Cap. XV. T^Caribby- iflands. 8f 



arelefs thenthofe of Europe : Some are grey 3 others of a dark 

 colour, orblewifh: theft; laft make molt wax , and afford the 

 beft hony .* they all have their abode in the clefts of rocks, 

 and hollow Trees; their wax is foft, and fo black that noAr- 4 

 tifice can whiten its: but in requital their hony is much whi- 

 ter, fweeter, and clearer then any we have in thefe Countries 

 They may be handled without any danger, for they have in a 

 manner no ftings. 



There are alfo in thefe iQands horned Beetles or Bull-flies , 

 and an infinite number of Graf- hopper s 0 and Butter-flies , the 

 fight whereof very much delights the eye. There arc withall 

 both on the ground, and in the air, feveral very troublefome 

 and dangerous Infefrs, which extreamly annoy the Inhabi- 

 tants : But of thefe, and fome other inconveniences, we {hall 

 give an account in the two laft Chapters of this firft Book* 



CHAP. XV. 



Of the more confider able kinds of Birds which may 

 he feen in the Caribbies. 



ALL the works of God fpeak the magnificence of the 

 Worker, the difpofal of them declares his wifdom, the 

 Earth is full of his productions .* but we muft acknow- 

 ledg that of all the Creatures , not endued with any thing 

 above a fenfitivelife, the Birds do more loudly then any pub- 

 lifh his goodnefs and Providence, and by the fweet harmony of 

 their finging, the activity of their flight, and by the lively co- 

 lours and beauty of their feathers excite us to praife, and glo- 

 rifie that Sovereign Majefty which hath fo advantageoufly 

 adornd and embelliuYd them with fo many rare perfections* 

 Haying therefore in the precedent Chapters treated of the 

 Trees ; Plants , Herbs , Four-footed Beafis , Reptiles and InfeQs 

 which the Caribby Iflands do plentifully produce to furnifh 

 the Earthy we (hall in this Chapter defcribe the rare Birds 

 which inhabit the Air of thefe pleafant Countries, and enrich 

 the perpetual Verdure of fo many precious Trees wherewith 

 they are crowned. 



FREGATES. 



AS foon as any Ships come neer thefe Iflands, feveral Birds 

 which frequent the Sea come to them, as if they had 

 been lent to enquire whence they came.- When the Sea-men 

 perceive thefe Vifitantsthey are fatisfi'd that it will not be long 



ere 



