Page:A voyage to New Holland - Dampier.djvu/62

24 They are bigger than our Hens, have long Legs, and will run apace. They can fly too, but not far, having large heavy Bodies, and but short Wings, and short Tails: As I have generally observ'd that Birds have seldom long Tails unless such as fly much; in which their Tails are usually serviceable to their turning about, as a Rudder to a Ship or Boat. These Birds have thick and strong, yet sharp Bills, pretty long Claws, and short Tails. They feed on the Ground, either on Worms, which they find by tearing open the Earth; or on Grashoppers, which are plentiful here. The Feathers of these Birds are speckled with dark and light Gray; the spots so regular and uniform, that they look more beautiful than many Birds that are deck'd with gayer Feathers. Their Necks are small and long; their Heads also but little. The Cocks have a small rising on their Crowns, like a sort of a Comb. 'Tis of the colour of a dry Wall Nut-shell, and very hard. They have a small red Gill on each side of their Heads, like Ears, strutting out downwards; but the Hens have none. They are so strong that one cannot hold them; and very hardy. They are very good Meat, tender, and sweet; and in some the Flesh is extraordinary white; tho' some others have black Flesh: but both sorts are very