11817 SCIENTIA ARTES VERITAS LIBRARY OF THE | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MEMORIBUS TIEBOR SI QUERIS PENINSULAMAMONAM CIRCUMSPICE WASAPUNZA.0.3 VOGA MUSEUM Sianosnw SLR A DESCRIPTION OF THREE HUNDRED ANIM AL S; VI 2. BEASTS, BIRDS, FISHES, lle SERPENTS, AND INSECTS, WITH A particular Account of the Whale-Fi/bery. Extracted out of the beſt Authors, and adapted to the Uſe of all Capacities ; eſpecially to allure Children to Read. Illuſtrated with COPPER PLATES, wherein are curiouſly engraven every B E AS T, BIRD, FISH, SERPENT, and INSECT, deſcribed in the whole Book. For every Beaſt of the Foreff is mine, and the Cattle upon a thouſand Hills. I know all the Fowls of the Mountains, and the wild Beaſts of the Field are mine. DU B L I N: Printed by H. SAUNDERS, No. 20, Great Ship-ftreet. MDCC LXXVI, Boreman, Thomas, 18th cant museums G B73 Museum Gift Alice Elwood, 7-19-39 000 TO THE RE R E A D E R. HE Inſtruction of Children have T ing been always thought, by wife Men, of Uſe, both with regard to the preſent Age, and to Pofterity, and moſt of the Books which have been made Uſe of to introduce Children into a Habit of Reading, being ſuch as tend rather to Cloy than Entertain them: I have thought fit, with ſhort Deſcrip- tions of Animals, and Pictures fairly drawn (which laſt Experience thews them to be much delighted with) to en- gage their Attention. I have therefore extracted from ſome of the moſt confi- derable Authors, a ſhort Account of Beaſts, Birds, Fiſhes, Serpents, and In- ſects, which I hope will prove the more acceptable, there having been nothing done (that I know of) in this Nature, fo A 2 To the R E A D E R. ſo compendiouſly for the Entertainment of Children. I have forborne to be very particular in the Deſcription of thoſe Animals, which almoſt every Child is acquainted with. If this brief Eſſay ſhall any ways contribute to the End propoſed, let God have the Glory, and the Compiler the good Wiſhes and Prayers of Parents. A TABLE A Τ Α Β L E TA Ε OF The CREATURES deſcribed in the Book. L Page 29 ib. 30 ib. ib ib. Sheep ib. ib. ib. 3.+ ib, An Ape Firſt, of the BEASTS, Page ION Manticora Lioneſs ibid. Antelope Jaccall ib. Lamia Panther 33 Elke Leopard ib. Alocamelus Tiger Rhinoceros 14 Strepſiceros Unicorn ib. lbex Bear Mufmon Ant-Bear ib. Baboon Wolf ib. Monkeys Ounce 18 Arompo ib. Bear-Ape Buffalo ib. For.Ape Bull 21 Lynx Cow ib. Chameleon Ox ib. Roe-Buck Horſe 22 Hart An Aſs ib. Wild Boar Mule ib. Swine Fox 25 Camel Racoon ib. Dromedary Sagoin ib. Maſtiff-Dog Berbe ib. Bull-Dog Porcupine 26 Greyhound Badger ib. Blood. Hound Hedge-Hog ib. Water Spaniel Hyena 29 Land Spaniel 2. Sasa 3. SE SEE 多 ​A 3 Biſon A'T ABLE of Creatures. Page 82 57 Kite BEASTS, Page BIRDS Biſon 50 Vulture White Scotiſh Biſon ib. Buzzard Cameloparda! 53 Merlin Rain Deer of Lapland ib. Honey Buzzard Hare 54 Moor Buzzard Rabbet ib. Goihawk Mole ib. Sparrow-Hawk Otter Beaver ib. Mountain Falcon Elephant 58 Red Indian Falcon Goats 611 Great Butcher-Bird Sea-Horſe 62 Little Butcher-Bird Mountain Cow ib. Cuckow Civet-Cat 65 Horn-Owl Gennet-Cat ib. Grey Owl Pole-Cat ib. Common Owl Common Cat ib. Fern Owl Mice 66 Common Parrot Rat ib. I Creſted Parrot Muſk Rat ib. Macao Land-Tortoiſe ib. Raven Opoffum 69 Crow Potto ib. Rook Coati-mondi ib. Jackdaw Tatus ib. Magpie Squirrels 70 Jay Wefel ib. Toucan Lizards Ferret ib. Woodpecker Martin ib. Nuthatch Crocodile 74 Wall-Creeper Ox eye-Creeper Hoope Kingfiſher TABLE of BIRDS. Bee eater Water-ouzel Golden Eagle 80 Ostrich Sea Eagle ib. Callowary Black Eagle 81 Peacock Eagle calld Morphnos ib. Turkey Vulturine Eagle ib. SSA山​的​山​$j S山​外​山​山​山 ​SHABA shawh山​的​山​山​山​山​山​山 ​ib. 85 ib. 86 ib ib. 89 ib 90 ib. 93 ib. 94 ib. ib. ib. 97 ib. ib. 98 ib IOT ib. ib. 102 ib. ib. 105 ib. 73 Roller ib. ib. 106 ib. ib. 109 ib. IIO II 3 Cock A TABLE of Creatures. U4 118 146 122 BIRDS Page | BIRDS. Page Cock I13 Heron 141 Pheaſant ib. Bittern ib. Partridge Stork 142 Quail ib. Spoon-bill ib. Turtle Dove 117 Woodcock ib. Stock Dove ib. Snipe 145 Pigeons ib. Godwit ib. Miffel-bird Curlew ib. Thruſh ib. Redſhank Blackbird I 21 Lapwing ib. Redwing ib. Swan ib. Fieldfare ib. Gooſe 149 Stare Duck ib. Ring-Ouzel . ib.Wigeon ib. Martin ib. Knot ib. Black Martin ib. Ruffe 150 Swallow 1 25 Tamatia ib. Redſtart ib. Coot ib. Robin-red-breaſt 126 Plover 153 Sky-Lark ib. Dottrel ib. Wood Lark ib. Created Lark ib. Teal 154 Nightingale ib. Pelican ib. Virginian Nightingale 130 Corinorant ib. Black-cap ib. Shag Humming Bird ib. Cornish Chough ib. 133 Scare-crow ib. Titipice ib. Cock of the Mountain ib. Indian Sparrow ib. Parakeet 134 TABLE of FISHES. Fooliſh Sparrow ib. l Whale 153 Common HouſeSparrow ib. Whale-Fiſhery 159, 161 Bulfinch ib Shark 162 Goldfinch 137 Pilot-Fiſh 165 Linnets Romora jo Yellow-bammer ib. Dolphin Water-wagtail ib. Flying Fin 168 Canary Bird 95 Sea-Unicorn ib. Crane 138 Picked Dog ib, Balearic Crane ib. Porpoiſe ib. Sword 129 Water-Hen 155 Wren 10. 166 A TABLE of Creatures. 202 FISHES. Pages FISHES, &C. Page Sword-Fiſh 170 Silver-Fith 197 Sheat-Fiſh 173 Gold-Fita ib. Sea-Wolf ib. Lady-Fih ib. Butter-Fiſh 174 Pike ib. Trumpet-Fish ib. Bream 198 Sun-Fish ib. Sea-Tortoiſe ib. Sea Adder ib. Father-Laſher ib. TABLE of SERPENTS Miller's-Thumb ib. and INSECTS. Sea-Fox 177 Monk-Fith ib. Dragons 201 Turbot ib. Dart Plaiſe 178 Cockatrice ib. Dab ib. Aſp 205 Flounder ib. Rattle-Snake 206 Sole ib. Salamander ib. Cod-Fiſh ib. Viper 209 Haddock 181 Frogs 210 Whiting ib. Toad ib. Ling ib. Mackrel 182 Of INSECTS. Herring ib. Sprat ib. Caterpillars 212 Smelt 185 Butterflies ib. Pogge ib. Louſe 215 Sea Gudgeon ib. Flea 216 Lump ib. Bee 217 Grayling 186 Scorpion Salmon ib. Graſhopper Gilt Charre 189 Spider Salmon-Trout ib. Hornet Trout ib. Fly Tobacco-pipe Fish 190 Dragon-Fly 224 Horn-Fiſh ib. Gnat Anchovy ib. Warp Old-Wife Fith Cavallo ib. Earwig Carp ib. Aut Sturgeon 194 A 193 | Beetle 9V 2 VOGTI DOC I Fig. 1. ALIO N. د الله، وانه 2. A LIONES S. 3. A JACCALI. CANDANANDA A DESCRIPTION Ο Γ B E A S T S. AS Β Ο Ο Κ Ι. Of Quadrupeds, or Four footed Beaſts. T HE LION, juſtly itiled by all Writers the King of Beaſts, is generally of a dun Colour ; but not without ſome Exceptions, as black, white, red, in Ethiopia, and ſome other parts of Africa and Aha. The Hair of ſome of thein is curled, and ſome long, ſhagged, and thin. His Head is vaſtly large and ſtrong, his Noſe thick, his Mouth very wide ; his Eyes are red, fiery, and hollow, not very round, nor long, looking awry. His Fore-feet have five diſtinct Claws on each Foot, and the hinder but four; all crook- ; ed, ſharp, and exceeding hard. His Sight and Smelling are very acute, and he ſleeps with his Eyes open. He can't endure Fire. When other wild Beaſts hear his terrible roaring Voice, all are ſurprized with Fear, and dare not ftir, though he is not without his Fear of fome Creatures, ſuch as is reported) the great Dogs of India, &c. with which they hunt and kill Lions, He is moſt commonly taken with Nets and other Snares. Lions are thought to be long liv'd, becauſe many of them have been found toothleſs; but this is no certain Sign, as it may proceed from their corrupt Breath, or other Cauſe. 2 The LIONESS, the Female of the fame Kind is found in the fame Counties, with the fame Nature and A 5 A Deſcription of BEASTS. 2 and Properties; but has no Mane at all, which is pro- per to the Male only, to whoſe Shoulders and Neck it is a great Ornament. 3. The JACCALL, or Wild-Dog (commonly called The Lion's Provider) though not much bigger than a Fox; yet is fo fierce and bold, that it feizes on ſuch Beaſts as Cows, Hogs, Sheep, &c. and ſometimes it will attack a Man. It is reported, that when this Creature ſeizes his Prey, he makes an hideous Noiſe, which gives Notice to the Lion, who immediately comes, if within Hearing ; at whoſe Sight the Jaccall goes a little aſide, till the Lion has fully ſatisfied his Hunger, and marches off, and then returns, to feed on what the Lion has left. His Head is like a Fox's, and his Body like a Badger's. 4. The PANTHER is in Shape ſomewhat like a Lioneſs, but not quite fo large. His Hair is ſhort and moffy, his Skin is of a bright Yellow, beautifully marked with round black Spots, and is ſaid to ſend forth a fragrant Smell, and bears a great Price. He is a very fierce and cruel Beaft, greedy of Blood, very ſwift, and catches his prey by leaping. It is the Nature of this Creature, in fome Places, to hide himſelf amongſt the thick Boughs of Trees, and to ſurprize his Prey, by leaping on it ſuddenly. His Tongue in licking, grates like a File. 5. The LEOPARD is both in Shape, Nature and Colour, very much like a Panther, being ſpotted like that Creatare, and is ſaid to be engendered between a Panther and a Lioneſs, &c. 6. The TIGER is in Shape ſomewhat like a Lionefs, but has a fhort Neck. His Skin is beautifully ſpotted, a not with round Spots, like a Panther, nor with ſeveral different Colours. It is very wild and fierce, exceeding ravenous, and of a prodigious Swiftneſs. He ſpares neither Man nor Beaft, but, if he can ſatisfy his Hunger with the Fleſh of Beafts, he'll not attempt on Mankind. It is ſeldom taken, but in Defence of his Young. 7. The RHINOCEROS, ſo called, becauſe of the Horn in his Noſe, is bred in India and Africa. His Colour is like the Bark of a Box tree. He is faid to be in Shape Somewhat like a Wild-Boar, and a not 13 4. The PAN THE R. 5. The LEOPAR D. 6. The TIGER. 14 Walk VUONN000 7. The RHINOCEROS. 8. "The UNICORN. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 15 not much unlike an Elephant ; and near as long, but not ſo high, having ſhorter Legs. He has two Gir- dles upon bis Body, like the Wings of a Dragon, from his Back down to his Belly; one towards his Neck and Mane, and the other towards his Loins and hinder Parts. His ſkin is ſo very hard, that no Dart is able to pierce it ; and cover'd over with Scales like the Shell of a Tortoiſe. His Legs are alſo fcaled over down to the Hoofs, which are darted into four diftinet Claws. The Horn upon his Noſe is ſo very hard and ſharp, crooked towards the Crown of his Head, that ſome ſay it will pierce through Iron or Stone: He is faid frequently to whet his Horn againſt a Flint, &c. that he may be prepard, whenever he is attack'd by an Enemy. He is a mortal Enemy to the Elephant, whom he feldom meets without a Battle; and aims chiefly at his Belly, be- ing the fofteſt Place, which if he miſſes, the Elephant is too hard for him with his Trunk and Teeth. The Natu- saliſts ſays, that he grunts like an Hog: The Manner of taking him being ſo very variouſly and uncertainly re- lated, I thought it not worth deſcribing. a 8. The UNICORN, a Beaſt, which though doubted of by many Writers, yet is by others thus deſcribed : He has but one Horn, and that an exceeding rich one, growing out of the middle of his Fore-head, His Head reſembles an Hart's, his Feet an Elephant's his Tail a Boar's, and the reſt of his Body an Horſe's. The Horn is about a Foot and halfin Length. His Voice is like the Lowing of an Ox. His Mane and Hair are of a yellowiſh Colour : His Horn is as hard as Iron, and as Tough as any File, twiſted or curled like a faming Sword; very ſtraight, ſharp, and every where black, excepting , the Point, Great Virtues are attributed to it, in expelling of Poiſon, and curing of ſeveral Diſeaſes. He is not a Beaft of Prey. 9. OF BEARS there are two Kinds, a Greater and Leffer; the Latter of which is more apt to climb 'Trees. Muſcovy and other Northern Countries pro- duce white Bears, for the moit Part of a very larger Size, 16 A Deſcription of BEAST S. Size. The Head of a Bear is the weakeſt Part, as the Head of Lion is the ſtrongeſt. By a ſmall Blow on his Head he has often been killed. His Mouth is like an Hog's, but longer, being armed with Teeth on both Sides, like a Saw. He will not willingly fight with an armed Man; but, when he does, he ſtands upright, and takes the Man between his fore Feet, and hugs him ; but the Man, being covered all over with a Kind of Iron Armour, receives no Hurt; and may eaſily, with a ſharp Weapon, pierce through his Heart. He is generally ta- ken with Nets, into which he is driven, or allured by fome Stratagem. The Bear is a great Sleeper, and a fluggilh indolent Creature, yet not obſerved to be long lived; they ſhould rather ſeem to be ſhort lived, froin their very Period of Geſtation, or going with Young, fcarce reaching to forty Days. a 10. The ANT-BEAR is a four.footed Beaſt, as big as a pretty large Dog, with rough, dark-brown Hair. It has fhort Legs, a long Noſe, liule Eyes, a very little Mouth, and a Tongue like an Earth-worm, five or fax Inches long. It feeds on Ants, and is commonly ſeen near an Ant's Neſt. It takes its Food, by laying its Noſe dowa flat to the Ground, upon or near the Path that the Ants travel in ; and puts out its Tongue croſs the Path, the Ants paffing to and fro, when they come to it mak- ing a Stop, and in a few Minutes the Tongue will be covered all over with Ants; which the Creature draws in ſuddenly, and ſo eats them very greedily. It is to be met with in ſeveral Parts of Armenia. 1. The WOLF is a very ravenous Creature, and as dangerous to meet with when hungry, as any Beaſt whatever: But, when his Belly is full, he is to Men and Beaſts as meek as a Lamb. It inhabits the Mountains, except in Winter-time, when it roars about the Gates of Cities and Towns; and kills both Sheep and Goats, &c. He is very ſubtil in ſeizing and deſtroying ſuch Creatures as are ſtronger than himſelf. When he falls upon an Hog, or a Goat, or fuch ſmall Beaits, he does not im- mediately kill them, but leads them by the Ear, with all the 17 9. A B E A R. 10. The ANT BE A R. 31, AWOLF. 18 12. The O UN CE. 13. The A ROMP O. 14. A BUFFALO. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 19 the Speed he can, to a Crew of ravening Wolves, who inſtantly tear them to Pieces. 12. The OUNCE is a moſt cruel Beaft, bred in Lybia, about as big as a Maſtiff Dog; his Face and Ears being like a Lion's; his Body, Tail, Feet and Nails, like a Cat's. It is of a very terrible Aſpect. His Teeth are ſo tharp and ſtrong, that he can cut Wood afunder with them. His Claws are a good Defence, being like his Teeth both ſharp and itrong, that he fights with them. The Colour of the upper Part of his body is like whitiſh Oak, the lower Part of an Aſh Colour, being every where covered with black Spots; but his Tail, more black than the reſt of his Body; with large Spots. It is very ravenous, hates, and deſtroys all Creatures he can mal- ter, eſpecially Men. The Gall of this Beaſt is deadly Poiſon. 3 13. AROM PO, or Man-Eater, is ſo called, beo cauſe he feeds upon dead Men; to come at which, he greedily grubs out the earth of their Graves, as if he had Notice of ſome Body there hid. He keeps in the Woods, his body is long and flender, being about three Feet in Length, with a long Tail, at the End of which is an hairy fort of Bruſh. The Ne- groes ſay, that he does not immediately fall on, as ſoon as he has found the Body, but goes found it fe- veral times, as if afraid to ſeize it. Its Head and Mouth is like an Hare's, his Ears like a Man's; his fore Feet like a Badger's, and his hinder Feet like a Bear's: It has likewiſe a Mane. This Creature is bred in India and Africa. a a 14 A BUFFALO has an Head like the Head of an Hart. His Horns are branched, and ragged. His Body is, for the moſt Part, like a wild Ox's, and about the ſame Size. His Hair is deep and harth, like a bear's. His Hide is ſo hard and thick, that the Scythians make Breaft-plates of it, that no Dart can pierce through. It is reported of this Crea- ture, A Deſcription of BEASTS. ture, that when he is hunted, or put in a Fright, he'll change his Colour to the Colour of every thing he fees : As among Trees he is green, &c. He is bred in Tartary, Poland, &c. He is moſtly valued for kis Hide, which is much efteemed in all the cold Countries, eſpecially in England, whereof our valiant Train'd-Bands frequently make their military Coats, Belts, &c. 15. The BULL is a very ſtrong, fierce, Crea- ture, its Strength, in all Parts of its Body, is very great ; but eſpecially about the Head and Neck. His Forehead ſeems to be made for Fight ; having fhort thick Horns, with which he can toſs up into the Air 2 large Dog, &c. which he furiouſly receives again se it falls, and fo gores it ſometimes with his Horns, sbat at length he deſtroys it. Bulls are Enemies to all Beafts of Prey, as Lions, Bears, Wolves, &c. The Roaring of a Bull is very dreadful. The Bull is very ſhort lived for his Size and Strength, ſcarce exceeding fixteen Years. Kind; 16. The Cow is the female of the aforeſaid ſomewhat ſhorter lived than the Bull. She las feldom more than one Calf at once ; and goes about nine Months. Her Nature and Uſe being ſo well known, there needs no farther Deſcription. 17. The OX is a ſtrong Creature, yet very gen- ile; of great Ure in Huſbandry, ſuch as drawing the Plow, Cart, &c. His Fleſh is excellent Food : His Hide is made into Leather, for ſeveral Cſes. There are Oxen in all parts of the World. Thoſe of Egypt, about the River Nile, are as white as Snow, of exceeding large Stature ; yet fo meck and gen- tle, that they are eaſily governed by Men. This Creature, as well as the Bull and Cow, is of a flug- gifh and fleſhy Nature, that eafily grows fat, and feeds wholly upon Herbage. 19. The 21 15. The BULL. Wans 16. The COW. I 7. The The O X. 22 18. A HORSE. 19. An An AS S. 20. A MULE. A Defcription of B EAST S. 23 18. The HORSE is a very fine ftately Beaft; and one of the moſt uſeful Creatures to Man. This Creature is bred now in moft Parts of the World. The Horſe of Turkey, Arabiu, and Perfia, are accounted better limbed and proportioned than many others; but the Engliſh Race may juſtly claim the Precedence of moſt European Nations; and are not perhaps inferior in Strength and Beauty to thoſe of any other country. The Horſe is a ſagacious and docile Animal, fierce and couragious in War. It is ſaid, that it was very much owing to Horſes, that the Spaniards gained ſuch large Acquiſitions in America : For, when firſt the Natives faw a Man on Horſeback, they thought the Man and the Horfe to be one individual Creature, which ſtruck them into a very great Terror. The Horſe ſhares a middle Life, fcarce attaining to forty, and uſually not to more than twenty; but this Shortneſs of Life he probably owes to Man: For the Breed of the Sun is now no more, that ranged at large in freſh Paftures ; yet the Horſe continues growing till Six, and gene- rates in old Age. The Mare always goes longer with Young than the Women, and but feldems foals dou- ble. It is wholly fuperfluous too nicely and particularly to deſcribe the ſeveral Parts and Properties of this Creature, which falls almoft under every one's Obfer- vation. 19. The ASS is a Beaſt of Burden, very ſerviceable to Mankind in carrying a Man, and ſuch Utenſils as he pleaſes to lade him with ; of greater Strength than moſt Animals of his Size, but of a ſtupid and ſluggiſh Nature. The Female is much efteemed by Phyſicians for its Milk in Conſumptions. This Creature is uſually of a a dun Colour, and has the From of a Croſs upon its Back and Shoulders. He has nearly the fame Age as the Horſe; to be more particular in deſcribing a Creature fo well known, is altogether needleſs 20. A MULE is a Beaſt of a mixt Nature, engen- dered of a Mare and an Afs, and reſembles an Ais more than an Horſe; having long Ears, a Crofs upon the "houlders, fmall Feet, a lean Body, but in moſt other Refpects 'uis like an Horſe ; it don't propagate at all. The Mule is longer lived than either the Horſe or Afs. 21. The a 24 A Deſcription of BEAST S. 21. The FOX is produced in moſt countries nor does one of them much differ in Size from another, but much in Colour. In Muſcovy ſome of them are black, fome white, and others red. The Abode of this Creature in the Day.time is in Holes of the Earth, which he never is at the Trouble of making ; for the Fox, by leaving his Excrements in the Badger's Hole, or Den, thereby takes Poſſeſſion of it for himſelf, the Badger never caring to come into it any more. The Fox ſeems well provided for long Life, as being well covered, carnivorous, and living under Ground ; yet he is not obſerved to be long lived. Doubtleſs he is of the Dog Kind, which is but ſhort lived. The Male of this Species will fometimes couple with a Bitch, and the Female with a Dog. When he is hunted, and the Dogs are ready to take him, he is ſaid to urine upon his Tail, and ſtrikes it into the Faces of the Dogs: And as many as he touches with his pift Tail, commonly leave off the Chace, unleſs very good of the Kind. But bis Wiles and ſtratagems being ſo numerous, I ſhall for- bear to ſay any more of him or them. a 22. The RACOON is a Bealt leſs than a Fox, grey- hair’d, has large black Eyes, with Whiſkers, and Noſe like a Pig, Tail and Feet like a Rat, a browniſh Fur on his Back, and a white Belly. It is very prejudicial to Poultry 23. The SAGOIN is about the size of a Rabbet, of a grilled Colour, a Tail like a Rat, Feet like a Squir- rel, Face almoſt like a Martin, a ſhort round Ear, and in other Reſpects like a Monkey. 'Tis bred in Brazil in South America. 24. The BERBE (called by Europeans, Wine-Bibber, becauſe 'tis very greedy of Palm-Wine) is almoſt like Cat ; only its Snout is much harper, and the Body ſmaller, and ſpotted like the Civet-Car. 25. The 21. A F O X. 22. A RACOON. 23. The SAGO I N. 24. The BERBE, B 26 25. A PORCUPIN E. 26 A BADGE R. 207. A HEDGEHOG A Deſcription of BEAST S. 27 25. The PORCUPINE grows to the Height of about two Feet and a half. Its bite is ſo ſharp, that no wooden Work, as ſome ſay, can withſtand it. It is fo daring, that it will encounter the moſt dangerous Snake. When it is provoked, it ſhoots its Quills, which are about two Spans long, at Man and Beaſt, with ſuch violence, that, if they happen to hit on a Board, they will ſtick in it; which diſcharge of thoſe Weapons of Artillery, which Nature hath provided for its defence, if too often repeated, tends to its own Deſtruétion. Its Fleſh, in thoſe Countries where it breeds, is efteemed by the Natives as good Food. a 26. The BADGER is of two kinds; one Sort like a Dog, the other like a Swine: It differs likewiſe in the ſhape of the Snout, one reſembling a Dog's the other an Hog's; the former of which eats Fleſh and Carrion, like a Dog; the latter Fruit and Roots, like a Swine. 'Tis about as big as a Fox, but of a ſhorter and thicker Body. His Skin is hard and rugged ; his Hair harſh and ſtubborn : His Back is broad: his Legs is longer on the right side than the left. His Teeth are prodigious ſharp; and when he fights with Dog, he ufes both his Teeth and Nails, which are alſo very Sharp. a 27. An HEDG-HOG is about the Bigneſs of a Rabbet, but more like an Hog; being covered all o- ver with ſharp thorny Hair, as well as on the Face and Feet, and thoſe ſharp Prickles covered with a Kind of foft Moſs; but, when 'tis angry, or gathers its Food, it ſtrikes them, by natural Inſtinct, as fharp as Pins, or Needles. He has two Holes under his Tail to diſcharge his Excrements, which no Creature living has beſides. His common Food is Apples, Worms, or . Grapes. It is reported, that when he finds Apples on the Ground, under the Trees, he rolls himſelf upon them, until he has filled all his Prickles, and then carries them to his Den ; never having above one in his Mouth. When it is apprehenfive of Danger, it draws itſelf up as round as a Football, ſo that nothing appears but the Prickles. 28. The B 2 28 A Deſcription of BEASTS. 28. The HYENA, of which there are ſeveral Sorts, is in Cæfarea about the Size of a Fox. It has Briſtles, like an Horſe's Mane, on his Back. It is ſaid, it can change the Colour of its Eyes at Pleaſure, a thou- fand Times in a Day. When it is very hungry, it enters the Graves of Men, and eats their dead Bodies; yet is its Fleſh, in Syria, Damaſcus, &c. eaten by Men. Its Feet and Legs are like a Man's; its Colour like a Bear's; and it's thought to be engendered of a Bear and a Dog. It is a Beaſt of great Subtilty, that barks, and makes an hidious Noiſe in the Night. This Creature is faid, when it it goes to drink at the River Nile, to take a Sup and away, for Fear of the Crocodile. a a a 29. The MANTICORA, (or, according to the Perſians, Mantiora,) a Devourer, is bread among the Indians; having a tripple Row of Teeth beneath and above, and in Bigneſs and Roughneſs like a Lion's : as are alſo his Feet, Face, and Ears like a Man's; his Tail like a Scorpion's, armed with a Sting, and ſharp pointed Quills. His Voice is like a ſmall Trumpet, or Pipe. He is ſo wild, that 'tis very difficult to tame him ; and as ſwift as an Hart. With his Tail he wouads the Hunters, whether they come before or behind him. When the Indians take a Whelp of this Beaſt, they bruiſe its Buttocks and Tail, to prevent its bearing thoſe ſharp Quills; then it is tamed without danger. a 30. The ANTELOPE is as large as a Goat, of a chefnut colour, and white under the Belly. His Horas are almoſt ſtraight from his Head up, tapering gradually, with Rings at a Diſtance from one another, till within an Inch and a Half of the Top. It has fine large black Eyes; a long and flender Neck, Feet, and Legs; and a Body, ſhaped like a Deer. There are many in an Herd ; when at the ſame Time they have Scouts, who by running gives them Notice of an approaching Foe. They are taken by Shot, &c. being too ſwift for a Greyhound. 31. The 29 28. The HY EN A, וא 29. The M ANTICORA, 39. An ANTE LO P E. 30 31. The LA MIA. 32. "The ELKE. 33 The ALLOCA MELUS. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 31 31. The LAMIA, concerning which there are many fictitious Stories, is (according to the Opinion of fome Writers) the Creature mention'd in the 34th Chapter of laiab, called in Hebrew Lilith; as alto the ſame which is mention'd in the 4th of Lamentations. It is thought to be the ſwifteſt of all four-footed Crea- tures, ſo that its Prey can ſeldom or never eſcape it: And by its Fraud it deftroys Men, for when it ſees a Man, it lays open its Breaſt, and entices him to draw near ; and when it has him within Reach, it falls upon and devours him. It is ſaid to be bred in Lybia ; and to bave a Face and Breaſts like a very beautiful Woman. It has no Voice but that of Hilling like a Serpent : Its hinder Paris are like a Goat's, its fore Legs like a Bear's; its Body is ſcaled all over. It is ſaid to be a Devourer of its own Young. 32. The ELKE is twice as big as an Hart, and big- ger than an Horſe; in Norway, Sweden, &c. It is tamed, and put into a Coach, Chariot, or Sledge, to draw Men through great Snows, and upon the Ice. It is ſaid to be more ſwift, and to run more Miles in one Day, than a Horſe can in two. This Creature was formerly uſed to be preſented to Princes, and much efteemed for its fingu- lar Strength and Swiftneſs. Its Forehead is broad, and has two very large Horns: the Female has likewiſe Horns. His Neck is short, but thick ; his Ears and Back very long. Its Colour is generally like an Hart's but fonetimes all white. Its Horns weigh twelve or four- teen Pounds. There is great Virtue aſcribed to its Hoof in Medicine. 33. The ALLOCAMELUS is a Beaſt of Peru, it is about two Yards high, and about five Feet in Length: His Head, Neck, and Ears, are like a Mules ; but his Neck is as white as a Swan's, his other parts of a yellowiſh Colour : His Body is like a Camel, and Feet like an Oſtrich's. It has no Horns. The Males dif- charge their Urine backwards. a B4 34. The 32 A Deſcription of BEASTS. 34. The SHEEP is a Creature univerſally knowi, being one of the chief for human Food. Its Wool is of great uſe for Clothing. Moſt Countries have plenty of this Creature, but none exceed the Engliſh. Sheep fel- dom live to ten, though a Creature of a moderate fize, and well covered ; and though ſharing but a very ſmall Proportion of Gall, yet their Coat is exceedingly curled, beyond that of any other Animal. The Rani generates not till the third Year; and continues fit for Generation to the eighth. The Ewe continues to bear as long as ſhe lives. 