( 57 ) 

 'The Viro[inia Groas Beak Hen. 



Numb. LXI. 



THIS Bird is as big as the Song Thrujh j its Bill is of 

 a pale red, very thick towards the Bafe, ftiort and 

 ending in a fliarp Point; on the top of the Head is a Creft 

 of brown Feathers, which it raifes or lets fa|l at Pleafure; 

 the Head, Back and Wings were of a reddilh brown Co- 

 lour, the Breaft and Belly more dilute j the Tail was made 

 up of twelve Feathers, the middlemoft of which was of a, 

 dark Colour, inclining to black, the outermoil of a reddilh 

 brown 5 the Legs and Feet are of the fame Colour. They 

 are brought from Virginia^ New-England^ and other Parts. 

 of North Afnerica^ where they catch them as we do Larks: 

 in Kngland^ by fweeping away the Snow and baiting the 

 place with Virginia Wheat, ^c. It hath an agreeable me- 

 lodious Song with fome Notes like the EnglijJo Nightingale. - 

 The Hen fings as well as the Cock, when kept in a Cage, 

 The ftrength v/ith its Bill is . iurprizing, it being able to- 

 crack Ahnonds^ Olive fioneSj and Indian Maiz^ very expe- 

 ditioufly, the Kernels of which it is very fond of: In Efig- 

 land they bring them to feed on Hemp Seed. Several have 

 been fo curious to try to breed them here, but to no pur- 

 pofe» 



The 



