206 The Natural History 



They are a white Mew, with a forked Tail. They are a swift 

 Fowl, and continually flying like the Swallow. \Miat uses or 

 virtues they may be indued with, is uncertain, because they 

 are seldom or never taken. 



The Duck and Mallard are exactly of the same size and 

 Feather with those in Europe, they are very numerous, espe- 

 cially in Winter, but their Meat is not to be compared to our 

 tame Ducks for goodness, and are accounted one of the coursest 

 sort of Water-fowl in all this Province, so that they are little 

 regarded and seldom made use of except by the Indians and 

 Negroes. 



The Black-Duck, so called, from it's black colour, is full 

 as large as the former, and is good Meat. It stays here all 

 the Sumtner, and breeds. They are pretty numerous, and 

 the Planters take their Eggs, and have them hatched at their 

 dwelling Houses, and they prove extraordinary good domes- 

 tick Fowl. 



The Summer-Ducks, so called, from their continuing here 

 all that Season. They have a large Crest or Topping of 

 Feathers on their Head, are of a beautiful pied white and 

 black Colour, and are very plenty in these Parts. They 

 generally build their Xests contrary to most web-footed Fowl, 

 in the Holes that Wood peckers make in large Trees, very 

 often sixty or seventy Foot from the Ground, where they 

 hatch their Eggs ; they are an extraordinary good Fowl, and 

 eat well. 



The Whistling Duck, so called, from it's Whistling when 

 it flies and feeds. They are of a pretty white and black 

 Colour, but not so large as our Wild Duck. They are to be 

 met with in great Flocks in several places of this Country, 

 and especially near the Mountains, and Hilly parts thereof, 

 where 'tis thought they breed ; they are good Fowl, and excel- 

 lent eating. 



The 



