her on your Fist , and let her tire on the Foot or Pinion .

Because Herns are not very plentiful , you may preserve one for a Train three or four times , by arming Bill , Head , and Neck , and painting it of the same colour that the Hern is of : And when the Falcon seiseth her , you must be very nimble to make in ; and deceive by a live Pigeon clapt under the Wing of the Hern for the Falcon , which must be her Reward .

The Hawk having thus several times taken her Train without discovery of the delusion , you may then let the Hern loose in some fair Field without a Creance , or without arming her : When she is up of a reasonable height , you may cast off your Falcon ; who if she bind with the Hern and bring her down , then make in apace to rescue her , thrusting the Herns Bill into the ground , and breaking his Wings and Legs , that the Hawk may with more ease plume and foot him . Then reward her as before , with the Brains , Marrow of the bones , and Heart , making thereof an Italian Sop.

Thus much of a Train-Hern . Now to fly the wild Hern it is thus : If you find a wild Hern at Siege , win in as nigh to her as you can , and go with your Hawk under the wind ; and having first loosed her Hood in a readiness , as soon as the Hern leaveth the Siege , off with her Hood , and let her fly . If she climb to the Hern and bring her down , run in ( as I said before ) to rescue her , thrusting her Bill into the ground , breaking her Wings and Legs , and rewarding her as aforesaid on your Hawking-glove .

Now if your Falcon beat not down the Hern , or do give her over , then never fly your Falcon again at a Hern unless with a Make-Hawk well entred ; for the coward by this means , seeing another fly at the Hern and bind with her , takes fresh courage . And if they kill the Hern flying both together , then must you reward them together while the Quarry is hot , making for them a Soppa as aforesaid . This is the only way to make them both bold and perfect Herners .

§. XV. Of mewing of Hawks .

FAlcons may be flown with till St. Georges day ; then they must be set down : And be sure to search them for Lice , and if they have any pepper them well . Scowr them also before you cast them into the Mew .

There are two sorts of Mewing : 1. At the stock or stone . 2. Loose , or at large .

1. For the Stock , the place should be a ground-room , far from all noise or concourse of people . Place therein ( upon Tressels two or three foot high ) a Table , for length according to the number of your Falcons , and five or six foot broad , with little thin boards of four fingers high nailed along the sides and ends . Fill the Table with great sand , that hath small pebble stones in it , and in the middle place some great free-stones , a cubit high , made taper-wise , but plain and smooth above . Then take a Cord of the bigness of a large Bow-string , put it through a ring , and bind it about the stone , in such sort that the ring or swivel may go round the stone without any let : And thereunto tie the Lease of the Falcon. If you mew more Hawks than one , you must set your stones at that distance , that when they bate they may not reach one another , for crabbing . The great stones for their coolness the Hawks will delight to sit on : The little gravel-stones are for them to swallow . The sand is of use , that when they bate they mar not their feathers , and for the better cleansing their mewts : The Cord and Ring , that when the Hawks bate this way or that way they may never tangle , the Ring still following them . All day let your Falcons stand hooded upon the stone , only when they would feed you must take them on the Fist . At night off with their Hoods . To avoid and remedy all ill accidents and inconveniences it were well that the Falconer had his bed in the Mew .

2. If you would mew at large you can mew but one in a room , unless it be so big that you may divide it into several partitions . Twelve foot square is scope enough for one Falcon , with two Windows a foot and an half broad apiece , each fitted with its shut , one toward the North , for cool air , the other toward the East , for the heat and comfort of the Sun . If your Hawk be a great bater your Mew were best be a ground-room , which if it be , you must cover the floor with gross sand four fingers thick , and thereupon set a stones as aforesaid . Besides , you must make her two handsom Pearches , near each Window one , that sitting on the one she may have the comfort of the Sun , on the other the benefit of the fresh air .

Every Week , or at least every Fortnight , set her a Bason of water , that your Hawk may bathe if she desire it , and if she doth , then take it away the night following .

Your Mew must also have a Portal with a little hole below , to convey in the device whereon their meat is served , called among Falconers the Hack. And that must be made on this fashion . Take a piece of thick board , a foot and half long , and a foot broad or thereabout , under the which fasten two little Tressels , three or four fingers high . Let them be fast pinned or nailed to . Then bore two holes on each side thereof , and through each of these put a short . Cord of the bigness a Bow-string , with the ends downward , and knots fast knit on them under the button of the board , so streight that you cannot raise the Cord above the board above a fingers breadth or thereabouts . And when you would give your Hawks meat , take a little stick somewhat longer than the Hack , and as big as your finger , but let it be of strong wood , as Crab-tree , Holly , or such like , and upon that stick bind your Hawks meat , and put the ends of the stick under the cords upon the Hack , and so convey it into the Mew to your Hawks , that the Hawk may not truss or drag away her meat into the Mew , but , and as soon as she hath fed and gorged her self , take it away again . It is good to keep one set hour of feeding your Hawk , for so she will mew sooner and better .

This Author prefers mewing at the stock or grate before mewing at large . His reason is , because in that kind of mewing we take our Hawks on the Fist every day , and so may see in what state they be ; and if they fall into any sickness or infirmity , may give them proper medicines , which cannot be done when you mew at large . Besides , if we happen upon Hawks that have preyed for themselyes , it will be needful to bear them often in the cool air in the morning till mid July or thereabout , yea , and to call them to the Lure , and to ride abroad with them sometimes an hour or two .

Mr. Latham is of opinion , that it is better to mew at large , and disapproves mewing at the stock . For ( saith he ) when she is at large she hath the exercise of her Wings in flying up and down , which must needs be good for her . Also she may go to the water if she be disposed , and takes stones at her pleasure . She may do all things at her own liking , whereas she can do nothing at the stock when she would : Neither can you give her that is fitting to her own content but by guess and imagination , wherein we are many times deceived . And truly upon these considerations I am of his opinion , that it is better to mew at large , than at the stock or stone .

CHAP. VI. Of the Haggard Falcon.

§. I. Something of the name and nature of the Haggard Falcon.

HE makes the Haggard Falcon to be the same with the Peregrine ; and is of opinion , that the Falcon-gentle and Haggard are also of one and the same kind , the only difference being , that the former is the Eyass or Ramage Hawk , the latter the same taken wild after she hath preyed for her self , making the word Haggard to signifie as much as wild , opposite to gentle or tame . The word Haggard is borrowed of the French , Hagar , and signifies ( as Robert Stephen interprets it ) an old Falcon of five or six years , having its pens worn short , or otherwise harmed , and so taken for a price set on its head . Aldrovandus makes the word Hagar to be originally Dutch , and to signifie a bunch , whence the Germans call this Falcon Ein Hager-falck , or rather Hogerfalck , that is , a gibbous or bunch-backt Falcon. But this gibbous Falcon he makes to be a species distinct both from the Falcon-gentle and Peregrine . For my part , being not willing unnecessarily to multiply species , I incline to Mr. Lathams opinion , that all these are names of one and the same kind of Hawk .

The Haggard-Falcon is now-adays most esteemed , not being ( as some write ) a choice and tender Hawk to endure wind and weather , but for hardiness far before the Falcon-gentle . It is a bird of great spirit and mettle , like a Conquerour in a Country , keeping in aw and subjection most Fowl that flie , in so much that the young ones will venture upon Brants and Wild-geese , till being soundly brusht and beaten by those strong birds , they learn their error , and desist to meddle with such unwieldy game .

She rests no day , but toils continually , unless hindred by extremity of weather . Hence he infers that it is an error in Falconers after a day or two's flying to give their young Hawks a day or two's rest , and concludes that whosoever can fly his Hawk every day , shall have every day a good and perfect Hawk , but he that covets to fly upon rest shall seldom have a good and staid Hawk .

When she hath slain and seised her prey , if it be a Dove , as soon as she hath broken its neck she presently goes to the place we abhor our Hawks should so much as touch , which is the Crop , and takes her pleasure of what she finds there , especially mustard or carlock seed , which he conceives she uses by way of Physic to preserve her health .

§. II. How to reclaim a Haggard Falcon.

HAving taken or purchased one of these birds , whether she be full or empty , set her down as soon as you can , and let her rest quietly the first night , either seeld , or in a rufter-hood . The next day taking her up gently , carry her continually on your Fist , using a feather to stroke her withal instead of your hand . When she will endure to be toucht without starting , pluck off her Hood , and quickly and gently put it on again , holding this course till she begin to feed . Then profer her meat , but suffer her to take but little at a time , never hooding and unhooding her without a bit or two to quiet her , and win her love to the Hood and your self . Use your voice to her before you take off her Hood , and all the while she is feeding , and no longer , that as she reclaims she may learn to know , that when she hears your voice she shall be fed .

When you have brought her to feed boldly , then teach her to jump to your Fist in this manner . Set her on a Pearch breast-high [ if it be lower , you must be on your knees ; for being so high above her at first , till she be better acquainted , will be apt to fright her . ] Then unstrike her Hood , and lure her , using your voice , with a bit or two of meat bestowed on her as she is unhooded , which will make her to love your voice , being careful that she take no sudden fright or dislike ; for it is hard to work such impressions out again . Be sure to keep her stomach perfect , sharp , and well edged . For venter magister artis , it is that only that guides and rules her ; That is the curb and bridle that holds her in subjection to the man , and it is the spur which pricks her forward to perform her duty .

By this time you may pull off her Hood , and let her sit bare-faced , keeping your self as yet close by her . And as you perceive any untoward humour in her , profer her a bit of meat with your hand , and use your voice to her , to draw her to you , till you have brought her boldly to attend , willingly to receive bits at your hand , and jump readily to your Fist : Then set her to the Lure garnisht with meat , to which when she will readily come in the Creance : stay not long in that kind , for she will soon begin to scorn it , and look another way : But let her see a live Dove at the Lure , and lure her to it : Which when she hath killed , and eaten up the head , take her up very gently with a bit of meat , and put on her Hood : Then lure her again to the dead pelt , and so use her two or three times , and no more ; for she will quickly grow loth to be taken off , and her desire to keep the pelt will cause her to drag and carry it from you , than which there cannot be a worse quality in a Hawk .

Often luring at one time at her first entring is good to make her perfect quickly ; but use it not longer than I have directed , especially to a Field-hawk : For the reason given .

Now it is full time to lure her loose to live Pigeons , which you must let her see at your Lure ( to draw her you with love and courage ) and also let her seize on them , and kill them at your foot , one after another , for six days together , being sure that he that holds her have skill to let her in with her head right towards you ; and lure not far till her stomach be perfect , for otherwise she may spy something by the way which she hath more liking to , and so for that time be lost , which would be very hurtful to her though she should be recovered again .

Likewise forget not all this time of her making ( while she is on the ground either pluming or feeding ) to walk round about her , using your voice , and giving her many bits with your hand , till you have won her even to lean and bend her body to your hand , and to bring what she hath in her foot toward you . By this time it will not be amiss to spring her up some live Doves , as she comes unto you between the man and the Lure : And be sure they be given in a long Creance , that she may not kill them far from you , but that always she may truss them over your head , and fall near you : For otherwise it may strike a timorous conceit into her , making her sit and stare at you , or carry from you , and sometimes forsake what she hath got , and go her way , when she shall see you coming so far from her .

By this time you may be bold ( at a convenient hour in the Evening , when she heareth your voice , and hath you in her sight ) to hold in your Lure , and suffer her to fly about you , holding her with your voice and lure as near you as may be , to teach her to do her business , and work it on your head . Then cast her up a Dove with a loud voice , &c.

§. III. How to remedy carrying in a Hawk .

THe reason of the Hawks carrying is not the lightness of the Dove , as some pretend , but the unskilfulness or negligence of the Keeper in not dealing gently and kindly with them in their reclaiming , or giving them little or no content in their luring , giving them for a reward only the pelt of a Pigeon , or some other dead thing , whereas their delight is in such as are living . For the prevention of this coyness or fugitive desire in your Hawk , at her first luring unto live Doves , you must restrain her , and draw her gently to you with your Lure or Creance , not suddenly or rashly , but by degrees , and give her some bits of meat with your hand , being on your knees , to please and content her : And by this loving usage you shall find your first Dove to be the worst Dove , and the oftner you use her to them , the quieter she will be : And she did not drag so fast from you at the first , but she will soon come to bring it with as much speed toward you , yea , meet you with it , and be willing to exchange it with you for a bit of meat at your hand .

§. IV. Of giving stones and casting .

WHen your Hawk is grown so gentle that she will endure to sit bare-fac'd in the evening or night amongst company , then it is meet to give her stones . Every night , when she hath put away her supper from above , before you go to bed , give her half a dozen small stones . Give them above hand if you have the art , if not , then otherwise as you like best to cast her . This do till you find her stomach good , and then you may profer her Casting ; but be sure at your first giving it be with her liking : For otherwise I have seen divers Hawks beaten out of love with it , so that they would never take it willingly after . Add to the ink of a Dove as much clean-washt flannel as will make her a reasonable casting , bearing in mind this old Proverb ,

As wash't meat and stones make a Hawk to fly , So great castings and long fasting maketh her to die .

These stones given at night you shall be sure to have again in the morning : But given in the morning she will either cast them before they have done their work , or keep them all day and the next night . I have learnt by experience that stones given once by night do more good to a Hawk than twice by day , for speedy inseaming , or removing any glut or evil humour .

He makes account that stones serve to cleanse the stomach , &c. others are of opinion , that their use is to cool the body : I rather think , that they are of the same use to Hawks as to other birds , viz. to help grind their meat in their stomachs , though I confess there may be difference in this respect between Hawks and other birds ; Hawks having rather a membranous than musculous stomach or gizzard .

§. V. Of bathing your Hawk .

I My self ( saith my Author ) have had very few Haggards that would ever bathe at all , so long as they continued sound : But whensoever I proved them bare-fac'd abroad , having fitted them with a reasonable gorge , they did themselves more harm by bating , than bathing would have done them good . Therefore if you find your Hawk not disposed to bathing , you were better keep her on your Fist . But after two or three mews , in their declining age , through unnatural heats and surfets they will desire bathing ; and then you are not to neglect the occasion ; but when the weather will permit , shew her the water , and if she do bathe , let her dry her self abroad if it be fair , and the weather temperate ; otherwise let her have the air of the fire with measure , and come no more abroad that day nor night , but set her upon a very warm Pearch , and from the air .

Note . This kind of Hawks though you labour them carefully the first year in their making , having brought them to be so familiar , that they will sit abroad bare-fac'd hard by you when they are empty ; yet if you shall absent your self for trial , you shall find when you come to them again they will be unquiet , and by bating and striving do themselves much harm , if they be full .

§. VI. How to weather your Hawk .

EYas Hawks are much subject to heat , and therefore much addicted to weathering and bathing , and will almost never refuse the water . You may boldly set abroad these Hawks at any time of day unhooded to take the air : For in regard of their fondness of , and familiarity with the man , they will take no occasion to bate , thereby to hurt themselves when they are full-gorged .

But your Haggard Falcon , if you intend to weather her , you must do it in the morning , or else in the evening before she be fed , also you must remain close by her with meat clean and ready drest , to take her to your Fist withall . But I rather advise all Falconers to weather her in her Hood , which can do her no harm , but is rather a means to prevent her bating and striving , by which her spirit and courage is taken away .

§. VII . When it is convenient to set down , and leave flying of your Haggard .

ABout Lady-day , or somewhat before , is the time when these Hawks leave ours and other strange Countries . They begin to draw together , and to dispose themselves thereunto a month before : The reason is , because at that time of the year being moved by their lust they repair to their breeding places . Therefore the old Haggard must needs then be set down , and fed up with hot and bloody meat : The intermewed Haggard is more able to resist the course of nature , being not so violent in her , therefore you may fly her somewhat longer . The Passenger-soar-Falcon may be flown a month longer than any of the other . All of them will upon a small occasion be apt at that time to fly quite away ; the inclination to cawking and procreating Young , being then so strong in them , as to deface and obliterate , or at least over-rule all artificial impressions of subjection and obedience .

§. VIII . How to diet and prepare your Hawk for the Mew .

YOu must beware , when you purpose to feed up your Hawk , and put her in flesh , that she be not her own carver in her diet , and that you do not give her too great a gorge your self : For if you do . it is ten to one but she will over-feed , and surfeit of the same . The reason is because she wants exercise to digest it . Your best way therefore is , to keep your Hawk all the flying time as clean as you can ; and at her setting down , keep your wonted course of feeding twice a day , and as near as you can with hot and bloudy meat , and no more in quantity than you find her well able to endue and put away : And if after a week or fortnights space you find she is mended , then you may be bold to begin to feed her once a day ; and if it be possible at first let her have young Pigeons : But if you give her old birds , her first gorges must be less . Thus observing how she mends by feeding once a day , and the eagerness of her stomach doth abate , you may order her accordingly , and you will find her shortly raised in her flesh , and setled in her health , and fit for the Mew .

§. IX . How to order your Hawk while she remains in the Mew .

BEfore you put her in , be sure she be free from Mites and Lice : Which else will increase upon her there , and hinder her thriving .

Also take off her old Jesses , and put her on a pair of new and strong ones , that may last till the time of her drawing , that you be not forced to hold her , and strive with her too long , to heat her when she is in the prime of her grease , which may do her much harm .

