236 History of Nature. [BOOK X. 



CHAPTER XLVIII. 

 The Names and Nature of many Birds. 



OF Water- fowl, the Phalerides 1 in Seleucia of the Par- 

 thians, and also in Asia, are the most praised. Again, the 

 Phasianse 2 of Colchis, which have two Ears, consisting of 

 Feathers, which they set up and lay down : the Numidian 

 Fowls, in a part of Africa called Numiclia, as also throughout 

 Italy. Apicius, the deepest of all Gluttons, taught that the 

 Tongue of the Phoenicopterus, 3 was a most delicate piece of 

 Meat. The Attagen 4 of Ionia is very much commended. 

 When this Bird is taken, she becomes mute; but otherwise 

 she is vocal : and in old Time she was reputed a rare Bird. 

 But now they are caught in Gallia and Hispania, and also 

 among the Alps : where also are the Phalacracoraces, 5 which 

 were peculiar to the Balearic Islands : as the Pyrrhocorax 6 

 with the yellow Bill, was (supposed to breed only) among 

 the Alps; and the Lagopus, 7 a dainty Bird for the /Table. 

 This Name it took, because its Feet are covered with Hair 

 like the Hare's-foot : otherwise it is all over white, and of 

 the size of a Pigeon. Beyond the Ground you will hardly get 

 her to feed : neither will she be made tame while she lives : 

 and if killed, the Body presently putrifies. There is also 

 another of the same Name, which differs from Quails only in 



1 Gallinula chloropus, Cuv. Water-hen ; but Belon supposes it one of 

 the larger Divers. Wern. Club. 



2 Phasianus colchicus. Pheasant. Wern. Club. 



3 P. ruber, LINN. Flamingo. Wern. Club. 



4 There appears to be some doubt which species of Tetrao this was. 

 Cuvier supposes the Attagen of Aldrovandus to be the female of Tetrao 

 bonasza, LINN. ; but the true Attagen to be probably T. alchata, LINN., the 

 bird which Dr. Kitto has thought the Quail of the Israelites. Martial 

 speaks highly of its excellency at table : 



" Inter sapores fertur alitum primus 

 lonicarum gustus Attagenarum." Xenia, lix. 



5 P. carbo, Cuv. Cormorant. Wern. Club.. 



6 Fregilus graculw, Cuv. Cornish Chough. Wern. Club. 



7 Tetrao lagopus, LINN. Ptarmigan. Wern. Club. 



