The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

The Nightingal.

THis Bird by most is esteemed the Queen of all Singing Birds, as well for her sweet as various charming Notes, which she (though but small) loudly warbles forth, and generally in such places near unto Houses, and frequented places. They begin to appear about the beginning of A∣pril, and where their Winter Habitation is, none knoweth, but 'tis supposed by some that they sleep all that Season.

She makes her Nest in Quickset Hedges, or the like places, not far from the Ground, and Hatch∣eth her young about the beginning of May, and the earlier the young ones are hatched, they are esteemed the better. They should be taken out of their Nests when indifferent Fled'g, for if well Feathered, they (as all other Birds) will become sullen and dye, and if too little or callow, they are tender and also in danger of dying.

For their Meat give them Sheeps Hearts, or Bullocks Hearts, but take off the fat skin that covereth it, as also the Sinews; then soke the like quantity of White-bread in Fair Water, squeez∣ing out some of the Water, and mince them small together, and give it them on the point of a Stick, as much at a time as is sufficient. When they are old enough to fly out of the Nest, put them into a Cage, with several Pearches to sit up∣on; and let them be lined with green Bays, for at the first they are very subject to the Cramp, and at the bottom of the Cage put in some Moss, or fine Straw; and it were not amiss if their Ca∣ges were lined in the Winter, otherwise they must be kept in a warm place. At their first Ca∣ging put amongst their Meat Ants Egs.

In Summer every day feed them with fresh Meat; when they begin to Moult, let their Meat be hard Egs and Sheeps Hea••••s, o•• equal quanti∣ties mixed together with Saffron and Water, but by the way take notice that D••ck-Egs will kill them: Sometimes you may give them Catterpil∣lers, Red Worms, F••gs Lice, or Meal Worms.

As to their Diseases and Cure••, observe that at the latter end of August they grow very fat, as well those abroad▪ as those in Cages. When their fat abates and they cease Singing, 'tis an ill sign; therefore keep them very warm, and give them Saffron in theer Meat or Water▪ When you per∣ceive the growth of their fat▪ purge them thrice a week for a Month, either with a Worm usual∣ly

found in Dove-Houses, or with a Speckled Spider, which you may find about Vines, or Goosbery Trees, about August, and at no other time.

If they are Melancholy, put into their Drinking Pot, some Liquorice, with a little White Suger Can∣dy, and let their Meat be Sheeps-Hearts Shred, some Meal-Worms, and hard Egs mingled with Pismires.

If you keep them not clean, so that their Feet [ 10] are clogged, their Claws will rot off, and they will be subject to the G••ut and Cramp, and take no delight in themselves; therfore keep the Cage clean and handsome, with good dry Sand in the Bottom.

For the Cure of the Gout, take Fresh Butter, and Anoynt their Feet, Four or Five Days, and it will cure them.

They are also troubled with Apostumes, and breaking out about their Eyes and Neb, for which [ 20] use Capons Grease.