190 The Natural History 



to be the Choristers amongst the Birds of America, as indeed 

 they are, for they will sing with the greatest diversity of 

 J^otes that is possible for any Bird to change. They are 

 fond of our Dwellings, and frequently resort thither; being 

 bold and brisk Birds, yet seem to be of an extraordinary 

 tender Constitution ; for they neither sing in the Winter, nor 

 in the midst of Summer, and it is with great difficulty that 

 any of them that are brought over, will live in England or 

 Ireland. They may be bred up tame, and will sing in Cages ; 

 yet the Planters seldom take them or their Young ones 

 (except it be to sell to those trading to Europe) notwithstand- 

 ing they make their Nests, and breed most commonly in the 

 Orchards, and other places near the Dwelling Houses, be- 

 cause they have their Company as much as if in Cages, for 

 they frequently sit on their Houses in the Summer, and sing- 

 all the Evening, and most part of the Night. They feed on 

 Mulberries, and several other Berries and Fruit, especially 

 the Medio acan-herry which grows plentifully in these Parts. 



The second sort is called the Ground-moching-Bird, and is 

 of a light Cinnamon colour, about the same bigness of the 

 former. This Bird sings excellently well, but is not so com- 

 mon amongst us as the other, neither does it frequent or 

 resort our dwellings, but delights to live amongst the Myrtle 

 Trees (being of a wilder Nature than the first) where it 

 breeds it's young Ones ; and like the former, is never known 

 to sing in Winter. Both these sorts of Birds continue here 

 all the Year and are in great request amongst the Planters. 



The Red-birds, so called from their beautiful Red colour, 

 whereof there are two sorts, the Cocks of both sorts are of a 

 pure Scarlet, and the Hens of a duskish Red. I distinguish 

 theni into two sorts ; for the one has a fine Tuft or Topping 

 of Scarlet Feathers on the Head, and the other is smooth 



Feathered 