Keep your Mew aways sweet , and clean with sweeping .

Observe how your Hawk thrives by her castings and mutes , for so you may know how to diet her , continuing or altering her usage accordingly .

You must not fail to let your Hawk have fair water always standing by her , which must often be shifted .

Be sure never to let her be without stones lying by her in gravel . He advises also to gather up the stones she casts , and wash them , and lay them for her to take again : But I suppose it would be better to give her fresh stones . For those stones which she hath taken and cast up , are by mutual attrition in the stomach worn smooth , and so become less fit for the grinding of the meat , which is the reason why she casts them up . Wherefore ( as we have noted before ) Poultry before they swallow stones try them with their tongues whether they be rough or not .

That meat which you do kill for your Hawk with a Piece be sure to search , and cut out the black and bruised flesh , which proceeds of the Gunpowder . For there is no Gun but after one shot or two , ( especially in wet weather ) sends forth the shot as black as ink .

§. X. How to take your Hawk from the Mew , inseam her and make her ready to fly .

WHen you draw your Hawk , be careful not to strive long with her , or heat her by strugling and bating , but with all possible expedition set her down upon a Pearch , to rest quietly , till her anger and turbulent humour be asswaged ; and so let her sit among company , and in their hearing , without any occasion of disturbance as near as you can . Then when you think it convenient , take her gently upon your Fist , and carry her up and down , stroaking her with a feather lightly and gently : And if you perceive her begin to stir or grow unquiet , set her down again , and thus use her until by degrees you have drawn her to some reasonable familiarity , and that she will begin to feed : Then give her more carriage , and use her to it more and more , and be sure still to keep her as quiet as may be , and by all means prevent bating . For there is more danger in some one Hawk that is to be reclaimed and inseamed from the Mew , than in many other Hawks that have been newly taken in England , or from the Cage : The reason is , because by reason of her ease and full feeding , and want of exercise in the Mew , no crammed Fowl will be more fat and full than she , and so she will be apt to receive much harm by bating or any sudden heat : Whereas the wild Hawk , coming from the labour of her body , and exercise of her Wings : And the Cage-Hawk being tossed and tumbled in her voyage , are seldom over-fat , and so in less danger of over-heating themselves by bating or otherwise .

When you have brought her to eat , you must feed her twice a day , and so order and diet her continually , and it must be with new and good meat , which you must dress and wash clean , wringing out the bloud with fair water , that so she may sooner come to a stomach : And for the quantity thereof let it be as much as the Wing of an old Dove at once , or as you shall find her , to put away the one meal , and make her self fit and ready for the other . And for the first week or ten days after she begins to feed , give her neither casting nor stones , but the week after give her half a dozen stones every night , after she hath put away her supper from forth her gorge , which you shall find she will cast you up again in the morning very early . The third week approaching you must give her every night a casting , continuing your former manner of diet till your Hawk be flying , and all her flying time , only adding unto her meals somewhat in quantity , and forbearing to wash altogether so hard , with respect to the mildness and hardness of the weather , &c.

Then prepare your self to lure her , and let her exercise and have the benefit of her Wings .

If you give your Hawk a piece of Flannel or Cotton for casting , he adviseth that it be perfectly clean washt ; and that when you give the lightest and easiest suppers , and some Plumage with it , but never upon a great gorge to the soundest Hawk that is . Also in a morning , when your Hawk makes a loose and unwrapped casting of Plumage , it is good to give a little knot with stones , to bring away loose or straggling feathers out of the Pannel . Many sound Hawks will never brook a woollen casting ; and therefore my Author advises not to give your Hawk any such , unless it be sometimes for trial , but to give her only casting of Plumage ; and so you shall be sure to preserve and keep her safe , and in continual case to do her business .

Here my Author enters into a long discourse about giving of stones , giving many reasons why it is better to give them over night than in the morning ; which , because I am not of his opinion concerning the use of stones , and think that they may be indifferently given either at night or in the morning , when the Hawk is willing to take them , and that it matters not much how long she keeps them , I shall omit . Only I shall set down some of his experimental observations . I have ( saith he ) seen a Hawk in the time of her flying , that hath taken a dozen or more stones of her self in a morning , and hath kept half of them till next morning : The same Hawk when they were given her would not miss at her feeding time , or at the sight of meat to cast half of them , and keep the rest till the next day . This he observed many Hawks to do .

Another Hawk when I came into the Mew with her dinner did cast up some few stones at the sight of the meat , and when she had eaten up the same ( being a young Pigeon ) she presently took above a dozen more , which she kept till the next day . The like story he relates of a Tarcel gentle , that after he had eaten a whole young Pigeon took presently fifteen or sixteen stones , and made it something late the next day before he cast them . This Hawk also at the sight of his meat would not fail to cast some of his stones .

No such Physic ( saith he ) for a Hawk as to give her stones in due time . Here he takes a great deal of pains to prove that stones do not , according to the commonly received opinion , cool , but rather at present heat , their use being in his judgment to melt and waste the glut and fatness , and to empty and evacuate those gorgitive and stuffing humours , and so to inseam and make her clean . But this I omit , because , as I said before , I think the main use of the stones is to assist the stomach in comminution and grinding of the meat , thereby causing a more speedy and perfect concoction , and so they conduce much to the preservation and recovery of health ; the stomachs not performing its office well being the foundation and original of most diseases in Hawks and other animals , sith an error in the first concoction is not amended in the subsequent .

One remarkable observation he hath , which may seem to argue that stones have a purgative quality in them , which is this , That upon giving stones after forbearance a while , a Hawk will oftentimes at her beginning to cast before the stones , in the midst , and at the end of them , gush out abundance of waterish , and yellowish greasie slime and glut from forth her body : Which before , though she had casting daily , flowed not forth .

He advise at the beginning to make your Hawk perfectly clean , and so to keep her without pampering with great meals , and to have her empty , and with a good stomach when she flies : For if she be flown full , it may endanger her life ; and besides , she will never fly with regard and attention to her Keeper , if her stomach be not perfect . For proof whereof , Take any young Hawk out of the Nest ( though newly disclosed ) and breed her up as familiarly as you can devise : Yet when you shall come afterwards to fly her , she must be altogether governed by her stomach . For let her fail of that never so little , and every puff of wind will blow her from you ; nay , if there be no wind stirring , yet she will wheel and sink away from him and from his voice , that all the time before had lured and trained her up . Contrariwise , if it be his hap to find her again when she is hungry , though she would starve before she would prey for her self , yet then will she own him or any other man : Nay , she will be ready to take his Cap from him before she will either leave or lose him .

Note well , that what shew of cleanness soever you find in your Hawk by her casting , mutes , or otherwise , although you have taken never so much pains with her , by casting , clean feed , and stones to purge and cleanse her inwardly ; yet will she not be perfectly inseamed till she come to the exercise of her Wings , and labour of her body , after which she will break grease , and by degrees inseam throughly . And be sure that her labour at first be not immoderate , for if it be , it will ingender grief . Also you must give her liberty by degrees to stir her Wings , and use her body , that there may be no heat excessively taken , until she be throughly inseamed , and then she may be weary with flying , but she will never take harm .

§. XI . How to alter some ill qualities and conditions in a Falcon.

YOu shall sometimes meet with a Hawk , that when you have well lured her , and given all the good content you can devise to her , yet upon the least scope and liberty that shall be offered , she will not tarry with you , but go her way . To reclaim her from so bad a condition you must take this course .

Abate her pride somewhat , yet with reason and respect to the weather . Then get you a Make-hawk , and taking a fit hour in the Evening , upon a convenient and easie place , and one couple of Fowl with your Make-Hawk flown and stooped once or twice , or as you see cause in managing your flight to your best advantage in landing , but when she is coming for the last to kill it overland , be sure to stand under the wind with your Hawk , and let her see the Fowl overthrown , and go in to the quarry ; and if you perceive she flieth in with a courage , and seiseth with love and heat on the Fowl , make in apace and cross the Wings of the Fowl , and make that safe , suffering them a while to take their pleasure together ; which done with meat cleanly drest take up your old Hawk , but gently , lest you fray your young one , and let her have the Quarry to her self , and take her pleasure thereon , with your own help on your knees to please her , and beware she take no pill or pelf to glut her withal , and so reward her with * * Be careful to feed clean , the benefit whereof few take notice of . cleanly feed , giving her supper unto her as she sits upon the Fowl : Use her thus three or four times together , but let it be with good meat , clean washed and well drest from your hand .

When you have used this course , at your next coming to the brook , let your Make-Hawk be flown , and when she hath stooped and is wrought to her place again , at your next shewing , let your Hawk see the Fowl thrown in , and fly for the killing of it her self with the other Hawk . Mark the manner of that flight ; For if she hotly and kindly entertains the advantage offered her , and with attentive eagerness follows the Fowl she saw thrown in , flying round upon that and your self , and with good hap enjoys the Fowl she may make you a good Hawk : But if this course stay her not , there is no hope of her for the River .

But to enter a gently and lovingly disposed Hawk , having a couple of Fowl that lie sit for your purpose , throw off your Make-Hawk , and when she hath once stooped them upon her point or before at the setting in of the Fowl , let in your young Hawk : If she fix her Eye on the other Hawk and work her , then need you not doubt , but suffer her to fly till she hath almost reacht the other , but then be sure to shew the Fowl ; and then if she stoop with the other Hawk , and work it again with her , then if it be possible let them kill it at the next down-come . For the only content you can give to these kind of Hawks is to let them have their desires speedily , before they be weary , while their courage is in them . For nothing puts a young Hawk sooner out oflove with the man , and drives her sooner away , than suffering her to fly too long before she be served .

He lays great stress on this as an excellent rule , That in the time of her making no scope be given to the Haggard , neither to fly high nor wild , but that she be held down and near to you .

CHAP. VII . Of the Ger-falcon .

THe Ger-falcon , Turbervile saith , is of a fierce and hardy nature , and therefore difficult to be reclaimed , but being once won , proves an excellent Hawk - Latham saith , that Ger-falcons are for the most part very kind and loving Hawks , and will suddenly be reclaimed and made to love the man . Their Tercels or Males are called Jerkins . These Hawks do not fly the River , but always from the Fist they fly Herons , Shovelers , forked-tail'd Kites , &c. In going up to their gate they hold not that course which other Falcons do . For they climb upon the Train when they find any Fowl , and as soon as they have reacht her , they pluck her down , if not at the first , yet at the second or third encounter . The Haggard of this kind is most commendable , and easiest to be made for any pleasure . To reclaim and make her fit to be set to the Lure , you must take the same course as is prescribed for the Haggard sleight Falcon.

When she shall come to be lured loose , then would she first of all be taught to come unto the Pelts of Hens , Herons , or any such like thing , so it be dead ; for thereby she will not be over-hot or eager of it , neither must you suffer her to touch any part of the flesh , to draw her love from your voice and your hand , but to spend only her time on it in pluming . All this time you must be close by her , and on your knees using your voice to her , with her dinner or supper clean drest and washt , giving still unto her some part thereof in bits with your hand , that from thence only she may be satisfied , and her whole delight be in that , accounting the other in her foot but as a stand or means to stay her by you , while she receives her full reward at your hands . And in using this course often to her , she being a Hawk of never such strength and ableness to carry , it will in the end so reclaim and win her to your self , that she will quite forget the same : And after if you list to train her with Doves , she will not carry one feather from you , but draw towards you , and ever desire to have her content at your hand .

It is a special point in a Falconer to take good time at the first making of his Hawk , and not post her to another thing till she be perfect in one .

Before you spring her up any Doves , it is meet you let her kill half a dozen at your Lure , close by your foot , having a pair of short Creances at your Lure : For it may be at the first seeing of the Dove to stir and flutter , she may come roystingly to twitch or take it away , so far as she is able : Which if she should do , you have a remedy by restraining her gently with your Creance , so that there shall be no offence committed : Then ought you to get gently into her , and as beforesaid with bits of meat cleanly drest and bestowed on her you shall please her at the full , and take her to the Fist again .

The Heron and the stately flight and mountee thereto is the thing for which these Hawks are most desired and accounted of : For which purpose your intermew'd Hawks are fittest and most esteemed . N. B. Remember to be favourable to them the first year of their making , [ and not to put them to any toil , but to train them gently with such Herons as you are sure cannot go from them , nor cause them to labour much before they master them , ] and ever after at the drawing : And take good time with them in the inseaming : For these times as yet have ever shortned their lives and destroyed them . No man ( he saith ) can make one of these Hawks from the Mew ready to be lured under six weeks at the least , but he shall hazard her life if she take any heat at all . They are prepared for the Mew , and mew'd in like manner as the sleight Falcon. Let her have in the Mew Sods or Turfs to stand on , and those often shifted , that they grow not too hard and dry : For she is a very heavy Hawk , and very subject to infirmity on the bottom of her feet . He disallows mewing of them at the stock , and approves of mewing them loose . She ought also to have very often given to her Plumage , bones , and stones , to purge and cleanse her .

Turbervile saith , they covet to keep their castings long through sloth ; and therefore advises not to give them casting of Cotton , but of Tow , Hazel or hard things .

When she is mew'd , Latham saith , that you ought at the least three weeks before you take her to your Fist , to inseam her with washt meat and stones : For then is the danger of shortning her life , whereas by good ordering they are as hardy as the Lanner , and will last as long : He saith , he hath known one hold out and continue her goodness twenty years .

CHAP. VIII . Of the Lanner .

THe Lanner is not over-dainty of her feeding , but can better brook gross or coarse diet than any other Falcon.

Lanners of all Hawks are fittestfor young Falconers , because they will hardly take surfeit , and seldom be over-flown , or melt their grease .

Mew'd Lanners [ and Sacres ] are hardly known from the Soar-hawks , because they do not change their plume .

Turbervile saith , that with this Hawk you may fly the River . Latham saith , he hath not known any Lanner made for the River , yet prescribes a way to make them .

They are very slothful and hard-metled , so that unless you keep a hard hand over them they will do littlegood .

You shall not lightly see a Lanner lie upon the Wing , after she hath flown to mark , but after one stooping she maketh a point , and then waits for the Fowl after the manner of the Goshawk , she is so slothful and dull ; and therefore doth commonly use upon the questing or call of the Spaniels to attend very diligently , and so to prey at her pleasure . As the Eyass of this kind exceeds other Hawks in gentleness and love to her Keeper , so the Haggard passes all others in wildness , and is very hard to be reclaimed . She must be managed and ordered in all respects like the Haggard sleight Falcon.

The Ramage Lanner is also a coy Hawk , and must be ordered as the Haggard Falcon ; only her diet must be with hard-washed meat and stones more or less as you shall find her natural inclination .

Above all you must use your utmost skill and pains to keep her from dragging or carrying any thing from you ; which ill quality no Hawk is more subject to than she . To prevent which , first you must beware , that if she but once only knoweth the Lure , that you lure her no more than once at one time , though you take the more time to make her : Else you hazard the spoiling of her . For as soon as she knows the Lure she will settle her love on it , and desire to hold it , and be loth to be taken up from it to be lured again ; and out of fear lest you should deprive her of it , will quickly fly you , and drag and carry it from you . Secondly , During the time of her luring and training let her have her reward at your hand for the most part in bits , reserving some small quantity to take her to your Fist withal . Thirdly , All this while have your Spaniels by you as she is on the ground : For these be Hawks of all other most coy and fearful to have any Dogs come near them : And therefore at her first entring you ought to have but few Dogs , and they such as be both cool and gentle , till she be well entred and acquainted . For if she should chance to take any sudden fright with a Dog , she would never abide them again : And so she will be for ever married ; for being able to carry away her prey , whenever she shall have a Patridge in her foot , she will suffer neither Man nor Dog to come near her , but carry it away , and prey upon it . Which if she do but once , it is as good as an hundred times , for she will never be reclaimed from it .

Of the Merlin .

She is a couragious and hardy Hawk , flying with greater fierceness and more hotly than any other bird of prey ; so that she will venture to fly the Partridge , Heathpowt and other birds bigger than her self , and pursue them eagerly even into Villages and Towns .

They are such busie and unruly things , as oftentimes they eat * * This my Author upon his own experience denies . off their own Feet and Talons very unnaturally , so as they die of ; which is the true cause why you shall seldom or never see an entermew'd Merlin : For that in the Mew they so spoil themselves .

A Merlin may be made both to the Fist and to the Lure . When you have made her to the Lure in manner † † For the Falcon. before described , make her a train with a Partridge , or other livebird : If she foot and kill it , reward her , suffering her to take her pleasure on it . This done , fly her at the wild Partridge , if she take it at the first flight , or if she take it at the second flight , being retrived by the Spaniels , feed her upon it with a reasonable Gorge , chearing her with your voice , that so she may know it . If she prove not hardy at the first train , prove her with another before you fly her at wild Game . If at the second train she prove not hard , it is a sign she is nothing worth .

