50 



THE PIE KIND. 



thefe oddities, fuperftition adopted this bird in inchantments, and prcr 

 fcribed it as the mod powerful of philtres ; but where any analogy of 

 caufes and effefls could be fuggcfted, is utterly inconceivable. The 

 wry-neck is not numerous i comes over in May, returns in September j 

 is iblitary j fteds on the ground ; is the fize of a lark j plumage grey, 

 black, and tan-colour, waved and banded, producing a rich effeft, not 

 unlike a fnipe's, eats ants like the woodpecker. 



The ftrange motion of her neck has often protefted her neft; for it 

 rcfembles fo ftrongly that of a ferpent, that many a bird-nefter has re- 

 frained from plundei*, terrified by this fuppofcd dangerous menace. 



THE A N I S 



ARE birds of manners fo Ibcial, that they not only fly in flocks, 

 but feveral females fit and hatch on the fame neft. They have 

 many nick-names, as Devil's-bird, Tobacco-ftalk, &c. in the AVeft 

 Indies. 



They have two toes before, two behind, fliort bills crooked, thicker 

 than large i the inferior mandible fl:raight, the fuperior femi-circular, 

 hooked at the end. About the fize of a thruflij fomc larger j colour, 

 black, or deep broWn- black. 



The nefl: is made large ; confl:ru61:ed of dry fl:icks and twigs, fo as to 

 hold five or fix birds, and enlarged according to the number of fitters, 

 fbmetimes to eighteen inches wide. They build together, breed to- 

 gether, fly together, perch together as clofe as poflible, whittle together, 

 and feed together i eat grain, alfo reptiles and infefts. They fly badly, 

 and hurricanes often deftroy numbers: if their eggs are mixed, they 

 hatch each one the others', nor do they refufe fufl:enance to their neigh- 

 bours young ; cover their eggs with leaves j and often one fits while the 

 others are building around her. Are not eatable. 



THE OX-PECKER 



IS a fmall bird, about the fize of a lark, of a grey-brown colour, 

 which is very fond of the larva of certain infefts which breed under 

 the epidermis (or upper flcin) of oxen, and which live there till their 

 change. He fl:ands on the back of the animal, and, by ftriking with his 

 bill, opens the place where the infefts arc whereon he feeds. Inhabits 

 hot climates, 



IN 