'Tis a Creature ſubject to Diſeaſes, and feldom lives out its full Courſe, the goes with young about twenty Weeks. The African Sheep are ſhaped like ours, but not near ſo big. They have no Wool, but that want is fupplied with Hair, ſo that here the World ſeems inverted, the Sheep being hairy and the Men woolly. They are but a dry and indifferent fort of Meat. 35. The STREPSICEROS is a kind of Sheep bred in Crete, not unlike our common Sheep, except only in its Horns, which grows and ſhoot ſtraight out, like the Unicorn's; being curled about with wreaths, like the Goats Horn. This Creature is about as big as an Hart, having red Hair, like that Creature. a 36. The I BEX, taken by ſome to be a wild Goat, is bred in the Alps. 'Tis of an admirable Swiftneſs, though its Head is loaded with Horns, as no other Beaſt ofits Sta- Ture wears ; being fix or ſeven Spans long. His Hair and Neckare like a Buck Goats, with a long Beard; the other a Parts of his Body reſemble thoſe of an Hart. It inhabits the Tops of Cliffs, Rocks, and Mountains. a 37. The MUSMON is not unlike a Sheep, except in the Wool, which reſembles rather the Hair of a Goat. It is bred in Spain and Corſica; and is ſaid to be gotten be- twist a Ram and a Goat. His Breaſt is rough and hairy ; bis Horns bend backwards only to his Ears. It has a very short Tail. It is not interior in Swiftneſs to any other Beaft. It frequents the ſteep Mountains, and feeds on Graſs and Herbs. Its Fleſh is reckoned very good to eat. 38. The 33 34. A SHEEP. යනු 35. STREPSICEROS. 36. IBEX 37. MUS MON, B 5 34 38. The BABOON. 39. MONKEY S. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 35 38. The BABOON is commonly black and hairy, rough ſkinned, has red and bright Eyes, a long Face like a Dog's, but his Teeth are both longer and ſtronger. His fore Feet are armed with very ſtrong Nails. He is very ſwift, and hard to be taken. The antient Egyptians held theſe Creatures in great Veneration, and kept them in their Temples. It is a Lover of Sheep and Goats, and drinks their Milk. It knows how to take the Kernels out of Nuts, as a Man. It is very ſurly and ill-naturd. It will imitate a great many of human Adions ; loving, as is ſaid, wonderfully to wear Garments, and will of its own Accord, clothe himſelf with the Skins of ſuch Creatures as he kills. It will ftand upright, or fit down, and in many Things will behave, as if it had fonte De- gree of rational Underftanding, 39. MONKEYS are bred in many countries, and are of various Sorts and Sizes. There are fome in the Eaſt Indies finely ſpotted. Monkeys when wild, feed chiefly upon Nuts, Apples, &c. but, when tamed, will eat many sorts of human Food. They are very expert . at Climbing, miſchievous, and unlucky, and participate much of the fubtil Nature of Apes and Baboone. 40. The 36 A Deſcription of BEASTS. а 40. The APE (the moſt common Sort of which is that called Smitten) is of a pale Mouſe Colour, and grows to a wonderful Size, fome of them being five Feet long. It is fo bold and miſchievous, that it will attack a Man The Negroes are ſo filly, as to believe theſe Apes can fpeak, but will not, left they ſhould be ſet to Work ; which, they ſuppoſe, they don't like. Baboons and Monkeys have Tails, but the Apes none. 41. The BE AR-APE, a very deformed Beaſt of America, has his Belly hanging very low, his Head and Face like a Child's, his Skin of an Ah-Colour, and Hair like a Bear's. He has but three Claws upon a Foot, as long as four Fingers; whereby he climbs up the higheſt Trees, and for the moſt Part lives upon the Leaves of a certain Tree, common in thoſe Parts. It will not eat Fleſh, nor attempt the Life of Man ; but, when tamed, is very fond of Mankind. He does not ſeem wet, though he has been long in the Rain. 42. The FOX-APE is in the fore Part like a Fox, and in the hinder Part like an Ape. Under the common Belly it has a Skin like a Bag, wherein it keeps, lodges, and carries its Young, till they are able to provide for themſelves: Neither do they come out of that Receptacle, except it be to fuck the Dam, or ſport themſelves ; ſo that it is the beſt Shelter againſt all its Enemies: For it is exceeding ſwift in running with that Load, as if it had no Burden at all. fo 43. The 37 40. The APE. 41. The BEAR-APE. 42. The FOX - APE 38 43. The LYNX 44. The CHAMELEON. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 39 a 43. The LYNX, by fome eſteemed the fame Creature with the Ounce, has from others met with this following Deſcription : It is about as big as a Lamb of two or three Years old. His Head Mouth, Feet, and Nails, are like a Cat's. His Beard hangs down on both Sides, divided in the Middle, being of ſundry Colours. His Tail is ſhort and thick. His Ears are erected up- right, as the Ears of a Cat. His Colour, in the outer- moft Parts, is red, in the innerinoft white, ſprinkled with black Spots ; and on both sides his Noſe there are four Spots, ſet in Order. In the upper Lip, on both Sides are white Hairs, rougher than thoſe in a Cat or Lion. He is a quick moving Creature, and hardly ever known to ſtand ſtill. His Skin is eſteemed and uſed by Nobles. He is loving and gentle to his Keeper, and not cruel to Man. 44. The CHAMELEON is very rare to be ſeen. It is firmly aſſerted by ſome Naturaliſts, that it lives on Air. Though others have afferted from their own Ex- perience, as they affure us, that upon the Diffection of this Animal, Flies have been found in its Belly: From whence it ſeems reaſonable to conclude, that, however it may live fome Time by fucking in the Air, yet that is not its only Nouriſhment. It is faid frequently to change its Colour, very often three or four Times in Half an Hour, which commonly is grey. The Colour it moſtly changes to is a very fine green, ſpotted with yellow. Itsſkin is very thin, and almoſt tranſparent. Its Tongue is as long as its whole Body. It is faid to be fo timerous, that when it defcends from any Height, is moves very cautiouſy, and coris its Tail, by which it can hold faſt about ſomething or other in its Way, left it should flip. This Creature is like a Lizard. 45. The A Deſcription of BEASTS. a 45. The ROE-BUCK is a Beaſt commonly found in moft Countries, being a Creature of a pretty large Size. The Male has large branched Horns, but the Fe- male has none. It is commonly branded, or ſandy on the Back, &c. having a black Streak down the Back. Its Tail is about as long as a Calf's. Its Belly and Sides are fpotted with white, which Spots it loſes in old Age. Its Fleſh is good for Nouriſhment, but its Blood, when eaten, occaſions Melancholy. Its Swiftneſs is very ſurprizing. 46. The HART has his Face fiefhy, Noſtrils flat, his Neck very long, his Ears pretty large, and Horns twenty Inches long at moſt, ſomewhat branched like thoſe of the Roe-Buck. This Creature is bred in very many Countries; but the Britiſh ſeems to have the Preference of moſt. The Hind, the Female of this Creature, has no Horns. Every Year, in the Month of April, the Hart fheds, or loſes his Horns; and, having loſt them, he hides himſelf in the Day-time in ſhady Places, to avoid the Annoyance of Flies: and feeds only in the Night, till his new Horns ſprout up and harden. He is a great Enemy to all kinds of Serpents, which he labours to deſtroy, whenever he finds any; but is afraid of almoft all other Creatures. His Fleſh is accounted excellent Food; and, as well as his Horns, is eſteemed good in Phyfick. Little need be ſaid of the Pleaſure taken in hunting this Creature and the Roe-Buck, it being a Mat- ter ſo well known. The STAG is vulgarly famed for long Life ; but upon no certain Hiſtory. There goes a Report of a cer- tain Stag found with a Chain about his Neck, buriedin Fat, That he hould be a long-lived Creature, ſeems leſs proba- ble, becauſe he comes to his full Growth at five; ſoon after which, his Horns, which are yearly ſhed and re- newed, grow from a narrower Baſis, and leſs Branching. 47. The 41 45. A ROEBUCK 46. A HAR T. 42 47. The WILD BOAR. 48. The SWINE. A Defcription of BE ASTS. 43 47. The WILDBOAR inhabits, for the moſt Part, Marthes and Woods; and is commonly of a black, or brown Colour. His Tulks, when living, cut like ſharp Knives; but when dead, they loſe that Keenneſs. It is faid, when this Creature is hunted down, his 'Tuiks are ſo inflamed, that they will burn and finge the Hair of the Dogs. His Tail is fhort, and his hind Feet are (ſome ſay) not cloven, but ſtand upon one Claw. His Fleſh is very tender, and good for Food. The Hunting the Wild Board is dangerous to Men and Dogs, both having been killed ſometimes in the Purſuit of this fierce Beait. 48. The SWINE is bred in moft Parts of the World. Its Skin is all over rough and hairy, not ſo thick as an Ox's, yet much longer and fiffer, ſtanding upon the Ridge of the Back, This Sort of Animals dif- fer in Colour, according to the ſeveral Countries where- in it is produced. The Swine in Germany are for the moſt Part red, in France and Italy black, and in other Parts of various Colours, The Snout of this Creature is long, ſtrong, and broad, to caft up the Earth for his Food; having on the Tip a riſing Griſtle, round and picked at the End, between the Nofirils, where with it Firft enters the Ground, in digging upon its under Chop. There are Teeth which grow out of the Head of the Male, which the Female hath not; for, as the Elephant has two Teeth growing downwards, ſo has the Boar two growing upward. As the Horſe has his Mane, fo has the Swine ftrong Briftles on his Neck; which Neck is broad and thick, wherein lies the Strength of the Beaſt. The Swine of Italy and Germany, chiefly feeding on Acorns, are generally efieemed the beſt Food. The Hog fometimes lives to fifteen or even twenty; and though its Fleſh be the moiſteſt of all Animals, yet this ſeems to contribute nothing to the Prolongation of Life. But for the Wild Boar, there is no certain Account of him. 49. The 44 A Deſcription of BEASTS. 49. The CAMEL, of which there are divers Sorts, is diſtinguiſhed according to the different countries, which produce this Animal. In India it is faid to be bred in the Mountains, and hath two Bunches on his Back, and one on its Breaſt. His Colour is for the moſt Part brown; yet there are Herds of white. Its Feet are fleſhy, like a Bear's and are thod with Leather when it travels. There is an Herb, which has a Seed like a Myrtle Seed, that is poiſonous to Worms, yet is Food for Camels. It will not drink clean or clear Water, but that which is ſlimy or muddy. It will endure Thirſt for ſome Days, for ; which Reaſon it is more uſeful for Travellers than Horſes, in the Lybian and Arabian Deſerts : When it drinks, it takes in a very large Quantity. The Camel is long lived ; a clean finewy Creature, that commonly reaches to fifty, and fometimes to an hundred. It is ſaid to be ſo chafte by natural Inſtinct, that the Male will not cover its Dam, &c. Of its Hair is made Camelet. Camel's Milk is the thinneſt of all others, and is there- fore very wholeſom for Food. There are ſeveral me- dicinal Virtues in Camels. Theſe Creatures are pro- duced in great Plenty in Arabia, &c. a 50. The DROMEDARY is like a Camel, of lefs Stature, but much ſwifter: And has but one hard Bunch on his Back. It cheweth the Cud. It is a very tall and large Creature. Its upper Lip is cloven in the middle, like an Hare's, and it has two broad Nails on his Feet, which in the upper Part appears cloven, but under- neath whole, round, and felly, without Diviſion. It has an hard Bunch on its Breaſt, whereon ir leans, fitting down and riſing; and alſo one upon each Knee. It is ſaid to live fifty or fixty Years. This Creature was formerly uſed to draw a Chariot, and preſented to Princes; and in the Time of War every one carried two Archers, who ſat up- on him Back to Back, ſhooting their Darts, one againſt the Front of the Enemy, and the other againſt the Followers. It is ſaid to travel an hundred Miles in a Day, and to carry a Burden of fifteen Hundred Weight; bending his Knee, like vie Camel, to take up his Load and Rider. a 51. The 45 49. The CAME L. 50. Tke DROME D AR Y. 51. A MASTIFF-DOG. 52. A BULL-DOG 53. A GREY HOUND A Deſcription of BEASTS. 47 51. The MASTIFF-DOG is the largeſt of the whole Species, vaftly ſtrong and fierce. It is chiefly uſed for guarding Houſes, eſpecially in Country Places, againſt Thieves and Robbers, and ſometimes by Drovers, and oftentimes for baiting of Beslis. 52. The BULLDOG is much leſſer than the Maftiff, but not inferior in fierceneſs. It has a pretty large Head, Neck, and Breaft. Thoſe of a brindled Colour are accounted the beft of the Kind. This Crea- ture will naturally run at, anda ſeize the fierceft Bull, without Barking, running directly at his Head, and ſometimes catching hold of his Nofe, will pin the Bull to the Ground, and make hiin roar in a terrible Manner; nor can he without great Difficulty be inade to quit his Hold Two of theſe Dogs let looſe at once, are thought to be a Match for a Bull; three for a Bear, and four for a Lion. 53. A GREYHOUND has a long Body, a neat ſharp Head, a full: Eye, a long Mouth, ſharp Teeth, little Ears, with thin Griftles in them, a ſtraight Neck, and a broad and ſtrong Breaft. His fore Legs are ſtraight; his hind Legs alſo long and ſtraight ; his Shoulders broad, Ribs round, ſtrong, and full of Sinews, and taper about the Belly. He is the ſwifreſt of all Dogs. The beſt Time to try him, and train him to his Game, is ats twelve Months old. He courſes by Sight, and not by Scent, as otherr Hounds do. He is ſaid to outlive all Kinds of Dogs. 54. The A Deſcription of BEASTS. 54. The ENGLISH BLOOD-HOUND is larger than the Beagle, or any other hunting Hounds. It is of the Colour of other Hounds, being red and black, and white ſpotted, but moſt commonly red and brown. It has long Ears, and ſeldom barks except in Hunting, and then will follow its Game through Woods, Thickets, &c. and never leaves what it is in Purſuit of, for any other, till it kills, which it feldom fails to do. It is employed in hunting the Hare, Fox, Hart, Badger, &c. 55. The SPANIEL is another Kind of ſmelling Dog, very docil, that may be taught to do very ſurprizing Tricks, ſuch as Fetching, Carrying, &c. There are two Sorts, one called a Water-Spaniel, and the other a Land Spaniel. The firſt of theſe is very excellent at hunting of Otters, Ducks, &c. and will watch the Stroke of a Gun, and as ſoon as the Fowler ſhoots a Fowl in the Water, will inſtantly go after it, and bring it to his Mafter. 56. The LAND-SPANIEL is uſed in ſetting for Patridges, Hawking, &c. and in regard to its Uſefulneſs for ſuch Kind of Sports, is eſteemed and valued more than moſt other Dogs. The Colour and Size of this Creature are ſo well known, that there need be no more ſaid about them: a The DOG is a ſhort-lived Creature, that laſts not above twenty Years, and feldom fees fourteen; he is hot, and lives unequally, being often in violent Motion, and often ſleeping. The Bitch has many young ones at a Litter; and goes with them nine Weeks. . 57. The 49 54. The Engliſh BLOOD-HOUND. 55. The S P ANIEL 56. The LAND-SPANIEL, с 50 57. The BISON 58. The Scorih BISON A Deſcription of BEASTS. 52 a a 57. The BISON, or wild Ox, is bred chiefly in the Northern Parts of the World, viz. Muſcovy, Scythia, &c. It is as big as a Bull or Ox; being maned about the Neck and Back, like a Lion; and has Hair hanging down under his Chin or nether Lip, like a large Bear; and a riſing or little Ridge down along his Face, from his Forehead to his Nofe, very hairy. His Horns are large, very ſharp, and turning up towards his Back, like thoſe of a wild Goat's on the Alps. It is of fuch great Strength, that it can (if ſome Writers may be believed) toſs an Horſe and Horſeman, with its Tongue, which is hard and rough, like a File, it can draw a Man to him, whom by licking he can wound to Death. Its Hair is red, yellow, or black: Its Eyes very large and fierce. It ſmells like a Muik Cat. Its Fleſhis very fat in Summer-Time, but not good to eat, being ſtrong. The Blood is thought to be the pureſt in the World, excelling in Colour any Purple. a a 58. The WHITE SCOTICH BISON, or wild Ox, is maned about the Neck like a Lion, but in other Parts like a common Ox. The Animals of this kind once over- ſpread the Woods of Callendar, or Caldar; but now they are all flain, except in that Scotiſo Part which is called Cumirnald. The Biſon is faid to dread and abhor Man- kind to that Degree, that he will not feed on any Graſs or Herbs, if he can diſcern by his Smell a Man has touched them, at leaſt, for many Days together. If he meets a Man, he preſently makes at him ; fearing neither Dogs, nor Spear, nor any kind of Weapons. It is excellent Food; and uſed formerly to be very acceptable to Perſons of the firſt Rank C2 59. The 52 A Deſcription of BEASTS. a 59 The CAMELOPARDAL is bred in Ethiopia, India, Georgia, &c. The Head of it is like a Camel's; its Colour, for the moſt Part red and white, beautifully mixt together, and the ſkin full of Spots. It has two little Horns upon its Head, of the Colour its Head, of the Colour of Iron; has a ſmall Mouth, like an Hari's; a Tongue near three Feet long, and a Neck of divers Colours, of a very great length, which he holds higher than a Camel's, and is far above the Propor- tion of his other Parts. His fore Feet are much longer than his binder. His Paceis different fromall other Beaſts; for he moves right and left Foot both together. This Creature is like both a Camel and a Panther. The ſkin of this Beaſt is very valuable. It is a ſolitary Beast, and keepeth in the Woods, if it be not taken when it is young It is very tractable, and ealy to be governed, ſo that a Child may lead it with a ſmall Line or Cord about its a Head. The Fleſh of this Creature is good Meat. 60. The RAIN DEER of Lapland is ſomewhat bigger than a Stag; with Horns branching out into ſeve- ral ſmall ones: Feet thick like a Bull; Colour near an Aſh, but white on the Belly and Hannches. It refem- bles more an Aſs than a Stag. Though its Hoofs be cleft, it does not chew the Cud. It is naturally wild, but tamed for domeſtick Service, ſuch as drawing a Sledge, Cart, or carrying of Burdens. In the Summer-time it feeds on Graſs, and Leaves of Trees, and at other times on a fort of white Moſs, which that Country abounds with: When the Mountains are covered with Snow, it fcrapes out this Mofs with its Feět. It goes a Rutting about the Middle of September, and goes with Young ten Months, and breeds one at a Time. It is at its fuil Growth at four Years; and feldom lives above ten. With the Milk of this Creature they make Cheefe, but no Butter 61. The 3 59. CAMELOPARD AL. 60. RAIN DEER с 3 54 61. The H ARE . 20 62. The RABBET. 63. The MOL E. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 55 61. The HARE has every Limb and Part of it made for Swiftneſs. Its hinder Legs are longer than its fore Legs. It always looks backwards when pur- ſued. It has, like all fearful and unarmed Crea- tures, long Ears, that from the Advantage of Hearing, it may avoid its Enemies by Flight. The Hare and Rab- bet ſcarce laſt ſeven Years: They are both great Bree- ders, and have many Young at once. They differ in this, that the Rabbet Jives under Ground, and the Hare above, and that the Fleſh of the Hare is the darkeſt. 62. The RABBET is bred in moft Countries, but few have greater Plenty of them than England. it is almoſt like an Hare, except in its Head and Tail, which are ſhorter ; and in its Colour, which is brighter. There are Rabbets of ſeveral Colours, as white, black, &c. The Rabbet begins to breed in England at a Year old, and bears every Month, or at leaſt ſeven Times in a Yeas, Its Skin is much eſteemed for ſeveral Uſes, as its Fleſh is for Food. The Male will kill the Young, if it can get at them; to prevent wbich, the Female will cover her Litter with Gravel or Earth, 63. The MOLE is about the bigneſs of a Rat. The Snout is like an Hog's ; its Feet are like a Bear's, and Legs ſhort, its Toes, with which it digs up the Earth, have ſharp Nails. It lives in the Earth upon Worms. It has no Ears; yet it hears in the Ground perfectly well. It is generally of a blackiſh Colour, with ſhort imooth Hair, and ſoft as Wool. Its Eyes are cominonly fhut, or covered. СА 64. An 56 A Deſcription of BEASTS. 64. An OTTER is an amphibious Animal, that lives both on Land and in Water ; yet it never goes into the Sea. It abounds in all Nations where there are Rivers or Fifh Ponds, as Italy, France, Germany, England, &c. It is leſs than a Beaver, and reſenibles it in moft Parts, except in the Tail; it has a rough ſkin, and the hair of it is very ſoft and neat, like the Hair of a Beaver, and of a Cheſnut Colour. Its Feet and Tail are like a Dog's, and Teeth very ſharp. Though it lives in and upon the Wa- ter, yet it is forced to take Breath. It is exceeding ſwift in the purſuit of its Prey, which are moſtly Fish, with which he fills his Den fo full , that it ſtinks to that degree, as to corrupt the Air. In the Winter-time it lives chiefly upon Land, and feeds upon Fruit, Bark of Trees, &C. It is hunted with Dogs, and by Men with ſharp Spears. а a a 65. The BEAVER builds an Houſe as the Mufk-Rat, only much larger ; and with Timber makes Dams over narrow Rivers, to catch Fiſh, by ſtanding to watch them thereon, and jumping upon them on a ſudden. It is a very ſubtil Creature; and there is an orderly Govern- ment among their Species. In their Works each knows his proper Buſineſs and Station, and the Overſeers beat thoſe young ones that loiter, and will make them work ftoutly. It is about the fize of a Fox, or a Badger. His Head is ſhort, his Ears are very finall and round; its Teeth very long, the under-Teeth ſtanding out beyond its Lips three Fingers breadth, and the upper about half a Finger's being very broad, crooked, ſharp, and ftrong. His fore-Feet are like a Dog's, his hinder like a Gooſe's; but the Tail is moſt ftrange of all, being covered over with a Skin, like the Tail of a Fiſh, and is in ſhape like a Soal, about fix Fingers broad, and half a Foot long. It lives both in the Water and Land. 66. The 57 64. An. OTTER: 65. The B E A VER C5 03 15 66. The ELEPHAN T. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 59 . 66. The ELEPHANT is bred in the hot Eaſt and South Countries: That of India is the largeft, be- ing about thirteen Feet high, and ſeven broad; and is pruch the largeſt of all Land Animals. It is for the moſt Part of a Mouſe Colour, or black: The Skin is ſo hard, that a tharp Sword cannot penetrate through it, eſpecially on the Back; the moſt tender Part being under the Bel- ly. Its Eyes are like a Swine's. It has four Teeth on each Side, with which it grinds its Meat like Meal ; beſides theſe, it has two others, which hang out beyond the reft, in the Male downwards, in the Feniale upwards: Thoſe of the Male are the largeſt ; thoſe of the Female are ſmaller but ſharper. One of them is kept always ſharp, to revenge Injuries; and with the other it roots up Trees and Plants for its Meat. The Tooth of the Male of this Beaft , grows to be ten feet long: fome Elephants Teeth have been ſeen, that (they lay) have weighed fingly three hundred Pounds Weight. The Teeth of the Fe. male are reckoned more precious than thoſe of the Male. Theſe they lofe once in ten Years; which falling off, they very carefully bury in the Earth (as is thought) on Purpoſe that Men may not find them. The two Teeth hanging out beyond the reſt are Ivory. The Elephant's Tongue is very ſmall, but broad. His Trunk, through which he draws Breath, ferves him as an Hand to receive his Food: It is griſlly, and flexible. At the Root, next to the Noſe, in the Trunk, are two Paiſages; one into his Body and Head, by which he breathes; and the other into his Mouth, whereby he takes in his Food. With this he fights in War, and can take up a finall Piece of Money from the Ground. It has Joints in its Legs, which it can bend at Pleature. Its Teet are round like an Horſe's, and vaſtly broad. It is a great Lover of Wine, and will drink (if Fame be true) about fourteen Gallons at a Time, of either Wine or Waier, It goes with Young, according to ſome Writers, three Years, and as others, but two Years; and brings forth but one at a Time, and that but little bigger than a Calf, and grows till Thirty. When it croſes a River, the Dam takes her Young up with her Snous, with which the graſps it, and carries Co A Deſcription of BEAST S. carries it ſafe over. The Female is more ſtrong and couragious than the Male, and will bear a greater Bur- den; but in War, the Male is more graceful, becauſe taller. When it is moſt loaded, it will go ſwift, and can carry a wooden Tower upon its Back, and thirty Men, with their Anmunition and ProviGons of War. It is one of the moſt docile of all Animals, and may be taught to do many Trickt. If it receives no Hurt, it will live an hundred Years; and ſometimes two hundred. The Blood of the Elephant is obferved to be the coldeſt of all Animals. 67: The WILD GOATS are diſperſed into many Countries beyond the Sea, the Alps, Italy, &c. It is ſaid, that on the Top of the Lybian Mountains, there are Goatsof a monſtrous Size, whoſe Horns hang crooking backwards to their Shoulders, not like other Goats. This Sort of Goats is faid to be very dextrous at climbings and leaping from the Top of one craggy Hill to another, fometimes at a very great Diſtance, and feldon or never receiving Hurt from Falls. They are remarkable in their Care of their Young; which Care, when the Dam grows old, is returned with a becoming Gratitude by the Young when grown up, bringing them both Food and Water. The Male of this Animal differs not from the Female, either in Horn, Colour, or Proportion. In the Sum- mer-time theſe are red and in the Winter brown. The GOAT approaches the Sheep in Age, and almoſt every thing elfe; though a more nimble Creature, and of a ſomewhat firmer Fleſh, whence he ſhould ſeem lon- ger lived; but he is much more fallacious, and there- fore ſhorter lived. 68. The 61 A MOUNTAIN GOAT. 67. GOATS. 60 68. The SEA-HORSE 69. The MOUNTAIN COW. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 63 63. The SEA-HORSE lives as well on the Land, as in the Water. It is ſhaped like an Ox, but fome- what bigger, weighing fifteen or fixteen hundred Weight. It is covered with Hair of a Mouſe Colour, and very ſleek. The Head is flattish on the top: It has 110 Horns, but large Lips, a wide Mouth, and ſtrong Teeth; four of which, viz. one in each Jaw, are longer than the reſt, being four or five Inches long. It has large broad Ears, great goggle Eyes, a thick Neck, ſtrong Legs, but weak Footlocks. His Hoofs are cloven in the middle. His Tail is ſhort, tapering like a Swine's. It is very good Meat. He grazes on Shore, and dungs like an Horſe; but retires to the Water if purſued, and will fink down to the Bottom, though very deep, and there walk as on dry Ground. a 69. The MOUNTAIN COW, (according to Captain Dampier) is as big as a Bullock of two Years old, and ſhaped like a Cow; but has a much larger Head, without Horns. Her Nofe is ſhort; her Eyes are round, full, and of a prodigious Size. She has great Lips; and her Ears are in Proportion to her Head. Her Neck is thick and ſhort, and her Legs fhorter than ordinary. She has a coarſe thin Hair, and a pretty long Tail, but no Bunch of Hair at the End. Her Hide is near two Inches thick, and her Fleſh red, and very wholſome Meat. This Beaſt never feeds in Paſtures, like other Cows, but upon long Graſs, or Moſs, on the Banks of Rivers. When her Belly is full, ſhe lies down to ſleep by the Water-ſide, and at the leaſt Noiſe flips into the Water, where finking down to the Bottom, though very deep, it is ſaid ſhe walks as on dry Ground. She is bred near the Bay of Honduras in America, 70, The 64 A Dejcription of BEASTS. 70. The CIVET CAT requires a large Share of Trouble and Attendance to breed it up. Its Food is Pap, boiled, or made of Millet, with a little Fleſh or Filh. It produces Civet, even when very young; of which that of the Male is greater, and better than that of the Fe- male ; becauſe the latter cannot avoid urining into the Civet. Bag, which ſpoils it. 71. The GENNET CAT (ſo called, as ſome fuppoſe, from its likeneſs to a Common Cat) is in Size between a Cat and a Fox. The Skin, wherein there is abundance of Spots, is very beautiful; the thining Brightneſs and Splendour of it, not being inferior to that of any other Creature. It is meek and gentle, except it is provoked ; and is ſuffered in Conſtantinople to go up and down from Houſe to Houſe, like a Common Cat. The wild of this Species keep in Vallies, and marſhy Places. 