196 The Natural Historic 



as Gold. They frequent high up the fresh Water Rivers 

 and Creek sides, where they breed. They hide themselves in 

 the thick Bushes, and are very difficult to be seen in the 

 Spring, but in Summer they appear and sing all the Season. 

 What other properties they may bo indued Avith, is uncertain. 



The Weet Birds are about the bigness of a Sparrow, and 

 of a greyish Colour, and are so called, from their Weeting 

 or cry before Rain. These Birds frequent near the sides of 

 Rivers and Ponds of fresh W^ater, where they Breed. What 

 physical Uses they may have is not known. 



The Goldfinches. There are a sort of Birds like these to 

 be met with here, variegated with Orange and Yellow Feath- 

 ers, very specious and beautiful to behold ; yet I never heard 

 them sing, as those in Europe are known to do. 



The Baltimore Birds, so called from my Lord Baltimore, 

 being Proprietor of all Mary-La7id; in which Province they 

 are very plenty. They are about the bigness of a Linnet, 

 with yellow Wings and variety of other beautifull Colours. 

 They appear most commonly in this Province in the Winter 

 Season, at which time they are fat and good eating. 



The East India Bats, or Musheetoe Haivhs, are so called 

 from their killing and feeding on Musheetoes, and because 

 the same sort of Birds are found in the East Indies. They 

 are as large as a Cuchoiv, and much of the same Colour, but 

 have short Legs, not discernible when they flie. They appear 

 here only in the heat of the Summer, and at the approach of 

 cold Weather, leave us again. They are never seen in the 

 Day time, but are scudding all Night, like our Night Raven, 

 in pursuit of Musheetoes, Gnats, and other Insects, on whlcii 

 they feed. And though it is called a Bat, I see no reason for 

 it, because it bears no manner of Resemblance to the Euro- 

 pean 



