
at 
(2 THE NATURAL HISTORY | : 
gayelk profufion ; : fometimes. moft delicately, foft. : 
~ - enedintoeach other, and fometimes moft ftrikingly, ; 
_ contrafted, and the changeable fhades which the — 
’ fame feathers. exhibit i in different. points of, view, 
produce a fplendour, of effect, which, words cane, 
not expres, the imagination. conceive, or. the, pean 
cil imitate, 
All the fpecies of this beautiful cenus of bite | 
inhabit only the warmer climates of America, — 
feldom more to the fouth than Brazil, or more 
northward. than Mexico. Ae 
In this range of country they feem migratory ; | 
though they appear nearly at the fame time, they 
do not afiociate. together; but frequent marfhy ) 
| fituations, finding upon the vegetables which 
grow there, the infects on which they feed. 
They, are, of all fizes, from that of, a. Pigeon to 
a Thrufh, Many are deftroyed both for the. 
fake of their feathers, which are beautiful, as well 
as for their fleth which is delicate food. T hey.are — 
fuppofed to. be very deftruaive. to, the rice plan-- 
tations 5 if that. be.cafe, it is no wonder that the — 
~ natives fhould endeavour to prevent: yee increaf 
ing toofaft, ee, ~ 
: i! 