It is very good sport to fly with a cast of Merlins at the Lark or Linnet ; for besides that they love to fly in company , it is pleasant to see the one climbing to the mountee above the Lark , and the other lying low for her best advantage , the one striking the bird at the stooping , the other at her down-come . When you have found the birds go as near as you can into the wind to the bird ; and as soon as the bird riseth from the ground unhood your cast of Merlins , and cast them to fly until they have beaten down the Lark or Linnet , and let them feed on her for their labour indifferently . He advises not to fly your Merlin at Cut-Larks , because they not mounting upward , but flying streight foward , they afford you but little sport , and besides endanger the loss of your Hawk .

CHAP. IX . Of the reclaiming and manning of short-winged Hawks , and first of the Goshawk .

§. I. Of the Goshawk , in general .

HAwks of all Creatures are most fearful of man , and the Goshawk as coy , nice , and hard to be dealt with as any . She may be won by gentle usage ; and will as soon perceive and unkindly resent any rough or harsh behaviour .

The Ostringer must bring his Hawk to love and be familiar with the Spaniel .

Some Goshawks are swift of flight , which in pursuing and catching their prey trust to the swiftness of their Wings , others fly slow , and win what they get by policy : None of them but by industry may be trained up to , and made good for somewhat .

The Goshawk is of a hotter temper and stronger constitution than any other Hawk ; the first appears , in that her mutings are always liquid ; the second , in that she is seldom troubled with those diseases , which be incident to most other Hawks , viz. to be liver-shotten , and to the Filanders . And though the Lanner be accounted the hardiest Hawk in use among us , and longest-lived ; yet the reason is not the firmness of her constitution above the Goshawks , but because the Goshawk in time of her pride and fulness is a froward and unruly bird , and when she is inseamed very prone to extreme bating ( wherefore she requires more labour and attendance of her Keeper than any other Hawk ) and by these extremes she often shortens her days : Whereas the Lanner is a meek and gentle Creature , and will seldom bate or be unruly in the time of her inseaming ; which is the reason she lasts longer .

§. II. How to order a Goshawk taken from the Mew .

BEcause it is likely that she will be fat and full in the highest degree with rest and frank feeding in the Mew , therefore it is necessary that she be fed in the Mew twice every day with clean drest and washt meat for sixteen or twenty days before the intended time of her drawing , that she may be well inseamed of her body , and have scoured forth of her pannel and guts all glut and fatness , and so she will be in no danger through her bating , strugling , or other forcible motion of her body at the time of her drawing . Then draw her , having a rufter-hood in readiness very sit for her , from which time she must be continually fed on the Fist , and have casting every night . This course with continual carriage on horse-back and on foot must be taken with her in her rufter-hood some eight or ten days longer ; and then take it off , when you shall find her to be well reclaimed and inseamed , and free from all danger , and ready to be called ; and with diligence and pains she will be next week as ready to fly : And after two or three flights at her first entring may be put to hard flying , and she will receive no harm thereby , &c.

§. III. How to reclaim and order a Goshawk taken from the Cage .

FEw of these are so fat or full-bodied as to take harm by any reasonable bating .

Give your Hawk sweet meat , clean drest , and reasonably washt , and moderate gorges of the same : By this diet you must bring her to a good stomach before you profer her casting , and then she will not be nice or curious in taking it . Let it be no more than she may well and easily swallow , and when she hath done so , presently put on her Hood , then suddenly give her one bit or two of meat to please her withal ; then make a little stay , until you perceive assuredly that she hath put it down into her Pannel , which being perceived put on her Hood again , and give her a reasonable supper . By this course taken , the Hawk will soon come to be in love with her casting , hasting to take it without niceness in expectation of her supper .

For my own part ( saith my Author ) when my Hawk is well inseamed , and in flying I give her Plumage every night when I feed her up : When she rests I feed her very clean , without any casting at all , and so set her up to rest , and in the morning very early give a woollen casting , fashioned and soak'd all night in fair water , which she will willingly take being used to it : And in an hour or thereabouts her appetite to her breakfast will provoke her to cast it up again . So he disapproves the giving a woollen casting at night : But if any will needs give it , then he advises it be with small store of meat , and some Plumage with it . Also he disapproves of stones given with Celandine , and castings of hazel , unless much undersized , because of their swelling . When ever he found his Hawk to distaste unnatural Cotton castings , he suddenly left them and betook himself to Jukes , and sometimes to Hares or Conies feet , the bones and wooll well broken together , which he never found to disagree with her , but always wrought to good purpose .

He condemns the giving of bloudy meat , because the Hawk will not therewith be reclaimed . And therefore , saith he , the unreclaimed and unclean Hawk of this or any other kind ought to be reclaimed , inseamed , and made to fly with good meat , clean drest and washed , and for these Hawks the water dried out again with a fair cloth . And this course to be held all flying time , unless there be just cause for the contrary . As to a sick and crasie Hawk , with due respect unto the eyes , or to a hot and eager mettled Hawk , as also to the soundest and hardest Hawk that is , when she shall have continual hard flying , and kills oft , you may with discretion in the quantity give bloudy rewards , and three or four times in the week suppers of the same , as Pheasants and Partridges heads and necks : Always being mindful in time of rest to feed with meat clean drest , hard washed and dried again , to hold the stomach right and sharp withal , else no subjection to be looked for abroad when she is at liberty .

All the flying time , but especially when you fly to the covert , ( it being then usually cold weather ) suffer not your Goshawk to be too long fasting , for it breedeth much wind in her , and is a special means , with cold adjoyned , to take down her flesh , which at that time will not very easily be put on again . Therefore for every Hawking day provide a reasonable meal of clean-drest meat , the which you must keep in a fair cloth : Then in the morning , suddenly after she hath cast , give one bit when her Hood is on . Also if you chance to spend an hour more before you find your flight , give her another bit , and so after this manner , proportioning her meat to the time of her being abroad , that she never be over-empty , and yet have a perfect appetite and good courage to fly .

When ever you feed with cold meat you need not wash it : But I would advise you to use it as seldom as you may , for a continuance of it breeds poverty and many diseases .

Whenever you have set down your Hawk off your Fist hooded or unhooded , come not to take her up again without using your voice in whistling or chirping to her , also without some bit of meat , or a stump to please her withal ; for so you shall work in her an everlasting love and desire of your coming and company .

Also when you set her on your Pearch hooded , let her not know where it standeth , if she do , she will have a longing to be there , and will not rest quietly on the Fist after she is once within doors : Whereas till she be throughly reclaimed and flying , and till she hath been well flown , your Fist for the most part must be her Pearch , and she must know no other . For these be Hawks that in their first making with a little rest will quickly forget what they were formerly taught , and return to their wildness again .

When she is untowardly or frowardly disposed , endure her unquietness with patience and gentleness , and evermore have some stump in a readiness to appease her anger .

In the time of her inseaming and reclaiming give her not her dinner at any time all at once , for thereby you shall prolong the time of her making : For her stomach once full she will mind you no more , therefore divide it in the forepart of the day , and let her jump often to the Fist for it .

When she is first to be entred put her upon the highest pin of hunger , and then she will shew all the mettle that is in her , and when she hath once taken her prey rather die than forsake it : Whereas if her stomach be imperfect , the least occasion that may be , as the approach of her Keeper , or any other man , the appearance of either Horse or Dog , &c. will be sufficient to cause her to forsake it and go her way .

§. IV. How to make a Goshawk like the Hood , that hath with ill usage been beaten out of love with it .

CArry a Hood of some notable colour on your finger , that may well be seen and viewed by her as it hangeth there , and so as she may feed close by it for a week together , but beware you do not as yet shew it her with your other hand . But then take it gently in your other hand , and move and stir it about her meat , that she may touch it as she eats . This do another week , still letting the Hood rest on your little in her sight between feeding times . Use this course till without fear she will but thus endure it . Then you must hold your meat in the hand she sits on , and with the other hand hold the Hood by the Tassel upon the meat , moving and stirring it as though you would keep her from feeding ; but it must be done softly and gently : When you shall perceive that she will strive to feed beside it , you shall hold it by the Tassel just over the meat , so that she must needs eat clean through it . Do thus so long as till you see that she will feed and search boldly through the hood for her meat , and eat it without any snatching or fear . Then as she is feeding , and doth thrust through the Hood for her meat , do you bear the Hood a little against her , and she will hood and unhood herself as often as you would have her . When she hath with your assistance put on her Hood , let her eat freely until she hath done , and take it off no more till feeding time again . In this manner , within a month and less she will be brought to hood her self with the least stump you carry about you , as often as you shall have occasion .

Practise not this till she be come to a perfect stomach , for if you do , you mar your Hawk for ever .

§. V. To reclaim a Goshawk from the Cage .

GIve her a fortnights carriage or more in her rufter-hood , always stroaking her with your hand or a feather . Be careful to feed clean with washed meat , for so she will be the sooner brought to a good stomach , and be gentle and well pleased to be handled . This obtained ( which you shall perceive by her listening to your voice , or eager feeding ) some evening wash and pepper her well . Then take off her rufter-hood , having another ready to put on : As she grows to be a little dry put on her Hood , and give her a bit of good meat upon it to please and refresh her . Hold this course to hood gently , and unhood now and then , not forgetting her reward ever after it is on , untill she be throughly dried , and afterwards the most part of the night : Then you may set her down bare-faced to have two or three hours rest ; and be sure it be in a special warm place , and on a dry and warm Pearch on high , for these kind of Hawks are very subject to take cold , and apt to have the cramp on such occasions .

When she and your self have taken a little rest , go softly to her with shew of meat in your hand , withal chirping or whistling to her , and take her gently on your Fist , and dividing her meat into several parts bestow it on her for the most part when her Hood is put on : This will make her love and look for the Hood expecting to be fed ; if she be nice in suffering your hand or the Hood to come near her head , you must seldom do it in the day time , but at her feeding , and late at night , when she will be more willing to take it .

Next teach her to jump and come to the Fist . For though other Hawks are used to come to the Lure thrown some distance from the man ; yet she being a Hawk of the Fist , must be taught and used to come boldly to the hand , and without fear to seize and sit upon it during your pleasure , which she will never be brought to do with all the Art in the world , if her stomach be any way imperfect .

This obtained , let her be called a little further off , viz. twenty or forty yards at most : By dividing one meal ( as I said ) let her come oftentimes in a day if it be possible : Which will quickly make her perfect , that she will never check at the Fist , but will come and draw at any time of the day : Whereas using her to one hour for her meal , causes her not to come or draw till that time ; which is an ill quality .

[ He wishes not to be too hasty in flying Goshawks before they be throughly reclaimed and taught , but to take sufficient time to teach them . And he affirmeth , that if a Hawk be too much impoverished and her flesh taken off , she will lose her spirit and mettle , how good soever she was , and will neither fly well , nor ever last healthful . ]

Now it will be good time to call her loose . In doing which shun all places near Houses and Towns , to avoid the inconveniences of her being tempted aside by Poultry , Dove-houses , and such like places , which all these Hawks are subject to ; and having once caught such an ill property they will seldom or never be reclaimed from it , how far soever from any Town they shall be flown : Walk therefore with her to the young Woods betimes in the afternoon , having before prepared her stomach , and there put her up into a tree , walking along from her , using your voice softly as though you had Spaniels with you , but chiefly to her in chirping and whistling : By which means no doubt she will draw and follow after you with little noise , Then suffer her not too long , but call her to your fist again , and reward her with some bit of meat , or Leg of a Pigeon , &c. to please her . Then put her up again , and by your softest voice or whistle draw her after you again . To use a loud voice would be a means to make her sit and loiter behind you so far as she can hear you , which is an ill quality : And besides , to make your Spaniels range far off , and spring out of the way far from you , which must needs be much displeasing both to Man and Hawk .

To make your Hawk familiar with your Dogs , first feed her amongst them all very oft upon your Fist : Then throw oftentimes from you among the thickest of them the dead Pelt of a Pullet or Hen in a short Cruce , that she may fly from your Fist , and eagerly chop among them , and seise upon the same , suffering her to plume a while : then take her to your Fist with a stump . This course you must use every day often , till you find that she will venture boldly among them all . She will soon perceive and understand by the Dogs giving way with fear unto her , that she hath even got the upper hand of them , and so will never fear them in the field or covert , or be beaten off her Game by them , as otherwise she would .

§. VI. To enter a Goshawk to fly to the field .

PRovide three or four hand-Partridges , with a companion , and one couple of staunch Spaniels ; then go into the field , having prepared your Hawk with appetite and courage to fly . Then one of you shall go near hand from the other unto some bushes or other covert , whereas he shall spend his voice to the Dogs after the accustomed manner , and using some blows with his Pole , he shall secretly let the Partridge spring as from forth the same , with such judgment in the delivery as that the Hawk may see it , crying with a loud voice , Howe , Howe , Howe , that she may learn to know the word of warning , when she should at any other time look about her , and be watchful at an instant to take her advantage . This done , and your Hawk flying after it with spirit , and taking it , be sure with all expedition to get in to her , that no Dog or other thing may fright her , or deprive her of it : But suffer her to plume and take her pleasure on it , and further to take bloud thereon , still having the Spaniels in sight close by her . Then you must teach her to take the head in her foot , and eat it on the ground : And when she hath so done , and looketh about her , having your Spaniels by you , through the Partridges pelt ( as before in her first teaching ) once among the Dogs , and let her take it being in her Leash , that she may not carry it from you : And whilst she sits there and plumes make her supper ready ; take her gently to your Fist , and there content her . By thus ordering and using of her , you will without doubt very suddenly have an excellent Hawk : And by all means fly her to the field all the first year , and let her not see the Pheasant at all , for that will draw her love from the Partridge , and make her give them over ; being a shorter flight .

When you have thus entred and blouded her , and also killed three or four Partridges more from the mark at the retrive , and perceive that she knows a Partridge by sight , and the accustomed terms , and will go readily from the Fist thereto ; be sure , that all the fore-part of the year you let her go no more one flight in ten , near to the rising of her Game , for that will make her slothful ; the Partridge being then weak , and she taking them easily at the sowce in a short space , she will afterward remember it , and look for the same order , and without it will not fly towards the latter end of the year , but if the Partridge be sprung far from her , will make as if she saw it not , and fly to the next tree she meets with .

Some Hawks have an ill property , that when they have flown a Partridge hard to any covert , and take it not at the first flight , there will they sit still on the ground , and not get up to any stand for their better advantage . To amend which fault , when your Hawk hath flown a Partridge , make after her with all the speed you can , taking your Dogs with you by your command , and when you have found her , be sure to take her up , but not on your Fist by any means , if there be either hedge or tree near hand , but take her by the body or shoulders suddenly with both your hands , and throw her upon either hedg , bush , or tree , and then beat for the Partridge , when as it is impossible but she must see it ; if it doth spring then , and she fly after and kill it , well . This course being well followed will certainly reclaim her from that fault , and teach her to rise her self ; for she will quickly understand that else she shall be caught and tost up , and also that thereby she shall enjoy some pleasure and content . This is a common and lasting fault of the Eyas Hawk or brancher , seldom of the Haggard , and therefore you need not fear frighting or angring her by so doing .

It is in my opinion the most commendable and safe way after one of these Hawks is first entred , and only knows a Partridge , then immediately to teach her and use her to fly from forth the Hood . Often bating at Partridges sprung to other Hawks discomforts and discourages her : Besides , she will , if carried bare-fac'd , be very stirring and unquiet on the Fist , not a Dog can stir , or bird rise , but she will offer to be gone . Let her also sit and weather in the Hood , and never take it off but when she shall either fly , feed , bathe , or is to take her rest at night .

§. VII . How to enter your Goshawk to the Covert .

NO man is fit to order and manage a Goshawk to the covert but he that hath a strong and able body , and a good spirit and courage to follow her , for in this sport , and with this Hawk he must altogether trust to his feet .

Here because the man cannot follow by view to succour the Hawk , you ought to be chary of what place you enter her in , especially that she may be there well guarded and kept from taking any mislike or offence at the Dogs , the which if she should do at the beginning she will never indure them again : For it is the sudden rushing of the Spaniels upon her , ( their sight by means of the covert being obscured ) that breeds this offence . The best time to enter her is early before the leaf do stir ; for then the Pheasant flies not far . Also afterwards the nature of them is to leave the young shoots and small groves , and draw to the high and thickest woods .

Having made good choice of your place , and let your Hawk go unto her flight , you must be sure to command your Dogs to you till you have found her ; then if she have killed , you have your desire ; if not , and that you chance to find her on the ground , ( as it may well be you may , for many of them at their first entring will be very hot and eager of that sport , and oftentimes seeking for it on the ground ) if there be any tree near hand , that she may well see from it , put her up into the same , otherwise keep her on your Fist and beat for it again . Then if she do fly and kill it , you must be sure to make stay of the Dogs till you have found her : Which done you shall get gently in to her , and if you dislike the place for the uneasiness or thickness , draw her gently to another more open , where she may with more ease and quiet enjoy her prey ; and there suffer her to plume and take her pleasure on it a while . Then call your Dogs to you , and walk and stir gently about her , with some moderate rusling and bustling in the bushes , the better to acquaint her with the same noise . Then when you see it convenient stoop to it on your knees , and rending the Chaps give her bloud in the throat , where it will issue abundantly , to her great content . Then covering the body with your hat , pluck of the head , and give it her in her foot , to eat on the ground : And having your Spaniels close by you , when she hath done , and beginneth to look about her , throw the Pheasant as it were in their very mouths , that she may , together with some words of rebuke from your self , make them give way with fear unto her , yet drawing them into her sight again , so long to remain as she is on the ground , and till you make ready her supper . And when you see she hath taken her sufficient pleasure , exchange that artificially with her , and let her eat it on the ground where the quarry lay , only reserving some little thing to take her to your Fist withal : And then put on her Hood , not forgetting to bestow some reward on her afterward , which she will be well pleased withal .

