zz6 01{3\ClTH0L0gr. Book II. 



$. VI. 



How to provoke a Nightingale to fing. 



TO make Nightingales fing more than ordinarily, or at fiich times as they are not 

 wont, give them in Winter-time Pafte of Pine kernels pounded, and in their 

 drinking-cupa chive or two of Saffron: For thofe two things by heating them, render 

 them chearful and brisk, without inducing any noxious alteration, and (b excite them 

 to fing. That fympathy alfo which this bird hath with Mufic both vocal and inftru- 

 mental is of exceeding force to this purpofe. And therefore if in the Chamber 

 where fhe is kept there be a confort of fweet founds or voices, fhe is marveloufly pro- 

 voked to fing. Many (lories we have of Nightingales emulating and ftriving to out- 

 vie one another, and other birds, yea, and men too in finging : Nay, that fometimesa 

 bird will (train her note fo to exceed that of her Antagonift, that ihe will fall down 

 dead upon the fpot with contending and over-ftraining her (elf 



Olina hath the receit of an odoriferous unguent to ftir up a Nightingale to 

 fing. 



Take of Civet not fophifticate twenty grains, Benjamin and Storax calamity of 

 each three grains, mingle thefe together in a Mortar in the form of a (oft ointment 5 

 Then diligently ob(erve the burn and particular branch, on which the Nightingale is 

 wont to fit and fing, and there making as it were a little fhelf of the leaves and boughs, 

 lay thereon fome meal-worms, and anoint the branch next to your fhelf with this Un- 



fuent. The Nightingale when he returns from feeding, will prefently fly up to his 

 ough, and finding there the meal-wonns will fall a eating of them, and (enting the 

 odour of the Ointment will begin to fing, and being as it were intoxicated with the 

 perfume, will not give over, nor ftir from the place though you take the boughs from 

 about him. For as the Nightingale exceeds all other birds in finging, fo doth he alfo 

 intheexquifitenefsof hisfent.- Wherefore alfo when wild he doth moft willingly 

 haunt where fweet herbs grow: And is particularly delighted in Musk, fo that a grain 

 or two of true Musk put in Cotton,and that in a fmall Reed ferving for him to pearch 

 on in his Cage, will provoke him to fing. 



Chap. X. 



The 'Black-cap : Atricapilla feu Ficedula, JldroV. called by the Greeks, Sox^aJs 

 & MeXctyxopvy®*; by the Italians, Capo Negro. 



THis is a very fmall bird, not weighing above half an ounce: Its length from 

 the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is fix inches 3 its breadth between 

 the ends of the Wings ftretcht out nine. The top of the Head is black, 

 whence it took its name : The Neck cinereous , thewhole back of a dark green. The 

 quill-feathers in each Wing eighteen in number, of a dusky colour, fave that their 

 edges are a little green. The Tail hath twelve feathers, two inches and an half long, 

 andalmoft equal, (harp-pointed, of a dusky colour, with a little tincture of green. 

 The nether part of the Neck, the Throat, and upper part of the Bread: are of a pale 

 afli-colour: The lower Belly white, tinctured with yellow. The Bill ftreight, (len- 

 der, black, longer, andlefler than in the Titmice: The Tongue cloven and rough : 

 The Feet of a lead colour, the Claws black. The outmoft Toe below is faftned to 

 the middlemoft. The head of the Female is of a brown or chefhut colour rather 

 than black. 



This bird is frequent in Italy, itisalfofoundinE^g/rfW, but more rarely, Turner in 

 vain contradicting. 



Gefner faith, that the firft Summer the head of thefe birds is red, and afterward 

 grows black, and that in the Cocks only, for in the Hens it continues always red. 

 The Ancients report, that the Blackcaps [ Atricaptt&~\ in the beginning of Autumn 

 are changed into FiceduU, oxBeccajigos by the mutation of their voice and colour $ 

 from whom, till I be affwred by experience, I muft crave leave todiflent. 



*Tht 



