of North Carolina. 191 



Feathered. I never saw a Tufted Cock with a smooth- 

 headed lien; they generally resort Cock and Hen together, 

 and always play in or near a Thicket, where the Boys set 

 their Traps and catch, and sell them to Persons trading to 

 Europe. They have strong and thick Bills, and are near as 

 big as our Black-Birds in Europe. They are very hardy, 

 and continue here all the Year. They Whistle and Sing like 

 a Thrush, but are more melodious. They are good for turn- 

 ing Cages with Bells, and if taught like the Bull-Finch, and 

 other Birds, I do not doubt would prove very docile; 'tis 

 })leasant to behold this Bird seeing it's own Image in a Look- 

 ing-Glass, because it hath so many diverting and strange 

 Gesticulations, either making a hissing [N'oise, or lowering 

 it's Crest, setting up it's Tail, shaking it's Wings, striking 

 at the Glass with it's Bill, with many more too tedious to 

 IN'ame. If they are taken at any time they will feed and 

 become tame; yet it has been observed, that when they are 

 shut up in Cages for some Years, they become Milk-white, 

 and so stupid that they scarce know how to feed themselves, 

 which is never known to happen whilst they are in the Woods 

 and free from Confinement. They feed on Indian Corn 

 and several sorts of Berries and Seeds, produced in this 

 Country. These Birds and the former, eat much like our 

 Thrushes. 



The Field- fair, is much like those with us in Ireland, but 

 are never to be seen in this Province but in Winter, they are 

 then very fat, and excellent Food. 



The Thrushes are the same in those parts of America, as 

 with us, only they are Eed under their Wing-s. They never 

 appear amongst the Planters but in hard frosty Weather, 

 and quickly leave us again; 'tis supposed they go to the 

 Northward where they breed. They are fat in that Season, 

 and the Flesh is of good Nourishment. 



The 