To make your Goshawk with boldness take a Pheasant from the Pearch , before you offer to fly her thereto , provide a young Capon or brown Pullet , and take it with you to the Wood , and when you call her to her supper , as she is drawing and attending after you , having a Pole fit for the purpose provided , call your Spaniels about you , to make them bay , and suddenly breaking the neck of the Poultry , lift it up on a bough , so high as the Hawk may well have sight of it , there stirring it , and withal crying , Abay , abay to her : At which noise , and seeing it flutter , no doubt she will come in , and pull it down : Which if she shall do , be sure that the Dogs may with some rebuke from your self , make way for her descending , and then suffer her to plume and take her pleasure thereon , &c. as was before directed : And in using this course but a while , she will become so bold and venturous , as that the Pheasant shall no sooner go to Pearch , but she will have him by the ears , and pull him down .

By threatning words and blows , with reason , you may bring your Spaniels into such subjection , as to trust them alone with your Hawk in your absence : taking care there be no strange Dogs among them : For one strange unruly Dog is sufficient to mar all the rest , and the Hawk too .

Be careful to enter your Goshawk first to the Cock-Pheasant , for the veriest dastard that is will kill the Hen ; which if you enter her first to , it may be afterward with all your Art and Skill you shall never force her to fly at the Cock . If you find that at first she is afraid to buckle with him , then with two or three days rest prepare her stomach soundly , and put her to him again .

§. VIII . Of the Haggard-Goshawk .

THis being the wildest Hawk of all , and so requiring more labour , care , and attendance in her reclaiming and perfect making than any other , he advises not to deal hastily with her by peppering , watching , and the like : For many Hawks have so been spoil'd and lost ; their bodies being unfit for such sudden changes .

It is the nature of these Hawks when wild to feed on their prey in covert places , where they may not be descried by such other birds as love them not : Wherefore also being reclaimed , whensoever they take it in any Plain or Champain place , they will be apt to carry it to the next harbour or covert : To reclaim her from this ill quality you must take this course . Though you do call and draw her along after you by your chirping and whistle through the thick and covert places , yet do not there take her to your Fist to be fully satisfied , but let her still wait on you , till you come to some plain place , and there entertain her to the Fist , and let her feed a little thereon , then put to her Leash , and let her eat the rest on the ground close by you , and having reserved some stump , take her to the Fist . Remember that you sometimes stoop gently on your knee , and quietly and softly convey some bits unseen afar off to her , that she strike not at your hand with her Talons , &c. Thus doing daily with gentle usage so long as you call her , you will embolden her , and make her so familiar as never to offer to carry any thing from you .

When she kills , be sure to get in gently to her , having before provided her a meal ready drest , and as she sits on the Partridge , bestow the same on her in bits with cleanly conveyance , which will prolong her time in pluming , and stay the sharpness of her appetite , and desire to feed , which she must not do , for it would cause her to love the Bird better than your self , and to be loth afterwards at any time to be bereaved of it , and thereby take occasion to carry it from you , hoping to enjoy it to her self more quietly and secretly : Whereas this course will so please her , and draw her love so certainly to you , as she will never after offer to carry one feather from you . All this while give her no bloud at all , but with some reversion take her to your Fist again . By this means she will never break the Prey so long as there is one feather left on it , I speak this by experience and on my credit . but still attend for your coming , and to have a reward only at your hand . When you have well nuzled up and inured her herein , afterward when you find her with a Partridge in her foot ; then after a good time spent in pluming , take off the head and neck , and give it unto her with the most part of her supper together , and so take her to your Fist .

He prescribes how to teach a Goshawk to fly to the Wild-duck , which is by providing three or four hand-fowl , and letting her fly and foot them out of your hand one after another , day after day , and letting her plume and be well rewarded on them : And afterward getting another like bird , and letting a companion carry it into a close place or plump of bushes , and there throw it up in sight of your Hawk before prepared with a good stomach , &c. In like manner he teaches , how to enter a Hawk to the Rook , Heron , Wild Goose , Mew , &c. with a train-Rook or two , &c. which who desires to be particularly informed in , may consult the Author .

§. IX . Certain Observations for an Ostreger in keeping a Goshawk .

A Goshawk that was good in her soarage , many times proves worse after mewing : Because in her soarage she was not cherished to make her take delight in her flight . For the chief skill of an Ostreger consists in coying and cherishing his Hawk , so as she may take pride in her flight . Wherefore it were good at her first entring to have always a train-Partridge in his Bag , to serve her withal if need be , and so win her love .

Ply your Hawk with Tiring and Plumage morning and evening ; for that will open her head ; and cast out the moist humours , wherewith Goshawks are naturally troubled . Let her Tiring be a Rump of Beef , or the Pinion of a Wing , or a Chickens Leg , given by the fire , or in the warm Sun , which will not only open her head but keep her in exercise .

Give her every night casting either of feathers or Cotton , and in the morning mark whether it be wrought round or not , whether it be sweet or not , whether it be moist or dry , and of what colour the water is that drops out of it : For thereby you may judge in what case your Hawk is . You must also have regard to the mewts , whether they be clean or not .

In Winter and cold weather set your Hawk warm , in some place where fire is made , and roll your Pearch with Cotton , or some such like thing . Set your Pearch far from the wall , that your Hawk hurt not her feathers when she bateth . If it be not cold , set her every morning in some place where the Sun hath power for an hour or two .

Let no Hens or Poultry come near the place where your Hawk shall pearch .

In the Spring offer your Hawk to the water every week , or else she will soar away when she fleeth , and make you seek her . If any time she bathes of her own accord after her flight , if it be Winter , go presently to the next house , and weather her by a fire with her back to it , and not her gorge , for that would make her sick : Likewise dry her if you have carried her in the rain .

Keep her lusty and high , and yet her stomach so sharp , that she may fly eagerly . The plucking down a Hawk mars her , and makes her cowardly ; and liable to sickness and infirmity .

Keep your Hawk clean , and her feathers whole , and if a feather be broken or bruised imp it presently .

The first year it is best to fly your Goshawk to the field , and not to the covert , for so they will learn to hold out and not turn tail in the midst of their flight : And when they are mewed Hawks you may make them do what you will ; it is better to let them be a littleramage than over-manned .

Her feeding is best on hot meats : And if you would breed her to kill great fowl , make her trains thereof : And if you would have her continue those flights never fly at less , for that will take her off from them and spoil her .

If you would make her to fly with a Dog to assist her , feed her with great fowl , and your Dogs with flesh tied under their Wings . If you train your Hawk with them , reward her upon the train , and your Dog with her : This will make them acquainted together . Thus continue doing till your Dog throughly knows his duty : And be sure to keep your Dog tied up , for if you let him go loose , it will spoil the best Dog that is : And never give him a reward but when he makes in at such Fowls to rescue the Hawk .

CHAP. X. Of the Sparrow-hawk .

THe Sparhawk ( saith Latham ) though a demy-creature , yet for her spirit and mettle is worthy to march in the best company : Nay , there is no better Hawk than she , if she be kept , as she ought to be , lusty and strong . Besides , he that knows how to man , reclaim and fly a Sparrow-hawk , may easily know how to keep and deal with all other Hawks .

And herein lieth an excellency in the Sparrow-hawk , she serves both for Winter and Summer with great pleasure , and will fly at all kind of Game more than the Falcon. If the Winter Sparrow-hawk prove good , she will kill the Pie , the Chough , the Jay , the Woodcock , Thrush , Blackbird , Fieldfare : Latham adds the Rook , Mew , Lapwing , Ring-dove , House-dove . To be kept strongly in the Hood and flown from it , she is a most excellent Hawk , and will kill more Partridge in one day than the best long-winged Hawk will do in two .

Her diet should be of the daintiest meat , unless in times of rest , and then also well washt and dried again , especially if she be mewd .

Against she is to fly she must be prepared with a short cut , to put a perfect edge upon her , and then she will fly after the best manner . Also she should not be flown in the Morning , unless she be prepared over night with a short and clean supper for the purpose .

Likewise you ought to have always about you a little box full of fresh Butter , mixt with a little Saffron and Sugar-candy , to give with her meat now and then ; or let her eat it out of the box : Which she will do with great delight , and it will keep her head evermore loose , and in good temper , and also prevent the Cray , and keep her proud and full of spirit .

For the Eyas or Nyas Sparrow-hawk ( which is of greatest difficulty to bring to perfection ) you must first feed her in some cool room , which hath two Windows , the one to the North , and the other to the East , which must be open and barred over with Laths , not so wide for a Hawk to get out , or Vermine to come in : Strow the Chamber with fresh leaves , and do in every respect to this Room , as was ordered for the mewing of the Falcon.

You must feed your Eyas with Sparrows , young Pigeons , and Sheeps hearts . Whilst she is very young and little , you should cut her meat , or shred it into small pellets , and feed her twice or thrice aday , according as you find her endew it or put it over .

When she is full summed and flieth about , then give her whole small Birds , and sometimes feed her on your Fist , suffering her to strain and kill the Birds in your hand ; and sometimes put live Birds into the Chamber where she is , that she may learn to foot and to kill them ; and let her feed upon them in your presence : By this course you will not only neal her , but take her off from that scurvy quality of hiding her Prey when she hath seised it , a natural property belonging to all Eyasses . Likewise every morning go into the Room , call her to your Fist , whistle and use such terms as you would have her hereafter acquainted with . When she hath put forth all her Feathers and is full summed , then take her out of the Chamber , and furnish her with Bells , Bewets , Jesses , and Lines .

It will be altogether requisite to seel her at first , that she may the better endure the Hood and handling : And let it be a Rufter-hood , that is large and easie , which you must pull off and put on frequently , stroaking her often on the Head , till she will stand gently .

In the evening by Candle-light unseel her , giving her somewhat to tire upon , handling , and stroaking her feathers gently , hooding and unhooding heras often as you think fit .

Before I proceed any farther , I shall inform you how to seel a Hawk after the best manner . Take a Needle threaded with untwisted Thread , and casting your Hawk , take her by the Beak , and put the Needle through her Eye-lid , not right against the Sight of the Eye , but somewhat nearer the Beak , that she may have liberty to see backward ; and have especial care that you hurt not the Web : Then put your Needle through the other Eye-lid , drawing the ends of the Thread together , tie them over the Beak , not with a streight knot , but cut off the Threads near to the end of the knot , and so twist them together , that the Eye-lids may be raised so upwards that the Hawk may not see at all , but as the Thread shall slacken , she shall be able to see backwards only , which is the cause that the Thread is put nearer the Beak .

When your Eyas is well won to the Hood and to the Fist , let her kill small Birds thereon ; then call her two or three days or longer , till she will come far off ; then take a live Pigeon tied by the foot with a Creance , and stir it till your Hawk will bate at it and seise it , but not far off , that you may quickly help her at the first , lest the Pigeon struggling with her she prove too strong , and so discourage your young Hawk : Then let her plume and foot her , and feed her thereupon , whistling the while , that she may know it another time : Then hood her , and let her plume and tire a little .

You may use her to Trains of Chicken and Quail : And when she will seise readily by often Training , ride out with her in the morning into the Fields , where calling your Sparrow-hawk to your Fist , and giving her a bit or two , go with your Spaniels to seek some Beavy of young Quails , advancing your Fist aloft , that your Hawk may see them when they spring , flying her at advantage : If she kill , reward her , &c. if she miss , serve her with a Train of a Quail .

Let your Dogs hunt on your right hand when they range , but especially when they quest and call , to the end you may the better cast off your Hawk . When your Hawk is throughly entred and well nouzled , you may then hold your hand low , for she will now bate at the Whurr : But whatever you do , have a quick eye and a good regard to the Spaniels , not coveting to be too near them , but a little above them , that you may let your Hawk fly coasting at the advantage when the Game springeth .

§. II. Of the Brancher , Soar , Mewed , and Haggard Sparrow-hawk .

HAving spoken of the first kind of Sparrow-hawks , viz. the Eyas , the other four in the title of this Chapter must consequently be discoursed of .

I shall give you but few instructions , for in effect the same precepts that serve for the Eyas will serve also for the Brancher , Soar , Mew'd , and Haggard Hawks ; only this , these four last require not so much pains to be taken to make them know their Game as the Eyas , because they have been accustomed to prey for themselves .

Above all things the Falconer must take them off from their ill custom of carrying , and that may be done by serving them with great Trains , whereby they will learn to abide on the Quarry .

Be very mindful of coying them as much as you can , for they will remember a kindness or injury better than any other Hawk .

If the Hawk be newly taken , and will not feed , then rub her Feet with warm flesh , whistling to her , and sometimes putting the flesh unto her Beak : If she will not yet feed , rub her Feet with a live Bird ; if at the crying of the Bird the Hawk seise it with her Feet , it is a sign she will feed ; then tear off the Skin and Feathers of the Birds Breast , and put the Bird to her Beak , and she will eat .

When she will feed upon your whistle and chirp , then hood her with a Rufter-hood , and feed her betimes in the morning ; and when she hath endewed , give her a Beaching in the day-time , and every time you hood her give her a bit or two ; at evening give her the Brains of a Hen for her supper : and in every thing else order these Hawks aforesaid as you do the Falcon and the rest .

§. III. How to mew Sparrow-Hawks .

SOme use to put their Sparrow-Hawk into the Mew as soon as they leave flying her , cutting off both her Bewets , Lines , and knots of her Jesses , and so leave them in the Mew till they are clean mewed .

If you will have your Sparrow-Hawk to fly at Quail , Partridge , or Pheasant Powt , then you must draw her in the beginning of April , and bear her on the Fist till she be clean and throughly enseamed .

Others keep their Sparrow-Hawks on the Pearch until March , and then throw them into the Mew , peppering them for Lice if they have any . Her Mew should be a Chamber aloft from the ground , eight or nine foot long , and about six foot broad : Her Windows and Pearches must be like the Goshawks .

Her Mew being thus provided , in May go in to her in an evening by Candle-light , and taking her up softly , pull out all her Train-Feathers one after another : This shall make her mew the faster , especially if you feed her with hot meat and Birds , observing a certain hour to feed her in .

Once in fourteen days set water before her in the Mew : If you perceive she hath any Feathers or Down which stand staring upon her Back , sitting as if she would rouze , then set her water sooner . If you put water by her continually , it delays her Mewing ; and to keep it always from her causeth her to mew her Feathers uncleanly : But water once in a fortnight is the best medium for her Mewing between those two extremes .

PART II. Of Diseases and dangerous Accidents incident to Hawks , and their several Cures .

IT is necessary for a skilful Falconer not only to know how to man , reclaim , keep , fly , imp , and mew his Hawks , with other things pertinent to that purpose , but also to know their Diseases , with the proper Cures of them , and other Accidents frequently befalling Hawks , both in their Flights and otherways .

Before we shall characterize their Maladies , and prescribe rules for their Cures , it will be requisite to tell you that Hawks , as well as men , ( which seems somewhat strange ) have four complexions , the true Indicators of their natures : And as in man his natural Complexion and Constitution is known by his Skin , so is the Temperament and natural Disposition of a Hawk by her Coat and Plume . This opinion hath not been only averred by the Ancients , but confirmed by the modern experience of the skilful in the noble Art of Hawking . Take it in this manner .

Falcons that are black are Melancholic , and are to be physicked with hot and moist Medicines , because their Complexion is cold and dry ; for which purpose Aloes , Pepper , Cocks-flesh , Pigeons , Sparrows , Goats-flesh , and the like , are very good .

Falcons blank are Phlegmatick , and must have Physic hot and dry , because Phlegm is cold and moist ; to which purpose Cinnamon , Cloves , Cardamum , Goats-flesh , Choughs , &c. are very good .

Falcons russet are Sanguine and Cholerick indifferently mixt , and their Physic must be cold , moderately moist and dry , as Myrtles , Cassia fistula , Tamarinds , Vinegar , Lambs-flesh , and Pullets .

Thus much for the Complexions : now for the Diseases and their Cures .

CHAP. I. Of Castings and Mewtings , either good or bad , according to their several Complexions and smells .

CAstings are of two sorts , Plumage , or Cotton : The latter is most commonly given in Pellets , which must be about the bigness of an Hazel-nut , made of fine soft white Cotton : After she hath supt you must convey this into her Gorge .

In the morning diligently observe how she hath rolled and cast it , whereby you shall know whether she be in a bad or good condition : For example , if she cast it round , white , not stinking , nor very moist or waterish , you may conclude her sound ; but if she roll it not well , but cast it long , with properties contrary to the former , then she is unsound and full of Diseases .

