( 40 ) 
The Gowry Bird. 
T his Bird is of the Groos-heck or Finch-\SxiA^ of the Size here re- 
prefented. Albin has figur’d a Bird fomething like this, and 
makes it the Hen of another Bird he has placed it with ; he calls it a 
Chinefe Sparrow in hh Hijlory of Birds ^ V oL 2, Tab, 53. I do not think 
it the Hen of the Bird he has figur’d with it. I have feen feveral of thele 
Birds at Dr. Monroe and at other Gentlemen s Houfes, and I find they 
vary pretty much, as do the little Indian Birds call’d Amadebats : So that 
every Bird would require a feparate Defcription. The Bird here under- 
defcrib’d, was one of the fineft" I have met with ; the Bill is of the Shape 
and Bignefs of our Green-Finch\ Bill, of a Lead- colour, yet the Bird 
exceedeth not half the Size of the Green-Finch ; the Eyes are of a dark 
Hazel-colour • the Head, Neck, beginning of the Breaft, Back, Wings, 
and Tail, are of a dark redifh Brown ; the fore Part of the Neck hath 
fomething of a purplifh Caft, the greater Quills are of a dirtier Brown 
than the reft of the Wing, the Rump is of a lighter greenifh Brown ; 
the Breaft, quite acrofs, and the Belly on the Sides, is black, thickly 
fprinkled with fmall round white Spots, of the Size of Rape-feed, fome 
a little bigger, others a little lefs ; the middle of the Belly, Thighs, lower 
Belly, and Covert- feathers under the Tail, are light Brown, or dirty 
White ; the Legs and Feet are of a bluilli or Lead-colour, fhaped as in 
other fmall Birds. 
Charles du Bois^ Efq; Treafurer to the Fndia Company, invited me 
to his.Houfe to draw this Bird. He told me it came from xh^EaJl htdiesy 
and was called a Gowry or Coury Bird^ they being fold for a fmall Shell 
apiece, call’d a Gowry ; fo that I believe it doth not come from China^ 
Gowrys not pafling there as Money. 
^pl^ HE Beetle is of its natural Size, and all over of a bright fhining 
brownifh Black ; it came from the Eaji htdiesy and w^as given 
' me by my good Friend Mr. Pope^ of Ratcliffs a Gentleman well known 
for many curious and ufeful Inventions, particularly for Marbling Paper 
with a Margent, to prevent B'rauds in the publick Offices; for the foie 
doing of which, his Majefty has given him Licence under his Broad Seal. 
I am oblig'd to this Gentleman for many curious Things. 
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