The Virginia Groas Beak Hen.
Numb. L X I .
TH IS Bird is as big as the Song Thrujh; its Bill is of
a pale red, very thick towards the Bafe, ihort and
ending in a iharp Point; on the top of the Head is a Creft
of brown Feathers, which it raifes or lets fall at Pleafure;
the Head, Back and Wings were of a reddiih brown Colour,
the Breaft and Belly more dilute; the Tail was made
up of twelve Feathers, the middlemoft of which was of a
dark Colour, inclining to black, the outermoft of a reddiih
brown; the Legs and Feet are of the lame Colour. They
are brought from Virginia, New-England, and other Parts
of North America, where they catch them as we do Larks
in England\ by fweeping away the Snow and batting the
place with Virginia Wheat, It hath an agreeable melodious
Song with fome Notes like the Englijh Nightingale.
The Hen lings as well as the Cock, when kept in a Cage.
The ftrength with its Bill is furprizing, it being able to
crack Almonds, Olive flones, and Indian M aiz, very expe-
ditiouily, the Kernels of which it is very fond of: In England
they bring them to feed on Hemp Seed. Several have
been lb curious to try to breed them here, but to no pur-
pofe.