Cuculus Caroliniensis: The Cuckow of Carolina.
Is about the size
of a Black-bird: the Bill a little hooked and
sharp; the upper Mandible black; the under,
yellow: the large Wing-feathers reddish; the
rest of the Wing, and all the upper part of the
Body, Head and Neck, ash-colour: all the under
part of the Body, from the Bill to the Tail,
white: the Tail long and narrow, composed of
six long and four Shorter feathers; the two
middlemost ash-colour, the rest black, with
their ends white; their Legs short and strong,
having two back-toes, and two before. Their
Note is very different from ours, and not
so remarkable as to be taken notice of. It is
a solitary Bird, frequenting the darkest
recesses of woods and shady thickets. They
retire at the approach of winter.
Castanea pumila Virginiana, fructu racemoto parvo
in singulis capsulis echinatis unico:
The Chinkapin.
It is a Shrub which seldom grows higher than sixteen feet, and
usually not above eight or ten: the Body commonly eight or ten inches
thick, and irregular; the Bark rough and scaly; the Leaves are serrated,
and grow alternately, of a dark green, their back-sides being of
a greenish white: at the joints of the leaves shoot forth long spikes
of whitish flowers, like those of the common Chesnut, which are
succeeded by Nuts of a conick shape, and the size of a Hasel-nut;
the Shell, which incloses the Kernel, is of the colour and consistence
of that of a Chesnut, inclosed in a prickly burr, usually five or
six hanging in a cluster. They are ripe in September.
These Nuts are sweet, and more pleasant than the Chesnut; of great
use to the Indians, who for their Winter's provision
lay them up in store.
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