Clafs II. GOLDFINCH. 305 



ingenious tranflator* of F/rgi/'s eclogues and georgics, 

 gives the name of this bird to the acalanthis or 



acanthis : 



Littoraque alcyonen refonant, acanthida dumi. 



In our account of the Halcyon of the antients, 

 p. 191. we followed his opinion j but having fmce 

 met with a paffage in Arifiotk that clearly proves that 

 acanthis could not be ufedin thatfenfe, we beg, that, 

 till we can difcover what it really is, the word in that 

 paffage may be rendered linnet % fince it is impoffible 

 the philofopher could diftinguim a bird of fuch 

 (Iriking and brilliant colors as the goldfinch, by the 

 epithet xaa^foos-, or bad colored, though he cele- 

 brates his acanthis for a fine note, tpovnv {Ar toi Kiyvftlv 

 %X*<xt -f; which character will fuit the linnet equally 

 well, 



* Dr. Martjin. 

 •f Hijl.an. 1055. 



V 4, ft Th<f 



