BULL-FINCH. 
! 5 8 
It is a bird much efteemed for beauty and. 
finging ; for in the former he equals moft, and 
in the latter, when well taught, excels all fmall 
birds ; they have been frequently fold from five 
to ten guineas a bird. 
They are in many parts very fcarce, which 
feems to be occafioned by a great many of them 
being fhot by gardeners, and others, in the 
Spring-time, on account of their deftroying the 
early buds of the fruit-trees ; fuch as the apple, 
pear, peach, and other garden trees, of which 
they are exceeding fond ; and, by that means, 
do great damage to the gardeners, who there- 
fore hate and deftroy them, as a great peft of 
their gardens. It is faid in fome parts of Eng- 
land, a reward is given by the church-wardens 
for every Bull-Finch that is killed ; if fo, that 
may be afligned as one reafon of their fcarcity, 
being lefs common than moft other finging birds 
that breed in that country. 
Dijhnguijhing Marks of ihe Cock and Hen. 
The cock is in bignefs equal to the hen, but 
hath a flatter crown, and excels her in the 
beauty of his colours ; a lovely fcarlet or crim- 
fon adorns his breaft, the feathers on the crown 
of the head, and tliofe that compafs the bill, 
are of a brighter black than thofe of the hen ; 
