APPENDIX. 7°i 



European woods is fuperior to that of the other 

 parts of the globe*. 



As birds are now annually imported in great 

 numbers from AJia* Africa-* and "America, I have 

 frequently attended to their notes, both fingly and 

 in concert, ' which are certainly not to be compared 

 to thofe of Eur op. 



Thomfcn, the poet, (whofe obfervations in na- 

 tural hiftory are much to be depended upon) makes 

 this fuperiority in the European birds to be a fort of 

 compenfation for their great inferiority in point of 

 gaudy plumage." Our goldfinch, however, joins to 

 a very brilliant and pleafing fong, a moft beautiful 

 variety of colours in its feathers +, as well as a 

 moft elegant fhape. 



It mud be admitted, that foreign birds, when 

 brought to Europe, are often heard to a great dif- 

 advantage^ as many of them, from their great 

 tamenefs, have certainly been brought up by hand, 

 the confequence qf which I have already dated from 

 feveral experiments. The foft-billed birds alfo can- 

 not be well brought over, as the fuccedaneum for 



* See Rochefbrt's Hift. des Antilles, T. I. p. 366.- — Ph,. 

 Tr. Abr. Vol. III. p. 563.— and Catefby. 



f I cannot but think, that there would be a demand for 

 thefe birds in China, as the inhabitants are very fedentary, 

 and bird cages are commonly reprefented as hanging in their 

 rooms. I have been informed, by a Tyrclezc, that his bcil 

 market for Canary birds was Conjlantinopk. 



infects 