Besides , if her Casting be either black , green , yellowish , slimy , or stinking , it denotes your Hawk to be diseased . The former Casting is remedied by hot meats ; the latter by feeding her well , and washing her meats in cool water , as of Endive , &c. and give her one or two Castings of Cotton , incorporating therewith Incense and Mummy . But if she continue notwithstanding in this condition , give her an upward Scowring made thus : Take Aloes pulverized one scruple , powder of Cloves four grains , powder of Cubebs three grains , incorporate these , and wrap them in Cotton , and give it your Hawk empty , having no meat in her Pannel .

Casting of Plumage is to be observed as the former Casting : That is , if in the morning you find them round , and not stinking , it is a good sign ; but if long , slimy , with indigested flesh sticking to the same , and having an ill sent , it is very bad . Here note , that by how much the more sweet or stinking the Casting is , by so much is the Hawk in a better or worse condition .

Mewts must be observed as well as Castings , in this manner : If the Mewt be white , not very thick nor clear , having no black spot in it , or but very little , it is a sign of the healthy constitution of the Hawk ; but if it be white and very thick in the middle , though it doth not import sickness , yet it sheweth her to be too gross and over-full of grease , which you must remedy by giving her moist meats , as the Heart of a Calf or Lamb , &c. and for two mornings after give her some Sugar-Candy , or else the Gut of a Chicken well washt , and filled with Oyl-Olive : Either of these will scour her , and make her to slise freely .

It is a very bad and mortal sign to see your Hawks Mewt full of variety of colours : therefore you must speedily prevent ensuing mischiefs by giving her Mummy purified and beaten to powder , wrapping it in Cotton .

If the Mewt be more yellow than white , then doth she abound with Choler proceeding from great Flights in hot weather , also from much Bating . This is remedied by washing her meat in Bugloss , Endive , Borage , and such like cold waters , wringing the said meat after you have so washed it .

The black Mewt is a most deadly sign , and if it continue four days she will peck over the Pearch and die . If she mewt so but once , there is no great danger , for it proceeds either from the Bloud or Guts of the Fowl in tiring , or else from being gorged with filthy meats : In this case give her good warm meat and Cotton-casting , with the powder of Cloves , Nutmeg , and Ginger , or Mummy alone .

If the Mewt be green , it is a bad sign , and denotes her troubled with an infected and corrupt Liver , or with some Aposteme , unless she be a Rammage Hawk , and then that sign holds not good . Her Cure is , by feeding her with meat powdered with Mummy ; if she will not take it with her Food , then give it her in a Scouring or Casting : But if this ill-coloured Mewting continue still , then give her a Scouring of Agarick , and after that another of Incense pulverized to comfort her .

The dark sanguine Mewt with a black in it is the most deadly sign of all , and differs but little , if any thing , from the former black Mewt . A Hawk mewting after this manner is irrecoverable , and therefore it is needless to prescribe a Cure .

Lastly , The grey Mewt like sour milk is a mortal token , yet curable , as shall be shewn hereafter .

Thus you see how requisite it is for a Falconer to observe diligently every morning his Hawks Castings and Mewtings , that knowing thereby their Maladies , he may timely find out their Remedies . Let us now proceed to their particular Diseases .

CHAP. II. Of the Cataract .

THe Cataract in the Eyes of a Hawk is a Malady not easily removed , and sometimes incurable , when it is too thick , and of a long continuance .

It proceedeth from gross Humours in the Head , which frequently do not only dim , but extinguish the Sight : and sometimes the Hood is the cause of this mischief .

The Cure must be effected by Scouring her two or three days with Aloes or Agarick : Then take the powder of washt Aloes finely beaten one scruple , and two scruples of Sugar-Candy ; mingle these together , and with a quill blow it into your Hawks eye afflicted as aforesaid three or four times a day . This is the gentlest and most sovereign medicine of any yet I have tried . But if this will not do , you must use stronger medicines , as the juyce of Celandine roots , bathing her Eyes often with warm Rose-water wherein hath been boyled the seeds of Fengreek .

CHAP. III. Of the Pantas or Asthma .

THe Pantas is a dangerous Distemper , and few Hawks escape which are afflicted therewith . It happens when the Lungs are as it were so baked by excessive heat , that the Hawk cannot draw her breath , and when drawn , cannot well emit it again . You may judge of the beginning of this Distemper by the Hawks labouring much in the Pannel , moving her Train often up and down at each motion of her Pannel : and she cannot many times mewt or slise , or if she do , she drops it fast by her . It is known likewise by your Hawks frequent opening her Clap and Beak .

The best Remedy is , to scour your Hawk with good Oyl-Olive well washed in several waters till it become clear and white ; which you must do after this manner : Take an earthen pot with a small hole in the bottom thereof , which you must stop with your finger ; then pour therein your Oyl with a quantity of water , and coil these together with a spoon till the water grow darkish , after which remove your finger , and the water will run out , but the Oyl remain behind floating on the top ; thus do seven or eight times , till you have throughly purified the Oyl : Then take a Sheeps Gut above an inch long for a Falcon and Goshawk , but of a less length for lesser Hawks , and fill it with this Oyl , and fasten it with thread at both ends . Your Hawk having first cast , convey this Gut into her Throat , holding her on the Fist till she make a Mewt ; an hour after she hath done mewting feed her with a Calves Heart , or a Pullets Leg , giving her every third or fourth day a Cotton-casting with Cubebs and Cloves . I shall only add one Receipt more for the Pantas or Asthma , and that is the Oyl of sweet Almonds poured into a washt Chickens Gut , and given the Hawk ; which is of great efficacy in the cure of this Disease .

CHAP. IV. Of Worms .

THere are a sort of Worms an inch long which frequently afflict Hawks , proceeding from gross and viscous Humours in the Bowels , occasioned through want of natural heat and ill digestion .

You may know when she is troubled with them by her casting her Gorge , her stinking Breath , her Trembling and writhing her Train , her croaking in the night , her offering with her Beak at her Breast or Pannel , and by her Mewt being small and unclean .

You may cure her of them with a Scouring of washt Aloes Hepatic , Mustard-seed and Agarick , of each an equal quantity ; or the Powder of Harts-horn dried ; or lastly , a Scouring of white Dittany , Aloes , Hepatic washt four or five times , Cubebs , and a little Saffron wrapt in some flesh , to cause her to take it the better .

CHAP. V. Of the Filanders .

THere are several sorts of Filanders , but I shall speak but of one sticking to the Reins . They are Worms as small as a Thread , and about an inch long , and lie wrapt up in a thin Skin or Net near the Reins of a Hawk , apart from either Gut or Gorge .

You shall know when your Hawk is troubled with them by her poverty , by ruffling her Train , by straining the Fist or Pearch with her Pounces , and lastly by croaking in the night when the Filanders prick her . You must remedy this Malady betimes , before these Worms have inlarged themselves from their proper station , roving elsewhere to your Hawks ruine and destruction .

You must not kill them as other Worms , for fear of Impostumes from their corruption being incapable to pass away with the Hawks Mewt ; but only stupefie them , that they may be offensive but seldom : And that is done thus ; Take a head of Garlick , taking away the outmost rind ; then with a Bodkin heated in the fire make holes in some Cloves , then steep them in Oyl three days , and after this give her one of the Cloves down her Throat , and for forty days after she will not be troubled with the Filanders . Wherefore a Falconer will shew himself prudent , if , seeing his Hawk low and poor , he give her once a month a Clove of this Garlick for prevention of the Filanders .

CHAP. VI. Of Hawks Lice .

THese Lice do most infest the Head , the Ply of a Hawks Wings , and her Train . In the Winter you may kill them thus : Take two drachms of Pepper beaten to powder , and mingle it with warm water , and with this Lotion wash the places infested with these Lice or Mites : Then set your Hawk on a Pearch with her Back and Train against the Sun ; then hold in your hand a small stick about a handful long , with a piece of soft Wax at the end of it , and with that ( whilst the Hawk is weathering her self ) take away those Vermin crawling upon the Feathers . You may do well to add to the Pepper and Water some Stavesacre .

In the Summer-time you may kill the Lice with Auripigmentum beaten to powder , and strowed on the places where they lie .

CHAP. VII . How to keep and maintain all manner of Hawks in health , good plight , and liking .

IN the first place , never give them a great Gorge , especially of gross meats , as Beef , Pork , and such as are hard to be endewed and put over .

Secondly , never feed them with the flesh of any Beast that hath lately gone to Rutt , for that will insensibly destroy them .

Thirdly , if you are constrained to give your Hawk gross food , let it be well soaked first in clean water , and afterwards sufficiently wrung ; in Summer with cold water , in Winter with luke-warm water .

Ever observe to reward your Hawks with some good live meat , or else they will be brought too low : However by serving them with washt meats is the way to keep them in health .

I shall conclude how to keep Hawks in perfect health with this most excellent Receipt . Take Germander , Pelamountain , Basil , Grummel-seed , and Broom-flowers , of each half an ounce ; Hyssop , Sassifras , Polypodium , and Horse-mints , of each a quarter of an ounce , and the like of Nutmegs ; Cubebs , Borage , Mummy , Mugwort , Sage , and the four kinds of Mirobolans , of each half an ounce ; of Aloes Succotrine the fifth part of an ounce , and of Saffron one whole ounce . All these you must pulverize , and every eighth or twelfth day give your Hawks the quantity of a Bean thereof with their meat . If they will not take it so , put it into a Hens Gut tied at both ends , and let them stand empty an hour after .

CHAP. VIII . Of the Formica .

THis is a Distemper with commonly seiseth on the horn of Hawks Beaks , which will eat the Beak away : And this is occasioned by a Worm , as most men are of opinion .

You may perceive it by this , the Beak will grow rugged , and it will begin to separate from the Head .

To remedy this Malady , you must take the Gall of a Bull , and break it into a dish , and add thereto the powder of Aloes Succotrine : Mingle these well together , and anoint the Clap or Beak of your Hawk therewith , and the very place where the Formica grows , twice aday ; but touch not her Eyes or Nares : continue thus doing till your Hawk be perfectly cured , and bath her with Orpiment and Pepper to keep her from other Vermin .

CHAP. IX . Of the Frownce .

THe Frownce proceedeth from moist and cold humours which descend from the Hawks Head to the Palate and root of the Tongue , by means whereof they lose their appetite , and cannot close their Clap. This by some is called the Eagles-bane ; for she seldom dieth of age , but of the over-growing of her Beak .

You may know if your Hawk be troubled with this Distemper by opening her Beak , and seeing whether her Tongue be swoln or no : If it be , she hath it .

There are several ways to cure this Distemper , but the best that ever yet I could find for it is , only to take the powder of Allum reduced to a Salve with strong Wine-vinegar , and wash the Hawks mouth therewith .

CHAP. X. Of the Pip.

THe Pip frequently troubleth Hawks , as it doth Chickens , and proceedeth from cold and moistness of the Head , or from feeding on gross meat not well washt in warm water in the Winter , and cold water in the Summer .

The Symptoms of this Distemper are the Hawks frequent Sniting , and making a noise twice or thrice in her Sniting .

For the Cure hereof , you must cast your Hawk gently , and look upon the tip of her Tongue , and if you find the Pip there , you must scour her with a Pill made of Agarick and Hierapicra given two or three days together with her Casting at night ; this will cleanse her Head , and the sooner if she be made to tire against the Sun in the morning : Then bind a little Cotton to the end of a Stick , and dipping it in good Rose-water wash her Tongue therewith : After this anoint it three or four days with Oyl of sweet Almonds and Oyl-Olive well washed as before said . Having so done , you will find the Pip all white and soft : Then take an Awl , and with the Point thereof lift up the Pip softly , and remove it , as women pip their Chickens , but remove it not till it be throughly ripe ; and wet her Tongue and Palate twice or thrice a day with the aforesaid Oyl , till she be throughly cured .

CHAP. XI . How to remedy that Hawk which endeweth not , nor putteth over as she should do .

THis happens either by being foul within , or by a Surfeit ; or else when she was low and poor her Keeper over-gorged her , by being too hasty to set her up , and she being weak was not able to put over and endew , and furfeited thereupon .

The Cure whereof is this : You must feed her with light meats , and a little at once , as with young Rats and Mice , Chickens or Mutton , dipt in Goats milk or otherwise ; or give her a quarter of a Gorge of the Yolk of an Egg.

If you feed her with the flesh of any living Fowl , first steep it well in the bloud of the same Fowl , so shall your Hawk mount her flesh apace ; if you also scour her with Pills made of Lard , Marrow of Beef , Sugar , and Saffron mixt together , and given her three mornings together , giving her also a reasonable Corgo two hours after .

CHAP. XII . How to make a Hawk feed eagerly that hath lost her Appetite , without bringing her low .

A Hawk may lose her Appetite by taking too great Gorges in the Evening , which she cannot well endew ; or by being foul in the Pannel ; or sometimes by Colds .

To remedy which , take Aloes Succotrina , boil'd Sugar and Beef marrow , of each alike , only less of the Aloes , incorporate these , and make them into Balls or Pills as big as Beans , and give of them to your Hawk , and hold her in the Sun till she hath cast up the filth and slime within her , then feed her not till noon , at which time give her good meat ; and three days after for the same Disease it is good tiring on Stock-doves , small Birds , Rats or Mice .

CHAP. XIII . How to raise a Hawk that is low and poor .

THe Poverty of a Hawk happens several ways : either by the ignorance of the Falconer of some later lurking Distemper ; or by her soaring away , and so being lost four or five days , in which time finding little or no Prey , she becomes poor and lean .

To set her up you must feed her , a little at once , and often , with good meat and of light digestion , as small Birds , Rats , Mice , &c. Or thus : Take two spoonfuls of Honey , four of fresh Butter , and boil them together in a new earthen pot of water ; then take Pork well washed , and steep it in that water , giving your Hawk a reasonable Gorge thereof twice a day , warming the said water when you intend to feed your Hawk : And get some Snails that breed in running waters , and give them her in the morning , and they will not only scour away the gross slimy humours which are within , but also nourish her exceedingly .

CHAP. XIV . How to remedy a Hawk that is slothful , and is averse to flying .

A Hawk frequently hath no mind to fly , either by reason of her ill keeping , that is , when she is kept by those who know not how to give her her Rights , as bouzing , bathing , &c. or because the Hawk is too high and full of grease , or too poor and low : By the first she becomes proud and coy , and by the latter so weak that she wants strength and spirit to perform it .

For the curing of which Distemper , she ought to be throughly viewed by some skilful Falconer , by whom such Remedies should be administred to her as are needful for her : But above all there is nothing like giving her in a morning three or four Pills of Celandine well washt .

CHAP. XV. Of Swoln Feet in a Hawk .

HAwks have Swelling in their Feet upon several accounts : Sometimes by chasing their Feet in flying their Prey , striking it , and taking cold thereupon ; sometimes for want of rolling or lining the Pearch with some soft warm cloth ; or else through gross Humours and Foulness within , which through exercise drop down into their Feet , and so cause them to swell ; lastly , this Swelling happens by pricks when they fly fiercely into Bushes after Game .

For a Remedy , you must scour your Hawk three mornings together with the Pills of Lard , Marrow , Sugar , and Saffron , and set her in the Sun ; two days after this feed her with good meat ; then take Bole-Armoniack , and half the quantity of Sanguis Draconis , and having made them into powder , temper them well together with the white of an Egg and Rose-water , and anoint her Feet twice a day three or four days together , setting her on some Cloth to keep her Feet warm .

CHAP. XVI . How to scour Hawks before you cast them into the Mew .

WHen Mewing time is come , you must scour and cleanse your Hawks ; for in luring and flying-time by foul feeding they engender Filanders and other Distempers , whereof they die for want of timely care and cure .

The best way is , ( when you mean to cast a Hawk into the Mew ) first to scour her well according to former directions , to cope her , and set her up well in flesh , to discharge her , as near as you can , of all Diseases , also to free her from Mites and Lice to set her water , sometimes to feed her with young Rats , Mice , Dogs-flesh , Pigeons , Rabbets , and now and then with some liquid thing and meats laxative .

Take notice of this special Observation : A Haggard is not to be cast in loose to the Mew , but is to be mewed on the Fist , for otherwise she will become too coy and strange : And if she fall to bating and beating her self for heat , then must you hood her up , or bespout her with cold water , which is the readiest way to make her leave Bating .

You must continue her on the Fist till she begin to shed her Feathers , then set her down and tie her to a Stone or Pearch , as you do the rest ; and after she hath mewed and comes to fly , then let her stand on a Block or Billet cased or rolled . In the same manner mew Goshawks , Tiercels , and Sparrow-hawks ; only they will not be born on the Fist , but be at liberty in the Mew , and very clealy served .

Fifteen or twenty days before you draw your Hawk out of the Mew you must begin to abate her of her diet , the sooner and better to enseam her .

Many more Diseases there are incident and Accidents hapning to Hawks , of which with their Cures there are large discourses written in Italian , French , and English , and therefore I thought fit to insert in this place no other Maladies than what most usually occur : If you desire to be farther satisfied , I shall refer you to those larger Volumes .

An account of some Sea-fowl out of the Description of the Foeroe Islands .

