;rf* 



AMERICA. 



Chap. XVIII. 





The Ifland 

 poflVfs'd by 

 the Dutch, 



iUmmms. 



/mtricMU 



Swallows. 



Calvaria, rifcs on each fide and behind the City, with high Precipices ; not far from 

 the Mouth of the River appears a ftrong Caftlc with feveral Bulwarks,and tbcreon 

 great Guns 5 along the Inlet is a fair Market-place ; in the middle of the City 

 Hands a Church Confecrated to Dominkm, near which there is a large Hofpital, 

 which fronts the Sea ; the Cathedral ftands at the farther end of the City, and 

 on the declivity of a Mountain a fair Chappel ; near the great Fort the Cover, 

 nor hath a pretty Palace ; nor are the Francifcan Cloyfters much inferior to any of 

 the other Structures of this City, which taken altogether bears a good Form, by 

 reafon of the uniformity of the Streets. 



But Anno 1648. the Spaniard totally deferted this Ifland,which Mtcbael Adriaenfeoon 

 \uiter hearing of,brought feveral People from St.EuUatbius, and took pofleflion of it 

 in the Name of the States of the United Netherlands : Yet they enjoy'd not long the 

 entire Propriety, for the Spaniards again went and claim'd thofe Places which were 

 theirs upon the firft gaining of the Mand } which the Hollanders allowing them, they 

 liv'd peaceably and quietly together, each having their own Churches, Store- 

 houfes, Land, and Nj*ros. TheVutcb Plantation was maintain'd by the Zealand 



Lords, Latnjen. and Van %ee. 



There are divers Pools of fait Water in this Ifland, which afford the Inhabitants 



ftore of Fifh,and efpecially Tortoifes. 



The Woods produce wild Hogs, Pigeons, Turtle-Doves, and Parraquito's re. 

 fembling a Parrot, and which though much fmaller, are more apt to be taught. 



Near the Salt.pools alf« breed Birds call'd Eammans, not unlike a Jack-daw, 

 onely differing in Feathers, for they are firft white, next afli-colour'd, and at laft 

 turn red , they feldom flye or fit alone, but for the moft part in great Flocks in 

 open places, and Moorifh Grounds 5 when fome of them feek for their Food under 

 Water, one of them ftands Centinel, and on theleaft noifeor appearance of a Man, 

 gives notice by Chirping to the reft, who hereupon immediately flee away ; thole 

 that (hoot them lie commonly hid under an Ox Hide. 



About the fame Pools breed likewife the American Swallows, with crooked Bills, 

 Feet like Ducks, black Bodies, white Bellies, apd long Tails. Sect. 