72. The FITCH or POLE-CAT differs from the Wild Cat, on account of her ſtrong ſtinking Smell. Its Skin is ftiff, harth and rugged ; and laſts long in Gar- ments. Its Tail is not above two Hands long. Its Breaft, Tail, and Legs, are of a blackiſh Colour, but the Belly and Sides yellow. It keeps in the Tops of Houſes, and fecret Corners, and devours Hens, Chickens, &c. by biring off their Heads, to prevent their crying out. Some Pole-cats wander, keep in Woods, and live upon Birds others by the Sea-ſide, and Rocks, and feed upon Fiſh. ; a 73. The Common HOUSE-CAT is in all Parts like a Lioneſs, except in her ſharp Ears. Her Fleih is foft and ſmooth; her Tongue, in licking, is rough like a Lion's; her Teetha are like a Saw; her Nails are fheathed, like the Nails of a Lion; Ariking with her fore Feet, both Dogs and other Things, as a Man doth with his Hand. The Age of the Car terminates between fix and ten ; a nimble Creature, abounding in Spirit, that eats voraciouſly, and ſwallows without much chew- ing; ſhe catches her Prey by leaping. The Cat is neat, cleanly, and a very uſeful domeſtick Creature. 74. MICE 65 70. A CIVET CAT. తము 71. A GENNET CAT. POLE.CAT 73. A COMMON CAT. 66 74. MICE. 75. ARA T. 76. A MUS K-RA T. 23 OUT காணாத win வெய.Isopal 77 The LAND-TORTOISE. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 67 ز 74. MICE are of various Colours, but moftly Aſh Colour. In Savoy, and ſome parts of France, there are white Mice. They alſo differ in Sze. Their Hearts are very large ; and their Liver and Lights (according to ſome Writers) increaſe in the Winter, the Fibres in them increaſe and decreaſe with the Moon ; for every Day of the Moon's Age there is a Fibre increaſed in their Liver; which gave Occaſion to the Obſervation, the Moon feeds Oyſters, fills Hedghogs, and increaſes the Fibres in Mice. In Africa there are Mice, which afford a muſky Scent, but have no Bags like the Civet Cat: Whence fonie think that the pleaſant Odour proceeds from the ſkin. Their Place of living, Food, &c. are ſo well known, that it is needleſs to trouble the Reader any farther about them. a a 75. A RAT fomewhat reſembles a Mouſe in its ſhape, but is four 'Times as big; being of a duſky Colour, more white on the Belly; having a long Head, ſhort and round Ears, ſhort Legs, long Claws, very large Eyes, and a long Tail, almoſt void of Hair, and accounted vene What has hitherto been deſcribed, is the Land Rat. There is alſo a Water Rat, which has Holes by the Water-ſide, and feeds upon Fifh, it is in all reſpects like the Land Rat, except the Snout, which is rounder and blunter. mous. 76. The MUSK-RAT is faid to be ſhaped like one of our Water Rats, but larger It has a fine muſky Scent. It builds in the Marſhes, by the Water-fide, with two or three Ways into them; and is finely daubed within; har- ing three lodging Rooms very neat, one higher than ano- ther. It is thought to live moſtly on Fish. 77. The LAND-TORTOIS E lives upon Grafs; moves very flowly; and if any thing comes near its Head, draws it in under the Shell; which is ſo ſtrong, that no- thing can hurt it. It alſo draws in its fore Legs with its Head ; fo that all is fecured. It will carry a Man on ils Back. Its Fleſh eats and looks like Buffalo ; and makes good Broth. 78. The 68 A Deſcription of BEASTS. 78. The OPOSSUM is in ſhape and Size fomething like our Badger, but of a lighter dun Colour ; with a long Tail, like a Rat's but thicker. The Skin of its Belly is very large, and folded ſo as to meet like a Purſe; wherein it fecures its Young, while little ; which will na- turally run thither. In this falfe Belly it will carry its Young, It feeds upon Fiſh. It is bred in Virginia. 79. The POTTO, ſo called by the Negroes, but by the Engliſh, Sluggard, from its lazy luggiih Nature; a whole Day being little enough for it to advance ten Steps forward) it is ſaid, that when he climbs a Tree, he will not leave it till he has eaten up, not only the Fruit, but the Leaves alſo; and then deſcends fat, and in good Caſe: but before he can get up another Tree, he becomes very lean at leaſt, if he does not periſh with Hunger. It is ſuch an horrible ugly Creature, that ſcarce any thing beſides can be found fo diſagreeable. 80. The COATI-VONDI is an Animal of Brazile, having a Snout of about a Foot long, which is much big- ger in Proportion than any other Part of his Body. His Eyes are ſmall like a Pig's, and his Ears round, like thoſe of a Rat. The four Feet have each five Toes; thoſe of the fore Paws are longer than thoſe of the hinder. Its Hair is ſhort, rough, knotty, and of a blackish Colour, on the Back; and the reſt of the Body a Mixture of black and red. a 81. The TATUS, or ARMADILLIO, is bred in Guinea, and the Weſt-Indies. It is covered with an hard Shell like the Fins of a Fish, which ſeems to be buckled to his Back, like a Coat-Armour; within which the Beaſt draws up his Body as an Hedghog does within his prickled Skin. It is not much bigger than a little Pig; reſembling that Creature in his Snout, Ears, Legs, and Feet. Its Tail is very long, like a Rat's; and covered all over with a ſcaly hell. Its Mouth is wider than a Swine's. Upon his fore Feet are four Toes, and upon his bind Feet five Toes. a 82. Of 69 78. OPOSSU M. 79 The P O T TO 80 go. The COATIM O N Di. OND $1. The TATUS, or ARMADILLO. 70 82. FOX SQUIRREL. FLYING SQUIRREL GROUND SQUIRREL. ENGLISH- SQUIRREL 83. WEESIL. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 71 a 82. Of SQUIRRELS there be three Kinds, bred in Virginia. The firſt is the great Fox-Squirrel, much larger than the Engliſh, and grey; this Sort is very com- mon, and as good to eat as a Rabbet. The ſecond is the Flying Squirrel, of a light and dun Colour, and leſs than the Engliſh. The Skin on either Side the Belly, extended, is very large betwixt the fore Leg and hind Leg, which helps it in ſkipping from one Bough to another. This Sort, though leſs, will leap farther than the Fox-Squirrel. The third is the Ground-Squirrel, a little bigger than a Mouſe, finely ſpotted like a young Fawn. The Engliſh Squirrel is about the Size of a Weeſil, but hardly ſo long. Its Head, Tail, and Colour, are much like thoſe of a Fox. It will, like other Squirrels, leap from Bough to Bough, crack Nuts, feed on Fruit and Vegetables ; and is very acceptable to the Ladies. 83. The WEESIL has a long and thin Body. There are ſome of this Species of different colours, as red, brown, black, and ſome all white. Ther, are two Sorts; one a Domeſtick Weeſil, living in Houſes, Barns, &c. the other wild, living in the Woods and Mountains. In the Northern Parts of Europe, there are prodigious Numbers of white Weefils. The Ladies of the firſt Rank in Ruffa, clothe themſelves with their Skin, inſtead of Ermine, which is very coftly. The Domeſtic Weefils kill and deſtroy Rats, Mice, and Moles; as alſo Hens, Chickens, Eggs, &c. There's nothing more ftrange, than what is reported of their Conception and Generation ; for they are ſaid to engen- der at the Ear, and bring forth their Young at the Mouth. 84. LIZARDS 72 A Deſcription of BEASTS. 84. LIZARDS are of various Species; ſome of the largeſt having a Tail about a Foot long, and an Hand broad. The Lizard is of a dark Colour, but Half the Head is red. There are ſome other Sorts of Lizards which are green, and ſome grey; the laſt much leſs than the firſt; and theſe are ſuffered to creep up and down the Chambers (at the Guinea Factories) cleanſing them from all Vermin. Theſe, according to ſome, are called Salamanders. Lizards are bred in Spain, Portugal, &c. a 85. The FERRET is a bold Creature, Enemy to all others, but thoſe of its own Kind. It is in Size and Make fomewhat like a Weefil. It breeds in England, but not in ſeveral other Countries of Europe. Here it is tamed, to hunt Rabbets out of their Holes in the Earth ; but is put in always muzzied, left it ſhould kill them, and fuck their Blood in their Burrows, which it is very greedy of. Its Head is little, like a Mouſe's, and its Eyes very fiery. The tame of this Species feed upon Milk, Barley, Bread, &c. and the wild upon the blood of Rab- bets, Hares, Hens, Chickens, and other Creatures that it can ſurprize and overcome. 86. The MARTIN is about the Bigneſs of a Cat, having a longer Body, but shorter Legs, with Head and Tail like a Fox's. Its Skin is ſomewhat brown, with white on the Throat, and yellow on the Back. Its Teeth are exceeding white and unequal, one longer than an- other, and moſt prodigious ſharp. In the nether Chap frand fix ſmall eating Teeth, in a right line, over againit one another ; which don't happen in any other Beaſt. The grinding Teeth are like a faw, triangular in Faſhion, being eight above, and eight beneath. It is bred in fe- veral Countries, as France, Italy, Sweden and Mufcouy, but not without ſome Difference. The Skin of this Crea- ture bears a great Price ; Princes and Nobles being cloathed therewith. 87. The 73 84. A LIZARD. GREEN LIZARD. 8;. A FERRE T. A 86. The MARTIN. 29 D 74 87, A CROCODILE. A Deſcription of BEASTS. 75 a 87. The CROCODILE is a Creature that liveth on Land and Water. Its Colour is like to Saffron, that is, betwixt yellow and red, but more inclining to yellow. The Belly is ſomewhat whiter than the other Parts. Its Body is rough, being covered all over with a certain Bark or Rhind, ſo thick, firm and ſtrong, that it will not yield (and eſpecially about the Back) unto a Cart-wheel, when the Cart is loaded : and in all the upper Parts, and the Tail, it is impenetrable by any Dart or Spear: but the Belly is ſofter, wheron it receiveth Wounds more eaſily. The Covering of its Back is diſtinguiſhed into divers di- vided Shells, ſtanding up far above the Fleſh; but on the Belly it is more finooth. The Head of this Beaſt is very broad; and his Snout is like a Swine's. When it eateth a or biteth it never moveth its under Chap. The opening of the Mouth reacheth to the Place of his Ears. Its Teeth are white, long, ſharp, a little crooked and hol- low. It has fixty Joints or Bones on the Back, which are tied together with ſo many Nerves. The Tail is near as long as the whole Body; and the ſame is alfo rough, and armed with hard Skin upon the upper Part and the Sides; but beneath it is ſmooth and tender. It hath Fins upon the Tail, by the Benefit whereof it ſwimeth; as alſo by the Help of its Feet, which are like a Bear's, except that they are covered with Scales inſtead of Hair, lis Nails are very ſharp and ſtrong. It is doubtſul whether it hath any Place of Excrement except the Mouth. By reaſon of the Shortneſs of his Legs, his Pace is very flow; and therefore it is not very difficult for a Man to eſcape from him by Flight; eſpecially if he does not go ſtraight forward, but turns and winds out of the direct Path ; for the Crocodile's Body is ſo hard and ftiff, that it cannot eaſily turn and wind after him. It brings fortls Young every Year; and lays its Eggs (which are about as big as a Goofe's) in the Earth or dry Land. During the Space of threeſcore Days, it lays every Day an Egg; and within the like Space of Time they are haiched into Young Ones, by fitting or lying upon them by courſe, the Maleone while, and the Female another: which is in a moderate and teni- perate Seaſon; otherwiſe they perishandcome to noihing. So ſoon as the young Ones are hatched, they inftantly fall into the water. The Crocodile is thought to live ixty Years. a D 2 76 A Deſcription of BEASTS. Years. Some have thought that the Aligator is a diſtinct Species from the Crocodile; but it is the received Opinion of the Naturaliſts, that it is no other than a Crocodile not arrived to its full Growth. There are many Crocodiles in Egypt about the River Nile, in the Weſt-Indies, &c. Thoſe about the Nile are much the largeſt; ſome of them (being according to very credible Teſtimony) not leſs then thirty Feet long With regard to the length and ſhortneſs of Life in Ani- mals, the Information procurable is but ſlender, Obſervati- on fight, and Tradition fabulous. Tame Creatures are corrupted by a degenerate Life ; and wild ones intercep- ted by the Inclemency of the Weather. Neither do the things which may ſeem concomitant aſſiſt us much in this Enquiry; as the Bulk of the Body, the Period of Geſta- tion, the Number of Young, the Time of Growth, &c. thefe being complicated Confiderations, that ſometimes concur and ſometimes not. ye sh 78 1. The GOLDEN EAGL E. 2. The SEA EAGLE, or OSPREY. ( 79 ) - А DESCRIPTION Ο F B B IR I RD S. BOOK II. TI ; Of EAGLES there are ſeveral Sorts. HE GOLDEN EAGLE is in Length, from Point of Beak to Tip of Tail, about three Feet nine Inches; the Breadth, from Tip to Tip of the Wings extended, is eight Spans; the Length, from the Bill to the Talons, is four Spans and an Half: the Bill is very ftrong, crooked, and exceeding ſharp ; the Tongue is like a Man's, broad, round, and blunt at the Tip; the Feathers of the Neck are hard, and of a ruſty Colour; the Eye, by Nature, is very carefully preſerved: for, inſtead of one, as in other Animals, it has four Lids, or Covers for it; the Wings and Tail are of a duſky Colour; the other finall Feachers of the whole Body are of a Cheſnut Colour, ſprinkled with white Spots, fewer on the Back, more on the Belly; the Bot- toms of all being white; the Legs are feathered down to the Feet, of a duſky Colour; the feet are yellowish. It has four Talons, very harp and crooked: This Fowl is of an extraordinary Fierceneſs, and will allauit a Cat, Dog, &c. 2. The SEA EAGLE, or Oſprey (which ſeems to be the ſame with the Engliſh Bald Buzzard) hath been thus defcribed: From the Point of the Beak, to the End of the Talons, is about three Feet long; from Tip to Tip of the Wings, nine Spans broad. The Bill and the Tongue is very much like the Golden Eagle's. From a D 4 80 A Deſcription of BIRDS From the Chin hang down ſmall Feathers like Hairs, imitating a Beard; whence by ſome it is called, The Bearded Eagle. The Feathers of the whole Body are parti coloured, being whitiſh, duſkih, and ruity. Its Legs are almoſt wholly covered with dulk Feathers, ſomewhat inclining to yellow. Beſides the Feathers, the whole Body is covered with a white and ſoft Down, as the skin of Swan. The Talons are very black and hooked Eagle feeds only on Fish. 3. 'The BLACK EAGLE is about twice as big as a Raver. The Jaws and Eyelids are bare of Feathers, and ſomewhat reddiſh; the Head, Neck, and Breaft black. In the middle of the Back, between the Shoul- ders, it has a large white Spot daſhed with red; the Rump red. The leffer Rows of Feathers in the Wings, are of a Buzzard Colour ; then a black Streak or Bar crofs the prime Feathers, after that a white one; the remaining Part of the Feathers, to the Tips, of a dark Aſh Colour. The Eyes are of an hazle Colour. The Legs are feathered down a little below the Knees; the naked Part being red. The Talons are very long. 4. The Eagle called MORPHNOS, or Morphro Congerer, is about the Height and Bigneſs of a large Dunghil Cock. Its Beak is pretty long, hooked, and tending almoſt direaly downward.' The Colour of the Feathers is ruſty, like that of old Iron, except that at the Ends of the Wings, it hath many Spots. The Legs are all over feathered, down to the beginning of the Toes, and ſprinkled with whitiſh Aſh coloured Spots. The Feet are yellow; the Toes above toward the Legs co- vered with Scales; toward the Talons, with round Ta- bles. 5. The VULTURINE EAGLE, called Gypaetos, is of a very large, Size, being not much leſs than the Golden Eagle, but of an unuſual and ridiculous Shape ; the Beak, not as in other Eagles, bending from the Root to the Tip; but ftraight almoſt to the Middle, to- ward the Point, bowed in a remarkable Hook, after the ſame Manner as in Vultures. The whole Head whitiſh, inclining to duſky, (fufcum) The upper Part of the Neck, about half way down almoſt bald, beſet with very few, and ; 81 3. BLACK EAGL E. 4. MORPHNOS- EAGLE. 5. VULTURINE EAGLE. DS 82 6. The VULTUR E. 7. The BUZZARD. A Deſcription of BIRDS. 83 a and thoſe ſmall Feathers, of a white Colour. At the End of this bald Part, almoſt in the Middle of the Neck, grow ſmall Feathers like certain rough curled Hairs, Itanding up above the rest of the Plumage, as it were very fine, fender, long Briftles. It hath on the Back a kind of Hood, reaching to the Middle thereof, ending in a ſharp Peak. The Colour of the whole Body is a dark Cheſnut, inclining to black; the Tail long; the Feet and Legs white; the Claws dulky. 6. The VULTURE is ſomewhat bigger than an Eagle. Its Beak is large, and crooked at the End. It is faid, that the Vulture has an excellent Sagacity at Smel- ling, above all other Birds ; ſo that it can perceive the Savour of dead Carcaſes from far: The Antients bave delivered, that the Vulture is content only on dead Car- caffes, abtaining from the Rapine and Slaughter of living Animals. But fome Moderns affirm, that it purſues living Birds, and preys upon living Fawns, Hares, Kids, Lambs, &c. Its Neck is for the moſt Part bare of Feathers. The Craw hangs down, like a Bag, before the stomach or Breaſt. Under the Throat it has a Space of about a Hand's Breadth, clothed rather with Hairs, like to thoſe of a Calf, than with Feathers. That the Female, con- trary to the Manner of other Birds of Prey, doth noc exceed the Male in Bigneſs. That all the Inſide of the Wings is covered with a ſoft Fleece of Down, is pecul- liar to the Vulture alone among rapacious Birds. а 7. The common BUZZARD, or Púttock, is about the Bigneſs of a Pheaſant, or young Pullet: The Head is great, the Crown broad and flat, the Beak fhort, hooked, and of a dark blue. Its Tongue is thick, fleſhy, blunt, as in the reſt of this Kind. The Colour of all the upper Part is of a dark dun, approaching to black, or a ruſty black. Some Birds of this kind have many white Spots in the covert Feathers of the Wings; which, when the Wings are ſpread, appear like a white Line : The like white Spots it hath in the long Feathers ſpringing from the Shoulders, which cover the whole Back. The Edges of thefe Feathers are of a dirty yellow; the lower Side of the body of a yellowish white. The Breaft is ftained 84 A Deſcription of BIRDS. fained with ruſty Spots. Between the Eyes and Noftrils grow long black Birftles. On the Middle of the Back grow no Peathers but only Down; for the ſcapular Fea- thers cover the whole Baek. The Thighs are long, ſtrong and fleſhy : The Legs ſhort, thick, and ſtrong, feather'd dowa a little below the knees. The Legs and Feet yellow, and covered with Scales. It feeds upon Mice, Moles, Birds; and is a great Deſtroyer of Rab- bets. Buzzards Eggs are white, ſtained with a few great Spots ; ſometimes all over white, without Spots. j 8. The MERLIN is one of the leaſt Birds our Fal- coners ufe for Hawking; it being not much bigger than a Blackbird The Back and upper Part are parti- coloured, of a dark blue and brown; the Flag-feathers of the Wings black, with ruſty Spots. The Train is about five Inches long, of a dark brown or blackiſh Co- lour, with tranſverſe white Bars. The Breaſt and Belly is of a ruſty white, with brown Spots. The Legs are long, flender, and yellow; the Talons black. Below the Head it has a Ring of a yellowiſh white, incircling the Head like a Coronet. In the Male, the Feathers on the Rump next the Tail, are bluer; by which Note, and its Bigneſs, Falconers diſcern the Sex; for the Fe- male in this, as in other Birds of Prey, is greater than the Male, being for Colour leſs red, with a certain Mix- ture of blue. The Merlin, though the leaſt of Hawks, yet for Spirit and Mettle, gives Place to none. It ſtrikes Patridges on the Neck, with a fatal Stroke, killing them in an Inftant. No Hawk kills her Prey ſo foon. a 9. The HONEY-BUZZARD for Bigneſs equals or exceeds the common Buzzard; and is alſo like it in Figure, or Shape of Body. The Head is afh-coloured; the Crown flat, broad, and narrow toward the Beak. The Bottoms of the Feathers in the Head and Back are white. The Colour of the Back is of a Mouſe dun; the Tips of the Flag-feathers, as alſo thoſe in the ſecond and third Rows in the Wings, are white. The Feathers under the Chin and Tail, are white; the Breaft and Belly alſo white, ſpotted with black Spots; the Legs 85 8. The MERLIN 9. The HONEY BUZZARD . 86 10. MOOR BUZZARD. 11. The GOSHAWK. or 23 RES WA 2. SPARROW H A W K. A Deſcription of BIRDS. 87 Legs are feathered down below the Knee, ſhort, ftrong, and yellow, as are alſo the Feet: The Talons long, ſtrong, ſharp, and black. It builds its Neſt of ſmall Twigs, laying upon them Wool, and upon the Wool its Eggs. This Bird runs very ſwiftly, like an Hen. ; 10. The MOORBUZZARD is leſs than the common Buzzard, of about the Bigneſs of a Crow. The Crown of the Head is of a kind of Clay Colour ; tbe whole Body, as well lower as upper Side, is of a dark ruſty Colour ; only at the middle Joint of both Wings there is a Spot of the ſame reddiſh Clay Colour with the Head; and the Feathers at the Root, or riſe of the Tail, are dun. The Tail is about nine Inches long, being parti-coloured, of a dark and light yellow or bay; the Legs are about an Hand-breadth long, feathered down, a little below the Knee, longer, and fenderer, for the bigneſs of the Bird, than in other of this Kind; the Legs and Feet yellow, the Talons black. 11. The GOS-H AW K is bigger than the common Buzzard. The Colour of the Head, Neck, Back, and upper Side of the Wings are of a dark brown. The whole Breaſt and Belly white, with tranſverſe black Lines ſtanding very thick ; the Thighs are covered over with reddiſh Feathers, having a black Line in the middle down the Shaft; the Legs and Feet are yellow ; the Ta- lons black; the Breaſt blue. The Wings when cloſed, fall much ſhort of the Eud of the Train; by which Note alone, and its Bigneſs, it is ſufficiently diſtinguished from all other Hawks. The Train is long, of a dun Colour, with four or five croſs blackiſh Bars, ſtanding at a great Diſtance from each other. It takes not only Par- trides and Pheaſants, but alſo greater Fowl, as Geeſe and Cranes ; ſometimes alſo it catches Rabbets. 12. The SPARROW-HAWK is about as big as a large Wood Pidgeon. Its Beak is ſhort, hooked, blue and black coward the Tip; the Tongue thick, black, and a little cleft; the Eyes of a mean Size; 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. a 88 A Defcription of BIRDS a Feathers. The bottoms of the Feathers in the Head and Neck are white. The reſt of the upper Side, Back, Shoulders, Wings and Neck, are of the ſame dark brown, except fome Feathers of the Wings, which are fpotted with white. The Colour of the under Side, viz; the Neck, Breaft, Belly, Sides, and Wings, is various, of white and blackiſh, or rufſet. The Wings, when cloſed, ſcarce reach the middle of the Tail; the Thighs are ftrong and flethy, as in all Birds of Prey ; the Legs long, fender, and yellow; the Toes alſo long; the Ta- lons black. It lays about five white Eggs, ſpotted near the blunt End with a Circle of blood red Specks. It feeds only upon Birds; and for its Bingneſs, it is a very bold and couragious Bird. 13. The KITE, or Glead, is bigger than the com- mon Buzzard. The Head and Chin are of a pale Aſh- colour, varied with black Lines along the Shafts of the Feathers; the Neck is red, the middle Part of the Fea- thers being black; the Back duſky, or brown, like a Buz- zard; the Feathers next the Tail are of the fame Colour with it, having their middle Parts, or Shafts, black. . The leſſer Rows of Wing-Feathers are parti-coloured, of sed, black, and white; the Feathers covering the infide of the Wings, are red, with black Spots in the middle; the Tail is forked, the Colour red, the extreme Feathers blackiſh, and the tips of all are white; the Bill is black; the Tongue brond and thick, the Eyes are great ; the Legs and Feet yellow; the Talons black. By the Fi- gure of its Tail alone, it is diſtinguiſhed from all other Birds of Prey. Her Tail ferves her for a Rudder, to Virect her Flight through the Air, whence fome learned Men have thought, that Men at firſt learned the Art of ſteering a Ship from this Bird. It is a very bold Bird, and a great Deſtroyer of young Poultry. It is faid, that, when it ſees a young Duck, Chicken, &c. far from Shel- ter, or by any oiher Means lying fit and expoſed to Ra. pine, it ſingles it out, and flies round and round for a while, marking it ; then of a ſudden it darts down as ſwift as Lighting, and catches it up before it is aware. 14. The MOUNTAIN FALCON is near as big as the Goſhawk, but ſhorter bodied. It has a round Head, 89 13. The KITE. 14. MOUNTAIN FALCON 90 15. The RED INDIAN FALCON. 16. The GREAT BUTCHER BIRD. A Deſcription of BIRDS. 91 Head, and Breaft, a taper Crown, and black, encompaſſed with a kind of aih-coloured Coronet. In the forehead, not far from the Beak, ſtand up certain very fine and flender Feathers, as it were Hairs, among the black and brownones; which yet are but few, and in ſome Birds none at all. The Throat, as far as the Breaſt-bone, is ſomewhat whitiſh, be- ſprinkled with great Spots; the reſt of the Breaſt is beauti- fied with certain Marks, which are ſometimes of the Colour of ruſty Iron, ſometimes red, and ſometimes blackiſh: be- ſides theſe, it hath other ſmaller Specks; the Back and Loins are covered with ſmall brown Feathers. It is ſaid to prey only upon great Birds, neglecting the ſmaller. It is very ravenous, and of an indocile Nature. 15. The RED INDIAN FALCON is about the bigneſs of the Mountain Falcon. The Head is of an afh- colour, tending to brown; as is alſo the Neck, the whole Back and the outſide of the Wing: The whole Breaſt, and alſo the upper Part of the inſide of the Wings, the Belly and the Rump, the Hips and Thighs, are all fulvous or red, of a pale Vermilion Colour ; but the Chin in this red Colour is marked with a long aſh coloured Spot, pro- duced downwards. The Breaſt is alſo beſprinkled before with ſmall Spots of the fame Colour; the Legs and Feet are yellow, pretty thick and ſtrong; the talons black and very faarp. 16. The Greater BUTCHER BIRD, or Mat!k. geſs in the North of England is called Werkengel; in ſome parts of Germany it is called by a Name, which in our Lan- guage fignifies Ninekiller, becauſe it is ſaid to killnine Birds before it ceaſes, or every Day nine. It is for Bigneſs equal to the common Black-bird; the Head, Back and Rump, are aſh-coloured; the Chin and Belly white; the breaſt and lower part of the Throat varied with dark Lines, crof. fing each other; the tips of the Feathers on the Wings are for the moſt part white; the outmoſt Feathers of the Tail are all over white, the two middlemoſt have only their tips white, the reſt of the Feathers being black; the Legs and Feet are black. It is ſaid to build among thorny Shrubs, dwars 92 A Deſcription of BIRDS. dwarf Trees, and Buſhes; making its Neſt of Moſs, Wool, and certain downy Herbs: but the bottom thereof of Heath, upon which it lays in the inſide the ſoft and tender Stalks of Hay; and moff commonly lays fix Eggs. It feeds commonly on Inſects; yet doth it often kill ſmall Birds. 17. The Leffer BUTCHER-BIRD, called in York- fire, Fluber, is about the bigneſs of a Lark, and hath a great Head. About the Noftrils and Corners of the Mouth grow black Hairs, or Briſtles. The Back and upper ſide of the Wing, are of a ruſty Colour; the Head and Rump of an Ath; the lower Belly is white; the Throat and Breaſt white, daſhed with red. It builds its Neſt of Graſs Bents, and Feathers; and lays fix Eggs, towards the ſharper end almoſt wholly white, towards the blunter encompaſſed with a Circle of brown or dark red. ; a 18. The CUCKOW is about the bigneſs of a Mag- pie ; its Length, from the tip of the Bill to the End of the Tail being about twelve Inches, the upper Chap of the Bill fomewhat 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 infide of the Mouth and the Tongue are of a deep yellow or faffron Colour. The Throat, Breaſt, and Belly are white. The Feathers of the Head are of a dark brown), with white Edges. The Neck and Back are brown, with a Tincture of red. The Rump is aſh-coloured; the covert Feathers of the Wing are of the fame Colour with thoſe on the Back, only the outmoſt darker. Its Feet and Claws are yellow. It hath two back Toes. It feeds upon Caterpillars and other In- fects. The Cuckow herſelf builds no Neft; but having found the Neſt of ſome little Bird, ſhe either devours or deſtroys the Eggs ſhe there finds, and in the room lays one of her own, and fo forſakes it. The filly Bird returning, fits on this Egg, hatches it, and with a great deal of Care a and Toil broods, feeds, and cheriſhes the young Cuckow for her own, until it be grown up, and ready to fly, and fhift for itſelf . Which thing ſeems ſo ftrange, monitrous and abſurd, that the Learned and Ingenious Dr. Wil- lougby, 93 17. LITTLE BUTCHER BIRD 18. The CUCKO.W. 94 19. HORN 20. Common OWI. OW L. 21. GREY OWL. 22. Fern OWI. A Deſcription of BIRDS. 