CONCERNING LAPLAND. 
225 
which they are furrounded. It feeds on infe&s and worms, and I 
have feen feveral of them with caterpillars in their beaks, which 
were deftined for their young. The Laplanders call this bird 
faddan hielVinen , which fignifies hundred tongues, and expreifes 
the nature of its fong ; for this conftantly varies, and is an imi¬ 
tation of the voices of almoft all the other birds. To the beauty 
of its notes it joins that of its feathers, which are of a Iky blue 
colour, bordered about the throat with a black line, and after that 
with one of a rufty appearance. It feems as if nature, charmed 
with the melodious excellence of the long, had been willing to 
embellifh even the outfide of the organ that produced it, in order 
to render her work quite perfedl. No bird I know of would be a 
more noble objedl for the captivity of a golden cage, to adorn the 
magnificent apartment of fome of our ladies, who, tired with the 
mufic of art, might, even in the midfi: of a great town, be de¬ 
lighted in lending their ear to the fimple harmony of nature. 
Luxury, however, has not yet made war upon this charming fong- 
fter, nor fpread its nets to enfnare him, because he has hitherto 
remained unknown ; and fortunate will it be for that beautiful 
creature, if it always keep aloof from the habitations of men, and 
fhclter himfelf from their fearch by inaccefiible retirement. This 
bird is beyond comparifon fuperior to the nightingale, and far 
better calculated for a companion in a room. The voice of the 
nightingale is too fhrill and powerful, and on that account more 
agreeable at a diftance than near: the nightingale, befides, is very 
ordinary in its appearance ; whereas the motacilla Juccica fhines 
Vol. II. G g with 
