376 TRAVELS IN 
mode of preparation to be preferved in theit 
natural ftate : there are even many that are 
never to be had perfe^Jt, whatever precaution^ 
may be employed. Whp will not confefs, for 
inftance, that a bird when moulting, or dead 
of difeafe, whatever care the ornithologift may 
beftow on its preparation, cannot poffibly be 
fo beautiful as one killed in the vigour of its 
age and in perfed health ? 
So it is alfo with a bird that is fick, or by 
fome obftrudion deprived of that unduous 
humour fecreted by the glands of tlie rump, 
which it employs to give a glofs to its plumage. 
Taken in fuch a ftate, it cannot hr^ve the luftre 
or briliiant afped, which it may and will have 
if chofen in a different condition. If I take 
the liberty of introducing th(?fe remarks by the 
bye, it is in order to fhow how much greater 
is the difficulty of making a fine coliedioA 
than is generally imagined, 
I had liberally rewarded the Nimiqua from 
whom I had this bupreflis, and I ofiered a 
double allowance of tobacco to anyone who 
ftiould bring me another. This offer Was a 
fpur to the adivity of all the fmokers, both 
male and female. The women particularly,^ 
I hoil\ 