95 loughby, in his Ornithology, publiſhed by the learned and ingenious Mr. Ray, (to which Book I own my ſelf very much indebted for my Deſcription of Birds) declares, that he could not have been induced to believe that ſuch a thing had been done by Nature's Inſtinct, had he not with his own Eyes ſeen it. а 19. The HORN OWL is in Length, from the Point of the Bill to the end of the Tail, about fourteen Inches; its breadth, meaſuring from tip to tip of the Wings ex- tended, three Feet and four Inches: 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 partly yellow; thoſe under the Wings are red; the covert Feathers of the Wings are parti-coloured, of a dark aſh and yellow; the Back of the (ame Colour with the Wings; the Horns are above an Inch long, conſiſting of fix Feathers. The Legs and Feet are feathered down to the very Claws, which are black. 20. The common BARN OWL, or white Owl, is about the bigneſs of a Pidgeon. Its Bill is white, hooked at the end, more than an Inch and an half long. This Bird has a Circle or Wreath of white, ſoft, downy Fea- thers, encompaſſed with yellow ones, beginning from the Nofrils on each ſide, paling round the Eyes, and under the Chin, ſomewhat reſembling a black Hood, ſuch as Women uſe to wear; fo that the Eyes appears to be funk in the middle of theſe Feathers. The Breaft, Belly, and covert Feathers of the inſide of the Wings are white, marked with a few dark Spots. The Head, Neck, and Back, as far as the prime Feathes of the Wings, vari- ouſly; and of all Night birds the moſt elegantly coloured. The Legs are covered with a thick Down, to the Feet, but the Toes are only Hairy, the Hairs alſo thin fet a 21. The GREY OWL, is bigger than the common Barn Owl, The Head, Back, Wings, and Taii, are of an Afh-colour, fpeckled with whitish and black Spots. Under the Belly the Feathers are white, with blackiſh Spots. The Head is very great, thick, round, and full of Fea- thers. In other Reſpects it is like the common Owl. 22. The 96 A Deſcription of BIRDS. 22. The FERN OWL, or Churn-Owl, or Goat- Sucker, is a very beautiful Bird for Colour, being more like a Cuckow than an Owl; and it is eaſily diftinguiſhed from other Birds, by the Structure of its Bill and Feet. Its Bill in Proportion to its Body is the leaſt of all Birds, and a little crooked. It hath a huge wide Mouth and Swallow. On the sides of the upper Chap of the Bill, as alſo under the Chin, it hath ftiff black Hairs, like Briſtles. The under Side of the Body is painted with black and pale red Lines; the hinder Part of the Head of an Ath-colour. The Wings are parti-coloured of black and red. The Legs are very ſmall in Proportion, feathered on the foreſide half-way. It is found in the mountainous Woods in many Places of England, as in Yorkſhire, Der. by ſire, &c. 23. The PARROT hath a great Head, and hard Beak and Skull. This Bird, in deſcending, or climbing up Boughs, Grates, &c. firſt catches hold with her Bill, as it were with an Hook, then draws up her Body, then faftens her Feet; then reaching up higher, claps on her Beak again, and fo puts forward her Body and Feet by turns. The Parrot only, with the Crocodile, moves the upper Jaw, as all other Animals do the lower. The Tongue is broad, and reſembles a Man's. The Feet are of a fin- gular Faſhion, for they have not three Toes ſtanding for- ward, and one backward, but two each way; like Wood- peckers. It does not only imitate Man's Voice, but in Wit excells all other Birds. It is ſaid, that a Parrot which fell out of King Henry the Eighth's Palace at Wefiminfier, in- to the River Thames, that runs by; and then, very ſeaſonably, remembering the Words it had often heard ſomewhere in Danger, or in Jeft, uſed, cried amain, A Boat, a Boat, for Twenty Pounds. 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 a great 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 anſwer- ed, Give the Knave a Groat. Parrots are bred in both the Eaſt and Weft-Indies. They breed not in cold Countries; for 97 23. A Common PARROT. White Creſted PARROT The MA CA O. E 98 24. ARAVE N. uinn 25. A CROW. A Deſcription of BIRDS. 99 for they are impatient of cold, ſo that they can hardly bear our Winters, unleſs they be kept in hot Places. They are ſaid to be very long lived. There are ſeveral Sorts of Parrots, differing both in Size and Colour. The foregoing Deſcription belonging to Parrots in general, I fhall forbear to give a particular Deſcription of each: but have given the Figures of three, vis. the Common, the White creſted, and the Parrot called the Macao. 24. The RAVEN is a very large Fowl, being in Length, from the Tip of the Bill to the End of the Tail, about two Feet. The Bill is long, thick, ſharp, and very black; the upper Chap ſomewhat hooked, but not ſo as in Hawks, the lower ſtraight; the Feathers are black all over the Body, having a blue Splendor or Gloſs, which is ſeen eſpecially in the Tail and Wings. The Belly is ſomewhat paler, inclining to brown. It hath large crooked Claws. The Raven feeds not only upon Fruits and Inſects, but alſo upon the Carcases of Beaſts, Birds, and Fiſhes; moreover, it ſets upon, kills, and devours living Birds, after the Manner of Hawks. Ravens abound in all Countries, they being hardy Birds, that will eaſily bear all Changes of Weather, fearing neither Heat nor cold. The Raven lays about five or fix Eggs before it begins to fit, of a pale greeniſh blue, full of black Spots. This Bird is ſaid to live to a very great Age, forty or fifty Years, or upwards. 25. The common, or CARRION CROW, is leffer than the Raven, being about eighteen Inches in Length. The Bill is ſtrong, thick, and ſtraight. The Colour of the whole Body is black, only the Ground, or Bottom of the Feathers, of a Lead or dark Aſh-colour. This Bird delights to feed upon Carrion, that is, Carcaſſes of dead Animals, when they begin to putrify. It like- wiſe kills and devours living Birds, in like Manner as the Ravens; moreover it eats Grain, and all sorts of Inſects, in England at leaſt. For, beyond Seas (they ſay, it meddles with no Sort of Grain. It builds upon high Trees, and lays four or five Eggs at a Time, like the Raven, but leſs, The Crow is ſaid to have a very faga- cious Scent, ſo that it is difficult to ſhoot it, the Bird ſmelling the Gunpowder far off. 26. The 100 A Deſcription of BIRDS. 26. The ROOK is ſomewhat bigger than the Crow. 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. Its Colour is black, but brighter than that of the Crow. The Rooks build many together, upon high Trees about Gentlemens Houſes, who are much delighted with the Noiſe they make in Breeding-time. Both Cock and Hen fit by turns : Their Eggs are like a Crow's, but leſſer, ſpotted with greater Spots. It is ſaid, that when Rooks build, one of the Pair always fits to watch the Neft, till it be finiſhed, whilft the other goes about to fetch Mate- rials; elſe, if both go, and leave the Neft unfiniſhed, as ſometimes they venture to do, their Fellow-Rooks, e'er they return again, will have robbed them, and car- ried away to their ſeveral Nefis, all their Sticks, and whatever elſe they had got together. Hence, perhaps, the Word Rooking with us, is uſed for cheating or abuſing. Young Rooks are good Food. 27. The JACK DAW is much leſſer than a Crow. It has a large Head, and a ſtrong Bill. The hinder Part of the Head, as far as the Middle of the Neck, inclines to an Aſh-colour, as alſo the Breait and Belly, but leſs, elſe the whole Plumage is black, with a kind of a blue Gloſs; the fore Part of the Head is of a deeper black. It feeds upon Nuts, Fruits, Seeds, and Inſects. Jack- daws uſually frequent and build in ancient Caſtles, Towers, Cliffs, Houſes, and Stone-Walls, eſpecially if they be deſolate and ruinous. They lay five or fix Eggs, leffer, paler, and having fewer Spots than thoſe of Crows. The Jackdaw, being a very fubtil and cunning Bird, may a be taught to imitate a human Voice like a Magpie. a a 28. The MAGPIE is about the Bigneſs of the Jackdaw; and excepting the whiteneſs of the Breaſt and Wings, and the Length of the Tail, it is very much like that Bird. The Head, Neck, Throat, Back, Rump, and lower Belly, are of a black Colour. The Breaſt and Sides are white, as alſo the firſt Joint of the Wing. The Wings are ſmaller than the Bignefs of the Body would ſeem to require. It is a very crafty and eunning Bird, IOI 26. A ROO K. 27. JACKDAW. 28. A MAGPI E. E 3 1 02 29. A JAY 30. TOUCAN. 31. The ROLLER A Deſcription of BIRDS. 103 ſcarce appearing Berd, and may eafily be taught to ſpeak, and that very plainly. It builds its Neft in Trees, with that Art and Cunning, as is admirable ; fencing it round on the out- fide, both above and below, with ſharp Thorns, leaving only one Hole, and that a very narrow one, for itſelf to paſs in and out by. 29. The JAY is lefſer than a Magpie. The Fea- thers of the Head and Body in this Bird, are taller, ſlen- derer, and ſtand more ſtaring and 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 mixed of Aſh and Red. The Rump above is white; the Back red, with a certain Mixture of blue; the Wings are very beautiful, being checquered with black, white, and lovely ſhining blue Lines. The Tail is wholly black. Its Eggs are of an Ath-colour, with dark Spots, 30. The TOUCAN is about the Size of a Mag- pie. It is ſaid, that the Bill of this Bird is thicker and longer than almoſt the whole Body beſides ; and of a yellowiſh Colour. The Head, in Proportion to the Body, is great and thick; as is ſuitable and requiſite to ſuſtain a Bill of that Length. The Head, Neck, Back, and Wings, are black. The Breaſt shines with a moft bright and lovely Gold, or Saffron Colour, with a cer- tain Redneſs near the Beginning; the Belly and Thighs with a moſt beau'iful Vermillion. The Tail is black, but in the End of a notable red. It is ſaid, that this Bird, to ſecure her Young from the Monkeys (which are very noiſome to the Young of moſt Birds) when ſhe per- ceives the Approach of thoſe Enemies, ſhe fo ſettles herſelf in her Neſt, as to put her Bill out of the Hole, and gives the Monkeys fuch a Welcome therewith, that they preſently pack away, and glad they eſcape fo. 31. The ROLLER is about the Bigneſs of the Jay. Its Bill is black, ſharp, and ſomewhat hooked the Head is of a fordid 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 thote of a Pigeon. The mid- dle a E 4 104 A Deſcription of BIRDS. a dle of the Back, between the Shoulders, is red. The Rump, and lefſer Rows and covert Feathers of the Wings, are of a lovely blue; the Feet are ſhort, and, like thoſe of a Dove, of a dirty yellow Colour. 32. The common GREEN WOODPECKER, or Woodſpite, is about the Size of a Jay. The Top of the Head is of a crimſon or vermillion Colour, ſpotted with black; the Eyes are encompaſſed with black ; under the black, on each Side, is another vermillion Spot. The Throat, Breaft, and Belly, are of a pale green; the Back, Neck, and lefſer Rows of covert Feathers of the Wings, green. The Rump of a pale yellow or Straw Colour. This Bird has a ſtraight, hard, ſtrong, and ſharp Bill, very fit and proper to pierce and bore Holes in Trees. Its Tongue of a very great Length; with which it ftrikes Ants, and other Infects. 33. The NUTHATCH, or Nutjobber, is leſs than a Chaffinch. The Head, Neck, and Back, are of an Aſh Colour : Sides under the Wings red; the Throat and Breaft of a pale yellow; the lower Belly, under the Tail, hath ſome red Feathers, with white Tips. The Chin is white. It builds in the Holes of Trees, and, if the Entrance be too big, it doth artificially ftop up Part of ic with Clay, leaving only a ſmall Hole for itſelf 10 paſs in and out by. It is a pretty Sight to fee her fetch a Nut out of her Hoard, place it fait in a Chink, and then ftanding above it, with its Head downwards, ſtriking it with all its Force, breaks the Shell, and catches up the Kernel. 34. The WALLCREEPER, or Spider-Catcher, is bigger than an Houſe-Sparrow. It hath a long, flender, black Bill. The Head, Neck, and Back, are of an ah Colour: The Breaſt is white; the Wings partly of an afh Colour, and partly red. It is a briſk and chear- ful Bird, and hath a pleaſant Note. It builds its Neſt in the Holes of Trees. 35. The OXEY CREEPER is a very ſmall Bird, ſcarce bigger than the copped Wren. It hath a long, flender, ſharp Bill. The Throat, Breaft, and Belly white; the Head, Back, and Wings, inclining to a Fox-Colour; the middle Part of the Feathers being whitiſh, a a 105 32. The Common Green WOODPECKER, 33. NUTHATCH, 34. Wall CREEPER, 35. Oxey.CREEPER IS 1. SUO STA 106 36. HOOPOE. 37. KING-FISHER. 38. BEE-EATER 39. WATER OUZE L. A Deſcription of BIRDS, 107 whitiſh. Above ihe Eyes, on each Side, is a white Spot. It is frequent in Englund, and builds in the hollows of Trees, after the Manner of Wood-Peckers. It lays a great Number of Eggs, ſometimes (they ſay) not fewer than twenty. 36. The HOOPOE is in Length, from the Point of the Bill to the End of the Tail, about twelve In- ches. Its Bill is about two Inches and an Half long, black, ſharp, and ſomewhat bending. 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, or let fall. The Neck is of a pale red; the Breait white, with black Strokes tending downwards. The Rump is white, the Wings and Back are varied with white and black croſs Lines or Bars. 37. The KING-FISHER is fomething bigger than a Sparrow. 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 Tal, is of a deep red, as are alſo the sides and Feathers under the Wings. The Breaſt is red, the outinoft Borders of the Feathers being of a dirty bluish green From the Neck, through the middle of the Back to the Tail, is of a moſt lovely bright, but pale blue, which, by its Splendor, it is ſaid to hurt their Eyes that look long and intently upon it. 38 The BEE-EATER is as big as a Blackbird, 'The Crown of the Head is red, but in fome Birds having ſomething of green mixt. The Neck and Shoul- ders 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, fointer on the Breaſt and Belly. It is faid, that it feeds chiefly on Bees; flying in the Air, it catches and preys upon them, as Swallows do upon Flies. 39. The WATER OUZEL, or Water Crake, is nigh as big as a common Blackbird. 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 Feachers of the Wings, are parti, coloured, 108 A Deſcription of BIRDS. coloured, of ath and black. The under Side of the Neck, and fore Part of the Back, are milk wbite. It feeds upon Fish, yet refuſeth not Infects. It is to be met with in ſeveral Counties in England. It is a folitary Bird, companying only with its Mate in coupling and breeding-time. 40. The OSTRICH is the greateſt of all Birds. When it holds up its Head, it approacheth to the Height of two Yards. The Head is ſmall, flat- crowned like a Gooſe's. 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 cer- tain 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 alliſt the Bird in running. The Feathers on the Back, in the Cock, are coal-black, in the Hen, only duſky ; ſo foft, that they reſemble a Kind of Wool. The Wing- Feathers are of the fame Colour beneath, but above, in the upper part, purely white. The Tail is thick, buſhy, and round; in the Cock whitish, in the Hen duſkih, with white Tops; which Feathers are in great Requeſt for Soldiers Hats, Helmets, &c. It ſwallows Tron, Leather, Bread, Hair, and whatever elſe you offer it : Howbeit, it doth not digeſt Iron, and other hard Things, but voids entire by Excrement. Its Eggs are as big as a young Child's Head, covered with ari hard and ftony Shell, which being buried in the Sand, are cheriſhed only by the Heat of the Sun, till the Young be excluded. Oſtriches are bred in Africa, America, and Arabia. 41. The CASSOWARY, or Emeu, is almoſt as big as an Oftrich. It hath an horny Crown on the Top of the Head. The Head and Neck are bare of Feathers, only thin fet with hairy Down. In the lower Part of the Neck hang down two Wattles of Fleſh, as low as the Breaſt, of a vermillion Colour. The back Part of the Neck is likewiſe deftitute of Feathers, from the Head all along: being alſo of a red 109 40. An OSTRICH, 41. CASSOWARY. IIO ВО, A 42. АРЕА соск. A Deſcription of BIRDS. III red vermillion Colour: the lower Part covered with ſome few red Feathers, wherewith black ones are intermingled. The Feathers, covering the whole Bo- dy, with thoſe on the lower Part of the Neck, next to the Breaſt, Belly, and Thighs, are all double, two coming out of the fame ſmall, ſhort Pipe, and lying the one upon the other, and of a blackish Colour : Theſe Feathers have that Form and Situation, that to thoſe that behold the Bird afar off, its Skin ap- pears to be covered not with Feathers, but only with Hairs ſeeming like a Bear's; and to want Wings ; though it has Wings, which lie hid under the Feathers covering the Sides. It is a gentle-natured Bird and eaſily made tame. It hath three Toes on each Foot, all ſtanding forward, for it wants the Back Toe. This Bird is found on the Molucca Iſlands, &C. 42. A PEACOCK is a Bird well known, and fufficiently characterized by the length and glorious eye-like Spots of his Tail. His Head, Neck, and beginning of the Breaſt are of a deep 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 Lilly fowers of the ſame Colour. The Neck is long, and for the bigneſs of the Fowl very ſlender. The Back is of a pale afh Colour beſprinkled with many black Spots: The Rump is of a deep green. The long Feathers of the Tail are all of a cheſnut Colour, beautified with moſt elegant gold Lines, tending upwards, but ending in tips of a very deep green; and thoſe forked, like Swallows Tails. The circular Spots, or the Eyes of the Feathers are parri-coloured of a deep green fhin- ing like a chryſolite, a gold, and fapphire Colour: For thoſe Eyes conſiſt of four circles of differerent Co- lours; the firſt a golden, the ſecond a chelnut, the third a green, the fourth or middle Place, is taken up by a blue or fapphire coloured Spot, almoſt of the Figure and Bigneſs of a Kidney Bean. The Hips, Legs, and Feet, are of an aſh Colour, with black Spots. The Belly near the Stomach, is of a bluiſh green. Its Food is the ſame with that of the Com- a mion II2 A Deſcription of BIRDS mon Cock and Hen. The Fleſh of this Fowl refem. bles nuch in Taſte that of a Turkey, only rather coar- fer: Though dreſſed never ſo thorougly, yet when cold, appears as if perfectly raw: and has been proved by Experience (as we have it from good Authority) that, when dreſſed, will keep a good while, even ſome Months without putrifaction. 43. The TURKEY is as tall as a Peacock. Its Neck, together with its Head, is altogether bare of Feathers, and only covered with a purpliſh coloured Skin. The Feathers of this Bird do ſomewhat reſemble an Hawk's and have their ends white. It hath very long Legs. Its Toes and Claws have the fame Diſtinction and Figure with the Dunghill Cock. 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 tender, and not to be reared without Care and Attendance. 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. 44. The common COCK being ſo well known, it will be but loft Labour to beſtow many Words about it. It is a very couragious and high ſpirited Bird, that, if of a good Breed, will rather die than yield: and being a moſt letcherous Bird, doth ſuddenly grow old: and ſeldom liveth above ten years. It hath been delivered and received by Antients and Moderns, with unanimous Conſent and Approbation, that the Lion is afraid of a Cock, cannot endure the sight of him, yet is terrified by his very crowing; and divers Reaſons fought and afligned for this Antipathy; whereas the thing itſelf is by Experience found to be falſe. 45. The PHEASANT is a large Bird, weighing forty or fifty Ounces, according to its being fatter or leaner. The Crown of the Head and upper Part of the Neck, are tinctured with a dark green, ſhining like Silk, which Colour is more faint on the Crown of the Head. The fides of the Neck and the Throat, are of a ſhining purple Colour. The feathers under the 113 43. A TURKEY. 44. A COCK, 45. A PHEASANT. 114 46. A PARTRIDGE. 47. A QUAIL. A Deſcription of BIRDS. IIS the Chin, and at the Corners of the Mouth are black, with green Borders: below the green, the reſt of the Neck, the Breaſt, the Shoulders, middle of the Back, and Sides under the Wings, are clothed with a moſt beautiful Colour, which, as it is diverfly objected to the Light, appears either black or purple. The Legs are armed with Spurs, ſhorter than in a Cock, but fharp, 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. The Pheaſant is accounted better Meat than almoſt all other Fowls, as well becauſe it is rare, as becauſe it is of a moſt delicate Taſte, and yields fo excellent a Nouriſhment. a 46. The common PARTRIDGE is in weight about fourteen Ounces. The Chin and Sides of the Head, are of a deep yellow or faffron Colour. The Cock hath on his Breaſt a red Mark, of a cemicircular Figure, reſem- bling an Horſeſhoe. The Hen hath not ſo much red on her Breaſt; below the Chin, as far as the Horſeſhoe Mark, it is of bluiſh aſh Colour, adorned with black Lines running acroſs. The upper Side of the Body is parti coloured of red, aſh, and black. It feeds upon Ants, Ants Eggs, the Grains of Corn, and alſo upon green Leaves. It layeth fixteen or eighteen Eggs, ere it fits, in Winter time Partridges fly in Company. For they are of that Nature, that they breed and bring up fif- teen or fixteen together, which company all Winter with the Old one : 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. 47. The QUAIL is the leaſt Bird in this Kind, be- ing in length about ſeven Inches. The Colour of the Breaſt and Belly is of a dirty pale yellow, the Throat hath a little mixture of red. The Head is black, only the Edges of the Feathers reddiſh. The middle Part of each covert Feather of the Back, and lower part of the Neck, is marked with a yellowith white Stroke. The Wings are of a duſky Colour; croſſed with pale red Lines. The Tail is not above an Inch and a half long. Pheaſants, 116 A Deſcription of BIRDS. a a Pheaſants, Partridges, Quails, and ſome other Birds are taken with a Net, by the help of a Setting Dog, trained up for this Sport, who finds out the Birds, and, when he fees them, either ſtands ftill, or lies down on his Belly, not going very near them, left 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 Companions run with the Net, and cover both Birds and Dog. 48. The TURTLE-DOVE is fomething leſs than a common Pigeon. Its Head and the middle of its Back are blue, or aſh Colour. The Shoulders and the Rump are of a ſordid red; the Breaſt and Belly white; the Throat tinctured with a lovely vinacious Colour. Each ſide of the Neck is adorned with a Spot of beautiful Feathers, of a black Colour, with white Tips. The Wings are duſky and aſh Coloured. 49. The STOCK-DOVE, or Wood-Pigeon, is as big or bigger then a common Pigeon. The Co- lour and Shape of the Body is almoſt the ſame with that of a common Pigeon: the Bill alſo like, of equal length, and of a pale red Colour. 50. Of TAME PIGEONS there are divers forts, which vary much in Colour, as do moſt other domeſtic Birds: therefore I ſhall content myſelf with little more than the bare mention of the Names of ſome of them, they being generally well known. 1. The Runt may be diſtinguiſhed by greater and leffer : the greater is more fluggiſh, and of flower Flight. The leſſer is a better breeder, more nimble, and of ſwifter Flight. 2. The Cropper, ſo called, becauſe it can, and uſually does, by attracting the Air, blow up its Crop to that ſtrange bigneſs, that it exceeds the Bulk of the whole Body. 3. The Broad taild Shaker, called Shaker, becauſe it does almoſt conſtantly ſhake, or wag its Head and Neck up and down. There is the Narrow taild Shaker, which differs only in the Narrowneſs of its Tail, as the Name imports. 4. The Carrier is of equal bigneſs with a common Pigeon, fomewhat lefs, of a dark blue or blackiſh Colour. 117 48. TURTLE-DOVE, 49. STOCK- DOVE. TUISTIA 50. RUNT. CROPPER. 11.03 Broad-taild SHAKER. 118 A CARRIER. A TUMBLER. A LIGHT HORSEMAN 51. MISSEL-BIRD. 52. A THRUSH. A Deſcription of BIRDS. 119 a Colour. It is ſaid that Carriers have been, and are made uſe of to convey Letters to and fro; chiefly in the Turkiſh Empire. For 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 hatched and brought up Young. 5. The Tumbler is a ſmall ſort of Pigeon. Tumblers are of divers Colours: They have ſtrange Motions, turning themſelves backward over their Heads, and ſhew like Footballs in the Air. 6. The Light Horſeman is a baſtard Kind, of one Pa- rent a Cropper, the other a Carrier: and fo it partakes of both, as appears by the Wattles of its Bill, and its ſwollen Throat. Light-Horſemen are the beſt Breeders of all; and will not lightly forſake any Houſe to which they have been accuſtomed. It is ſaid, that a Pigeon will breed for twenty Years; and if it receives no Hurt, live above thirty 51 The MISSEL-BIRD, or Shrite, is ſomewhat bigger than a Blackbird. The Head is of a lead Co- Jour; the Back, Tail, and Rump, have ſome mixture of yellow. The under ſide 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 yellowiſh; the middle of the Belly white. Sitting upon the Tops of high Trees, as Oaks, Elms, &c. in the Spring, 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. 52. The SONG THRUSH, in the Colour and Spots of the Breaſt and Belly, agrees with the Miſſel-Bird : for the Spots are duſky; the Breaſt yel- lowiſh ; the Belly white. The upper Surface of the Body is all over duſky, with a mixture of yellow in the Wings. The Cock cannot be known from the Hen by its Colour. It abideth all the Year, and breeds with us in England. It builds its Neft outwardly of Earth, Moſs, and Straw, and within daubs it with Clay; laying its Eggs and Young upon the bare Clay. It lays at one fitting five or fix Eggs of a bluiſh green Colour, ſpeckled with 120 A Deſcription of BIRDS. a with a few ſmall black Spots. In the Spring time it fits upon Trees, and ſings moſt ſweetly; but it builds in Hedges. 53. The common BLACKBIRD is little or nothing leſs than a Fieldfare. The Cock whiſtles and fings very pleaſantly all the Spring and Summer time. The Blackbird builds her Neft very artificially, without ſide of Moſs, ſlender Twigs, Bents, cemented or joined together with Clay ; daubing it alſo all over within fide with Clay, and covering the Clay with fmall Straws, Bents, Hairs, or other foft Matter, upon which the lays her Eggs. She lays four or five Eggs, of a bluiſh green Colour fpotted. 54. The REDWING is rather leſs than the Thruſh The upper ſide of the Body is of the ſame Colour with that of the Thruſh: the Breaſt not ſo much ſpotted: the covert Feathers of the under ſide of the Wings, and of the ſides of the Body under the Wings, which in the Thruſh are yellow, in this Kind are of a red orange Colour ; by which mark it is chiefly diftinguiſhed from it. The Belly is white'; the Throat and Breaft yellowiſh, ſpotted with duſky Spots. It comes to us from beyond Seas, as the Fieldfare, with which it flies in company, obſerving the ſame times of coming and returning. 55. The FIERDFARE is ſomewhat bigger than a Blackbird The Head, Neck, and Rump, are afh Coloured, in ſome of a deep blue. The Crown of the Head is ſprinkled with black Spots; the Neck, Shoul- ders, 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 bottom of the Breaſt and Belly is white, and leſs ſpotted. Fieldfares fly in flocks together, with Stares and Redwings. They Shift Places according to the Seaſon of the Year. About the beginning of Autumn come over incredible Flights of them into England, which ſtay with us all Winter, and in Spring fiy all back again, not one Bird remainings It is faid, that there was never ſeen any young Fieldfares, or Redwings, or ſo much as a Neft of thoſe Birds with us in England. Whicher they betake them- ſelves I21 53. BLACK-BIRD. 54. REDWING, 35. FIELD FARE F 722 56. STERLING. 