OF THE SMALL BIRDS OF FLIGHT. 335 



one •, but it is not only in his note he receives an al- 

 teration, the plumage is equally improved; the black 

 and yellow in the wings of the goldfinch, for example, 

 become deeper and more vivid, together with a mod 

 beautiful glofs, which is not to be feen in the wild 

 bird : the bill, which in the latter is likewife black at 

 the end, in the Jlopped-bird becomes white, and more 

 taper, as do its legs : in fhort, there is as much dif- 

 ference between a wild and a flopped- bird, as there is 

 between a horfe which is kept in body cloaths, or 

 at grafs. 



When the bird-catcher hath laid his nets, he dif- 

 pofes of his call-birds at proper intervals. It muft be 

 owned, that there is a mod malicious joy in thefe 

 call-birds to bring the wild ones into the fame ftate of 

 captivity ; which may likewife be obferved with re- 

 gard to decoy ducks. 



Their light and hearing infinitely excels that of the 

 bird-catcher. The inftant that the * wild birds are per- 

 ceived, notice is given by one to the reft of the 

 call-birds, (as it is by the firft hound that hits on the 

 fcent, to the reft of the pack) after which, follows 

 the fame fort of tumultuous ecftacy and joy. The 

 call-birds, while the bird is at a diftance, do not fing 

 as a bird does in a chamber ; they invite the wild 

 ones by what the bird-catchers zdXXJhort jerks, which 

 when the birds are good, may be heard at a great 

 diftance : the afcendency by this call or invitation is 



* It may be alfo oblerved, that the moment they fee a hawk, 

 they communicate the alarm to each other by a plaintive note j 

 nor will they then jerk or call though the wild birds are near. 



Y 2 fo 



