194 The Natural Historic 



those with the Tuft or Crest on their Heads, that are com- 

 monly to be met with in Ireland, and many other parts of 

 Europe, and their Flesh is good to eat. 



The Blue-Bird, so called, from it's being all of a beautiful 

 fine Blue-colour, except the Breast of the Cock, which is Red 

 like the Rohin Red-hrest. They have an odd kind of Cry, 

 or Whistle, very different from the former. These Birds 

 hide themselves in the Winter, so that they are not to be seen 

 all that Season, but are plenty in the Summer. They are 

 but a small Bird, not so large as our Buntings, but are excel- 

 lent good Meat. 



The Bull-finches in these parts of America, are of the same 

 size and bigness of those with us, but differ some small mat- 

 ter in their Feathers, from those in Europe; those in Caro- 

 lina being more beautiful. But whether they are so docil 

 as those with us, I cannot tell, never having seen any of them 

 bred up in Cages. The Flesh of these are much the same 

 with that of the Sparrow. 



The Nightingals differ something in their Feathers from 

 those in Europe, but have much the same l^otes : They are 

 as big as a Goldfinch, and always frequent low Grounds, 

 especially amongst the Myrtle-berries, where they generally 

 sing very prettily all Night; but in the Winter (like the 

 Sivalloiv) are neither to be heard or seen. They breed in 

 May, and generally lay about four or five Eggs in a Xest, near 

 which they seldom sing, for fear of being discovered. The 

 Flesh is sweet and good Food, helping the Cachexia, and 

 strengthning the Brain. The Gall mixed with Honey, helps 

 Disorders in the Eyes. 



The Sparrows differ in Feather from those in Europe, and 

 are never known to resort or build their I^ests in the Eaves 

 of Houses, as ours do. There are several sorts of Birds 

 called Sparrows, from their being so plenty all over this 



Province ; 