57. RING-OUZEL. 58. BLACK- MARTIN 59. The MARTIN, A Deſcription of BIRDS. 123 felves, or where they breed, is not to us perfedly known. 56. A STARE or STERLING, is of the Bigneſs and Shape of a common Blackbird ; the Tips of the Feathers on the Neck and Back are yellow : the Feathers under the Tail of an ash Colour ; 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. Sterlings company with Redwings and Fieldfares; yet do they not fly away with them, but abide with us all Summer, breeding in the Holes of Towers, Hou- ſes, Trees, &c. It lays four or five Eggs lightly tinctured with a greeniſh blue. 57. The RING-OUZEL nearly reſembles the common Blackbird in Bigneſs, Figure and Co- lour, but hardly fo dark. The top of the Head, the Shoulders, Back, Wings, and Tail, are of a dark Brown and duſky Colour. Its Bill is every way like the Blackbird's excepting the Colour, which in this is of a dark brown or blackiſh. It is uſually con- verſant about Rocks, and the feep Cliffs of high Mountains, 58. The BLACK MARTIN, or Swift, hath a great Head ; an huge wide Mouth; but a very ſmall Bill. The Colour of the Feathers of the whole Body is black, only under the Chin is a Spot of white or ath Colour. Its Legs are very ſhort, but thick ; its Feet very ſmall. They ſay, that by reaſon of the length of it Wings, and ſhortneſs of its Legs, if it happens to alight or fall upon the Ground, it cannot raiſe it ſelf up again, but my eaſily be caught. Wherefore it doth either always fly, or fit upon the Tops of Churches, Towers, or other ancient buildings. 59. The MARTIN, or Martinet, or Marlet, is ſomewhat leſs than a common Swallow. Its Feet to the very Claws, are covered with a white Down; by which Note it is eaſily diftinguiſhable from all its fellows of the Swallow Kind; its Head, Neck, Back, Tail, and Wings, are of the fame Colour with the F 2 Houſe 10 1-24 A Deſcription of BIRDS. Houſe-Swallow's. Its Rump, Breaft, and Belly, milk white. The Tail is leſs forked than the Houſe-Swal- low's. It is a very tame and innocent Bird ; it builds its Neft of Mud, with a great deal of Art, under the Eaves of Houſes, Windows, &c. and feeds upon Flies and other iniects. 60. The con mon HOUSE-SWALLOW is on the Head, Neck, Back, and Rump, of a very Jovely ſhining, purplish blue Colour. The Throat is of the fame Colour with the Neck: the Breaſt and Belly are white, with a daſh of red. The Tail is forked, conſiſting of twelve Feathers; the outmoſt of which are an Inch longer than the next, and end in ſharp Points. The Wings are of the ſame Colour with the back. Swallows build in Chimnies; and feed upon Flies, Worms, and other Inſects. What becomes of Swallows, Martins, and ſome other Birds, in Winter time; whether they fly into other Coun- tries, or fleep in hollow Trees, and the like Places ; natural Hiſtorians are not agreed, nor indeed can they certainly determine. It ſeems more probably that they fly away into hot Countries, viz. Egypt, Ethiopia, &c. than that either they lurk in hollow Trees, or Holes of Rocks, and antient buildings, &c. as has been reported. 61. The REDSTART is about the Bigneſs of a Robin-red-breaft. The Breaſt, Rump, and Sides under the Wings, are red: the lower Belly is white. The Head, Neck, and Back, are of a lead Colour. It feeds upon Infe&ts; and comes to us in Summer time. This Bird is ſaid to be of a very dogged and fullen Temper; for if it be taken when old, it will be dif- ficult to make him feed; but if taken young, and brought up, it becomes gentle and very fame. The Redfart is thought to be the fhyeſt of all Birds ; for, if ſhe perceive you to mind her, when ſhe is building, ſhe will forſake what the hath begun; and if you touch an Egg, ſhe never comes to her Neft more ; and if you touch her Young ones, fhe will either ſtarve them, or throw them out of the Neſt and break their Necks, as has been found by Experience more than once. If thiş Bird be kept warn in Winter, it will fing as well 125 6. A SWALLOW.. 61. REDSTAR T. F 3 126 72 62. ROBIN-RED BREAST. sfond 63. SK Y-L ARK. A Deſcription of BIRDS. A 127 well in the Night as the Day; and will learn to whiſtle, and imitate other Birds. 62. The ROBIN RED-BREAST is a Bird ſo well known in almoſt all Countries, that but little need be faid of it. In Winter-time, to feek Food, it enters into Houſes with much Confidence ; being a very bold Bird, fociable, and familiar with Man. In the Summer- time, when there is Plenty of Food in the Woods, it withdraws itſelf in the moſt deſert Places; it is a folitary Bird, and feeds fingly; whence the Proverb took irs riſe, Unum arbuſtum non alit duos Erithacos; One Shrub doth not produce two Robin red-breaſts. It feeds upon Inſects, Ants Eggs, Crumbs of Bread, &c. For a Song- Bird it is by fome eſteemed little inferior to the Nightin- gale. The Male may be known and diſtinguiſhed from the Female by the Colour of the Legs, which are blacker; and by certain Hairs which grow on each side his Bill, and Breaft being of a deeper red. 63. LARKS are diſtinguiſhed from other sorts of Birds ; 1. By their long Heel or Claw of the back Toe; which is the characteriſtick Mark of theſe Birds, 2. By the earthy colour of their Feathers. 3. By their finging as they fly, mounting up in the Air. The com- mon Sky Lark is not much bigger than an Houſe Spar- row, yet longer bodied. It builds its Neſt ſometimes in . plain open Ground, under fome Clod of earth; and ſometimes in Corn, or thick high Graſs: and though in Winter we fee great Flocks of them, yet we find the feweit of their Netts, of any Birds that are ſo plentiful. It breeds thrice in a Year, in May July and Auguft, rearing her Young very ſuddenly : fo that if you have a Neft, you muſt take them as ſoon as they are ſpoon-fea- thered, or elſe you run the riſque of loſing them, for they will ger thein gone of a ſudden. Young Neflings . may be brought up almoſt with any Meat; but if you give them Sheep's Heart and Eggs chopt together, till they are about three Weeks old, it will not be amiſs: and when they come to eat alone, give them Oatmeal, Henip- feed, and Bread mixt together with a little Egg. F4 64. The 128 A Deſcription of BIRDS. . 64, The WOODLARK is diſtinguiſhed from the common Lark by the following Marks ; 1. Whift- ling like a Blackbird. 2. A Circle of whie 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 fits upon Trees. 6. It is leffer than the common Lark, but hath a ſhorter, thicker, or rounder Body for its bigneſs. The Woodlark is comparable to the Nightingale for fing- ing, and by ſome preferred before it. It is a very tender Bird, and yet breeds the fooneſt of any in England. It builds moſt commonly in Lays, where the Grafs hath been pretty rank and is grown fuffet, under fome large Turf, to fhelter its Neft from the Winds and Weather. 65. The CRESTED LARK differs from the common Lark; 1. In bigneſs. 2. In the Creft. 3. In the Co- lour of the Back, which is leſs ſpotted, and not fo brau. tiful. 4. In the Meaſure of his Tail, which in this Bird is ſhorter. 5. In that it foars 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. Lally, It is frequently ſeen about the Banks of Lakes and Rivers. 66. The NIGHTINGALE being the Chief of all ſinging Birds, is about the bigneſs of a Goldfinch or Redſtart, and long bodied. Its Colour on the upper Part, viz. Head and Back, are of a deep gold Colour, with a certian Mixture of green, like that of a Redwing. Its Tail is of a deep red; its Belly is white. The Parts under the Wings, the Breaſt and Throat, are of a darker Colour, with a Tincture of green. This Bird is not re- markable for any Variety or Beauty of Colours, but well known from its finging by Night. The Nightingale is very impatient of Cold, and therefore in Winter time either hides itſelf in ſome lurking Place, or flies away into hot Countries. It breeds in the Spring-time about the Month of May, building its Neſt of the Leaves of Trees, Straws and Mofs : and lays four or five Eggs. It ſeldom Gings near its Neſt, for fear of diſcovering it; but for the moſt part about a Stone's caſt diſtant. 67. The 129 64. WOOD-LARK. 65. CRESTED LARK. 66. A NIGHTINGALE. AFSLU 130 67. VIRGINIAN NIGHTINGALE. 68. BLACK-CAP. 69. HUMMINGBIRD A Deſcription of BIRDS. 131 67. The VIRGINIAN NIGHTINGALE is nigh as big as a Blackbird. It hath a Tuft on its Head of a ſcarlet Colour, with which Colour alſo the Neck, Breaſt, and Belly, are adorned. The Ends of the Wings are not of fo deep a ſcarlet, neither is the Tail. The Colour of the whole is a lovely ſcarlet, only the Head and Tail more faint. Seeing its Image in a Glaſs it hath many ſtrange Gefticulations, making an hiſling Noiſe, lowering its Creft, fetting up its Tail after the manner of the Peacock, ſhaking its Wings; in fine, ftriking at the Looking Glaſs with its Bill. 68. The BLACK-CA P is a very ſmall Bird, not weighing above half an Ounce; the Top of the Head is black; whence it took its Name: the Neck of an aſh Colour; the whole Back of a dark green: the Wings of a duſky Colour, only that their Edges are a little green. The Tail is alſo 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, tindured with yel- low. This Bird is common in Italy; it is alſo found in England, but more rarely. 69. The HUMMING BIRD is the leaft of all Birds, The Head, together with the Feathers, is of the bigneſs of a mean-fized 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 bigueſs to a Spaniſh Olive. Its Colour is wonderfully reſplendent; ſo that it can- fo not be well repreſented by any Painter: for with a green, ſuch as is ſeen in the Necks of Peacocks, a gol- den, flame Colour, and yellow, are ftrangely mixt; ſo that being expoſed to the Sun-beams it ſhines ad- mirably. It makes its Neſt in the Boughs of Trees, of the bigneſs of an Holland Shilling; and lays very white Eggs, two for the moſt Part, of an oval Figure, not bigger than a Pea. It is fed and nouriſhed with Ho- ney Dew, and the Juice of Flowers, which it ſucks Out 132 A Deſcription of BIRDS. out o' them with its Bill. I flies very ſwift, and makes an humming voile like a Hornei, or Bee; hence it took its Nime in Englib, of Humming Bird. 70. The WREN is a very ſmall Bird : It builds its Net ſometimes by the Walls of Houſes, in the Backſides of Stables, or other out Houſes that are covered with Straw; but more com.nonly in Woods and Hedges. This Neft is of the Figure of an Egg, erect upon one end, and baih in the middle of the Side a Door, by which it goes in and out. It lays nine or ten, and fometimes more Eggs, at a fitting. It is ftrange to Admiration, that to finall a bodied Bird ſhould cover ſo great a nun ber of Eggs, and more trange, that it ſhould feed fuch a Company of Yovng, and not miſs one Bird, and that in the dark alſo. Being kept tame it fings very ſweetly. 71. TITMICE are a fort of ſmall Birds, that are found for the moft part about Trees; and live chieny upon Infees which they And there. There are ſeveral sorts of theſe Birds, viz. The Marſh litmoufe, or Black Cop; the Blue Titmule, or Nun; the Creſted Titmoufe; the long taild Titmouſe, and fome others. Some of theſe build in Holes of Trees: others make Netts of an oval figure, with an Hole left open in the Side to go in and out at. They are reftleſs Birds, never fitting long fill in one place, but flirting from Bough to Bough, and from Tree to Tree. They have ſhor: Bills, fmal Bodies, and long Tails 72. The Long-tail's INDIAN SPARROW is of equal bigneſs to ou Houſe Sparrow. It bath a fhort thick Bill of a ſcarlet Colour. Its Head is blackiſh, with a mixture of grcenith Colour, inclining to blue. The Wines are of three Colours chiefly : firſt, that now ; ſecondly, a wbite, as appears in the figurerardly a black ; to which iucceeds, fourthly yeito win Colour he [hroat and lower Side of the Nek, the Breat, and Belly are white. The Tris doule, as in the Peace; and alto of two Coluws, the offer, wbich fuftains the greater, being as it were its Pop, is white; the greater, con- Gíting of four very najrow Feathers, of nine Inches long, 2 133 71. MARSH TITMOUSE 70. A WREN CRESTED TITMOUSE, BLUE TITMOUSE 72. INDIAN LONG TAIL'D TITMOUSE SPARROW. 134 73. À PARRAKEET 74. FOOLISH SPARROW 75. HOUSE SPARROW. 76. BULL FINCH A Deſcription of BIRDS. 135 long, is of a deep black. The Legs and Feet are ſpot- ted of black and white; the Talons black, and, as in Birds of Prey, very ſharp and hooked. a 73. The RING-PARRAKEET is about fourteen Inches long. Its Bill is thick, and all over red. The Head, and all the Body beſides green: but the Neck, Breaft, and whole under Sides, more faint, or pale; the upper Side deeper coloured. It hath a red Circle or Ring, which compaſſeth the backſides of the Neck: This Ring is bebind, of the Breadth of one's little Finger ; but grows narrower by Degrees towards the sides and Ends under the lower Chap of the Bill: the Belly is of ſo faint a green, that it ſeems almoſt to be yellow. The Tail is alſo of a yellowiſh green: the Legs and Feet are afh-co- loured. This is ſaid to be the firſt of all Parrots brought out of India into Europe; and the only one known to the Antients for a long Time, to wit, from the Time of Alexander the Great, to the Age of Nero. a 74. The FOOLISH SPARROW 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 elſe where. The Bill is red, thick, and ſhort; the Eyes great. The Tail and Wings incline to black. 75. The common HOUSE SPARROW is every where ſo well known, that I ſhall only preſent you with the Figure. 76. The BULLFINCH is a very docile Bird, and will nearly imitate the ſound of a Pipe, or the Whiſtle of a Man with its Voice. This Bird is much eſteemed in England for its finging, and deſervedly, for therein it is thought to excel all ſmall Birds, if prechance you except the Linnet. The Head, for the proportion of the Body is great. In the Male, a lovely ſcarlet or crimſon Colour adorns the Breaft, Throat, and Jaws, as far as the Eyes. The Crown of the Head is black: the Rump and Tail white : the Neck and Back grey, with a certain Tincture of red: the Tail is black. The Cock is of equal bigneſs to 136 A Deſcription of BIRDS. to the Hen, but hath a flatter Crown, and excels her in the beauty of his Colour. 77. The GOLDFINCH, or Thiſtle-Finch, is a very beautiful Bird: for the Elegancy of its Colours, and ſweetnefs of its ſinging every where well known, and highly eſteemed. It is of a mild and gentle Nature, as may eten thence appear, that, preſently after it is caught, without uſing any Art or Care, it will fall to its Meat and Drink; nor is it ſo ſcared and affrighted at the Preſence of a Man as to ftrike its Bill and Wings againſt the side of its Cage, as moft other Birds are wont to do. It builds its Neit in Thorns and Trees: and lays fix Eggs. 78. The common LINNET is about the fize of a Goldfinch. It is kept in Cages with us for the ſweetneſs of its Singing; for it hath a ſweet Note, and is thought by fome to excel all other ſmall Birds It builds in black or white Thorn Buhes; and lays four or five Eggs. a 79. The Red beaded LINNET is ſomething leſs than the common Linnet. The Crown of the Head is adorned with a red Colour, but not very, bright and ſhin- ing, the reft of the Head and Neck round about of an afh Colour. The Shoulders, Back, and covert Feathers of the Wings, are red: the Breaſt is tinctured with red. It harh a fine Note, equal to the common Linnet ; and builds after the ſame Manner with that Bird. It is com- mon on the Sea Coafts. 80. The YELLOW-HAMMER is of the bigneſs of a Sparrow. Its Head is of a greeniſh yellow, ſpotted with brown. The Throat and Belly are yellow; the B. ea ft. hath fomething of red mingled with it, as alſo the Sides under the Wings. The Rump is reddiſh. Yellow-hammers build upon the Ground ; being every where in England moſt common. 81. The WATER WAGTAIL is a Bird every where ſo well known, that it may leem enough to oame it, not needing any Deſcriprion. It is much converſant about the Brinks of Rivers, Pools, and other wairy Places, where it 137 77. GOLDFINCH. 78. A LINNET. 79. RED HEADED LINNET 80. YEL- LOW HAM- MER. 81 WATER WAGTAIL. 82, CANARY BIRD. 1158 83. ACRAN E. 84. BALEARIC CRANE. A Deſcription of BIRDS. 139 a it catches Flies, and Water Infects. It builds upon the Ground among the Corn, making its Neſt of Bents and Stalks of Herbs, ſpreading Hairs within under the Eggs. It lays ar one Time four or five Eggs. 82 The CANARY BIRD is of the Bigneſs of the cominon Ticmouſe. It hath a ſweet and shrill Note, which at one Breath continued for a long Time without Interonition, it can draw out, ſometimes in Length, fome- times raites very high, by a various and almoſt muſical Inflection of its Voice, making very pleaſant and artificial Melody The Sound it makes is very ſharp, and ſo qui- vering that fometimes, when it ſtretches and exerciſes its liate Throat and Chaps, whiftling with all its Force, it vehemently ſtrikes, and even deafens the Ears of the Hearers with its Shiilipels. Many are delighted with this kind of its Singing, many are alſo offended, ſaying, that they are ſtunned and deafened with it. 83 The CRANE is a large bodied Fowl, weigh- ing lometimes ten Pounds. Its Neck and Legs are very long. "The Top of the Head is black; from the Bill to the hinder Part covered with black Hairs of Briſtles, rather than Feathers. The Throat and sides of the Neck are of a black Hue. The Back, Shoulders, covert Feathers of the Wings. Breaſt, and all the Belly, and Thighs, are aih-coloured. In the Fen Countries in Lin- colnſhire and Cambridgeſhire, there are great Flocks of Cranes; but whether or no they breed in England, is not certainly known. Though the Crane be a Water- Fowl, yet it is thought not to feed at all upon Fish, but only upon Herbs, Grain, and Seeds of divers Sorts, and allo upon Inſects. The Fleſh of theſe Fowls is very favoury, and well rafted, not to ſay delicate. 84. The BALEARIC CRANE is in the Shape of its Body like a Strok. It hath upon its Head a thick . round Creſt, made up with Brifles, ſpread every Way, like Hog's Briſtles, of the Colour of the Prickles of a common Hedgehog ; by which Note it may at firſt be known from all other Birds. It is found in the Country near Cape Verde. For Bigneſs it is equal to our Country Crane. This Bird roofts alter the Manner of a Peacock, whoſe Voice and Conditions it alſo imitates. It feeds ирон a 140 A Deſcription of BIRDS. upon green Herbs, and, togethers with Hens and Pea- cocks, devours Barley, and other Grain. 85. The common HERON is from the Tip of the Bill, to the End of the Claw, four Feet long, to the End of the Tail about thirty-eight Inches. It hath a black Creft on the Head, four Inches high ; the Fea- thers on the Crown of the Head, and the Chin, are white, the Neck white and aſh-coloured, tinctured with red, the Throat white, being delicately painted with black Spots. The Breaft, Back, and Wings, are various, inclining to yellow, ath, and black It feeds upon Fiſhes, Frogs, &c. Herons build ſometims on the Tops of great Trees, like Rooks, and for the moſt part, many together. 86. The leffer afh-coloured Heron, called by the Germans, the Night-Raven, is leſſer than the common Heron, and hath a fhorter Neck. Its Back and Crown are black; its Neck aſh-coloured ; its Throat and Belly tinctured with yellow : A wbite Line is extended from the Eye to the Bill. From the hinder Part of the Head, it hath a Creſt of three Feathers five Inches long, hang. ing down over the Back; whereby it differs from all other Birds. Its Wings and Tail are of an aſh colour ; its Bill black; its Legs and Feet are of a yellowiſh green. This Bird is called Night-Raven, becauſe in the Night- time it cries with an uncouth Voice, like one that ſtrains to vomit. 87. The BITTERN is near as big as the com- mon Heron. Jus Head is ſmall, narrow, or compreſſed at the Sides. The Crown is black, the Throat and Sides of the Neck are red, with narraw black Lines ; the Back is parti-coloured, of a pale red and black. The back Claw of this Bird, which is remarkably thick and long above the reft, is wont to be ſet in Silver for a Picktooth , and is thought to have a fingular Property of preſerving Teeth. This Bird, when it bellows, makes a dreadful Noiſe, and it is faid, that it gives always an odd Number of Rombs at a Time, viz. three or five, which by Obſervation has been found to be falſe. It begins to bellow about the beginning of Felruary, and ceaſes when Breeding-time is over. The common Peo- ple 141 85. A HERON. 86. Leffer HERON. 87. A BITTERN. 142 88. ASTORK. 89. SPOON-BILL @o. WOOD-COCK. A Deſcription of BIRDS, 143 ple 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, Mud, or Earth, and by that Means imitates the lowing of an Ox. It bides itſelf commonly among Reeds and Buſhes, and ſometimes lies in Hedges, with its Neck and Head erect. In the Autumn, after Sun-ſet, this Bird is wont to foar aloft in the Air, fo high, till it gets quite out of Sight; in the mean Time making a fingular Kind of Noiſe, like lowing. This, without Doubt, is that Bird our common People call the Night Raven, and have ſuch a Dread of, imagining its cry portends no leſs than а their Death, or the Death of ſome of their near Rela- tions; for it flies in the Night, anſwers their Deſeription, and hath ſuch a kind of hooping Cry as they talk of. 88. The common, or white STORK, is bigger than the common Heron; its Neck thicker and ſhorter; its Head, Neck, and fore Part white; the Rump and outſide of the Wings black; the Belly white, the Quill- feathers of the Wings are black; the Tail white; the Bill long and red like an Heron's. Its Claws are broad, like the Nails of a Man. It is ſeldom ſeen in England, and not unleſs driven over by a Storm of Wind, or ſome other Accident. It makes a ſnapping or clattering Noiſe with its Bill, by the quick and frequent ſtriking one Chap againſt the other. It readily eats Frogs, Land-înails, &c. but refuſes Toads. а 84. The SPOON BILL is a very large Fowl. The Colour of the whole Body is white like a Swan's. The Bill very much reſembles a Spoon; whence alſo the Bird itſelf is called. In a certain Grove, at a Village called Sevenhuys, not far from Leyden in Holland, this sort of Birds build and breed yearly in great Numbers on the Tops of high Trees; where alſo build Herons, Night- Ravens, Shags, Cormorants, &c. 90. The OODCOCK is ſomewhat lefſer than Partridge. The upper Side of the Body is parti-coloured of red, black, and grey, very beautiful to behold; from 4 the Bill almost to the middle of the Head, it is of a reddith 144 A Deſcription of BIRDS. reddiſh aſh-colour. The Breaſt and Belly are grey, with tranſverſe brown Lines : Under the Tail is ſomewhat yellowiſh; the Chin is white, with a Tincture of yellow. Woodcocks are Birds of Paſſage, coming over into Eng- land in Autumn, and departing again in the Beginning of Spring; yet they pair before they go, flying two to- gether, 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 Mift. Woodcocks Fleſh, for the Delicacy of its Tafte, is in high Efteem. 91. The SNIPE, or SNITE, weighs about four Ounces. A pale red Line divides the Head in the Mid- dle, longways; the Chin under the Bill is white, the Neck is mingled of brown and red, the Breaſt and Belly are almoſt wholly white; the Back and Wings are of a duſky Colour. Its Fleſh is tender, ſweet, and of an ex- cellent Relish. It lives eſpecially on the fatty Humour it fucks out of the Earth, but feeds alſo upon Worms and other Infects. It feeks its Food in moiſt and fenny Places, Rivulets, &c. where alſo it hides itſelf; fo that it is very hard to find or elpy it. Some Snipes abide with us all the Summer, and build in our Moors or Marſhes; laying four or five Eggs at a Breeding time, the greateſt Part leave us, and fly away into olher Countries. a 92. The GOODWIT, called in ſome Places the Yarwelp, or Yarwip, in others the tone Plower, is like and equal to a Woodcock, or a little bigger. It lives, and feeks its 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 itſelf like the Woodcock, but walks up and down the Sands in open View, like a Gull. 93. The CURLEW is a pretty large Sea-Fowl, weighing about twenty-five Ounces: It is found on the Sea-Coafts on all sides of England. The middle Parts of the Feathers of the Head, Neck, and Back, are black; the Borders or Outſides afh-coloured, with Mixture of red; the Rump and Belly are white. 145 91. A SNIPE. 92. A GOODWIT. 93. A CURLEW. 346 94. RED- 173.1 SHANK. WOOD 93. LAPWING. SU he W 200 A 26. ASWAN A Deſcription of BIRDS. 147 white. This Bird, for the Goodneſs and delicate Taſte of its Fleſh, mayjuftly 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 joe black, She carries Twelve pence on her Back. a 94. The REDSHANK is of a middle fize for bigneſs, between a Lapwing and a Snipe, approaching to the quan- , tity of a Plover. The Head and Back are of a duſky aſh- Colour, fpotted with black; the Throat is parti-coloured of black and white, the black being drawn down long- ways the Feathers, the Breaſt is whiter with fewer Spots. It is common on the fandy Shores about England every where. It breeds in Marſhes, and, if any one comes near its Neſt, it lies about making a great noiſe, like the Lap- wing. 2011 95. The LAPWING is a Bird in all Countries well known: and every where to be met with. In the North of England they call it To wit, from its Cry. It is of the bigneſs of a common Pigeon. It lays four or five Eggs of a dirty yellow, all over painted with great black Spots and Strokes. It builds its Neſt on the Ground, in the middle of ſome Field or Heath, open and expoſed to view, laying only fome few Straws or Bents, under the Eggs, that the Neft be not feen: the Eggs being ſo like in Colour to the Ground on which they lie, it is not eaſy to find them, though they lie fo open. The Young, fo ſoon as they are hatched, inſtantly forſake the Neſt, running away with the thick down, and follow the Old ones like Chickens. They ſay a Lapwing, the further you are from the Neft, the more clamorous fheis, the nearer you are to it, the quieter The is, and leſs concerned ſhe ſeems, that the may draw you from the true Place, and induce you to think it is, where it is not. 96. The tame SWAN is much the biggeſt of all whole-footed Water Fowl with broad Bills; fome of them weighing about twenty Pounds. The whole Body G 2 13 148 A Deſcription of BIRDS. is covered with a ſoft, delicate Plumage, in the Old ones purely white, in the Young ones grey. It is a very long lived Fowl, ſo that it is thought to attain the Age of three hundred Years, which by ſome has been doubted of. My Author ſays, for bis Part, he could eaſily be in- duced to believe it for that he had been afſured, by cre- dible Perſons, that a Gooſe will live an hundred Years or more; but that a Swan is much longer lived than a Gooſe, he bringeth many convincing Arguments to prove. The Swan feeds not upon Fish, but either upon Herbs growing in the Water, and their Roots and Seeds, or upon Worms and other Infects, and Shell-fiſh. Its Flela is black, hard, and tough, being no defirable Dainty; yet for its Rarity, ferves for a Dish to adorn Great Mens Tables, at Feaits and Entertainments. It lays feven or eight Eggs, and fits near two Months before its Young ones be hatcht. 97. The tame GOOSE I ſhall ſay but little of, it be- ing well known in all Nations. It is leffer than a Swan, but bigger than a Duck. The Colour in theſe, as in other tame Birds, is various; in ſome brown, in ſome grey, &c. When it is angry, it hiffes like a Serpent. It is very long lived, as has been mentioned in the Deſcription of the Swan. a 98. The tame DUCK is as well, or better known than the Gooſe ; and there being nothing material in the De- fcription of it, I ſhall only preſent you with the Figure. 