82 Of Singing-Birds.

and fnift it every week at Farthest, otherwise he willbe subject to clog his Feet with his Dung, and willnot take half that delight in himself, for he delightsto bask himself in Sand; which I find, if he hathnot pretty often he proves lousie, and then seldomor never comes to any thing, for they neither arehandsome to the Eye, nor give any melody to theEar, therefore be sure to keep them clean and neat,and they will answer your expectation; you mustline your search in the Cage with some green Bays,or else make a search of a Mat, which I have foundthem so very much delight in : If you find himvery wild when he is taken, keep him three or fourdays from Company till he begins to eat his Meatstrew some of the Hemp-Seed and Oat-Meal uponthe Sand, and some of his mixed Meat also, forsometimes they do not find the Pan till they be al-most famished, and then seldom are recovered totheir former strength.

How to know a Coc\ from a Hen.

1 May say of these Birds as of the Nightingal,I That several have pretended to distinguish theMale from the Female by several Marks, one by thesmallness of his Head, and another by the lightestcolour,and another by the slreightness of his going,and some by the White of each side of his Head,and others by the largeness of the Bird, and someby the Pinnion of his Wing ; all these I have foundto be deceitful and fraudulent, which is very great :perplexity,if we keep Hens instead of Cocks. Now jthe truest way that ever I could find to be certain at !all times, is first the largeness and length of his Call: >