24-tf 0^3\ClTH0L0gT % Book II. 



Chap. II. 



The Green-finch : Chloris, Jldrov. Ornithol. lib. 18. cap. 1 8. 



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P T is bigger than a Houfe-Sparrorv 5 of an ounce and 5. weight 5 of fix inches and an 

 half length, meafuring from Bill-point to the Feet or Tails end : often inches and 

 an half breadth between the extreme terms of the Wings expanded. It is called 

 by fome the Green Linnet. 



Its Bill is like that of theGrosbeak., but much lefs, of half an inch length, (harp- 

 pointed, and not crooked : The upper Mandible dusky, the nether all whitifh. The 

 Tongue is lharp, and as it were cut off, ending in filaments : The Eyes furnifhed with 

 nictating membranes : The Nofthrils round, fituate in the upper part of the Bill next 

 the Head : The Feet of a flefti-colour 5 the Claws dusky. The outer Toe at bottom 

 (ticks faft to the middle one. 



The Head and Back are green,the edges of the feathers being grey. The middle of 

 the Back hath (bmething of a Chefhut colour intermingled. The Rump is of a deeper 

 green or yellow : The Belly white; The Breaft of a yellowifh green: The Throat 

 of the fame colour with the Neck : The feathers contiguous to the Bill are of a deep 

 yellowifh green. 



The borders of the outmoft quil-feathers of the Wings are yellow, of themiddle- 

 moft green, of the inmoft grey. The inner feathers of the fecond row are grey, the 

 outer green. All the reft of the covert-feathers of the Wings are green. The fea- 

 thers along the bafe or (if you pleale ) ridge of the Wing are of a lovely yellow. 

 The coverts alfo of the underfides of the Wings are yellow. The Tail is two inches 

 and a quarter long, made up of twelve feathers 5 of which the two middlemoft are 

 all over black,tho(e next have their outer edges yellow : The remaining four on each 

 fide from the middle outwardly are black, but all their inner Webs from top to bot- 

 tom yellow, ^f ■ \ 



The Liver is divided into two Lobes, and hath a Gall-blldder annexed. The bird 

 we diiTe&ed had a large Craw, a mufculous ftomach, filled with feeds of Plants. 



It builds in hedges : The outmoft part of its Neft is made of hay, grafs, or ftubble 5 

 the middle of Mofs 5 the inmoft, on which the Eggs lie, of feathers, wool, and hair. 

 In this Neft it lays five or fix Eggs, near an inch long, of a pale green colour, (prinkled 

 with (anguine fpots, efpecially at the blunt end. > 



The colours of the Hen are more languid, not fo bright and lively: And on the 

 Breaft and Back it hath oblong dusky fpots. 



The Chloris of Aldrovandus, according to his defcription, feems to be le(s green 

 than ours. It feeds upon the feed of Rape, Thiftles, Docks, andmoft willingly Canary- 

 grafs, as do other birds of thiskind. 

 The Antbm The Ant bus or Florm of Bellonius, called in French, Bruant, is of kin to this. He 

 le Brum!* "" defcribes it thus : Le Bruant \w French hath its name from its voice : For when itfings 

 it expreffes the word Bruire. As it flies it makes a noife. Ariftotle calls it"Aj/0©», 

 which word the Latines render Florm. The modern Greeks, I know not from what 

 ancient name, call it alfo Florus. Itis a little bigger than a Chaffinch : The Cocks are 

 for themoft part yellow: Yet fome part of the Wings and Tail inclines to cinereous, 

 but their greater feathers are of a more elegant yellow. The extremities of the Tail- 

 feathers are alfo altogether yellow 5 but within of another colour. The Bill is great 

 and (harp, of a pale colour : The Legs and Feet are (bmething red. They are kept 

 in Cages for the (weetnefs of their finging. They feed for the moft part upon Hemp- 

 feed, and keep much about tall trees, far remote from Meadows. It hatches at lead 

 five young ones. 



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Chap. 



