Travels in England, Scotland, and the Hebrides; Undertaken for the Purpose of Examining the State of the Arts, the Sciences, Natural History and Manne - Faujas-De-St -Fond

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1799 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter ii. Sir Joseph Banks's Country-bouse.--The Observatory of William Herscbel, near Windsor.--His large Telescopes.--Miss Caroline Eerschell, bis Sister. V-/N the 15th of August, I made a pleasant excursion to the country-house of Sir Joseph Banks, about ten miles from London. I saw his gardens, and observed, in several instances, a cultivation and management which must interested me. I was shewn a beautiful bird, which had never before been brought alive to England; it was the green pigeon of the island of Nicobar: his plumage was of a deep green, and a brilliant lustre. The liveliness of his character was as striking as that of his colour: he was bold, petulant, and had none of the gentle manners which belong to the family of the dove; but this fine bird is not the less interesting, that it differs so much from every pther species of the pigeon. It is of the size of of an ordinary dove, but the body is longer. It is said to be very delicious food. Sir Joseph Banks informed me, that the seamen who had brdught away several of these birds from the island of Nicobar, intending to sell them in England, could not resist the temptation of eating them during their voyage. This one had accidentally escaped from being devoured, and was the only one saved out of a considerable number It were to be wished that they had left him a companion: this superb species would, perhaps, have been propagated in Europe; at least, the experiment might have been made. At seven in the evening, after an elegant dinner and desert, at which there was abundance of pine-apples, I took leave of Sir Joseph, and set off" to meet William Herschel, who expected me. Count Andreani and William Thornton were of the party.. Gulurnba NuoUaria, of Linnapus, Syfl. Nat. page...