IN the Description of the Foeroe Islands , written by Lucas Jacobson Debes , I find an account of the manner of breeding and taking of some Water-fowl described by us , Book 3. Part 3. Sect. 1. Chap. 2 , 4 , 5. and Sect. 3. Chap. 2. which because it confirms and illustrates what we have there delivered , I shall here subjoyn . The names by which these Birds are known in the Foeroe Islands are the Skrabe , the Lunde , the Lomwifve , and the Sea-Daw . The Skrabe , that is our Mank Puffin , comes in February about St. Matthias day , and fareth away about St. Bartholomew tide [ Aug. 24. ] The Lomwifve , that is our Guillemot ; and Sea-daw , that is our Razor-bill , come about St. Gregories tide , [ March 12. ] and fly away at Mary Magdalens [ July 22. ]

The aforesaid sorts of Birds lay every one but one Egg , and get but one Young The Skrabe or Puffin . every year ; and though they be those that are chiefly fought for , and there be taken of them 100000 every year , there is nevertheless more of them than of any other sort ; yea , by the admirable providence of God , they are so plentiful , that in clear weather they can darken the shining of the Sun , as it were with a thick cloud , making such a terrible noise with their Wings in flying , that they who hear it , and do not know the cause thereof , would not think otherwise than that it were Thunder .

The Skrabe [ Puffin ] builds on the Land under the earth ; scraping with its Beak and Claws , lying on the back , ( whence it is called a Skrabe ) it diggeth a hole in some places a foot deep , in some other eight or ten foot in several turnings , seeking especially to dig it self behind a stone , where it thinketh to lie securest . It is very remarkable , that this Bird is the whole day away from its Young and never comes to it but in the night to feed it ; and if it flies not from its Young at the dawning of the day it stays with it the whole day over , and then flyeth out to Sea till the other night cometh : And though the Young be fed but once a day , yet it is so fat , that no Goose , though it hath been three weeks fed , can be fatter . These young ones they call Lyers , and by reason of their fatness they do not make present use of them , but salt them to eat them in Winter , melting their fat , which they burn in Lamps . They have to take them out several hooks half an Ell , or an Ell long , wherewith they pierce them through and draw them out . They do not usually take the Dam her self , except she be sometimes hurt with the hook that she cannot live . If they cannot get the young one with their hook , or by thrusting their arm into the birds Nest , by reason of the many turnings , they dig a hole down to it , as near as they can guess , and then thrust about with their hooks till they can get it : Which hole they must again stop so close , that not one drop of water can come into it , for else she will forsake her hole , and never come thither more ; which otherwise she doth every year in the wonted place ; so that the Inhabitants know where under the earth to find that Birds Nest yearly .

The Lunde , so called also by Hoier in his Epistle to Clusius , and by Clusius Anas The Lunde or Coulterneb . Arctica , by us Coulterneb and Mullet , hath a strong crooked Beak , so that if it biteth a man by the hand it teareth off the flesh . It wageth war with the Raven , that cometh to take it away and its young ones : It being a wonderful spectacle to see their fight ; for as soon as the Raven cometh near , the Lunde catcheth it under the Throat with its Beak , and graspeth it about the Breast with its Claws , so that the Raven cannot hurt it , but must fly away with a great crying . The Lunde holds it fast in the mean time without letting it go , till they come into the Sea , where slipping it is drown'd . Yet the Raven doth often take the Lunde at unawares , rusheth into its hole , takes and eats it up . I suspect there is something of fabulous in this Narration . The said Bird , the Lunde , buildeth its Nest sometimes on the Continent , far from houses , digging it self two or three yards , according to the nature of the place , under ground ; sometimes in Ures ( that are places under high Cliffs , full of great and small stones , that fall from the Cliffs , and by length of time are filled between with earth , and covered with grass ) in which places they dig themselves into the earth , or build , where there is no earth , their Nest under and between stones , where they can come to breed their Young with most security . The most part being taken in such places , so that a man may often take above a hundred Lundes in one Ure . Some of them build on the side of Promontories , where they find great tufts of earth in flat places , and when they fly from their Nests , they first make them clean , scraping all the dirt and old roots out of the holes , and putting fresh grass in them again . The Lundes that make their Nests in the fields are taken as is said above of the Skrabe : But for such as are under those many stones , they let run unto them some little Dogs , that are so taught , as to bring out both Bird and Egg to their Masters : But when the Birds are flown , the men take them flying ; which is done in this manner . They have a long pole , at the end of which there is a Hoop drawn over with a Net , whereof the Mashes are almost are almost as big as the quarries of a glass-window , being like the Net wherwith they take Shrimps in some places , and this they call a Stang or Staff , with this Staff the Fowler sitteth on the Cliff , or in the Ures among the great stones , where he knoweth most Fowl to come , which they call flight-places , and when the Lunde cometh flying either from or to the Land , he lifts up the Staff and the Net against the Fowl , and when he hath got it into the Net , he turneth the Staff about , that it may entangle it self the better therein : A man being sometimes able to take two hundred Lundes in that manner in a very short time .

The Lumwifve , that is Hoiers Lomwia , and our Guillem or Skout , layeth her Eggs The Lumwifve or Guillem . on the bare Points and Cliffs of high Rocks and Promontories , there lying on these Cliffs some hundred Eggs , according as the place is large , but three fingers breadth from one another , and when the Birds fly away the Eggs rowl often down into the Sea . But laying but one Egg she sitteth streight thereon , and continueth so a months time , never stirring from the place till her young one be hatcht ; in the mean time the Cock bringeth her to eat . They lay in this manner , sitting close one to another , Bird by Bird all over the place , so that the Cliff seemeth quite black , and the young one being hatch'd , she remains yet three weeks with it , and then taketh it on her back and carrieth it to Sea . When the Fowler cometh to that place , if there have not often been men there before , it hapneth sometimes that the old will not leave their young ones , and therefore are taken with the hand as many as they are and killed ; but where they are grown wild by reason of mens continual hunting after them , they fly away , the young ones running together in a flock , and when the Hen cometh again , she seeks the same place where she sate before , and clacketh so long till her young one cometh to her , being very well able to discern its own Dam , though they be all shaped alike , and when she giveth her Young to eat she putteth her head back under her Wing , giving it so to eat backwards .

The Daw , that is Hoiers Alka and our Awk , ( whence I guess the Author was The Daw or Razor-bill . mistaken in the name ) hatcheth its young ones in holes and chinks of high Promontories . That Hoier was not mistaken in the name of this Bird I conclude , because it is called by the very same name , viz. Auk , in the North of England ; so that it is manifest either our Northern men borrowed it of the Ferroese , or the Ferroese of them , it being very unlikely that by chance they should impose the same name upon it . But that ours borrowed this name of the Ferroese seems to me more probable because in other parts of England , farther distant from the Ferroyer Islands this Bird is called by other names . And yet possibly it may be also called a Daw in those Islands , as either it or the Guillem is in Cornwall . Why they should call it a Daw , I cannot imagine unless from its bigness , and the colour of its back .

It cannot be exprest with what pains and danger they take these Birds in those high and steep Cliffs , whereof many are above two hundred fathoms high , there being men apt by nature , and fit for that work , called Fowlers , who take them usually in two manners : For either they climb from below up into these high Promontories , that are as steep as a wall , or they let themselves down into them from above , with a thick , strong , hemp-rope , when they climb from below , they have then a pole five or six Ells long , with an iron hook at the end , which they that are below in the Boat , or on the Clift , fasten unto the mans Girdle , or another Rope that the Fowler hath about him , helping him thus up to the highest place , where he can get footing : afterwards they also help up another man , & when they are so several come up , every one with his Fowling Staff in his hand , and the long Rope between them tied to each others waste , they climb so as high as possibly they can ; and where they find difficulty they help each other up by thrusting one another under the breech with their Poles : And when the first hath taken footing , he draweth the other up to him by the Rope fastned to his waste , and so they proceed on till they come to the place where the Birds build ; going then after them about the hill as they please , and there being many dangerous places to climb about , having bound themselves at the Ropes end , the one seeketh a convenient place where he can stand sure , and hold himself fast , whilst the other goeth about these dangerous places ; if it then happen that he chanceth to fall , the other that stands firm keeps him up , and helps him up again : But if he passeth safe , he likewise fastneth himself till the other hath passed that dangerous place ; and so they go about the Clifts after Birds as they please ; though it often hapneth , the more is the pitty , that when the one doth not stand fast , or is not strong enough to hold up the other in his fall , that they both fall down and kill themselves ; in which manner some do perish every year .

Mr. Peter Clauson in his description of Norway writeth , that there was anciently a Law in the Country that whosoever climbed so on the Clifts , that he fell down and died , if the body was found to be buried , his next Kinsman should go the same way ; but if he durst or could not do it , the dead was not then to be buried in Sanctified earth , as one that had been too full of temerity , and was his own bane . But there is found nothing of that Law now adays .

When they then are come , in the manner aforesaid , to the birds , within the Clifts where they seldom come , the Birds are so tame that they can take them with their hands , for they will hardly leave their young ones ; but where they are wild , they either cast the Net over them on the Clift ; and against those that either fly from thence or thereunto , they oppose the Fowling Staff with its Net , and intangle them therein . In which manner they take a great multitude of Lumwisves , Daws , and Lundes . In the mean time there lieth a Boat beneath on the Sea , wherein they cast their Birds killed ; and in this manner they can in a short time fill a Boat with Fowl . When it is pretty fair weather and there is good Fowling , the Fowlers stay in the Clifts seven or eight days together , for there are here and there holes in the Rocks , where they can safely rest , and they have meat let down to them with a line from the top of the Mountain . In the mean time some go every day to them to fetch home what they have taken .

Some Rocks are so difficult , that they can in no manner get unto them from below , wherefore they seek to come down thereunto from above , which they call to Sie , and is the second manner to pursue birds , being performed in this manner : They have a Rope eighty or a hundred Fathoms long , and three Fingers thick , the Fowler maketh the end thereof fast about his Waste , and between his Legs , so that he can sit thereon , and thus is let down , with the Fowling Staff in his hand ; six men hold by the Rope and let him easily down , laying a piece of wood on the brink of the Rock , upon which the Rope glideth , that it may not be worn to pieces by the hard and rough edge of the stone : They have besides another small line that is fastned to the Fowlers body , on which he pulleth , to give them notice how they should let down the great Rope , either lower or higher , or to hold still , that he may stay in the place whereunto he is come ; here the man is in great danger , because of the Stones that are loosened from the Clift by swinging of the Rope , which often fall upon his head , and he cannot avoid it , wherefore he hath usually on his head a Sea mans Cap , that is thick and very shaggy , to defend him in some measure from the blows of the Stones , if they be not too big , otherwise it costeth him his life . They put nevertheless themselves continually in that danger , for our wretched bodies foods sake , hoping in Gods mercy and protection , unto which the most part of them do also devoutly recommend themselves , when they go to that work . Otherwise they say there is no other great danger in it , but that in it self it is a toilsom and artificial labour ; for he that hath not learned to be so let down , and is not used thereunto , is turned about with the Rope , so that he groweth giddy and troubled in his head , and can do nothing , but he that hath learned the art taketh it for a sport , knowing how to swing himself on the Rope , to set his feet against the Rock , casting himself some fathoms from thence , whence he shooteth himself again to what place he will , and knoweth where the Birds are ; he knoweth also to sit on the line in the Air , and how to hold the fowling Staff in his hand , taking there with the birds that come , or fly away , and when there are holes in the Rock , and it stretcheth it self out , making underneath as a sieling , under which the birds are , he knoweth skilfully ( which is the greatest art ) to shoot himself a great way from the Clift , and swiftly to swing himself under the roof , and there take footing , making himself , when he is in these holes , loose of the great Rope , which he fastens to a stone of the Rock , that it may not slip from him to the outside of the Clift ; and then he goeth about in the Rock , taking the Fowl either with his hands , or with the Fowling Staff ; according to the manner aforesaid ; and when he hath killed as many Birds as he thinketh fit , he ties them in a bundle , and fastneth them to the little Rope , giving a sign by pulling , that they should draw them up , working thus the whole day : And when he will get up , he sitteth again upon the great Rope , giving a new sign that they should pull him up , or else he worketh himself up climbing along the Rope with his Girdle full of Birds . It is also usual that where there is not folks enough to hold the great Rope , the Fowler driveth a post sloaping into the earth , and maketh the Rope fast thereunto , letting so himself down without any bodies help , to work in the manner aforesaid ; some Rocks are so formed that one can go in them from the Land , and there he taketh his Comrades with him , proceeding in the manner aforesaid , each taking as much Fowl , as the Girdle about his Waste can hold , and as much as he can carry in a bundle on his back , carrying them in that manner home . There are also in some places high steep Clifts , under the Land , that arise above an hundred Fathoms from the Sea , that are almost as bad to come unto as the Rocks , whereunto they help also one another in the aforesaid manner , taking a strong Rope with them , which they fasten here and there about the Clift , and let it hang there the whole Summer , by which they nimbly climb up to take Fowl when they please .

These manners are more terrible and dangerous to see , then to describe , specially if one considers the steepness and height of the Rocks , it seeming not possible that a man could come to them , much less climb or be let down into them . They go also in some places where they can only fasten the ends of their Toes and Fingers , not shunning such places , though there be a hundred Fathoms height between them and the Sea .

It is a dear Meat for these poor people , for which they must venture their Lives so extremely , and many after long venturing at last do perish therein .

When that Fowl is brought home , a part thereof is eaten fresh , another part , when there is much taken , being hung up to dry for Winter provision . The Feathers being gathered to make Merchandize of for other expences .

The Inhabitants get a great many of those Fowls as God giveth his blessing , and fit weather . Yet this is not every where in the Land , but only in the Islands that lie towards the Sea , and have great Promontories , as the Northern Islands , Myggyness , Waagoe , Skuo , the Diemens , and Suderoe .

And when it is dark Weather , they take most , for then the Birds stay in the Rocks , but in clear Weather and hot Sun-shine they seek the Sea , and against their flying away , they keep themselves most there , sitting on the Clifts towards the Sea side , where people go also sometimes to them with Boats , and take them with Fowling Staves .

