Book H. O^^lT HO LO qY. i +5 T 



the colour of the Turcois ftone : In the middle of this Mitre is feen a black fpot of the 

 bignefs of a Crofs of Mifnia. Beneath the Eyes ( which are yellow with a black Pu- 

 pil )it hath alfo black feathers mingled with Sapphire-coloured, The Throat, and 

 the whole Breaft and Belly are of a dark yellow. The upper part of the Neck, the 

 whole Back, Wings, and Tail are of a green or grafs colour, but wherewith a Sea- 

 green is mixt, as in the Necks of Mallards and Peacocks. From the Knees to the Bel- 

 ly the upper Legs are covered with green feathers. In the middle of the Neck un- 

 derneath it bears as it were a badge of three or four black feathers, and about them 

 Sapphirine ones, which make a kind of fpot or mark. 



This Bird for the like conftitution of its Feet, and fome agreement in colour* we 

 have fubjoyned to the Merops. 



£. VL 



The Water-Ouzel or Water-Crake : Merula aquatica. 

 ■ 



THis Bird is well nigh as big as the common Blackbird : Weighs two ounces and 

 an half 3 is in length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail eight inches 

 and an half, to the end of the Claws nine : In breadth between the tips of the Wings 

 ftretcht out twelve inches and an half 



It hath a fhorter body than the Blackbird, and a thicker Neck. Its Bill is (freight, 

 lharp-pointed, flenderer than a Blackbirds, meafuring from the point to the Angles of 

 the mouth about an inch long, or fbmewhatlefs, black-coloured. 



The Head and upper fide of the Neck are of a dark, dusky colour, or black with 

 an eye of red. All the Back, and both prime and covert-feathers of the Wings are 

 particoloured of cinereous and black, the middle parts of the feathers being black, 

 the edges blue. The underfide of the Neck and forepart of the Breaft are milk white; 

 The feathers contiguous to the white are reddifh : The lower Belly towards the Tail 

 black. The Eyelids white round about. 



_ It hath in each Wing eighteen quills. The Tail is fhorter than in the reft of this 

 kind [ that is, Merula ]' fcarce two inches and an half long, compofed of twelve fea- 

 thers of equal length. The Legs, Feet, and Claws are black : The outmoft foretoe at 

 bottom joyned to the middlemoft. The Tongue is black, flender, and a little cloven 

 at the tip. The circles encomp ailing the Pupils of the Eyes great, broad, and of a 

 fair hazel colour. The Eyes are furnifhed with nictating membranes. The Nofthrils 

 are long. The Plumage covering the whole body thick-fet, as in water-birds. 



|t frequents ftony Rivers and Water-courfes in the Mountainous parts of Wales, 

 Northumberland, Wefimoreland, Yorkshire, &c. That I [ J. R. ] defcribed was fhot 

 befide the River Rivelin near Sheffield in Yorkshire : That Mr. Willnghby defcribed near 

 Pentambath in Denbighshire , in North-Wales. It is common in the Alps in Switzer- 

 land 5 where they call it Wafer-Amzel. 



It feeds upon fifth, yet refufeth not Infecfs. Sitting on the banks of Rivers it now 

 and then flirts up its Tail. Although it be not Web-footed, yet will it fometimes dive 

 or dart it felf quite under water. It is a folitary Bird, compariying only with its Mate 

 in coupling and breeding time. 



Chap. VIIL 



Thegreateft Land-birds, of a peculiar kind by them] elves, which by reafonoftU 

 bulk of their bodies, andfmalnefs of their Wings cannot fly, but only Tbalk 



* L 



The OJlrkh : Struthiocamelus. 



WHat occurs in Ancient and Modern Writers concerning this Bird fee in Oep 

 ner and Aldrovandus. 

 It is the greateft of all birds, except perchance the Emeu, which though 

 it be not fo tall, yet in bulk of body is well nigh equal to it. Mt.Willughby faith, it is 

 either equal or bigger, but I think that, if either have advantage of other in magni- 

 tude^ 



