HUMAN FOODS 1 9 



unless their flesh is nauseating, as in the vultures, or too 

 bitter to be swallowed, as in the spruce grouse. I tried to eat 

 some of the latter once in the White Mountains, but I could 

 not do it. 



Hawks are considered a great delicacy in some places, herons 

 and parrots in others; but generally speaking it is the galli- 

 naceous birds Hke the turkeys, partridges, quail, grouse and 

 pheasants and their allies, and the numerous ducks and geese 

 that are universally preferred. These are nearly all large, or 

 at least fairly large, nearly all have excellent flesh, and most 

 of them are sociable, so that abundant food is furnished by 

 them with a minimum of effort. Many are readily tamed. 

 Where they are common pigeons and doves are much sought 

 after. 



Where larger birds are scarce, as in the south of Europe, the 

 little birds, like thrushes, warblers, and other passerines, are 

 captured in large quantities with bird-hme, nets and snares. 

 I have even seen the English sparrow in our markets, and in 

 days past our fathers used to feast on robin pies. The great 

 black crab-hawk on St. Vincent is a favorite among the na- 

 tives, as is the local chicken-hawk. In the West Indies also 

 the yellow-crowned night heron which feeds on crabs is much 

 esteemed and very good. 



Parrots are exceUent when young, reminding one of squabs; 

 when old, however, they are very tough. Young macaws are 

 very fine; but the mastication of a fully grown macaw 

 requires the jaws almost of a Hercules, combined with the 

 patience of a Job. If other edible birds can be obtained, and 

 this can usually be done, it is just as wefl to let the parrot 

 tribe alone as parrots are hard to kfll and wounded parrots 

 bite most savagely. We generally avoid birds reeking with 

 fish oil, hke the large gufls, pelicans and fish eating ducks, 

 though we sometimes eat the last when specially prepared. 

 The very flavor we dislike so much recommends these bird to 

 other races. 



Some of the larger lizards, especially the iguanas, are de- 