99. The WIGEON, or Whewer, weighs about twen- ty two Ounces. The Head, and upper end of the Neck are red; the Crown towards the Bill is of a faint 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 faint tincture, of a red wine Colour, with ſmall tranſverſe black Lines, the middle of the Back is brown. It feeds upon Graſs and Weeds growing in the bottoms of Rivers, Lakes, &c. The Fleſh of it for delicacy is much inferior to that of Teal, or indeed Wild-Duck. 100. The KNOT is a ſmall Bird, weighing about four Ounces and a half, its Head and Back are of a deſky 149 97. A GOOSE. 98. ADUCK 99. WIGEON 100. KNOT G 3 150 101. RUFF. 102. TAMATIA. 103. COO T. A Deſcription of BIRDS. 151 dulky Aſh-colour, or dark grey : the Rump varied with white and black Lines: the Breaſt and Belly white; the fides under the Wings ſpotted with brown. About the beginning of Winter theſe Birds are ſaid to come into Lincolnſhire, where they continue two or three Months about the Sea-ſhores, and away again. They fly in Flocks. If fat, they are accounted excellent Meat. 101. The RUFF, whoſe Female is called a Reeve, is bigger than the Knot. In the Cock-birds, a Circle or Coller of long Feathers, ſomething reſembling a Ruff, encompaſſes the Neck under the Head; whence they took the Name of Ruffs. There is a 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 alike one to another. After Mid- fummer, when they have moulted their Feathers, they ſay they become all alike again. The Hens are ſomewhat lefs than the Cocks; they change not their Colours. Thefe Birds breed in Summer-time, in the Fens of Lin- colnſhire, about Crowland. They are fatted with white Bread and Milk, as are alſo Knots, being ſhut up in cloſe dark Rooms; for let in but the Light upon them, preſent- ly they fall a fighting ; never giving over till one hath killed the other, eſpecially if any Body ftands by. The Fowlers when they ſee them intent upon fighting, ſpread their Nets over them, and catch them before they be aware. 102. The Braſilian TAMATIA 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. Above the Noftrils ſtand up certain flender Feathers, like Hairs, or Briſtles. Its Head and Bill are bigger than the Proportion of the Body requires. 103. The COOT is a pretty large Bird, weighing about twenty four Ounces. The Feathers about the Head . and Neck are low, foft, and thick. The Colour all over The Body is black, deeper about the Head. It builds its Neft of Grafs, broken Reeds, &c. floating on the Top G4 of 152 A Deſcription of BIRDS. of the Water, ſo that it riſes and falls together with the Water: the Reeds 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. It feldom fits upon Trees. The Fleſh of it with us is accounted no good Meat: in Italy it is more eſteemed. a 104. The GREEN PLOVER is about the bigneſs of a Lapwing, weighing about nine Ounces. The Colour of the whole upper Side is black, thick ſet with yellowiſh green Spots: the Breaſt is brown, ſpotted with yellowiſh green: the Belly white. Its Fleſh is ſweet and tender, and therefore highly eftemed, 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. 105. 'The GREY PLOVER is about the fize of the former. Its Head, Back, and leffer covert Feathers of the Wings, are black, with Tips of a greeniſh grey: the a Chin is white: the Throat ſpotted with brown or dulky Spats: the Breaft, Belly, and Thighs, are white. The Fleſh alſo of this Bird is very tender, favoury, and deli- cate ; and in no leſs efteem than the former. 106. The DOTTREL is ſomething leſs than the Plover. It is a very foolih Bird, but excellent Meat and with ſome accounted a great delicacy. It is taken in the Night-time, by the Light of a Candle, by imitating the Geitures of the Fowler: for, if he ftre ches 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 doh :he Bird: and being ſo intent on Men's Geſtures, it is deceived, and covered with the Net ſpread for it. It is accounted a fooliſh Bird, even to a Proverb, we calling a a foolih dull Perſon, a Dottrel. a 107. The common WATER-HEN, or Moor-Hen, is bigger than the Plover. The Breaſt is of a lead Colour : the Belly inclining to grey, or afh Colour: the Back all over blackiſh As it ſwims or walks it often flirts up its Tail. It will feed very fat. Its Fleſh is well tafted, and even comparable to that of Teal. It lives about Moats, and 153 304. GREEN-PLOVER, 195. GREY- PLOVER 106, DOTTREL. 107. A MOOR-HEN. A G5 154 108. The TE A L. 109. PELICAN. 119. CORMORANT A Deſcription of BIRDS. 155 and great Pools of Water near Gentlemens Houſes. It flies with its Feet hanging down. It builds upon low Trees and Shrubs by the Water-lide, breeding twice or thrice in , a Summer. Its Eggs are white, with a tincture of green, ſpotted with reddith Spots. It ferikes with its Bill like an Hen. It feeds upon Water Inſects, that it finds among the Weeds, and on graffy Banks and Borders near Waters. 108. 'The TEAL, is the least in the Duck Kind : weighing only twelve Ounces. The Breaſt and Belly are of a fordid white or grey Colour, the Back and the Sides under the Wings are curiouſly varied with Lines of white and Black: the Wings are all over brown; the Tail is likewiſe of a brown or duſky Colour. This Bird for the delicate Taste of his Fleſh, and the wholeſome Nouriſh- ment it affords the Body, doth deſervedly challenge the firſt Place among thoſe of its kind. 109. The PELICAN, is a very large Sea Fowl; being fixty Inches in Length, from the Point of the Bill to the end of the Tail; and almoſt equal in big nefs to a Swan. The Colour of the whole Body is white. It bas a Bag which hangs down under the Bill, which makes the Peli- can greatly different from other Birds; which it ſometimes contracts and draws up ſo to the Bill, that it is ſcarce to be ſeen; other times it feffers it to be ſo dilated, as to receive and contain many Pounds of Water, ſome ſay thirty. It feeds upon. Fith. It lives to a great Age, fisty Years or upwards. Its Voice is ſaid to be like the braying of an Afs. 110. The CORMORANT, is near as big as a Gooſe. The Colour on the upper Side is duſky, ſhining with an obſcure Tincture of green: the Breaſt and Belly are white, It is very ravenous and greedy of Fish, which is its only Food. It builds its Neft on the Sea-rocks : and alſo upon high Trees, in ſome places in England: which thing is worthy the notice-taking ; for beſides this, and the Shag, we have not known, or heard of any whole-footed Bird, that is wont to fit upon Trees, much leſs build its Neft upon them. 111. The 156 B A Deſcription of BIRDS a 111. The SHAG, is ſomewhat like the Cormorant, but a great deal lefs. It differs in the Colour of the Belly, which in this is blackiſh, in that white. It ſwims in the Sea with its Head erect, its Body almoft covered 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 Ducker, ſo that it is a very hard thing to ſhoot it. 112. The Corniſh CHOUGH, is like a Jackdaw, but bigger, and almoſt equal to a Crow. It differs chiefly from the Jackdaw in the Bill, which is longer, red, ſharp, a little bowed crooked. The Feet and Legs are like thoſe of a Jackdaw, but of a red Colour. The Plumage of the whole Body all over is black. It frequents Rocks, old Caſtles, and Churches, by the Sea-fide. It is found not only in Cornwall, 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. 113. The SCARE-CROW, is of the bigneſs of a Black-bird. Its Head, Neck, and Belly, are black : its Wings Ah-coloured : ils Tail a little forked: its Legs and Feet fmall. The Male hath a white Spot under the Chin. a 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, 114. The COCK of the Mountain, or Weod, for bigneſs and figure comes near to a Turkey. There is no need of a particular Deſcription of the Colour of the Fea- thers of this Bird, which vary much by Age, and per- chance alſo Place, and other Accidents. It is chiefly black, with tranſverſe Lines of white. This Bird is found on high Mountains beyond Seas, and, as they ſay, in Ireland, but no where in England. The Fleſh of this Bird is of a delicate Taſte, and wholſome Nouriſhment. Á 157 11, The SH A G. 112. Cornish CHOUGH, TI3. Scare CROW. 114. Cock of MOUNTAIN 1. A WH A L E. ( 159 ) A DESCRIPTION OF F I SH E S. BOOK III. 1. HE WHALE is about fifty or fixty Feet in Length, ſometiines ſeventy ; and about twelve high; the Length of his Chap about eighteen Feet. The Tongue is ſaid to be as big as a large Fea- ther-bed. It has only two large Fins, which are faftened to the Shoulder-blade. The Tail is forked, like a Swal- low's. Its Colour on the Bick is blackiſh, the Belly white: thie Back of the Fith is commonly full of Scars and Scratches, which it is ſuppoſed to receive from its ſwimming under the Ice. Whales are taken in large Numbers about Iceland, Greenland, and other Northern Countries, by the Engliſh, Hollanders, &c. Our South- Sea Company fend annually, on this Expedition, twenty- two or twenty-three Sail of Ships, every Ship being about 300 Tons Burthen, and each carrying forty-f-ve Men, and fix Boats. This Fleet uſually fails about the End of March, but ſeldom begins to fiſh till the Month of May. When they begin their Fiſhery, the Ship is faſtened, or moored with Noſe-hooks to the Ice. Two Boats, each manned with fix Men, (which is the Com- plement of every Boat in the Fleet) are ordered by the Commodore (which is an Officer who is the Head of every Whip's Company, and appointed on purpoſe to ma- na- nage th: Fiſhery) to look out for the coming of the Fiſh, for 360 A Deſcription of FISHES. for two Hours, and then are relieved by two more, and fo by Turns. Theſe two Boats lie at ſome ſmall Diftance from the Ship, each ſeparated from the other, faſtened to the Ice with their Boat hooks, ready to let go in an Inftant, at the firſt sight of the Whale. Here the Dex- terity of the Whale-Hunters is to be admired; for fo foon as the Fish fhews berſelf, every Man to his Oar, and they ruſh on the Monſter with a prodigious Swift- nefs; at the fame Time taking Care to come abaft, or behind his Head, that he may not ſee the Boat, which fometimes ſo ſcares him, that he plunges down again, be- fore they have Time to ſtrike him. But the greateſt Care is to be taken of the Tail, with which it many Times does very great Damage, both to the Boat and Mariners. The Harpineer, who is placed in the Head, or Bow of the Boat, ſeeing the Back of the Whale, and making an Onſet, thruſts the Harping-Iron with all his Might into his Body, by the Help of a Staff fixed in it for that Purpoſe, and leaves it in; a Line being faftened to it of about two Inches in Circumference, and 136 Fathom long. Every Boat is furniſhed with feven of theſe Lines; which being let run, from the Motion of it, they obſerve the Courſe of the Fiſh. As foon as ever the Harpineer has ftruck the Whale, the third Man in the Boat holds up his Oar, with an Hat on the top, as a Sig- nal to the Ship; at the sight of which, the Man who is appointed to watch, gives the Alarm to thoſe that are aileep ; who inſtantly let fall their other four Boats, which hang on the Tackles, two on each Side, ready to let go on a Minute's Warning, all furniſhed alike with fix Men each, Harping-Irons, Lances, Lines, &c. Two or three of theſe Boats row to the Place where the Fiſh may be expected to come up again, the other to affift the Boat that firſt ſtruck the Whale with Line ; for the Fiſh will ſometimes run out two or three Boats Lines, all faftened to each other: For, when the Lines of the firſt Boat are almoſt run out, they throw the End to the fe- cond, to be faſtened to theirs, and then follow the other Boats, in Purſuit of the Whale; and ſo likewiſe does the ſecond Boat, when their Lines are run out. A Whale ſometimes, when ſhe is Grit fruck, will run out above an bundred A Deſcription of FISHES. 161 bundred Fathom of Line before the Harpineer is able to take a Turn round the Boat's Stem, and with that Swiftneſs, that a Man ſtands ready to quench it, if it ſhould fire, which it frequently does : And I am told, there is a Boat now to be ſeen in the South Sea Dock at a Deptford, the Head of which was fawed off by the Swift- neſs of the Line's running out: But ſometimes it is killed on the Spot, without finking down at all. The Harping- Iron would but little avail to the Deftruction of this Animal, but Part of the Rowers, either at the firſt On- ſet, or, when in order to fetch its Breath, it diſcovers itſelf to View, throwing aſide their Oars, and taking up their very ſharp Lances, they thruſt it through the Body, till they ſee it ſpurt the Blood through its Blower; the Sight of which is a moft joyful Sign of the Creature's being mortally wounded. The Fifhermen, upon the killing of a Whale, are entitled to ſome ſmall Reward. After the Whale is killed, they cut all the Lines that are faftened to it, and the Tail off, then it inftantly turns on its Back; ſo they tow it to the Ship, where they faften Ropes to keep it from finking, and, when it is cold, begin to cut it up. The Body of a Whale is frequently found to be eighteen or twenty Inches thick of Fat, and yields fifty or fixty Puncheons of Oil, each Puncheon containing ſeventy-four Gallons, and about twelve hundred Pieces of Whalebone, moſt of which are about fifteen Feet long, and twelve laches broad, which are all taken out of the Jaws, being the Gills of the Filh: The whole Produce of a Whale being worth One Thouſand Pounds, fometimes more, or leſs, accord. ing to the Goodneſs of the Filh. Whilſt the Men are working on the Back of the Fiſh, they have Spurs on their Boots, with two Prongs, which come down on cach Side of their Feet, left they ſhould p, the Back of the Wbale being very flippery. Theſe Ships have Orders to quit thoſe Seas by the twenty-fourth of June, for then the Fish begin to gender, and are very miſchievous. "The Male and Female (as the Whale-catchers relate) couple in a moſt loving Manner by Conjunction, leaping, and other Tokens of conjugal Love; and then ſwim to- gether, and always preſerve the Friendſhip begun, till the 162 A Deſcription of FISHES. 5 the Female, fired with Luft, raiſing her Body perpendi- cular quite to her Tail, embracing the Male, meeting in the ſame Pofture with its Fins, as it were with two Arms; and they cloſely continue their Careffes for half an Hour Or an Hour ; and after this preſerve an inviolable Chaſtity for each other till Death. While they ſwim, it is not eaſy to diſtinguiſla the Male from the Female, unleſs from hence, that the latter is bigger than the Female. The Female has Teats, and ſuckles her Young after the Manner of Land Animals. About five Years ago, the Triton, one of our South-Sea Company's Ships, killed a Female Whale, and whilſt they were cutting her up a- long-lide, a young one ſwam about the Ship, and would not forſake the Dam; till at length the Commodore or- dered the Boat out, to go and kill it; which they did, and it produced four Puncheons of Oil, &c. There is a ſmall Fiſh, by the Whale-catchers called Lodd, of which, if the Whale devour any large Numbers, they become as it were drunk, and are tranſported with Rage and Fury, and exerciſe Outrage againſt whatever comes in their way. The Throat of the Whale is ſo very ftrait, that it can hardly take in the Arm of a Man; therefore it is ſtrange that this ſhould be the Fifh that ſwallowed up Fonab; and more ſtrange, when we are afſured by Travellers, that no ſuch Fiſh is even ſeen in thofe Seas. Some have imagined, that the Prophet was only in the Mouth of the Whale, which indeed is able to hold more than one Man; and more poſſible for a Man to continue alive there three Days, than in the Belly of the Fiſh; and the Whale, often coming up to breathe, might the better afford the Man an Opportu- nity to breathe alſo. But it is more probable that it was not the Whale that ſwallowed up fonal for the Word Kilos, which is tranſlated the Whale, may as well lig- other great Fiſh nify any 2. The SHARK is very large, and reckoned the boldeſt of all Fifh. Rondeletius fays, that he ſaw a middling one that weighed near ten hundred Weight. Gallius fays, that he was very credibly informed, that a Fiſh of this Sort, not weighing leſs than four thouſand neat Pounds, 164 3. PILOT-FISH. 4. REMORA. ДААДА 2. A SHARK. Deſcription of FISHES. 16; Pounds, being diffected, had an whole Man found in his Belly. He likewiſe ſays, that the People of Marſeilles told him, that they had caught one, in which they found a Man armed with a Coat of Mail. The Head and Mouth of this Fish are large, in Proportion to the reſt of his Body. The Number of its Teeth is altogether un- certain, and varies according to the Age of the Fiſh; it having been obſerved and delivered by Men worthy of Credit, that this kind breeds new Teeth every Year as long as it lives. It is ſaid to have three Rows of Teeth, very hard, ſtrong, and ſharp. This Fiſh is common in the Wep Indies, &c. and is very deſtructive to thoſe Men who divert themſelves by ſwimming ; it ſometimes biting a Man aſunder, at other Times at leaſt taking away a Limb, &c. yet it is often catch'd and eaten by Sailors. When it ſeizes its Prey, it always turns itſelf upon its Back. Though it is vaſtly ſtrong, yet when it takes the Bait, it is foon taken, if you play him with the Line. This Fiſh, when eaten, taftes ſtrong, and it has a very Tough Skin. 3. The PILOT FISH is of a very deep blue ; the Belly is of a lighter Colour than the Back or Sides. The Scales are ſmooth like a Tench's: Its, Back is fpeckled like a Seal's Skin. When ſwimming, it appears much like a Mackrel, and looks as if it were painted blue and white, like a Barber's Pole. They ſay, that the Shark is always attended by one or two of theſe Fiſh, which he will not devour, though never fo hungry, becauſe they find out the Prey for them. It is reckoned a very good Filh to eat. 4. The REMORA, or SUCKING FISH, is about eight or nine Inches long, of a dark blue Colour having a Sucker about two Inches long on the Top of his Head. The Mouth is wide, the Eyes ſmall, the under Jaw longer than the upper, with two Rows of ſmall ſharp Teeth. It has two Fins, one of each Side his Gills; two ſmall ones under its Belly ; two near the Tail; and one on the Ridge of the Back. It has its Name from its fucking the Sharks. It is of a very ſlimy Nature, and commonly ſticks ſo faſt to Sharks, and other large Fiſh, as not to be eaſily got off. It is faid, that Remorag are wont to cleave to the Keels of Ships, and hinder their Courſe, و a 5. The 166 A Deſcription of FISHES. 5. The DOLPHIN is a large Fiſh, not much unlike the Porpeſs. It ſwims with two ſtrong Fins, which, like the Arms of a Man, are joined to the Shoulder- blades; and it is ſaid to be of that ſwiftneſs, that it will eaſily overtake a Ship in full fail before the Wind. It produces its Young from Seed, and not from Spawn, perfects one at a Time, and ſometimes two: it with young ten Months, and breeds only in the Summer. It lives about twenty five or thirty Years. They ſay that it is a moſt certain Foreboder of a Tempeſt shortly to follow, when it more frequently moves its Body, and ſports itſelf on the water. They are much deceived, who imagine Dolphins to be of the Figure they are uſually repreſented on Signs: that Error being more owing to the unbridled Licence of Statuaries, or Painters, than to any ſuch thing found in fact: though it muſt be owned, that at the ap- proach of a Storm, whilſt the Dolphins leaping and ſpringing from the Waves, are ſeen to precipitate them- ſelves into the Deep, they are wont to deceive our Sight, and at that time have ſome reſemblance of Crookedneſs. It is ſaid it will live a long time out of the Water: One taken at Rimini, (according to Geſner) lived three Days upon Land. Dolphins ſometimes ſwim in Sholes, ſometimes the Male and Female together, but never fingly. Gallius ſays, that, when he was in a Ship where many Dolphins were taken, he obſerved them ſo to deplore with Groans, Lamentations, and a Flood of Tears, their Condition, that he himſelf out of Compaſſion could not forbear weeping, and threw that which he obſerved to groan more than ordinary (the Fisherman being aſleep) into the Water; as chooſing rather to damage the Fiſherman, than not to relieve the miſerable. But this gave him but little Teft, for all the others increaſed their Groans, as ſeeming, by not obſcure Signs, to beg the fame Deliverance. It has been related, that Dolphins have been in great requeſt for Food with Princes, and purchaſed at an excellent Rate; though according to the Account of fome, their Fleſh yields no very grateful Tafte. goes 6. The Waste 167 5. DOLPHIN 6. FLYING-FISH. 168 7. SEA UNICORN. 8. PICKED DOG VAN 9. POR PESS. A Deſcription of FISHES. 169 6. The FLYING FISH is ſlender and long, with a large Eye. The Body is in Shape, Scales, and Colour, like to one of our Mullets. The Wings and Fins are as repreſented in the Figure. It flies near a Gun-fhot before it touches the Water ; and, when it has wet its Wings, mounts up again: Being chaſed by the Dolphin, which ſwims ſo ſwift that it often catches it as it drops into the Water. 7. The SEA UNICORN is a Fiſh often found about Iceland, Greenland, and other Northern Iſlands ; fomewhat of the Nature of a Whale. On the top of the left Part of the upper Jaw, or Forehead, it hath only one Tooth, or Horn, of a large ſize, being ſix or ſeven Feet in Length, ſometimes more, and in thickneſs equal in Proportion to its length; ftraight and tapering, curled, or twiſted about to the End. The Female is ſaid to have no Horns, but a Dint or Hollow in that Place of her Forehead. The Horn is made uſe of by the Dutch as Ivory. This Filh is about nine Feet ir Length. It cafts its Young like the Whale, which is after the manner of Land Animals : And is ſuppoſed to receive them into her Belly, when in Danger. One of our Greenland Ships, about two or three Years ago, found a Female of this Kind dead on the Ice, and in the Belly of it a Female Young one, which was in Length, from the Tip of its Snout to the end of its Tail, fix Foot. It is not to be ſuppoſed that a Young one of that Bigneſs bath been ne- ver brought forth; or that the Dam devoured it for Food, but rather that it took it in, to ſecure it from ſome great Danger. This Account I had from two Per- fons worthy of Credit, who were Eye Witneſſes of this Fact. 8. A PICKED DOG, or Hound-Fiſh, has a long round tapering Body, without Scales. It is covered with a fharp Skin, which is made uſe of to polish Alabafter, Arrows, &c. Its Snout is long, and a little roundiſh at the Point. It ſeldom weighs twenty Pounds. Many of theſe Fiſh are taken in the Britiſh Ocean, and Iriſh Sea. 9. The PORPESS is in Length, from the Tip of H its 170 A Deſcription of FISHES. its Snout to the end of the Tail, about three or four Feet, and about two Feet and a half thick. Its Figure is ſome- what longifh and roundish, continually tapering towards the Tail. It is covered with a flender, thin Skin, not fenced with Scales. The Colour of the Back is of a dark blue, inclining to black; from the middle of the Sides it begins to whiten, the Belly altogether white. Its Eyes, for the bigneſs of the Fiſh, are very ſmall. It has only three Fins, like the Dolphin; one on the middle of the Back, and one on each Shoulder : the Tail is forked. When this Fiſh is cut up, its Fleſh looks very much like Pork. There are great Numbers of Perpeffes ſeen on our Engliſh Coafts, eſpecially in Mackrel and Herring Seaſons; at which time they are wont to do very great Daniage to our Fiſhermen, by breaking and deſtroying their Nets to get at the Fiſh; and fometimes fo entangle and wrap themſelves up in them, that they are often taken. Por peffes ſwim but a very little Way at a time before they come up to breathe; and, when they come up, blow or breathe very loud, ſo that in calm Weather they may be heard at a great Distance. Theſe Fiſh will ſometimes purſue their Prey cloſe to the shore, nay even in the very Harbours. I myſelf have ſeen a Porpefs more than once come within half a Stone's Caft of the Houſes. When they come up to breathe, great part of their Body is feen. 10. The SWORD-FISH has a Snout ſo reſembling the Figure of a Sword, that from hence it has its Name. Its weight is fometimes above an hundred Pounds. They are frequently ſeen fifteen Feet in Length. It has a longiſh Body; towards the Head thick, towards the Tailſmall: a rough Skin, black on the back, like a Shark; the Belly white : a middling Mouth, but no Teeth. Its Tail is like an Half-moon. Sword-fiſhes are taken off the Coaſt of Naples and the Sea of Sicily, after the following Manner: Spies are placed on high Cliffs that hang over the Sea, to obſerve the Place and every Motion of the Fith, that they may tell the Fiſhermen, who wait below in Boats, by Signs before agreed on, where to ſteer; which the Fiſhermen obſerving, as ſoon as they draw nigh to the Fiſh, fome one ſkilled in Fiſhing gets up a ſmall Maſt in the Boat, erected for that purpoſe, and ob- ferves a ITE 10. SWORD-FISH. H2 221 IT, SHEAT-FISH. 0 12. SEA-WOLF. A Deſcription of FISHES. 173 ſerves the Motion of that Fith be deſigns to ſtrike at; and by Signs given, directs the Rowers where to row or turn about: And as ſoon as he is come very nigh the Fiſh, the Fiſherman with an Inſtrument like the Harping Iron ſtrikes the Fiſh, and kills it, ſomething like the manner of killing Whales. The Fleſh is eſteemed by the Natives of thoſe Places upon whoſe Coafts theſe ſort of Fiſhes are taken, to be as good as Sturgeon, 11. The SHEAT-FISH grows to a large Magni- tude, one of them weighing ſometimes eighty Pounds. There was one of them taken in the Wexel a famous Ri- ver of Poland, about fixteen Feet long, and about two broad. It is much of the Colour of an Eel; it has no Scales; and has only one ſmall Fin on the Back; the Tail not forked. Its Fleſh is much eſteemed by many for the agreebleneſs of its Tafte; and is wont to be ſerved up at Tables after the ſame manner with Eels. All ſeem to agree in this, that it is a very voracious Fiſh, and, wherever it is found, very miſchievous. It is taken in the Elbe, the Wexel, and the Danube; and ſometimes, but more rarely, in the Rhine ; alſo in certain Lakes in Switzerland, Bavaria, Hungary, &c. eſpecially the lefier and muddy ones; for it ſeems to love troubled Waters. 12. The SEA-WOLF is at Hilligland, an Iſland, not far from the Mouth of the Elbe. It is about three feet in Length, it has a bigger and a rounder Head than a Shark. The Back, Sides, and Fins, are of a bluiſh or a blackiſh Colour; about the Belly white. Its whole Skin is finooth and flippery, without Scales. It is of a very voracious Nature, and furniſhed with very deſtructive Teeth. It is ſaid, that it will ſometimes faften on an An- chor with its Teeth, and leave the print of them behind him. It has a double Row of tharp and round Teeth, ten or twelve in a Row, both in the upper and lower Jaw. H 3 13. The A Deſcription of FISHES. 13. The BUTTER-FISH, is about five or fix Inches in length: of a faint blue or afh Colour: having no Scales. It has a black Spot in the Fin on its Back. Its Fleſh is ſoft and tender. At Venice, in the Month of October, amongſt other Fiſh, it is frequently expoſed to fale. 14. The TRUMPET, or Bellows-Fiſh, is about three or four Inches long, hardly one Inch broad. The Snout, in proportion to the Body, is very large. It is taken in the Ocean, when rouſed by a Storm. a a 15. The SUN-FISH, has a wide and ſhort Body. Its hinder Part is environed with a circular Fin, which ſerves it initead of a Tail; ſo that it may ſeem to be but the Head of a Fish ;, or a Fiſh but in part, rather than a whole one. It ſometimes weighs an hundred Pounds, , and it is between two or three Feet in Length. It is not ſcaly, but covered with an hard, thick, and ſharp Skin ; the Colour on the Back is black; on the Belly a filver Colour ; its Sides partake of both. Its Fleſh is very ſoft, its Bones griftly and ſoft. It is taken in the Mediterranean, and alſo in the Ocean. 16. The SEA-ADDER, (ſo called by the People of St. Ives) has a long ſmooth, and flender Body, without Scales. Its Colour is a green tinctured with red: the Eyes fmall. It is about the bigneſs of a Gooſe Quill, and three or four Inches long; it has but one Fin, and that only on the Back 17. The Filh called FATHER-LASHER, is about fix Inches long: the Head and fore Part of the Body very large, in proportion to its ſize; the hinder Part towards the Tail waxing leſs. It has no Scales. It feeds upon Shrimps, other ſmall Fiſh, and watry Infects. It is taken about the Coaſts of Flanders and Holland. 