14-d 0^$£lTHOLOgr. Book II. 



Ariftotlewitnettkth that it makes its Neft of dung, elpecially mans dung, daubing it 

 therewith inftead of Clay. 



It took its name in both Languages [ Greek, and Latine ] from the found of its 

 Voice. The — 

 which thofe i 

 call i 

 Grammar Schools do ftill retain. 



They lay the Hen is always greater than the Cock. 



Chap. VII. 

 OfLmd Birds that feed upon Fifh. 



§. I. 



The Kingfijloer. Ifpida an Veterum Alcyon ? 



IT weighed an ounce and a quarter : In length from the tip of the Bill to the end 

 of the Tail exceeded feven inches. The ends of the Wings extended were ele- 

 ven inches diftant. 



The Bill was almoft two inches long, thick, ftrong, ftreight, (harp-pointed, black, 

 yet whitifh at the Angle [ of the lower Mandible. ] The upper Chap is for the moft 

 part longer than the lower, yet in fome birds the lower is longer than the upper. The 

 Tongue is (hort, broad, lharp-pointed, and undivided : The Mouth within of a 

 Saffron- colour, the Nofthrils oblong. The Chin is white with a certain mixture of 

 red } the middle alfo of the Breaft or Belly is of the like colour. The lower Belly 

 under the Tail is of a deep red, as are alfo the fides and feathers under the Wings. 

 The Breaft is red, the outmoft borders of the feathers being of a dirty bluifh green. 

 From the Neck through the middle of the Back to the Tail it is of a moft lovely 

 bright, but pale blue, which by its fplendour is faid to hurt their Eyes that look long 

 and intently upon it. If you heed this colour attentively you may obferve the blue 

 crofled with obfcure or dark-coloured lines. Between the Nofthrils and the Eyes is 

 aredfpot, and another beyond the Eyes : to which fucceeds a white mark, tin&ured 

 with red. The crown of the Head is of a black green, with crofs blue lines. 



In each Wing are twenty three Quils, of which the third is the longeft 5 both 

 quil-feathers, and thofe next to them have their exteriour Webs blue, their interiour 

 dusky. Thelefler rows of Wing-feathers, all excepting thofe covering the bale of 

 the Wing, have blue tips. The long-feathers fpringing from the ihoulders, and co- 

 vering the Back, are of a bluifh green. The Tail is (hort, about an inch and an half in 

 length, made up of twelve feathers, of a dark blue, with fbmewhat of black. 



The Legs and Feet are very (hort and little, black before, red behind, as are alfo 

 the foals of the feet and the back-toes. The ftructure of the Feet in this Bird is lingular 

 and different from all others, for the three lower joyntsof the outmoft toe are joyned 

 to the middlemoft , of the inmoft only one: This inner toe is the leaft, and fhorter 

 by half than the middlemoft , the outer almoft equal to the middlemoft : The back- 

 toe is fomewhat bigger than the inner foretoe. The third or loweft bone of the Leg 

 is greater than is ufual in other birds. The toes feem as it were joynted with many 

 ciofs lines. T he bones of the Tongue are leffer and (horter than in other birds. 



The Stomach is great and lax, as in carnivorous birds 5 in that we dhTecfed was 

 full of the bones and fcales of fifties. The Guts are flenderer toward the vent. Gef- 

 tier affirms, that the fat of this bird is red 5 which we found to be true. The fame 

 Author tells us, that in one Neft are often found nine young ones : In a Neft in a hole 

 about half a yard deep in the bank of a River we obfervedbut five young ones. 



It is a Vulgar perfuafion, that this bird, being hung up on an untwifted thread by 

 the Bill in any room, will turn its Breaft to that quarter of the Heaven whence the 

 wind blows : They that doubt of it may try it. 



Dr. Char let ox, in his Qnomafticon, makes mention of another KtKgffier brought out 

 of India^ which fcarce exceeds a Wren in bignefs. We have not as yet hapned to fee 

 this Bird, neither do we remember to have elfewhere read any thing of it; 



1. n. 



