of North Carolina. 189 



proach near them. They make Holes in Trees where they 

 build their Nests, and it is reported that if these Holes were 

 stopt up ever so secure with a Wedge or Pin of Wood, that 

 they will soon take it out again, so dextrous are they to work in 

 Wood with their Bills. The Flesh of these Birds is not 

 good for Meat, being harsh and hard of Digestion, outwardly 

 it helps Inflammations, and the Gall with Honey and Juice 

 of Kue is used in disorders of the Eyes. There is a Tradi- 

 tion amongst them, that the Tongue of one of these Wood- 

 Pechers dryed, will make the Teeth drop out if pricked 

 therewith, and cure the Tooth-ach (though I believe little 

 of it, but look on it as ridiculous) yet I thought fit to hint 

 it, that others may try the Experiment; for sometimes such 

 odd Stories refer to some particular Virtues, though all that 

 is said of them be not true. 



The Cat-Birds so called, from their crying or making a 

 ]N'oise exactly like the Young Cats, for I never could discover 

 or hear any other K'ote amongst them. They have a blackish 

 Head, and an Ash-coloured Body. They are about the big- 

 ness of our Lark, wdll fight a Crow, and many other Birds 

 much larger than themselves. They are pretty good eating, 

 but what Physical Virtues they may be endued with, are 

 unknown. 



The Moching-Birds, so called, from their mocking all other 

 Birds in their singing, for they have such diversity of ISTotes, 

 that there is scarce a Bird in these parts, that they hear, but 

 what they will imitate; and they certainly are one of the 

 finest singing Birds in the World. There are two sorts of 

 these Birds. The first has Feathers much of the Colour of 

 our Green-Plover, with White in the Wings, like a Magpye's. 

 This has a more melodious and soft I^ote than the latter, and 

 is generally about the bigness of our Thrush. They are held 



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