18. The BULL-HEAD, or Miller's Thumb, is about three or four Inches long, ſeldom comes up to half a Foot. It has no Scales: the Back is yellowiſh, with a few little black Spots. It has a large Head; a great round Mouth: out 175 13. BUTTER-FISH. 14. TRUMPET FISH, 15. SUN-FISH 17. Father- Lather. 16. SEA- ADDUR. 18. Miller's-Thumb. H4 176 19. SEA-FOX, 20. MONK FISH. 21. TURBOT. ALBA 205 KURSI H TEN BUTTER-FLY-FISH. A Deſcription of FISHES. :77 out of the Fins grow ſeveral ſharps Prickles, or Thorns, eſpecially in the Parts towards the Head; ſo that it is not eaſily taken hold of when alive, without wounding the Hand, unleſs by the Tail. It is frequently ſeen in Rivu- lets, Ponds, &c. in the Rocks about the Sea-shore ; it feeds on watry Inſects. 19. The SEA-FOX, or APE, has (according to Rondeletius) its former Name from the length of its Tail, and both together from the Craftineſs and wilineſs of its Nature; or elſe from its unfavoury Taſte and Smell ; for it gives ſo bad and unwholfome a Flavour whilft eaten, that it ſeems to participate much of the ſtrong Scent and Taſte of a Fox. One of them ſometimes weighs an hun- dred Pounds Weight. This Fiſh is of a rounding and firm Body. It is in mighty fear for its Young, and, when ap- prehenſive of Danger, receives them into her Belly. Of which Matter Rondeletius declares himſelf to have been Eye-witneſs : for (ſays he) when a Fifh of this kind was diffected on the Shore, we faw Young ones in its Belly, which the Fiſhermen thought it had devoured for Food but ſeeing they were found to be alive, and unhurt, there was no Room to doubt that the Dam had taken them in, to reſcue them from Danger. This Fiſh is ſometimes taken in the Mediterranean. 20. The MONK-FISH, or Angel-Fiſh, encreaſes to a vaft Bulk, and ſometimes weighs near an hundred Pounds. The Colour of the Back and Sides, is darkiſh the Belly white. It is not approved of as good Food, This Fifh is frequently ſeen nearthe Coaſt of Cornwal, &c. و 21. The TURBOT, is ſometimes two Foot and a half a long; and about two broad. It has no Scales : all the upper Part of the Body is of an aſh Colour, variouſly ſprinkled, and as it were marbled with black Spots, ſome greater and ſome leſſer. This Fiſh gives place to few for Goodneſs, and agreeableneſs of its Tafte, and is thought by ſome to excel the Flounder as much in Goodneſs, as in Bulk. It is very often catched in the Britiſh, and German Oceans. H5 22. The 178 A Deſcription of FISHES. 22. The PLAISE is a ſmall, flat, firm Fiſh, ſometimes a Foot or more long: and about ſeven Inches broad. The Back and Fins are ſpotted with red Spots. This Fiſh being ſo plentiful in England, and every where ſo well known, no more need be ſaid of it. 23. The DAB, is ſomewhat thicker than the Plaiſe, and much of the fame fize, has larger Scales, and no reddish Spots. a 24. The FLOUNDER, differs very little or nothing in ſhape from the Plaiſe, unleſs that it is a little longer in the Body, and, when fully grown, ſomewhat thicker: the Back is of a dark olive Colour ſpotted. Some Floun- а ders have yellowish ſpots both on the back and Fins. The Flounder in its Taſte, and other Properties, agrees with the Plaiſe, no leſs than in its ſhape and Colour. Flounders are taken in our Rivers, and Bays about England. 25. The SOLE is a fmooth Fiſh, of a longer and more contracted Body than the Flounder: being about a Foot or more in length; the Back is of a darkiſh aſh Colour ; the Belly white. It is of a more firm and ſolid Fleſh than the Flounder, and eſteemed more excellent, for the pleaſantneſs of its Tafte, the plenty of Nourith- ment it affords, and the Goodneſs of its Juice. Soles are taken in the Britiſh Seas, the Mediterranean, &c. 6. The COD-FISH, or Kealing, is in ſhape and Colour like a Whiting, but ſomething darker on the Back, diverſified with yellowiſh ſpots. Some of theſe Fiſh are three foot long or more, and of a proportionable thick- neſs. Its Scales are ſmall, ſticking very cloſe to the Skin: its Eyes very large. It is taken almoſt every where in the Sea about Britain, eſpecially Northward. Its Fleſh is moft excellent, both freſh and ſalted. The Head of a large Cod, which is thick and fleſhy, is for the deliciouſ- neſs of its Taſte very much celebrated by Voluptuaries; and placed at the Tables of the Rich, amongſt their daintieft Dishes. 27. The 379 22. PLAISE. 23. DAB. Us San 24. FLOUNDER 25. SOLE 52 26. COD-FISH 180 27. A HADDOCK, new 28. A WHITING. 29. The LING. "A Deſcription of FISHES. 18 27. The HADDOCK, is much leſs than the Cod, and differs ſomewhat from it in ſhape. It is of a blackiſh Colour on the Back, with ſmall Scales. A black Line is carried on from the upper Corner of its Gills, to the Tail. In the middle of the Sides under the Line, a lit- tle beneath the Gills, there is a black ſpot on each ſide, which ſomething reſembles the Print of a Man's Finger and Thumb: of which there goes a Fable, that this was the Fiſh, mentioned in the 17th of St. Matthew, out of the Mouth of which St. Peter took the piece of Money, with which he paid Tribute for his Maſter and himſelf : and whilft he held the Fiſh, with his Fore-finger and Thumb, (they ſay) theſe Marks were impreſſed. The Fleſh is harder, and thicker than the Fleſh of a Whiting: and perhaps not quite ſo good. Amongſt the Eaſt-friſ- landers, where the Sea is very muddy and ſhallow, it is thought to excite Fevers; but in the Northumbrian Sea, which is very deep, full of Water, and clear, it is very Innocent, 28. The WHITING, feldom much exceeds one Foot in length; and is, in proportion to its Bulk, thin and ſlender, eſpecially towards the Tail; for about the Head it is thicker. Its Scales are ſmall; the Back whiter than the reſt of the Fiſh of this Make and Nature; from whence it obtained the Name of Whiting; the Belly is altogether white. It is taken almoſt every where on the Engliſh Coaſt, &c. The Fleſh of this Fish is both plea- . fant and innocent, and greatly eſteemed by many people. 22. The LING, is about three Feet in length, of a long, round, and flender Body; and has ſmall Scales; and Back and Sides of ſome are of an olive Colour, others grizled, or grey ; the Belly white. This Fiſh is in Shape and Colour, pretty much like a Pike. It is taken in the North Seas, &c. Its Fleſh by ſome People is eſteemed delicate, when freſh ; and, when falted, and dried, pre ferred to all other falt Fith. a 30. The وی در 182 A Deſcription of FISHES. а 30. The MACKREL, is uſually about a Foot in length, or more: the Body is thick, firm, and fleſhy, flender towards the Tail; the Snout ſharp; the Tail fork- ed; the Back is of a lovely green beautifully ſpeckled, or as it were painted, with black Streaks; the Belly of a filver Colour: it has finall Scales. It is a voracious Fiſh greedily ſwallowing down whatever Fiſh comes in its way; that it can maſter. Phyſicians do not very much efteem this Fiſh for Food, as being hard Digeftion, and produ- cing after it a Drouſineſs, and Sleepineſs; yet by its deli- cate Taſte it recommends itſelf to the Palate ; and may poffibly deſerve the firſt Place among the moſt dainty Fiſhes. Mackrels ſwim together in large Shoals, and are taken in great Numbers on our Engliſh Coafts in the Months of May and June ; and are alſo taken and well, known in moft Parts of the World. a 31. The HERRING, is a fiſh very well known, is about nine or ten Inches long, and about two and a half broad; it has large round Scales: a two forked Tail. The Body is of a fat, ſoft, delicate Fleſh; if eaten two greedily, apt to breed Fevers. The Herring is by ſome called the King of Fifh. They ſwim in Shoals, and ſpawn once in a Year, about the autumnal Equinox ; at which time, they, like the generality of other Fiſh, are beft. There are incredible Numbers of Herrings on our Englijb Coafts, which are caught in Nets, as are alſo Mackrel, the former are chiefly taken in the Day, the latter in the Night, when rouſed by a Storm, it being a : drowſy ſleepy filh. It has been frequently obſerved, that after an hard Gale of Wind, very large Numbers have been taken; and I myſelf have known by Experience, that the Fiſhermen chooſe to go out to Sea in a windy boiſterous Night; though ſometimes there are taken very large Draughts of Mackrel, in a calm ftill Night. Mack- rels and Herrings commonly fwim near the ſurface of the Water, a 32. The SPRAT, by ſome is thought to be no other than a young Herring, and it has been delivered by very a worthy Men, that, upon the ſtricteft comparing of this Fiſh with the Herring, they could not find the leaft Dif- ference 183 30. Mackrel. WWW 31. Herring 32. Sprat. 33. Smelt. * Re: 34. Podge. 35. Sea Gudgeon. 36. Lump-Fiſh A Deſcription of FISHES, 185 ference in Figure, or either in the external or internal Parts; or in the Tafte. They are taken in great Num- bers about the Winter Solſtice, and ſold not by Weight or Number, but in Meaſure. Sprats have been taken yearly about Eaſter-time, for ten Days running, in a certain Lake about Cheſhire, commonly called Roſtern- At which Place have been caught, with a Draught-Net, twenty or thirty at a Time. At that Time, or a little before they are taken in the Lake, they are alſo taken in great Numbers in the ſalt Waters below Warrington Bridge, in the River Merſey, which River is waſhed by the Sea, in which it ebbs and lows, ſeven or eight Miles below the Lake. mear. 33. The SMELT is in Length about eight or nine Inches, and one broad; the Back is of a duſky Colour ; the Belly and Sides of a reſplendent white, or ſilver Co- lour. The Head and Back, to a curious Obferver, ap- pears ſprinkled with black Spots. Its fleſh is ſoft and tender, of a delicate Savour, yielding a moſt agreeable Scent, like that of a Violet. Smelts are taken in the Thames, and other large Rivers. 34. The PODGE is a Fish about two Spans long, at the moſt ; the Body towards the Head very thick ; towards the Tail flender and ſharp. This Fiſh is often taken in the Sea that waſhes the Biſhoprick of Durham. 35. The SEA GUDGEON has a long and roundiſh Body: It feldom exceeds fix Inches in Length. The Colour is various; the Tail and Fins of a pale blue. The Head is large : It has a double Row of ſmall Teeth: It has two Fins on the Back: The Tail, when extend- ed, appears circular. It has ſmall ſharp Scales. Whence now, as formerly, it is in great Eſteem among the Vene- tians. 36. The LUMP, or Sea Owl, is a thick, odd ſhaped Fiſh, as its Name ſeems to imply. Its Colour, form 2 blackiſh and a faint red, varied. The Belly is red; it hath no Scales. It is on all Sides rough, with ſharp black Puſtles, or Warts. On each side it hath three Rows of ſharp 186 A Decription of FISHES. Sharp Prickles : It has two Fins on the Back. It is taken in many places about England, and is often in the Fiſh- Markets of London. It is about a Foot in Length, and about ten Inches broad. Its Fleſh is not comparable to many other Fiſhes. 37. The GRAYLING is of a longer and cloſer Eody than a Trout. It has a ſmooth Belly ; a Back bowed. Some of the biggeft that are caught in Ambre, a River of Lombardy, weigh about a Pound and Half: The Back is of a Colour betwixt a blue and a green The Sides are grey, ſhining with a Reſplendency of Gold Colour. It has a ſmall Head; a full Eye; and a forked Tail. It is frequently taken in Athienſis, a River that paſſeth by Trent, and through Verona, into the Adriatick Sea, and in many Rivers of Germany and England. It feeds on wairy Infees; it ſpawns in May. It is eſteemed the tendereft, and beſt tafted, of almoſt all River-Filh. a a 38. SALMONS, in the River Ribble in Yorkſhire, are by the People of thoſe Parts, at the firſt Year, called Smelts; the ſecond, Sprods; the third, Morts; the fourth Fork-Tails; the fifth, Half-Fiſh; and in the fixth Year, when thoroughly grown, Salmons. But in other Places they are called Salmons ſooner. Some of the largeſt weigh thirty-fix Pounds. 'The Salmon is a long Fiſh, ſcaled with ſmall fender Scales; it has a little Head; a Sharp Snout; and a forked Tail; the Back approaching to blue ; the reſt of the Body white. Near the End of November, they carry together, to the higheſt Places of Rivers, both greater and leſſer, what they unburden into them; as far as they can, they get up, for the ſake of Spawning. They look about for a Place fit to ſpawn in, ſuch as where the River is broken at the Bottom, or gravelly, and where the Streani runs rapidly; though 1ometimes they ſeem to delight in deep and troubled Waters. They begin not long after the Sunnmer Solſtice; and from thence, through Autumn and Winter, proceed to ſpawn ; ſome continue till the Beginning of March. The Fleſh of a Salmon, before it is boiled, is white; but, when boiled, or falted, becomes red. It is a fat, tender, a 187 37. A GRAYLING. (CEO 38. A SALMON. 188 39. GILT-CHARRE. 40. SALMON-TROUT. Air RE 2 41. A TROUT. A Deſcription of FISHES. 189 tender, ſweet Fiſh; a little foon ſatisfies: It is thought to excel in Delicacy, all Sea Fiſh, but not the moſt wholeſome eſpecially for fick Perſons. The Salmon feeds on Earth-worms, Minims, and other ſmall Fiſh. 39. The GILT CHARRE is much like the Trout: Its Scales are very ſmall; the Colour of the Back is not ſo dark as the Trout's, diverſified with black Spots; the Belly white; the Snout bluiſh. This Fish is eſteemed very delicate by the Italians; nay, ſo high do they value it, that they think neither River, or Pond fiſh equal, or comparable to it; ſo great is their Opinion of its Wholeſomeneſs, that they give them to their fick and infirm People. Theſe Fiſh are found in the Lake Winander-mere in Weſtmoreland, as well as at Lago di garda, a Lake near Venice. 40. The SALMON TROUT, in the Figure of its Body, reſembles a River Trout. The Head and Back of a Mixture of green and blue; the Body is ſprinkled all over with black Spots: the Scales ſmall, of a ſilver Colour; the Tail forked. Salmon Trouts frequently weigh thirty Pounds, and in ſome Places above forty. In the Beginning of Summer, their Fleſh begins to red- den, and holds that Colour till Auguſt. But ſome Time after St. James's Day, when they have done ſpawning, it loſes its redneſs. Salmon Trouts are eſteemed by many People as very delicate Fiſh; their Fleſh is folid, red, and of a good Reliſh, approaching very near to the Na- ture of Gilt Charres. Upon account of its fatneſs, it occaſions a Loathing, as doth alſo Salmon, wherefore it ſhould be eaten ſparingly; ſome prefer it to Salmon. If it be not dreſſed foon after it is dead, its loſes much of its agreeable Tafte; as being a Fish, that from its great Quantity of Fat foon turns to Putrefaction. 41. The TROUT, as to its Figure, is rather long than broad, like a Salmon. It has a ſhort, roundiſh Head, a blunt Snout, and is in many Reſpects like the Salmon. Trouts breed and live in ſmall Rivers, &c. They feed on River-Flies, watry Inſects, and ſome ſmall Fiſh; ICO A Deſcription of FISHES. Fiſh; and fo greedy are they of Flies, that Fiſhermen, for want of natural, may take them with artificial ones. The Trout is thought to be, by many people, the no- bleft Fiſh that is taken in freſh Waters. The Fleſh of a Trout, eſpecially when old, is drier than that of a Salmon; and therefore more hard of Digeftion: Thoſe are the beſt, that are taken in the pureſt Waters. In the Month of December they ſpawn, making themſelves Beds in the gravelly Bottoms of Ponds, Dykes, &c. Con- trary to the Manner of other Fish, they are leaft efteemed when neareſt ſpawning. In the Months of July and Auguſt, they are moſt fat, and beſt tafted. The antient Romans, fo far as we know, had no Latin Name for a Trout, which is the more to be wondered at, becauſe in the Rivers near Rome, there are now to be found many of theſe Fish; from whence there is little Reaſon to doubt they were there formerly. 42. The TOBACCO PIPE FISH is about three or four Feet in Length: It has no Teeth ; the Body is in Shape ſomething like a Snake. The Skin is very flippery; the Head is about a Foot long; the Eyes are about the Size of a Philbeard, and like it in Shape. a 43. The HORN-FISH, or Gar-Fiſh, has a long and flender Body, and a very long, fharp Snout. The Back green, the sides and Belly of a Silver-colour ; the Head of a bluiſh green. The under Jaw is longer than the upper ; both are armed with very ſharp Teeth; the upper Jaw, as in the Crocodile, is moveable. The Fleſh is hard, dry, and but indifferent Meat. 44. The ANCHOVY is a Fiſh about four or five Inches long; ſome have been ſeen more than a Span in Length. It is a long, fender Fiſh, with a roundiſh Body; tranſparent, unleſs where the Back bone hinders; and without Scales. The Back is of a duſky, or a Mix- Ture of green and Ath-colour; the Belly of a filver Colour; the Noſe Sharp; the Eyes large; the Tail forked. They are taken at Venice, Genoa, &c. They are preſerved in Barrels, falted, and fo brought over to England. 45. The 191 42. Tobacco-Pipe-Fith. 43. Horn, or Gar-Fim. 44. Anchovy . 45. Old-Wife. 46. Cavallo. 47. Carp A Deſcription of FISHES. 193 45. The OLD WIFE is a pretty large Fiſh. It has a very ſmall Mouth; large Eyes; a great Fin on the Back: the Body is of a deep blue ; the Fins are of a lighter Co- lour, yellow at the Ends. Others are of an ath Colour; and white under the Belly. The Fleſh of this Fiſh is indifferent good Meat. 46. The CAVALLO is about the bigneſs of a Mack- rel. The Fins, and Tail, are like a Dolphin's. It has a black Back, and a white Belly: It has a long black Streak from the Gills to the middle of the Tail. 'The Eyes are large. a a 47. The CARP lives in Rivers, Ponds, &c. and arrives to a large Magnitude, fome have been ſeen about four Foot in length, and not only long, but for the moſt Part fat, the Back riſing from its Head fomewhat ſharp and edged. It is covered with very large, ſtrong, broad Scales. It is of a yellowish Colour eſpecialiy when arrived to Age; the younger fort are more inclined to a duſky Colour; the Head is thort, in Proportion to the reſt of the Body: It has no Teeth. It ſwims with broad Fins. The Tail is broad, and ſomewhat fo.ked, of a Colour between a red and a black; as is alſo the laſt Fin; it has no Tongue; but in the Room of that, Nature has given it a fleſhy Palate, that it may reliſh its Food. It ſpawos five or fix times in a Year. They are of a ſoft, moiit, and clammy Nature ; thoſe which live in Rivers, near great Cities, and by that means take ia the filth of them, are of a bad Juice; notwithſtanding, by ſome Epicures, they are much eſteemed, upon account of their largeneſs and fatneſs : thoſe are the moſt approved of which live in rapid and pure Waters; thoſe that are in Pools, and Ponds, have a muddy Tafte. In the Palatinate, at a Place called Michelsfield, in a Moat round a Tower, (Geſner ſays, that a he received it from a Man worthy of Credit,) that a Carp was taken out of that place, that had lived an bundred Years. Leonard Maſcal, about 140 Years ago, ſays, that he firſt brought Carps into England, though now they are common almoſt every where, in Rivers and Fith Ponds. Carps will live a long while out of the Water. I ; 48. The 194 A Deſcription of FISHES. a 48. 'The STURGEON has a long Body, with five Rows of Scales; two on each side, and one on the Back: the Scales of the upper Row, which is in the middle of the Back, being greater than the reft, riſe higher; of theſe there is no cerrain, or determinate Number : It has been obiered, that fome have eleven, fome twelve, and others thirteen: this Row is extended from the Head, to the Fin of the Back, near the Tail. The Rows on the fides, extend from the Head to the very Tail; made up with about thirty ſharp Thorns, or Prickles. The lower Rows, which begin at the firft Pair of Fins, and end at the fecond, are each made up of eleven, twelve, or thirteen : All the Scales of all the Rows in general have on their tops a ſtrong, ſharp Thorn, or Prickle, ending backwards. Beſides theſe five Rows, it has only two Scales in the middle of the Belly; the reſt of the Belly being ſmooth. It has a middling Head; very ſmall Eyes for the Bulk of the Fiſh. The Snout is long, broad, and ſharp. It has a little Mouth, without Teeth: It has no Chaps; from whence it is manifeft it feeds by fucking. The Tail is cloven, like that of the Shark's; the upper Fork, or Horn, fhoots out beyond the lower a conſide- rable way. The upper Part of this Filh is of a ſordid olive Colour, betwixt a grey and a black; the Belly of a filver Colour. The River Sturgeons are vaſtly big- ger than the Sea, the latter not much exceeding a Foot and half, the former ſometimes about fourteen Feet. In the Elbe there are ſometimes Surgeons taken, that weigh two hundred net Pounds. Sturgeons are often expoſed to ſale in the Markets of Venice and Rome; and are fre- quently caught in the Adriatick and Tyrrbene Sea. Stur- geons are taken principally in the Nile, the Tanais, the Danube, and the Po. Bellonius writes, that they are very frequently in the Black-Sea, and in the Meere of Mæotis; from which Places, their Eggs, which are otherwiſe black, being carried, made up in a huge Maſs, falted, and put into Barrels, are ſold among the Turks, Greeks, and Venetians; which by them is called Caviary. In Holland they cut Sturgeons in Pieces, and preſerve them (being firſt ſeaſoned) in Barrels. The Fleſh thus falted and pickled, is in great requeſt with us. Sturgeons are bred in 195 48. A STURGEON. 1 2 196 49. SILVER-FISH. TRIE 50. Gold-Filh. 51. LADY-FISH. 52. The PIKE. A Deſcription of FISHES. 197 in the Sea ; but come to their Perfection in Rivers. They are taken with Nets, feldom or never with Hooks. 49. The SILVER-FISH is ſmooth, broad, and thin ; of a ſhining pearl Colour: It has five ſmall dark Streaks crofs the broadeſt part of the Body, at bis two long yel- low Fins; one of them being on the Back, the other un- der the Belly ; from which runs a ſmall darkiſh-feathered Fin, almoſt to the Tail; and has two ſmall dark Fins on each ſide che Gills. It has ſix fharp Prickles from the long yellow Fins towards the Head ; and three under the Belly. It has a large Mouth; ſharp Teeth; and a forked Tail. 50. The GOLD FISH is very beautiful, ſhaped in the Body almot like the Silver filh, except the long lin; and is all of a gold Colour, except a few black Streaks. le has a large Mouth, but no Teeb. Its Fleſh is good to eat. 51. The LADY FISH is a ſmall fort, about three In- ches long, and one broad. Her Fins and Tail are yel- low; her Belly white, her Back and Sides marbled with yellowish brown Spots, and Streaks very beautiful to look at 52. The PIKE is a long and rounding Body; has a plain fmooth Head, li is covered with finall Scales ſet cloſe together, of a whitish Colour: the Body is on all Gides ſprinkled witla yellowiſh Spots the young ones are more green. The upper Jaw has no Teeth; the Teeth by turns are moveable, and fixed; as for Example : The Gift moveable, the ſecond fixed; the third moveable, the fourth fixed; and ſo throughout The Pike inhabits Rivers, Lakes, Ponds, &c. and is very common with us in England. It is no Sea 54. nor very often found in the Mouths of Rivers, unleſs carried thi- ther by the force and violence of the Waves; and then it is void of Juice, unpleaſant, and ready to putrefy, From its greedineſs of cating, it will often diſgorge its Stoniach of thoſe Filh it had taken in. Sometimes it will I wallow a lih not a g eat deal leſs than itſelf, taking the 1 3 Head 3 198 A Deſcription of FISHES. a Head in foremoſt, the Tail hanging out of the Mouth; and ſo draws it in by little and little at a time, till he has encompaſſed the whole. The Pike is of a white, firm, dry Flesh, and without doubt wholeſome : the larger and older, the more eſteemed by us. 53. The BREAM is a broad Fiſh, with a ſmall Head, а ſharp Snout, the top of the Head pretry broad and ſmooth; the Back bending, edged, riſing ſenſibly from the Head, like a Swine's. Its Back is betwixt blue and black; its Sides and Belly white, eſpecially in thoſe that are young, and lean: for, as for thoſe that are grown up, and fat, the Sides ſhine with a golden Colour: the Belly is red. Its mouth, in proportion to its ſize, is very ſmall; and without Teeth. Its Palate ſoft and fleſhy, like that of Carps. Its Fleſh is foft, and clammy. Voluptuaries are moſt delighted with its middle Part. Breams are very common with us in Rivers, Pools and Fiſh-ponds. They ſpawn in May: The Males, in Spawning-time, are marked about the Head with white Spots. They feldom weigh above four or five Pourds. In March and April they are in higheſt eſteem. 54. SEA-TORTOISE are of various forts : all of them are good Food, eſpecially the Green, and the Logº ger-head. Some are ſo large, that they weigh near four hundred Pounds. They are taken, when fleeping on the Water, or Land, by turning them on their Backs; for they cannot turn over again. The Females go ahore to lay their Eggs in the Sand, above High-water Mark; where they will lay fifty or fixty at a time, and cover them with Sand, which by the heat of the Sun are hatched. And the young ones as ſoon as they are out of the Shell, crawl back to the Sea. Their Eggs are round, and about the bigneſs of a Hen's. They lay two or three times in a Year; ſo that they incrcafe vaſtly. The Lean of the green Tortoiſe taſtes and looks like Veal, without any Shy Savour; the Fat is as green as graſs, and Tery ſweet. A DE 199 53. The BREAM. 34. SEA-TORTOISE. I 4 DRAGON S. मा RTONGATAR ( 201 ) А DESCRIPTION Ο Ε' SERPENTS and INSECTS. BOOK IV. ΤΗ 3 HEDRAGON, as deſcribed in the nume- tous Fables and Stories of ſeveral Writers, may be juftly queſtioned whether he exiſts. I have read of Ser- pents bred in Arabia, called Siremne, which have Wings, being very ſwift, running, or flying, at pleaſure : and when they wound a Man, he dieth inſtantly. Theſe are ſuppoſed to be a kind of Dragons. It is ſaid, there are divers forts of Dragons, or Serpents, that are ſo called which are diſtinguiſhed partly by their Countries, partly by their Magnitude, and partly ły the different form of their external Parts. They are faid to be bred in India and Africa ; thoſe of India are much the largeſt, being of an incredible length : and of theſe there are alſo faid to be two kinds, one of them living in the Marſhes, which are flow of pace, and without Combs on their Heads: the , other in the Mountains, which are bigger and have Combs upon their Heads; their Backs being ſomewhat brown, and their Bodies leſs ſcaled. Some of them are of a yellowiſh fiery Colour; having ſharp Backs, like Scales, they ſhine like Silver. The Apples of their Eyes are (as it is ſaid) precious Stones, and as bright as Fire, in which it is affirmed there is great Virtue againſt many Diſeaſes. I 5 Their 202 A Deſcription of SERPENTS. a Their Aſpect is very fierce and terrible. Some Dragons are ſaid to have Wings and no Feet; ſome again have both Feet and Wings; and others neither Feet not Wings, and are only diſtinguished from the common fort of Serpents, by the Combs growing upon their Heads, and their Beards. Some do affirm that a Dragon is of a black Colour; the Belly ſomewhat green, and very beau- tiful; that it has a tripple Row of Teeth in each Jaw; and very bright ſhining Eyes. That it has alſo two Dew- laps growing under the Chin, which hang down like a Beard, of a red Colour, and the Belly is ſet all over with ſharp Scales; and on the Neck with thick Hair, much like the Briftles of a wild Boar. 2. The DART, ſo called from his flying like an Arrow, from the Tops of Trees, and Hedges, upon Men; by which means he flings and wounds them to Death. It is bred in Lybia, Rhodes, Italy, Sicily, Germany, and ſome other Countries. It is in thickneſs about the bigneſs of a Man's Finger, and proportionable in length. The Top of the Back is black, and has two black Lines in the middle, from Head to Tail. The Body is of an aſh Co. Jour, full of round black Spots, no bigger than the Seed of Lentils; each ſpot having a round Circle about it, like an Eye, the Belly is white. Of this kind ſome think was the Viper which came upon the Hand of St. Paul. Some alſo conjecture, that of this ſort were the fiery Serpents, ſent by God Almighty, to annoy the rebellious Iſraelites in the Wilderneſs. 