200 The Natural Historg 



The Blue-Peters, or Water-Hens, are very plenty, and dif- 

 fer from ours neither in size or Feathers, but are seldom or 

 never eaten (except it be by the Indiaiis and Negroes) being 

 very hard of Digesting and ill tasted. 



The Marsh-Hen is much the same as with us in Europe in 

 size and Feathers, but has a more different and shrill ^ote. 

 Their Flesh is seldom made use of except it be by the Indians 

 and Negroes, being Black and ill tasted. 



The Bitterns, whereof there are three sorts. The first is 

 the very same as with us in its size, Feathers, and ^otes. 



The second sort is of a dark brown Colour, with a Yellow- 

 ish white Throat and Breast, with a large Crest or Topping 

 of Feathers on its Head, but is not quite so large as the 

 former. 



The third sort is no bigger than a Wood-coch, of the same 

 Colour with the first, and is accounted by many to be fine 

 eating, yet the Flesh of the former is of the nature of the 

 Stork and Hero7i, of no good nutriment. The Skin and 

 Feathers calcined, stop Bleeding. The Grease eases pains 

 of the Gout, helps Deafness, clears the sight, and is excellent 

 bait to catch Fish with. 



The Herons^ of these there are three sorts. The first or 

 common Heron is from the tip of the Bill to the end of the 

 Claws four Feet long to the end of the Tail about thirty eight 

 Inches. It hath a black Crest on the Head four Inches high, 

 and is in size. Colour and all other respects, exactly the same 

 as is to be met with in Ireland. 



The second is larger than the former and is Feather'd much 

 like the Spanish-Goose. 



The third is not near as large as any of the former, but is 

 of the same shape, and of a most beautiful white Colour, with 

 red Legs. These Birds are only to be met Avith in Summer, 

 and are the finest of that kind I have ever seen, and many in 



these 



