210 The Natural Historic 



The Bald-Faces, or White-Faces, are almost as big as a 

 Duck, and are an extraordinary Fowl and eat well. These 

 Birds cannot Dive, and therefore are easy to be Shot. 



The Water-Witch, or Ware-Coots, are a very strange Fowl, 

 having all over them Down, and no Feathers, and neither fly 

 nor go, but are so dexterous in Diving, that scarce any Fowler 

 can hit or shoot them. They often get into the Fish-Wares, 

 and are taken, because they cannot fly or get over the Rods or 

 Poles, whereof the Fish-Wares are made. They are not much 

 coveted or esteemed, by reason they eat fishy and are hard of 

 Digestion. 



The King's-Fisher, whereof there are two Sorts. The first 

 is something larger than a Jay, with a long Bill, and large 

 Crop, much of the shape and colour of the latter, though not 

 altogether so curiously Feathered : These Birds most com- 

 monly frequent the Rivers, prey on small Fish, and build 

 their IS^ests on the Shoar. 



The second is much the same as with us in Europe; being 

 a fine Bird, with red Feet, long Bill, and about the bigness 

 of our Bunting. The Chin is white with a certain mixture 

 of Red, and the upper part of the Belly is of the same Colour. 

 The lower Belly imder the Tail is of a deep red, so are the 

 sides and Feathers under the Wings. The Breast is red, the 

 utmost Borders of the Feathers being of a beautiful bleuish 

 Green: From the l^eck through the middle of the Back 

 to the Tail is of a most lovely bright Purple or pale Blue, 

 which by its splendour is apt to hurt the Eyes of those that 

 look long and stedfastly upon it. These Birds, like the 

 former, frequent the Rivers, and build their ISTests on the 

 Shoar. The Flesh roasted and eaten, is good in Convulsions 



and 



