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CHAP. XLVIII. [unspec G]
¶ The names and natures of many Birds.
OF water fowls, the Phalerides are thought in Seleucia of the Parthians, and also in Asia, to be the daintiest. Likewise the Fesant hens of Colchis, which haue two ears as it were consisting of feathers, which they will set vp and lay down as they list. The Ginnie or Turkey hens in a part of Africke called Numidia, be in great request, as also throughout all Italy now adaies. Apicius, the most riotous glutton and belly-god of his time, taught men first, that the tongue of Phoenicopterus was a most sweet and delicat piece of meat. The Moore-hen of Ionia is much commended and highly esteemed. This bird so soon as she is taken prisoner, [unspec H] loseth her voice and is mute; for otherwise she is vocal and loud enough, and in old time was reputed a rare and singular bird. But now there be caught of them in France and Spain, yea and among the Alps: where also the Plungeons or bald Rauens be, which heretofore were thought proper and peculiar to the Baleare Islands: like as the Pyrrhocorax [i. the red Rauen] with the yellow bill, was supposed to breed onely among the Alps: and with it the Lagopus, a daintie bird, and most pleasant in the dish. And this name it took in Greek, because it is rough footed and haired like the haires foot: otherwise all ouer white, and as big as a pigeon. Haue her out of the ground, vnder which she breedeth, you shall hardly get her to feed, neither will shee be made tame, liue she neuer so long: kill her once, the body presently wil rot and putrifie. There is another besides of that name, and differeth from Quailes onely in bignesse, for it is greater [unspec I] than the Quaile; and with a yellow sauce of saffron it is a most delicate piece of meat. M. Eg∣natius Calvinus gouernor of the parts about the Alps, reporteth, that he hath seen there the Ibis a bird proper to the land of Aegypt.