THE INDEX . A ACacacahoactly , or the hoarse bird Page 388 Acacalotl 296 Achalalactli 390 Acitli , a sort of Douker 339 Acolchichi 391 Acolin , or Water-Quail 387 , 393 Acototloquichitl 388 Aguapocaca , a sort of Water-hen 317 Aiaia , the Brasilian Spoon-bill 289 An Alp or Bulfinch 247. T. 44. Alluco , a kind of Owl 104. T. 13 Amadavad bird 266. T. 46 Amalozque 390 Anhima , a Brasilian Bird 276. T. 47 Anhinga , a Brasilian Diver 332. T. 72 Aracari , a Brasilian Woodpecker , 140. T. 22 Artenna , Diomedean bird 332 Atinga guacu mucu 198. T. 38 Attagen , a kind of Heathcock 174. T. 31 The Auk or Razor-bill 323. T. 64 Avosetta 321. T. 60 Aura v. Urubu . B BArge , a sort of Godwit 292 Barley-bird , i. e. Siskin 2 h1 Barnfiard 395 Beccofigo or Fig-eater , 216 , 226 , 227. T. 23 , 41 Bee-eater 147 , 148. T. 24 Bernacle or Clakis 359 Bill-cock or Water-Rail 314 Bitour or Bittern 282. T. 50 , 52 Blackbird 190 Black-cap 226. T. 41 Brasilian Blackbird 193 Red-breasted Indian Blackbird 194 Blue-bird 192 Boarina 217 Brambling 254. T. 45 Great pied Brambling 255. T. 77 Brent-goose 359. T. 69 Bulfinch 247. T. 44 American Bulfinch Ibid. Bunting 267. T. 40 Bustard 178. T. 32 Butcher-Bird the greater 87. T. 10 The lesser 88. T. 10 Bald Buzzard 69. T. 6 Common Buzzard 70. T. 6 Honey Buzzard 72. T. 3 Moor Buzzard 75. T. 7 C CAbure , a Brasilian Owl 107 Calandra , a kind of Lark 208 Canary-bird 262. T. 46 Canne-petiere 179 Capon 154 Caracara or Brasilian Kite 76. T. 9 Cardinal bird , vide Virginian Nightingale . Cariama 276. T. 51 Caryocatactes or Nut-breaker 132. T. 20 Cassowary 151. T. 25 Catarracta 349. T. 67 Cencontlatolli 394 Cenotzqui 394 Ceoan 394 Cepphus 351. T. 67 Chaffinch 253. T. 45 Chatterer of Bohemia 133. T. 20 Chicuatli 395 Cinclus T. 56 Citril 265. T. 46 Cornish Chough 126. T. 19 Churn-owl 107. T. 14 Cirlus stultus 271 Clakis or Bernacle 359 Cock 154. T. 26 Cock of the Wood 172. T. 30 Cocoi , a kind of Heron 284. T. 51 Cocotzin , vide Barbados Turtle Coddymoddy 350. T. 66 Colivicuiltic 393 Coldfinch 236 Colin 393 Cole-mouse 241. T. 43 Coot 320. T. 51 , 59 Cormorant 329. T. 63 Cornet-Duck 387 Coulterneb 325. T. 65 Coyalcozque 393 Cozcaquautli 390 Water-crake 149. T. 24 Crane 274. T. 48 Balearick Crane 275. T. 48 Indian Crane Ibid. Crex 297 Creeper 144. T. 23 Wall-creeper or Spider-catcher 143. T. 23 Cross-bill 248. T. 44 Crow 122. T. 18 Royston Crow 124. T. 18 , 77 Cuckow 97. T. 10 , 77 Culver or Dove 180 Curicaca , a Brasilian Curlew 295. T. 54 Curlew 294. T. 54 Indian Curlew 296 Stone Curlew 306. T. 58 , 77 Curucui 140. T. 22 Curwillet 302 Cyprus bird 227 D DAie 385 Daker-hen or Rail 170. T. 29 Didapper or Dobchick 340. T. 61 American Diver T. 42 Dint-Diver 333. T. 64 Black-Diver 366 Lesser crested Diver T. 64 Dodo or Dronte 153. T. 27 Dottrel 309. T. 55 , 57 Sea-Dottrel 311. T. 58 Doucker 338. T. 59 Great crested Doucker 339 Crested Mexican Doucker Ibid. Crested and horned Doucker 340. T. 61 Small Doucker , vide Didapper . Greatest speckled Doucker 341. T. 62 Gesners greatest Doucker 342. T. 61 Wormius's Northern Doucker 343. T. 62 Dove or Pigeon 180 , 181 , &c. T. 33 , 34 Greenland Dove 326 Drake 361 Duck Ibid. Black Duck of Aldrovand 363. T. 70 Burrow Duck Ibid. T. 70 St. Cuthberts Duck 362. T. 76 Red-headed Duck the greater 364. T. 72 The lesser 367. T. 73 Moscovy Duck 381. T. 75 Cairo Duck of Aldrovand 381 Gesners Indian Duck African Duck or Guiny Duck 381 Scaup Duck 265 Sharp-tail'd Duck of Island 364 Common sharp-tail'd Duck 376. T. 73 Common tame Duck 380. T. 75 Common wild Duck 371. T. 72 Hook-bill'd Duck 381. T. 75 Tufted Duck 365. T. 73 Bellonius his Field Duck 179 Brasilian wild Ducks 378 , 379 Dunlin 305 E BLack Eagle 61. T. 2 Crested Brasilian Eagle 63. T. 4 Golden Eagle 58. T. 1 Sea Eagle 59. T. 1 Vulturine Eagle 64. T. 4 White-tail'd Eagle 61 Eider , a sort of Duck 362 Elk , i. e. wild Swan 356. T. 69 Emew or Cassowary 151. T. 25 Erand-gaas 395 F FAlcinellus 295. T. 54 Falcon Gentle 79 Ger-falcon and Jerkin 78. T. 8 Haggard Falcon 80. T. 8 Red Indian Falcon 81. T. 9 Crested Indian Falcon 82 Mountain Falcon 78. T. 9 Peregrine Falcon 76. T. 8 Red Falcon 81 Stone Falcon 80 Tree Falcon Ibid. Tunis or Barbary Falcon 81 White Falcon 80 Fallow-smich 233. T. 41 Francolinus 174. T. 31 Fieldfare or Feldefare 188. T. 37 Mountain Finch or Brambling 255 Chaff-Finch 253. T. 45 Gold-Finch 256. T. 46 Green Finch 246. T. 44 Flammant or Phenicopter 320. T. 60 Flusher 88. T. 10 Francolin T. 31 G CAdwall or Gray 374. T. 72 Gambetta 300 Gannet 348. T. 67 Garganey 377. T. 74 Garragay 391 Giarola 209 Gill-hooter or Owl 99 , &c. Glareana 211 Glead or Kite 74. T. 6 Goatsucker or Churn-owl 107. T. 14 Godwit 292. T. 53 Golden-eye 368. T. 73 Goldfinch 256. T. 46 Goligod , i. e. Sea-Lark 311 Tame Goose 358. T. 75 Wild Goose Ibid. T. 69 Brent Goose 360. T. 66 Swan Goose Ibid. T. 71 Canada Goose 361. T. 70 Gambo Goose 360. T. 71 Rat or Road-Goose 361. T. 76 Goosander 333. T. 64 Gor-cock 177 Goshawk 85. T. 3 , and 5 Green-finch 246. T. 44 Griffon a fabulous bird omitted . Grinetta 315 Grisola 211 Grosbeak 244. T. 44 Grous or Heatheock 173. T. 31 Guara 296. T. 54 Guarauna 292. T. 53 Guillem and Guillemot 324. T. 65 Guiny Hen 162. T. 26 , 27 Guira acangatarae 140. T. 22 Guira coereba 239 Guira guacuberaba Ibid. T. 41 Guira guainumbi 148. T. 24 Guira querea 108. T. 14 Guira perea 256 Guira punga 199. T. 38 Guira nheemgheta Guiraru nheemgeta 235 Guiraienoia 241 Guira tinga 285 Guira tangeima 141. T. 23 Guira tirica , American Bulfinch 247 Guitguit 385 Greatest black and white Gull 344. T. 67 Herring-Gull 345 Ash-coloured Gull 346. T. 66 , 67 Bellonius his white Gull 348 Great grey Gull 349. T. 66 Aldrovands greater Gull 351 Brasilian Gull 352 Cloven-footed Gulls 354. T. 68 H HAsshert of Hoier 395 Hang-nest of America 141. T. 23 , 77 Havelda , a kind of Duck 364 Harpye , a fabulous bird omitted . Hawk 68 Haw-finch 244. T. 44 Long-winged Hawks 69 , &c. Short-winged Hawks 85 Hazel-Hen 175. T. 31 Heathcock 173. T. 31 Heatototl 339 Hedge-Sparrow 215 Helsingagaas 395 Hen 154. T. 26 Indian Hen 161. T. 28 Mozambique Hens 387 Hen-harrier 72. T. 7 Heron common ash-coloured 277. T. 49 Lesser ash-coloured 279. T. 49 Greater white 279. T. 49 Lesser white 280 Red-leg'd 282. T. 50 Bow-bill'd Ibid. T. 50 Speckled or red 283 Brasilian 285. T. 51 Heyhoe 135. T. 21 Hickwall 138. T. 21 Himantopus 297. T. 54 Hirngryl or Serin 265. T. 46 Hoactli 389 Hoacton 391 Hoactzin 389 Hobby 83. T. 7 Hoitlallotl 393 Hooper , i. e. wild Swan 356. T. 69 Hoop or Hoopoe 145. T. 24 Hortulane 270. T. 40 Howlet , vide Owl 99 , &c. Humming bird 230. T. 42 I JAbiru or Negro 275. T. 47 Jabiru guacu 276. T. 47 Jacamaciri 139. T. 22 Jacana 317. T. 59 Jacarini 258 Jackdaw 125. T. 19 Jacupema 165. T. 28 Jaguacati guacu 147. T. 24 Jamacaii 239. T. 42 Japacani 240 Ibijau , a Brasilian Goatsucker 108. T. 14 Ibis of Bellonius 288. T. 49 Jay 130. T. 19 Jerfalcon 78. T. 8 Jerkin Ibid. Ipeca guacu , a Brasilian Duck 383. T. 62 Ipecati apoa 379. T. 75 Ipecu 138. T. 22 Judcock or Jack-snipe 291 Junco 313. T. 58 Jupujuba 142. T. 23 K KEstrel or Stonegall 84. T. 5 Kingfisher 146. T. 24 Kite 74. T. 6 Brasilian Kite 76. T. 9 Knot 302. T. 56 L LAnd-Hen 316 Lanner and Lanneret 82 Lapwing 307. T. 57 Lark 303. T. 40 Skie-Lark Ibid. T. 40 Wood-Lark 204. T. 40 Crested Lark 208. T. 40 Sea-Lark 310. T. 57 , 58 Titlark 206 , 207 Laughing Bird 387 Common Linnet 258. T. 46 Red-headed Linnet 260. T. 46 Mountain Linnet 261 Loon vide Doucker T. 61 Lumme of Wormius T. 61 M MAccaws of several sorts 110 , 111. T. 15 Macucagua 163. T. 26 Magpie or Pianet 127. T. 19 Maguari 287 Maia 386 Maiague 334. T. 62 Sea-Mall T. 76 Maracana 112 Mareca 379 Bank Martin 213. T. 39 Martin or Martlet 213. T. 39 Black Martin 214. T. 14 , 39 Mattagesse , vide Great Butcher-bird Matkneltzel 304. T. 56 Motuitui 199. T. 38 Mavis or Throstle 188. T. 37 Mergus Rheni 337 Merlin 85. T. 3 Sea-Mew , vide Gull . Mire-crow , vide Pewit . Mire-drum , vide Bittour Missel-bird or Thrush 187. T. 36 Mitu 160. T. 28 Mituporanga Ibid. T. 28 Indian Mockbird 193 Momot 386 Morehen 312. T. 58 Moretitling 235. T. 41 Morillon 368 Morphnos , a kind of Eagle 63. T. 2 Moucherolle 217 Muggent 375 Murre 323. T. 65 M NIghtingale 220. T. 41 Virginian Nightingale 255. T. 44 Night-raven 279. T. 49 Noctua , a kind of Owl 106 , 107. T. 13 White Nun 337 Nun , i. e. Blue Titmouse 242 Nuthatch 142. T. 23 Nhanduguacu , vide Ostrich . O OSprey or Sea-Eagle 59. T. 1 Ossifrage Ibid. T. 1 Ostrich 149. T. 25 Water-Ouzel Ibid. T. 24 Rose-Ouzel 194 Ring-Ouzel 194 Rock-Ouzel 195 , 197. T. 38 Great Eagle-Owl 99. T. 12 Horn-Owl 100. 101. T. 12 Brown or Ivy Owl 102. T. 14 Grey Owl 103. T. 13 White or Church Owl 104 Little Owl 105. T. 13 Screetch Owl 102. T. 14 Fern-Owl . vide Goat-sucker Ox-eye 240 Ox-eye-Creeper , vide Creeper . P BIrds of Paradise 90 , 91 , &c. T. 11 , 77 White crested Parrot 112. T. 15 Common green Parrot 113. T. 16 Parrots of several sorts 113 , 114 , &c. T. 16 Parrakeets 115 , &c. T. 16 Partridge common 166. T. 28 Brasilian 167 Damascus Ibid. and 178. T. 29 Red-leg'd 167. T. 29 White 176. T. 32 Peacock 158. T. 27 Penguin 322. T. 65 Pelecan 327. T. 63 Pettichaps 216 Petronia marina 267 Pewit 347. T. 66 Pheasant 163. T. 28 Sea-Pheasant 376. T. 73 Phenix , a fabulous bird omitted . Phenicopter 320 Pie 127. T. 19 Sea-Pie 297 , 132. T. 55 Brasilian Pie 128. T. 20 Persian Pie 132 Pianet , vide Pie . Picicitli 394 Picuipinima , a Brasilian Pigeon . Pigeons wild and tame 180 , 181 , &c. T. 33 , 34 Pitanga guacu 198. T. 38 Great Pluver or Klut 298. T. 55 Green Plover 308. T. 57 Grey Plover 309. T. 57 Bastard Plover , vide Lapwing . Pochard or Poker 367. T. 72 Porphyrio 318 Puffin 325. T. 65 Manks Puffin 333 Purre , i. e. Stint 305 Puttock or Buzzard 70. T. 6 Pygard or white-tail'd Eagle 61 Q QUachilto 319 Quapachtototl 387 Quail 169. T. 29 Indian Quail 171. T. 29 Quatotoni 390 A Queest , vide Ring-dove . Quetzaltototl 391 R RAbihorcado 395. T. 77 Rail 170. 29 Water-Rail 314. T. 58 Rain-fowl 135. T. 21 Raven 121. T. 18 Water-Raven 196 Indian Raven 126. T. 17 Horned Raven 127. T. 17 Razor-bell or Awk 323. T. 65 Red-game 177 Redshank 299. T. 55 Redstart the greater 197. T. 36 The lesser 218. T. 39 Redwing or Swinepipe 189 Reed-Sparrow the greater 143 The lesser 144 , 269 Rhinocerot-bird 127. T. 17 Ring-dove 185. T. 35 Ring-tail 72. T. 7 Robin-red-breast 219. T. 39 Rock-Pigeon 186 Roller 131. T. 20 Rook 123. T. 18 Roth bein lein T. 42 Rotknussel 304. T. 56 Ruff and Reeve 302. T. 56 Velvet Runner 315 S SAcre 77 Sand Martin 214. T. 39 Sanderling 303 Sand-piper 301. T. 55 Scare-crow 353. T. 68 Scurvogel or Jabiru 276. T. 47 Sayacu 256 Scoter 366. T. 74 Serin 265. T. 46 Sguacco 281 Shag 332. T. 63 Sheld-dapple 248. T. 44 Sheldrake 363. T. 70 , 71 Shore-bird i. e. Sand-Martin . Shoveler 370. T. 74 Shrike , vide Butcher-bird . Shrite , vide Missel-bird . Siskin 261. T. 46 Smew 337. T. 64 Hoiers Skua 348. T. 67 Soco , a kind of Heron 284. T. 51 Snipe 291. T. 53 Jack-Snipe Ibid. Snow-bird 394 Soland Goose 328. T. 63 Sparlin Fowl 335 Sparrow-Hawk 86. T. 5 House-Sparrow 249. T. 44 Long-tail'd Indian Sparrow T. 45 Foolish Bononian Sparrow Ibid. T. 45 Foolish Sparrow 385 Solitary Sparrow 191. T. 36 , 37 Brasilian Sparrow 253 Reed-Sparrow 269 Water-Sparrow 388 Sparrows of several sorts 250 , 251 , &c. T. 45 Spipoletta 209 Spipola 210 Spoon-bill 288. T. 52 Squaiotta , a kind of Heron 281. T. 50 Stannel or Kestrel 84. T. 5 Stare or Starling 196. T. 37 Indian Stare Ibid. T. 38 Stella T. 32 Stint 305. T. 58 Stock Dove 185. T. 35 Stonechatter or Stone-Smich 235. T. 41 Stopparola 210 Stork 286. T. 52 Black Stork Ibid. T. 52 American Stork 287 Stormfinch 395 Strapazino 233 Sula 331 Swallow 211. T. 39 House-Swallow 212. T. 39 Sea-Swallow 214 , 352. T. 68 American Swallow 214 China Swallow 215 Swan tame 355. T. 69 Wild 356. T. 69 Swift or black Martin 214. T. 14 Swine-pipe , vide Redwing . T TAmatia 190. T. 59 Tangara 243 , 244 Tarrock 346. T. 68 Teal 377. T. 74 Summer Teal 378. T. 76 Teitei 266 Tempatlahoac 387 Tern 351 Thistle-finch , vide Goldfinch . Throstle or Mavis 188. T. 37 Thrush 186 , &c. T. 37 , 37 Song-Thrush , vide Mavis . Wine Thrush , vide Redwing . Tijeguacu 218 Tijeguacu paroara 256. T. 41 , 45 Tijepiranga 251 Titmouse 240. T. 43 Marsh Titmouse 241. T. 43 Blue Titmouse 242. T. 43 Crested Titmouse Ibid. T. 43 Long-tail'd Titmouse Ibid. T. 43 Wood Titmouse 243 Totano 299 Tlauchechul 289 Tleuquecholtototl 390 Topan 127. T. 17 Totoquestal 392 Toucan , or Brasilian Pi● 128. T. 20 Tringa 300. T. 56 Trochilus 321. T. 60 Tropic bird 331. T. 75 Tuputa 386 Turkey 159. T. 27 Turn-stone 311 Turtle-dove 183. T. 35 Indian Turtle 184. T. 35 Least Barbados Turtle Ibid. T. 36 Sea Turtle 326 Tzinitzian 392 V VErminous bird or Tuputa 386 Urubitinga 64 Urubu 68. T. 3 Urutaurana , vide crested Eagle 63. T. 4 Vultures of several sorts 66. T. 4 Brasilian Vulture 68. T. 3 W WAgel 349 Wagtail white 237. T. 42 Yellow 238. T. 68 Grey Ibid. Wall-creeper 143. T. 23 Water-hens several sorts 312 , 313 , &c. T. 58 Wheat-ear , i. e. Fallow Smich 233. T. 41 Whewer , vide Wigeon 375 Whimbrel 294 Whin-chat 234 White game 176. T. 32 White Nun 337 White-tail 233. T. 41 White-throat 236 Wigeon 375. T. 72 Willow-bird 217 Winter-mew 250 Witwall 137 , 198. T. 36 , 38 Woodcock 289. T. 53 Woodpecker great black 135. T. 21 Green Ibid. T. 21 Greater spotted 137. T. 21 Lesser spotted 138. T. 21 Mexican 390 Persian 141 Wood-Pigeon T. 35 Wren 229. T. 42 Golden-crown'd Wren 227. T. 42 Wren without a crest 228. T. 42 Wryneck 138. T. 22 X XOchitenacatl 386 Xomotl 395 Y YAyauhquitototl . 386 Yarwhelp or Yarwip 292. T. 53 Yellowhammer 268. T. 40 Yztactzon Yayauhqui 387 Yzquauhtli 388 FINIS .

TAB. 1.

Chrysaëtos Gesneri . The Golden Eagle .

Haliaetus Clufij Ossifraga Aldrov . The Sea Eagle or Osprey .