3. The COCKATRICE, is called the King of Ser- pents, not from his bigneſs, for he is much inferior in this reſpect, to a great many Serpents, but becauſe of his majeſtick Pace, for he does not creep upon the Ground, like other Serpents, but goes half upright; for which cauſe all other Serpents avoid him; and, it ſeems na- ture deſigned him that pre-eminence, by the Crown or Coronet upon his Head. Writers differ concerning the Production of this Animal ; ſome are Opinion, that it is brought forth of a Cock's Egg, which is generated of the putrified Seed of an old Cock, and ſet upon by a Snake, or a Toad, and ſo becomes a Cockatrice, It is ſaid to be about half a Foot in length; the hinder Part like a Serpent, the fore Part like a Cock. Others are of Opinion, 203 2. DART U 3. COCKATRICE, 4. ASP. 5. Rattle-Snake. CD A Deſcription of SERPENTS. 205 Opinion, that the Cock, that lays the Egg, ſits upon, and hatches it himſelf. Theſe Monſters are bred in Africa, and ſome other parts of the World. Authors differ about the bigneſs of it. Some ſay it is a Span in compaſs, and half a Foot long, others will have it to be three or four Feet long, and ſome the thickneſs of a Man's Wrift, and proportionable in Length. The Eyes of the Cockatrice are red. Its poiſon is fo ſtrong, that there is no Cure for it. As all other Serpents are afraid of the fight and hiſling of a Cockatrice, ſo is the Cockatrice itſelf very fearful of a Weefil, which, after it has eaten Rue, will fet upon and deftroy the Cockatrice. Beſides this little Animal, it is faid, there is no other Creature in the World able to contend with it. The Poiſon infects the Air to that de- gree, that no other Creature can live near him. It kills not only by his touch, but by fight, and hißling. a a 4. The ASP, is a ſmall Serpent, like to a Land Suake, but of a broader Back. Its Neck ſwells, when provoked to a great Degree, and, if it ftings any Perſon in that Paſſion, there can be no Remedy. The Stroak of its Eyes is exceeding red and flaming: there are two Pieces of Fleſh, like an hard Skin, which grow out of its Fore- head. Its Teeth are very long, and grow out of its Mouth like a Boar's, and through two of the longeſt are little Hollows, out of which it injects its Poiſon, theſe Holes are covered with a thin Skin, which flides up when the Serpent bites, by which means the Poiſon comes out of the Holes, which Skin afterwards returns to its Place again, the Scales of the Aſp are hard, dry, and red, above all other venomous, Beaſts, and, by reaſon of its exceeding Drought, it is alſo accounted deaf. Aſps are faid to be from three to fix Feet in Length, and ſome not above a Foot and a half, the ſhorteſt is ſaid to kill the fooneſt. They are bred in ſeveral Countries, but chiefly in Africa, where they are moſt venomous, and will kill a Man inſtantly, without any poſſible Remedy. The Egyptians are ſaid to fhew a great Veneration to theſe very dangerous Creatures, and will not deſtroy them, but ſuffer them to come into their Rooms, and, when they have dined or ſupped themſelves, always provide ſome- thing for the Afps, which they will receive in a courteous Manner, 206 A Deſcription of SERPENTS. Manner, and when they have done, retire without doing any harm. 5. The RATTLE-SNAKE, is ſo called from certain Rattles at the End of the Tail, theſe Rattles ſeem like ſo many periſhed Joints, being a dry Huſk over certain Joints, and the common Opinion is, that there are as many Rattles or Joints, as the Snake is Years old, they have generally eleven, twelve, or thirteen of theſe Joints, but the young ones of a Year or two old have no Rattles, but they may be known notwithſtanding, being very re- gularly diced or chequered, black and grey on the Backs. The old ſhake and thiver theſe Rattles with wonderful nimbleneſs, when they are any way diſturbed; their Bite is very deadly, yet not always of the ſame force, but more or leſs mortal, according as the Snake is in force or vigour, and therefore in June or July much worſe, and more mortal than in March and April. This Snake is a very majeſtick fort of a Creature, and will ſcarce meddle with any thing, unleſs provoked; but, if any thing offend it, it makes directly at it. The beſt method of curing its bite, is to burn the Part immediately. 6. The SALAMANDER, is like a ſmall common Li- zard, except in its fize, in which reſpect it is larger. It has four Legs, which are longer than a Lizard, and alſo a longer Tail than the Lizard. It has a pale white Belly, though ſometimes the Belly is yellowiſhi, one part of its Skin is exceeding black, and the other yellow, both of them very bright and glittering, with a black Line going all along the Back, having upon it many little Spots, like Eyes. The Skin is rough, and bald, eſpecially upon the Back, where thoſe Spots are, out of which, as ſome Writers will have it, a certain Liquor or Humour pro- ceed, which quencheth the Heat of Fire, when it is in the fame. Salamanders are bred in the Alps, and in ſome parts of Germany, in Marſhy wet Places; and 'tis ſaid are cold as Ice. The Vulgar Notion agreeing with the Opinion of ſeveral antient Writers, that a Salamander can live in, and not be burnt by the fire, is without any foundation of Truth; for the Experiment has been tried, as Pliny affirms, and the Salamander was conſumed and burnt to Aſhes. The Truth is, as long as the Humour before-mentioned runs, the Fire cannot hurt it; but, when a 208 6. SALAMANDER, accom Os 7. VIPER 3. FROG. 9. TOAD. Tin A Deſcription of SERPENTS. 209 a а و a when that Moiſture is dryed up, the Fire conſumes the Salamader, and that inſtantly. The Bite of this Crea- ture is very deadly and fatal. It is a ſaying in France, that a Man bit by a Salamander ſhould have as many Phy- ficians to cure bim, as the Salamander has Spors. 7. The VIPER: or Adder, is about a Foot and a half in length. The Tail curled at the End, very ſmall and Sharp. The Head is very broad, compared with the Body; and the Neck much narrower than the Head. It is commonly black on the Back, fonetimes greeniſh or yellowiſh. The Eyes are very red and flaming. The Belly winding, upon which it goeth, and (ides along very nimbly. Its Teeth upon the upper Chap is very long and upon either fides it hath four. Thoſe upon the lower Chap are fo fmall, that they can ſcarce be ſeen, but the length of the Teeth cannot be ſeen, except you take away a little Bladder, in which they lie concealed : in which Bladder it carries Poiſon, which it inſtantly in- fureth into the Wound it makes with its Teeth. The Scales of a Viper are more ſharp than a Snake's ; and it is of a hotter Nature than the Snake: and therefore lives more in the Shade, and lies for the moſt up like a Rope. It is a crafty venomous Creature, biting ſud- denly thoſe that paſs by it. It is ſaid, that, when a Viper is thirſty, and goes to drink, the firſt of all yoids UP her Venom left by drinking, it defcends into her own Bowels, and to deſtroy herſelf; and, when ſhe has drank, licks it up again. Vipers are bred in mof Nations of the World: thoſe of Europe are much leſs than thoſe of many other Countries. The Viper is ſaid to conceive Eggs within her, which ſhe does not lay after the Man- ner of other Serpents'; burrin ber Body they are hatched into living Vipers. The young ones are ſaid alſo to eat their way out of their Mother's Belly, when ſhe is ready to bring them forth. The bite of this Creature is very dangerous, and for the moſt part mortal, unleſs inſtantly relieved. 8. Of FROGS, there are two kinds, one living both on the Land and in the Water, and common in Marfhes, ftanding Pools, running Streams, and Banks of Rivers ; but never in the Sea. The otber fort is frequently in Gar- dens, Meadows, hollow Rocks, and among Fruit. The Frog part coiled 210 A Deſcription of SERPENTS a Frog in ſhape very much reſembles a Toad, it is without Venom, and the Female is greater than the Male. The forepart of the Tongue cleaveth to the Mouth, as in a Fiſh, the hinder to the Throat, by which it fendeth forth its Voice. It hath two Bladders upon either ſide of the Mouth, which it filleth with Wind, and from thence proceedeth the Voice. When it croaketh, it putterh its Head out of the Water, holding the nether Lip even with the Water, and the upper Lip above the Water; and this is the Voice of the Male provoking the Female to Luft. The hind legs are very long, which they uſe in leaping, the fore Legs are ſhorter, having divided Claws, which are joined together with a thin broad Skin, which helpeth them in ſwimming. It is ſaid that Frogs in the Winter-time hide themſelves in the Earth, and fometimes they enter into their Holes in Autunn, before Winter, and in the Spring-time come out again. 9. The TOAD, is in all outward Parts like unto a Frog, the fore Legs being ſhort, and the hinder long: but the Body more heavy and ſwelling, and of a blackiſh Colour; the Skin rough, clammy, and very hard. It hath many deformed Spots on it, eſpecially on the Sides. The Belly exceedeh in bigneſs all other Parts of the Body, ftanding out in ſuch a Manner, that being hit with a Stick it yieldeth a Sound, as it were from a Vault, or hollow Place. The Head is broad and thick. The whole Aſpect of the Toad is extreamly unpleaſant and diſagree- able. The Toad does not leap as the Frog, its Pace is a ſoft creeping Pace; yet ſometimes in Anger it raiſes up it- felf, endeavouring to do Michief. If it takes hold of any thing in its Mouth, it will not let go till it dies. It is ſaid that the Toad, well knowing the weakneſs of her Teeth for her Defence, gathereth abundance of Air into her Body, with which the greatly fwelleth, and then by figh- ing, uttereth that infected Air as near to the Perſon that offended her, as ſhe can; and thus the worketh her Re- venge, killing by the Poiſon of her Breath. The Spider is a great Enemy to the Toad. The Toad, when ſhe fighteth with a Spider, is ſaid to make uſe of an Herb to preſerve herſelf from its Poiſon; of which I have read the following Story: That a certain Earl travelling near Woborn in Bed- fordſhire, ſome of his Company eſpied a Toad fighting with a A Deſcription of SERPENTS. 211 with a Spider under an Hedge by the Highway-ſide; whereat they ftood till, till the Earl came alſo to behold the ſame; and there he ſaw how the Spider ftill kept her ftanding, and the Toad divers Times went back from the Spider, and did eat a Piece of an Herb like a Plantan, at laſt the Earl having ſeen the Toad do it often, and ſtill return to the Combat againſt the Spider, ordered one of his Men to go and cut off that Herb, which he performed, and brought it away. Preſently after the Toad returned to ſeek it, and not finding it, according to her Expectati- on, ſwelled and burft afunder. For having received Poi- fon from the Spider in the Combat, Nature taught her the Virtue of that Herb, to expel and drive it out; but wanting the Herb, the Poiſon did inſtantly work, and deſtroy her. 將成 ​SHL SR (212) OF INSECT S. O F CATERPILLARS there are many different Sorts: fome of them are rough, hard, and ſtiff; foine are foli, ſmooth, and tender. fome horned either in the Head or Tail: others without Horns; all have many Feet. The Caterpillar, Figure 1. is hairy, has its ori- ganal from the Seed of a Butterfly, which is leaves on the Leaf of a Nettle. It continued changing for the ſpace of nineteen Days; and then proceeded from it a moſt elegant Butterfly, ſee Figure 1. having four Wings. When firſt the Bu terfly cane forth, its Wings feemed like to moiſt, or wetted Paper, from which certain ſmall watry Drops diſtilled; and wbich feeis worthy Obſervation, that in the Space of half an hour became expanded, and fit for flying. It lives on Honey that it ſucks out of ſweet Flowers, &c. It is much delighted with corrupt Fruit: for the ſake of which there are often deſperate Battles fought between ſome of theſe Species. In the Winter- time, Butterflies hide themſelves in the Chiminies of Coun- try Houſes, and in hollow Trees, &c. As this Cater- pillar was derived from the Egg of fuch a Butterfly ; ſo are all Caterpillars from the Eggs of their reſpective But- terflies: the Butterfly is the Infect in Perfection; the Ca- terpillar, Grub, or Worm, are certain, Mimicks or Dif- guiſes of it for a Time, in which one and the fame Ani. mal is circumveſted by Nare, for various Ufes, viz. with the diſguiſe of a Carerpillar, that it may eat this or that Food; but of a Grubor W8:12, that its Joints may be finished or hardened. The Caterpillar delights in the Leaves of Nettles: Nor does it prepare it ſelf for Tranſ- mutation, or abſtain from Food, ſo long as this Herbis in its Bloom or Vigor. The Caterpillar, Figure 2. began to be changed the 230 of June, and on the 19h of July was produced a Butterfly, marked with beautiful Colours. There Butterflies are found all the Winter in the Stables of Beaſts. The Caterpillars proceeding from this 2:3 BUTTERFLIES. 264 II. LOUSE. 12. FLEA, A Deſcription of INSECTS 215 this ſort of Butterflies are extreamly voracious. Cater- pillars feed upon hard, dry Food, ſuch as the Leaves of Trees, &c. but the Butterflies on Flowers, Honey, and liquid Food. Figure 3. the Food of theſe Caterpillars is the Leaves of Elm-Trees. When the Time of their Transformation draw nigh, they betake themſelves to Houſes or Barns; there they faſten their hinder Members of their Bodies to a certain Wall, Board, or Table, hang- ing with their Head downward; that, when they have perfected their Tranſmutation, they may the more eafly get out of the Cruſt or Shell they are incloſed in. Before that, in the Aſſumption of their new Shape, when they put off their old skin, they ſeem anxiouſly to labour, by shaking, toſling, and trembling, as if they were ſeized with an acute Fever. And this wonderful Change is pro- duced in a very ſhort Space of Time, inſomuch that it may be diſtinctly ſeen and obſerved: for no ſooner is the old Skin laid aſide, than this Transfiguration is ſeen. This Caterpillar began to be changed the 12th of Fune, and on the zoth of the fame Month became a moſt beau- tiful Butterfly. It would be an endleſs Talk to enumerate the very great variety of Butterflies, and Caterpillars, with reſpect to their Colours, and other different Properties. I hope, froin what I have here briefly related of theſe In- fects, the Reader will be able to conceive ſomething of the Nature of the whole Species in general. 11. The LOUSE, is a Creature ſo officious, that it will be known to every one at one Time or other; ſo buſy, and ſo impudent, that it will be in truding itſelf in every one's Company; and ſo proud and aſpiring withal, that it fears not to trample on the beſt, and affects nothing fo much as a Crown, feeds an lives very high, and that makes it ſo faucy, as to pull any one by the Ears that comes in its way, and will never be quiet till it has drawn , Blood; it is troubled at nothing ſo much as at a Man that ſcratches his Head, as knowing that a Man is plotting and contriving foine Miſchief againft it; and that makes it oftentimes fculk into fome meaner and lower Place, and run behind a Man's Back, though it go very much againſt the Hair: All which Conditions of it have made it better known than truſted. The Figure taken by the Micro- ſcope, 216 A Dejiription of INSECTS. ſcope, repreſents it climbing on a Hair, with its Belly up- wards. It is a Creature of a very odd Shape: It has an Head ſhaped like that expresſed in the Figure; on either Side behind the Hand (being the place where other Crea- tures Ears ftand) are placed two black ſhining goggle Eyes, locking backwards, and fenced round with ſeveral finall Hairs that encompaſs it. It has two Horns that grow before it, in the place where one would have thought the Eyes ſhould be; each of theſe have four Joints, which are frin red, as it were, with ſmall Briſtles: the Head feems very round and tapering, ending in a very thaarp Nofe, which ſeems to have a ſmall Hole, and to be the paffage through which he fucks the Blood. It hath fix Legs, covered with a very tranſparent Shell, and jointed exactly like a Crab's or Lobſter's; each is divided into fix Parts by theſe Joints, and thoſe kave here and there feveral ſmall Hairs, and at the End of each Leg it has two Claws, very properly adapded for its peculiar Uſe, be- ing thereby enabled to walk very ſecurely both on the Skin and Hair. The Belly is covered with tranſparent Subſtance likewiſe; for it is grained all over the Belly, juſt like the Skin in the Palm of a Man's Hand. 12. The FLEA appears, by the Microſcope, to be all over adorned with a curionly poliſhed Suit of fable Ar- mour, neatly joined, and beſet with Multitudes of ſharp Pins, ſhaped almoſt like Porcupine's Quills. The Head is on either ſide beautified with a quick and round black Eye. It hath fix Legs, the Joints of which are ſo adapted, that he can as it were fold them ſhort one within another; and, when he leaps, ſprings them all out, and thereby exerts Dis whole Strength at once. In the forepart of his Head, between the two fore Legs, he has two ſmall long-jointed Feelers, or rather Smellers, which have four Joints, and are hairy, like thoſe of ſeveral other Creatures; between theſe it has a ſmall Probe: It has alſo two Chaps or Biters, which are ſomewhat like thoſe of an Ant's. 13. The A Deſcription of INSECTS. 217 13. The BEE, that noble, though ſmall, Infect, is about three Quarters of an Inch long, having four Wings curiouſly thaped, with ſtrong Fibres round and croſs them; fix Legs, a large Head, but very ſmall Neck, and very fender in the Waiſt, or middle Part. Nature has provided it with two Sorts of In- ftruments for War and Defence, viz. her Mouth, wherein are her Teeth, that meet fideways, and not one over the other, with which it defends itſelf, and aſſaults others; and the Sting which is in its Tail. With its Fangs it lays hold on Robbers, which come to ſteal its Honey, whilſt another comes to its Allift- ance with its Sting, which generally carries Death to - any one of its own kind that it pierces and for the moft Part, Death to itſelf, when it pierces any of the human Species. The Sting is very taper and ſharp, apt, when exerted by the Bee, to pierce the Skin, or other harder Body. It contains the Poiſon about the middle of it, which may be diſcovered by the Help of Glaſſes. The Eyes are very large, covered over with a thick horny Membrane, which occaſions the Dim- neſs of its Sight. But, to fupply this Defect, Nature has given it two Horns, which grow above its Eyes, about the tenth of an Inch long, in each of which there are two Joints, one in the Middle, and another near the End, by which it can put them forth, when it will, to the full Length, and draw thein in at Plea- fure. Theſe are its Inſtruments of Feeling. The Tongue is much longer than the Mouth will con- tain, and ſo is doubled underneath, and reacheth a good way down the Breaſt. The Body is all over hairy, like a Fox, and the Head too, nay, a great Part of the Eyes, is covered with ſmall Hairs, but fo ſmall, that they cannot be difcerned by the naked Eye, without the Help of a Microſcope, which will alſo diſcover the Brain in the Head. Within the Breaft it hath a reddish Fleſh, with Heart and Lungs, proper Inftruments for breathing. In the hinder Parts there is a Gut, &c. as alſo a Bottle or Bag, in which К. it 218 A Deſcription of INSECTS. Fear is, it carries its Honey, which it emptieth into the Honey-Comb. In this Bag it often ferche's Water to mix up its Sandarach, or Bee-Bread, for the feeding its Young ; about which it is very careful, till they can ſhift for themſelves. That which has commonly been called the Drone, appears at length to be nothing elſe but the Male Bee, and is about half as big again as the Female, which only is the working Bee, fome- what longer, and not quite ſo dark-coloured about the Head and Shoulders; eſpecially his Head and Eyes much larger than the Honey-Bee, his Voice more loud and dreadful, often caufipg Fear where no eſpecially the fair and timorous Sex; for he having no Sting, cannot in the leaſt hurt any Creature, but is wholly under the Dominion of the Females. He is ſmooth about his Neck, and very hairy all over his Back. His Tongue is much fhorrer than that of the Females; neither can he work if he would, his Tongue not being long enough to reach the Honey out of the focketed Flowers. This Male Bee, or ſup- poſed Drone, is not only helpful, but neceſſary to the Females, in the managing their Young; for, by his great Heat, he fits, and hatches the Brood, keeping the Eggs warm, whilſt the Honey-Bees, or Females, fol- low their delightful Vocation of gathering and bring- ing home of Heoey: During which Time the Drone Bees are not ſuffered to ſtir from the Brood, but about One or Two O'Clock, when the chief Part of the Day's Work is over with the Bees, moſt of them re- pairing home, take Care of their own Brood, and ſo give Leave to theſe their obedient maſculine Servants, to recreate themſelves abroad, their Heat now being no longer neceſſary within Doors. Then you thall ſee the Male Bees thick about the Mouth of the Hive, flying to and from five or fix large Circuits, 10 recreate and empty themſelves; then returning again to their beloved Honey, where they are for a Time, eſpecially in May and June, their chief Breed ing Time, kindly received by their imperious Dames. The forward Stocks of Bees begin to breed in Fe- bruary A Deſcription of INSECTS. 219 bruary, and the latter, or thoſe that are not fo lufty, leave not off till the latter, End of July: So that there are fix Months in which Bees are bred, and the ſooner they begin, the fooner they make an End, though generally there are more Bees bred in the two Months of May and June, than all the reſt. It muſt, notwithſtanding, be owned, that, according to the forwardneſs or backwardneſs of the Spring, the chief Months may be ſooner or later. A Bee is firſt an Egg: This Egg, which in Time becomes a Bee, is exceeding white, ſomething bigger than the common Fly-blow, but not fo long, nor big as an Ant's Egg. The Eggs of Bees are caſt into the empty Cells; not careleſly into any Cells, but only the mid- dle Cells, which are always appointed for the breed- ing Cells, whilſt thoſe all round the Hive, are re- ſerved for the Honey. The Eggs of Bees, when firſt hatched, are Maggots, before they become Bees. In the warm Weather, how long foever it continues, the Bees leave their Hives in queſt of Honey; as feeming to be ſenſible, that if they ſhould loſe the Opportunity of gathering the Honey in the Spring, and cold Wea- ther ſhould come on, eſpecially if the Stocks be not very rich, many young Bees coming to Hand, that muſt , be fed, and the bad Weather continuing to hinder their provident Mothers from working, both young and old muſt die together. In warm wet Weather, when they cannot go abroad, they bury their dead; which they do by flying with then foore Diftance from the Hive, and dropping them. Bees hardly live above a Year, or there- abouts. The Bee hath ſeveral Enemies, viz. the Mouſe, which, in the cold Weather, when the Bees are not in Vigour, will enter in at the Mouth of the Hive, and firſt gnaw the lower moft Part of the Comb, where there is but here and there a little Honey ; but waxing bolder, as the cold Weather increaſes, and the Bees are more ftill, afcend into the Hive, and ſeize on thoſe Combs, which are next to the sides of the Hive, where commonly the richeft Treaſure lies, will eat Holes through them, and ſo come and go through K2 then 220 A Deſcription of INSECTS. them at Pleaſure. This Fact of the Mouſe expoſes them to other Enemies, viz. the Bees of other Stocks, who, ſmelling the freſh Honey, come in like Thieves, when a Neighbour's Houſe is on Fire, not to help the diſtreſſed, but to plunder them of their remaining Goods. Now, though they ſhould be able to defend themſelves againſt theſe latter Enemies, yet, conceiving a Diſaite againſt their Hive, by reaſon of the deteſt- able Smell of the Mice, they take a warm Day, and fly away all together, though perhaps to an equal, if not a greater, expoſing themſelves to Death, than if they had ſtaid at home; and have ſometimes left Quarts of Honey behind them. The Bee hath, beſides the Moufe, theſe Enemies following, viz. the Moth; the Ear-wig; the Hornet; the Waſp, the Swallow; and the Sparrow; of which, as well as of many other Things relating to the Bees, thoſe who deſire further Accounts, I refer to them who have diſtinctly treated of theſe Infees, particularly to Mr. Jofeph Warden's True Amazons, or Monarchy of Bees. From which Trea- tiſe I have extracted this Account of Bees. That Gen- tleman, from his nice, curious, and long Obſervations on this pleafant, and no leſs profitable Subject, being thought to have diſcovered more of the Nature, Pro- perties, &c. of Bees, than any that went before him. The Queen-Bee is of all Bees the moſt glorious: Her Body is much bigger and longer than that of the Honey- Bee, yet her Wings are no longer than the other's; which ſhews, that ſhe is not defigned for Labour, nor long Flights, which is the continual Buſineſs of her Subje&s. As to her Shape and Colour, her upper Part, are of a lighter brown than the reſt: her hinder Part, from the Waiſt, (which is very ſmall) as it is much longer than that of the Drone, or Honey-Bee, ſo is it much more taper than theirs. And whereas the Drone, or Common Bee, are brown all over the hinder Part, the Queen, in that Part, is as black as Jet, or poliſhed black Marble. And whereas the two great Legs of the common, are quite black, hers are all as yellow as Gold, as alſo the is all along the under Part of the Belly. In Thort, 221 A BEE-HIVE 222 A Deſcription of INSECTS. fhort, the Queen does as far ſurpaſs her Subjects in Shape and Beauty, as the fineſt Horſe does the common Forefter. And, as the does far ſurpaſs her Subjects in Shape and Beauty, ſo ſhe alſo differs from them in Breeding First, the Egg of he Royal Mother is caft into a Cell, made by her Vaffals for that very Purpoſe, different from the reſt, being exa&ly round, much thicker in Wax, and the Cell, proportionable to her Body, much larger than thofe the common Bees make for themſelves. But this round Palace is never among other Cells, but always by itſelf. No Monarch has a compleater Submillion from his Subjects, than the Queen Bee from the Common Bees. Bees ſwarm moft in May and June, though ſometimes in April, and often in July. There happen frequent and deſperate Wars amongit the Bees, one Party fometimes endeavouring to plunder another of its Honey, for which it will fight vigorouſly: But if it ſhould ſo happen, that the plun- dered Bees have loſt their Queen, then they will ſide with the Robbers, and ſuffer the Honey to be carried all out of their Hive. Sometimes Bees drive from their own Hives, and ſeeking new Quarters, by that Means occaſion great Baitles. 14. The SCORPION is an Infect of Perfia, &c. The Coal-black Scorpion is accounted the moſt veno- nous, and is, both in Thickneſs and Length, about the Size of a Man's Finger. The Body ſomewhat se- ſembles an Egg, and altogether is like a Craw-Fiſh, only it has a blunter Head, and a leſs Body. It has eight Legs, and two Claws. It has a long, knotted Tail, which Knots appear like ſo many little Bladders; at the End of which it hath a very venomous Suing. Some Scorpions are faid, to have two Stings in their Tails; and ſome to bave venomous Teeth, with which they give a deadly Bire. l is reported, that the Inhabitants of Perſia do not ſleep in Ground Rooms, for fear of shieſe Creatures. The moſt general Cure againſt the Poiſon of theſe Inſects in thoſe Parts, is ſaid to be a Piece of Copper imunediately clapt to the Wound; (which 223 Grafhopper. Scorpion, Hornet. 0 Spider. Fly Z Beerie. Gnat. Waſp Dragon-Fly. Si المر Earwig Ant. 224 A Deſcription of INSECTS. (which Copper Coin, called Pul, they generally carry about them) and letting it lie a pretty while, they after- wards anoint the place with Honey and Vinegar. Deſigning this little Book for the Uſe of ſuch, who should not have Leifure, or be willing to be at the Expence of purchaſing larger Treatifes, and having already ſwelled it beyond the Bulk at firſt propoſed, I have forborn to crowd it with any more particlar De- fcriptions; and have therefore only preſented the Rea- der with the Figures of theſe following, viz. The GRASHOPPER The SPIDER. The HORNET.. The FLY. The GNAT. The WASP. The BEETLE, The DRAGON-FLY. The EAR-WIG, and the ANT. FINI S. Sk SK 16