"' An <ifT 9 E U^D I X . 19 I 



bignefs to the GnoJJian Eagles, its whole body befides the Neck and thofe parts which 

 are near the Breatt is from a black purple, fulvous and dark or fad-coloured. Its 

 Wings underneath about their rife black, elfe cinereous 3 but above mixed of fulvous 

 and black, and ibmething inclining to purple. Its Legs are red, and Claws hooked. 

 The extremes of the Bill ( which one would think were thole of a Parrot, they are Co 

 undifcernably like ) are white, the reft of the Bill of a (anguine tin&ure. The No- 

 fthrils are large 3 the Eyes black, but Irk fulvous} the eye-lids red : The forehead 

 died with a (anguine colour, and frowning or wrinkling, which wrinkles it doth 

 fometimes explicate and fmooth. In which particular, and alfo in (ome thin, fcattered 

 hairs, frilled, not unlike Blackmores hairs, it feems to refemble the Turkey- It hath 

 a Tail like an Eagle, grey beneath but black above. It feeds upon Snakes, Mice, and 

 Lizzards that itcatcheth} but efpecially upon Carrion, or dead beafts, and mans 

 dung. It foars aloft, flying high with its Wings fpread, and almoft without inter- 

 miffion. It is native of the Province of Mexico, and breeds in the Spring. With an 

 incredible force it refifts the Winds, bearing up ftiftly againft them, and perfifting in 

 the fame place immovable, let them blow never fo boifterouOy. Its flefh is unufeful 

 for food, not being tafted of by any man, that I have yet known of, but only for 

 Phyfic. I hear that the Indians do heal Ulcers by applying to them the feathers of 

 this bird outwardly, and giving the Patient its fie(h boiled to take inwardly for his 

 food during the diftemper: Which they fay alfo is a prefent remedy for the French 

 Pox. 



Of the Garagay. 



GAragay is faid to be a Bird of prey, of the bignefs of a Kite : Having its Head 

 and the ends of its Wings white : Being of fhort flight, a great deftroyer of 

 Crocodiles and Tortoifes Eggs. It fmells them out though hidden under the fand in the 

 banks of Rivers, fcrapes them up and devours them. It is a folitary bird, fave that 

 the Aur<e follow it that they may partake of its prey : For they cannot (crape in the 

 ground to dig up Eggs. 



Of the Hoa&on. 



He Female of this Bird, called Hoa&on, is a little bigger than the Male called 

 HoaBli, akin to, or like the common Heron 3 white on the Neck and Belly, 

 with brown feathers intermixt. The reft of the body is brown, fet here and there 

 with white feathers. Its Eyes great, and black, with a pale Irk. 



Of the Scarlet-feathered Indian Bird. 



THeluftreof its Wings commends the Acolchichi or red-fhouldered bird, and ob- 

 tained for it of the Spaniards an honourable name, who call thefe Birds Com- 

 mendadores, becaufe they refemble the badge or cognizance of thofe Knights, who 

 wear on their fide the like (hining red. They feem to be a fort of Stares, which the 

 Spaniards call Tor do s, agreeing with them in bignefs, colour, and fhape, and every 

 where companying with them 3 although their (boulders at firft appear fulvous, in- 

 clining to red, and as they grow older are wholly changed into a * fulvous colour. * 1 fuppofe 

 Being kept in Cages they learn to imitate humane fpeech, and prattle very pleafantly. ^^^ 5n 

 They eat any thing you offer them, but efpecially Bread and Indian Wheat. You the Copy or 

 may find thefe Birds both in hot and cold Countries : By their numerous flocks they t"^ ^^ 

 are very troublefome to people living in Towns, efpecially in hot and maritime Coun- be a r ^ 

 tries. They yield a bad and unpleafant juice 3 and build in trees not far from Towns 

 and the commerce of men, wafting and deftroying the corn-fields where they light. 

 They ling and play whether they be (hut up in Cages, or fufTered to walk freely up 

 and down the houfe. 



Of f Air-feathered Birds. 



1 Ts feathers have made the ghtetzaltototl more precious than gold, and therefore it is 

 i called the bird of feathers. It hath a creft, and is in good part adorned with Pea- 

 cocks feathers, of the bignefs of a Pie ox Pigeon, having a crooked yellow Bill, and 

 Feet fomething yellow. The Tail is compofed of very long feathers, of a fhining. 



green, 



T 