TAB. II.

Morphno congener Aldrov .

Melanaetus seu Aquila Valeria Aldrov . The Black Eagle .

TAB. III.

Accipiter Palumbarius a Goshawk .

Vrubu Marggrau .

Aesalon a Merlin .

Buteo Apirorus The Honey Buzzard .

TAB. IV

Vultur . The Vulture .

Vrutaurana Marggr .

Gypaetos Aldr.

Vultur aureus . The golden Vulture .

TAB. V.

Tinnunculus The Kestrell

Accipiter fringillarius The Sparrow Hawk

Accipiter Palumbarius The Goshawk .

TAB. VI.

Balbusardus Anglorum .

Anataria seu Morphnos Gesri . The Bald Buzzard .

Buteo . The Buzzard .

Milvus caudâ forcipata . The Kite or Glead .

TAB VII

Milvus aruginosus Aldrov . The moor Buzzard

Pygargus The Hen harrier

Subbuteo Aldrov The Hobby .

TAB. VIII

Falco peregrinus . The Peregrine or haggard Falcon.

Gyrfalco . The Gerfalcon .

TAB. IX .

Falco montanus secundus Aldrov . The mountain Falcon. f. 2 .

Falco ruber Indicus . prior Aldrov . The Red Indian Falcon.

Caracara Marggrav

TAB. X.

Lanius cinereus major The greater Butcher bird .

Collurio Seu Lanius minor The lesser Butcher bird

Cuculus The Cuckow

TAB. XI .

Birds of Paradise of Severall Sorts .

Manucodiata 1a. a. Aldrov . The Bird of Paradise .

Manucodiata 2 a. Aldr.

Manucodiata Wormij .

Manucodiata altera Nieremb :

TAB. XII .

Bubo . The Great Eagle Owle .

Otus sive Asio . The Horn-Owle .

Scops Aldrov . The little Horn Owle .

TAB. XIII .

Aluco .

Ululu The Grey Owle

Noctu minima .

Noctua .

TAB. XIIII .

Strix Aldrov . the Brown or Screech Owl .

Cuprimulgus The Goat sucker or Churn Owl .

Ibijau sive Noitibo major & minor Marggr .

Guiraquerea Marggrav .

Hirundo apus The black Martin or Swift .

TAB. XV.

Psittacus albus cristatus . The white crested Parrot .

Psittacus maxcyanocroceus Ald. The Macao .

TAB. XVI .

Psittacus mediae magnitudinis . A common Parrot .

Psittacus A Parrot .

Psittacus minor macrouros . A Perocheeto .

TAB. XVII .

Rhinocerotis avis Rostrum 1a. varietas .

2a varietas .

Rhinocerotis Aldrov . caput .

Corvus Indicus .

TAB. XVIII .

Corvus . The Raven .

Cornix nigra The Crow .

Cornix frugilega . The Rook.

Cornix cinerea . The Royston Crow .

TAB XIX

Lupus sive Monedula The Jackdaw

Coracias Aldrov The Cornish Chough

Pica varia seu caud●●● The Magpie or Pianet

Pica glandaria . The Jay .

TAB. XX.

Garrulus Argentoratensis The Roller .

Garrulus Bohemicus .

Pica Brasiliensis Touam .

Caryocatactes .

TAB. XXI .

Picus maximus niger The great black Woodpecker .

Picus viridis The common green Woodpecker or Woodspite .

Caput Pici dissectum .

Picus varius minor The lesser spotted Woodpecker .

Picus varius major The greater spotted Woodpecker .

TAB. XXII .

Iynx sive Torquilla . The wryneck .

Ipecu Marggrav .

Iacamaciri Marggr .

Curucui . Marggrav .

Iyngi congener .

Guira acangatara . Marggrav .

Aracari Marggr .

TAB XXIII

Guiratungeima Marggrav .

Iapu Seu Iupujuba Marg:

Sitta seu Picus cinereus The Nuthatch .

Ficedula cannabina .

Picus murarius Aldrov . The wall-creeper or Spider catcher .

Certhia The Ox-ey Creeper .

TAB. XXIV

Merula aquatica The Water Ouzell .

Upupa The Hoopoe .

Ispida . The Kingfisher .

Merops . The Bee-eater .

Guira guainumbi .

Iaguacali guacu .

TAB. XXV .

Struthio camelus The Ostrich .

Emeu The Cassowary .

TAB XXVI

Gallus gallinaceus . The Dunghill Cock .

Gallus ex Persia . A Rumkin .

Gallina domestica . The Hen.

Gallina Guinea The Guiny Hen.

Gallina pumilio . A Dwarf hen .

Macacagua . Margrav .

TAB XXVII

Dodo .

Pavo The Peacock .

Gallo pavo . The Turkey .

Gallina Africana .

TAB XXVIII

Phasianus mas A Cock Pheasant .

Mitu .

Mituporangae caput .

Jacupema

Perdix cinerea The Com̄on Partridge

TAB. XXVIIII .

Perdix Damascena . The Damascus Partridge .

Perdix ruffa . The red-leg'd Partridg .

Ortygometra . The Rail or Daker hen .

Coturnix . The Quail .

Coturnix foemina . A Hen Quail .

Coturnix Indica Bontij .

Perdix rubra .

TAB XXX

Vrogallus Seu-Tetrao major mas . The Cock of the wood or mountain

Vrogallus foemina The Hen of the wood or mountain .

TAB. XXXI .

Urogallus sive Tetrao minor The Black game Heath cock or Grows

Attagen Aldrov .

Francolinus Olinoe .

Gallina corylorum . The Hasel hen

TAB. XXXII

Lagopus avis .

Otis sue Tarda avis . The Bustard .

Stella avis Aldrov .

TAB. XXXIII .

Columba domestica major . The great house Dove or Pigeon .

Columba hirsutis pedibus . A rough footed Dove .

Columba Cyproa cucullata . A Iacobine Pigeon .

Columba Turcica seu Persica . A Persian or Turkey Pigeon .

TAB. XXXIV .

Columba gutturosa A Cropper dove .

Columba hirsutis pedibus A rough-footed Dove .

Columba tabellaria A Carrier-Pigeon .

Columba Numidica seu Cypria a Barbary Pigeon .

Columba domestica major a Runt .

Columba tremula laticauda A broad-tail'd Shaker .

TAB XXXV

Turtur The Turtle Dove

Turtur Indicus Aldrop The Indian Turtle

Palumbus torquatus The Ring Dove

Oenas Aldr The wood Pigeon

TAB. XXXVI

Turtur minimus Barbadensis . The least Barbados Turtle

Turdus viscivorus The Missel-bird .

Merula The Black-bird .

Passer solitarius . The Solitary Sparrow

Merula Saxatilis . The greater Redstart .

Galbula juvenis .

TAB. XXXVII .

urdus simpliciter dictus . The Mavis or Song Thrush .

Turdus pilaris . The Fieldfare .

Merula . The Blackbird .

Passer solitarius mas Aldrov .

Mreula torquata . The Ring Ouzell .

Sturnus . The Stare or Starling .

TAB. XXXVIII

Merula Saxatilis Aldrov . The Rock Ouzell .

Sturnus Indicus Bontij . The Indian Stare

Guira punga .

Oriolus Seu Galbula .

Pitangaguacu Marggr .

Atinga guacu mucu Marggrav .

Matuitui Marggr

TAB XXXVIIII .

Hirundo apus . The black Martin or Swift .

Hirundo domestica . The common house Swallow .

Hirundo agrestis seu rustica . The Martin or Martlet .

Hirundo riparia . The Bank Martin .

Ruticilla . the Redstart .

Rubecula . The Robin-red Breast .

Hirundo domestica

TAB XL

Emberiza Flava The Yellow hammer

Emberiza alba The Bunting

Hortulanus

Alauda vulgaris The Comōn Lark .

Alauda cristata major The crested Lark .

Tottovilla Olinoe The wood Lark .

TAB. XLI .

Luscinia The Nightingale .

Atricapilla The Black-cap .

Tijeguacuparoara Marggr .

Oenanthe sive vitiflora The white-tail .

Muscipeta 3a . Oenanthe tertia . The Stone-chatter

Guiraguacuberaba .

TAB XLII

Roth beinlein Baltner .

Motacilla alba . The white water wag-tail .

Regulus cristatus . The copped wren .

Iamacaii Marggrav .

Passer troglodytes . The wren .

Regulus non cristatus .

●urissia sive Tomin●io

Mergus Americunus .

Guainumbi The Humming bird

TAB. XLIII .

Parus major seu Fringillago The Great Titmouse or Ox-ey

Parus ater The Colemouse .

Parus coeruleus The blew Titmouse or Nun.

Parus palustris The Marsh Titmouse .

Parus cristatus The crested Titmouse

Parus caudatus The long tail 's Titmouse

TAB XLIIII .

Coccothraustes The Grosbeak or Hawfinch .

Coccothraustes Indica cristata . The Virginian Nightingale .

Chloris . The Greenfinch .

Rubicilla . The Bullfinch .

Loxia . The Crosse-bill .

Passer . A Sparrow .

TAB. XLV .

Passer Stultus Olin The Foolish Sparrow

Passer montanus . the mountain Sparrow

Passer Indicus macrourus Aldr. The Long-taild Indian Sparrow .

Fringilla The Chaffinch .

Montifringilla The Brambling

Tijeguacu parvara

TAB. XLVI .

Carduelis The Gouldfinch

Linaria The Linnet

Linaria rubra The Red Linnet .

Ligurinus . The siskin .

Passer Canariensis The Canary Bird.

Avicula Anadavadensis . The Anadavad Bird.

Citrinilla .

Serinus Gesn.

TAB. XLVII .

Iabiru Marggrau .

Iabiru guacu Scurvogell Belgarum .

Anhima Marggrav . 2.

Iabiru rostrum Ibidis falsò dictum

TAB XLVIII

Grus The Crane

Aspera arteria in sternu ingressa & reslexa

a. Caput b. divaricatio

Grus Balearica

TAB XLIX

Ardea cinerea major The Common Heron.

Ibis Bellon .

Ardea alba major . The Greate white Heron.

Ardea cinerea minor The Night-raven .

TAB. L.

Ardeae haematopus . Aldr.

Ardeae Stellaris . The Bittern .

Ardeae congener

Squaiotta Aldr.

TAB. LI.

Soco Marggravij

Cocoi Marggravij .

Cariama Brasiliensis Marg.

Ardeola Brasiliensis Marg.

Fulica Major The greater Coot .

TAB. LII .

Ciconia alba The Stork .

Ciconia nigra The Black Stork .

Plutea seu Albardeola The SPoon bill .

Ardea stellaris . The Bittern .

TAB. LIII .

Guarauna .

Scolopax . The woodcock .

Gallmago minor The Snipe .

Totanus . The Godwit .

Fedoa altera The Yarwhelp

TAB. LIIII

Arquata . The Curlew .

Curucaca .

Falcinellus Aldr.

Himantopus

Guara

TAB. LV.

Glottis seu Pluvialis major Ald.

Haematopus Bellonij .

Gallinula erythropus major . The Redshank .

Morinellus . The Dotrell .

Tringa minor . The Sandpiper .

Tringa .

TAB. LVI .

Rotknussel . an Avis pugnax foem .

Callidrys nigra . The Knot .

Cinclus Bellonij .

Avis pugnax mas A Ruffe

Matkneltzell .

Avis pugnax foemina . The Reeve .

TAB. LVII

Pluvialis virulis The green Plover .

Vannellus . The Lapwing .

Pluvialis cinerea . The grey Plover .

Morinellus The Dottrell

Charadrius alter .

Charadrius . The Sea Lark .

TAB LVIII

Morinellus marinus The Sea-Dottrell .

Oedicnemus The Stone Curlew

Gallinula chloropus The waterhen or more-hen .

Iunco avis .

Peliopus Gallinula minor .

Rallus aquaticus . The water Rail .

TAB. LIX .

Iacana .

Tamatia .

Colymbus major The greater Loon or Diuer

Fulica The Coot .

Mergulus melanoleucos rostro brevi .

TAB. LX.

Phoenicopterus The Flammant

Trochilus Aldrov .

Rocurvirostra Avosetta Italorum .

TAB. LXI .

Colymbus maximus caudatus . The greatest Loon.

Colymbus cristatus . The crested Diver or Loon.

Colymbus minor . The Didapper or Dobchick .

Colymbus seu Podiripes cinereus . The ash-coloured Loon.

TAB. LXII .

Colymbus maximus stellatus The greatest Speckled Diver or Loon

Os cruris Colymbi The Leg bone of a Diver

Colymbus Arcticus Lumme dictus Worm .

Ipeca guacu .

Majagué .

TAB. LXIII .

Corvus aquaticus . The Cormorant .

Graculus palmipes . The Shagge .

Onocrotalus . The Pelecane .

Anser Bassanus . The Soland Goose .

TAB. LXIV .

Mergus longiroster .

Alca Hoieri The Auk or Rasor-Bill

Merganser . The Goosander .

Mergus cirratus minor .

Albellus . The Smew .

Mergus Bellonij .

TAB. LXV .

Penguin Worm .

Alka Hoieri . The Razor-bill or Auk .

Anas Arctica Clus.

Lomivia Hoieri . The Guillemot .

TAB. LXVI

Larus hijbernus . The Coddy moddy .

Larus griseus maximus . The great grey-Gull .

Larus albo-cinereus torque cinereo

Larus cinereus rostro & pedibus rubris The Pewit .

TAB. LXVII .

Catarracta Aldrov .

Cepphus Aldrov .

Larus major cinereus Balt.

Skua Hoieri .

TAB. LXVIII

Hirundo marina major The greater Sea Swallow

Larus nigro-cinereus palustris .

Motacilla flava . The yellow water wagtail .

Larus niger The Sacre-crow

Larus cinereus Bellon . The Tarrock .

Larus niger sidipes .

Hirundo marina minor . The Lesser Sea Swallow .

TAB. LXIX .

Cygnus . The Swan .

Cygniferi caput . An Elks head .

Brenta . The Brent-goose .

Anser ferus . The wild Goose .

TAB. LXX

Anser Canadensis The Canada Goose .

Tadorna Bellonij The Sheldrake .

Anas niger major The great black Duck.

TAB. LXXI .

Anser Gambensis The Gambo-goose .

Anser cygnoides . The Swan-goose .

Tadorna Bellonij The Sheldrake or Burrough Duck.

TAB. LXXII

Boschus major The wold Duck or Mallard .

The Gadwall or Gray .

Anas fera fusca Penelops veterum . a Pochard .

Penelope Aldr The wigeon .

Anhinga Marggrav .

TAB. L XX III.

Anas caudacuta . The Sea-Pheasant .

Capo rosso . Anas fera fusca min.

Anas Fuligula prima Gesn.

Clangula aspera arteria .

Clangula Gesn. The Golden eye .

TAB LXXIIII

Anas dypeata Germ. The Shoveler .

Anas niger minor . The Scoter .

Querquedula . The Teal .

Querquedula altera . Garganey .

TAB LXXV .

Anser Domesticus The tame Goose .

Ipecati Apoa .

Anas Domestica . The Common tame Duck

Anas Moschata an Cairana Aldrov . The Moscouy Duck.

Anas rostro adunco The Hook-bill'd Duck

TAB. LXXVI .

Anas circia Gesu : the Summer Teal .

Avis Tropicorum the Tropick bird .

Anas S. Cuthberti St. Cuthberts Duck.

Larus cinercus minor the Common sea mew or Gull .

TAB LXXVII

Cuculus Prior. the Cuckow .

Cornix cinerea frugilega , the Royston Crow .

Montifringilla major . the Greater Brandling .

Oedicnemus Bellon . the stone Cerlew .

Manucodiata Rex Clus The King of birds of Paradise .

Nidi è ramulis suspensi The 2 Hang-nests

The Rabihorcado .

TAB: LXXVIII

Anas marina caudâ forcipata . The Swallow-taild Sheldrake .

Tamatia Marggravij . An American Waterhen .

The Sheare-Water .

Columba Groon landica . The Greenland Dove .

Corvi Indici rostrum . The bill of an Indian Raven .

Snares for Wood-cocks .

The Crow-nett .

The Italian Lanciatoia

A pair of Day-netts .

The Pantiere Nett .

A Trap Cage for Night-ingales .

The Sparrow Nett .

Catching birds with a setting Dog , and Nett .

A Tunnelling Nett for Partridge .

Tunnelling for Quails .

The Explication of the Letters added to the Figure of the Day-Nets .

A A Shews the bodies of the main Nets , and how they ought to be laid .

B B The tail-lines or hinder-lines stak'd to the earth .

C C The fore-lines likewise stak'd to the earth .

D The Knitting-needle .

E The Bird-stale .

F The Looking-glass-stale .

G The Line that draws the Bird-stale .

H The Line which draws the Glass-stale .

I I The drawing double Lines of the Nets , which pull them over , twelve fathom long at least , but not double above two fathom .

K K K K The stakes which stake down the four nether points of the Nets , and the two Tail Lines .

L L The stakes which stake down the fore-lines .

M The single Line with the wooden Button to pull the Net over with .

O The Mallet of wood .

P The Hatchet .

Q Q The Giggs .

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