z00 
Dzscrip. 
SE ALOR Ee Crass IT. 
breaking them down by their weight; for reeds are 
the thatch of the country, and are harvefted with 
great care. 
Thefe birds feed on worms, and infects; and it 
is faid that they will get into pigeon houfes, for the 
fake of fucking the eggs. Their flefh is fo bitter, as 
to be fcarce eatable. They are very docil, and 
may be taught to fpeak. 
The weight of the male of this fpecies is about 
three ounces; that of the female rather lefs. The 
leneth is eight inches three quarters: the breadth 
_ fourteen inches. Bill, in old birds, yellow. The 
whole plumage is black, very refplendent with 
changeable blue, purple, and copper: each feather 
marked with a pale yellow fpot. The leffer co- 
verts are edged with yellow, and flightly gloffed 
with green. The quil feathers and tail dufky: the 
former edged with yellow on the exterior fide ; 
the laft with dirty white. The legs of a reddifh 
brown. 
Strait: 
