_Halcyon_[259] is rendred a _King-fisher_, a Bird commonly known among us, and by Zoographers and Naturals the same is named _Ispida_, a well coloured Bird frequenting Streams and Rivers, building in holes of Pits, like some Martins, about the end of the Spring; in whose Nests we have found little else than innumerable small Fish Bones, and white round Eggs of a smooth and polished surface, whereas the true _Alcyon_ is a Sea Bird, makes an handsome Nest floating upon the Water, and breedeth in the Winter. [259] _See Vulg. Err. B. 3. c. 10._ That _Nysus_ should be rendred either an _Hobby_ or a _Sparrow Hawk_, in the Fable of _Nysus_ and _Scylla_ in _Ovid_, because we are much to seek in the distinction of Hawks according to their old denominations, we shall not much contend, and may allow a favourable latitude therein: but that the _Ciris_ or Bird into which _Scylla_ was turned should be translated a _Lark_, it can hardly be made out agreeable unto the description of _Virgil_ in his Poem of that name, _Inde alias volucres mimóque infecta rubenti Crura_---- But seems more agreeable unto some kind of _Hæmantopus_ or Redshank; and so the _Nysus_ to have been some kind of Hawk, which delighteth about the Sea and Marishes, where such prey most aboundeth, which sort of Hawk while _Scaliger_ determineth to be a Merlin, the French Translatour warily expoundeth it to be some kind of Hawk. _Nycticorax_ we may leave unto the common and verbal translation of a _Night Raven_, but we know no proper kind of Raven unto which to confine the same, and therefore some take the liberty to ascribe it unto some sort of Owls, and others unto the Bittern; which Bird in its common Note, which he useth out of the time of coupling and upon the Wing, so well resembleth the croaking of a Raven that I have been deceived by it. * * * * * [Sidenote: _Answer to Query 3._] While _Cicada_ is rendred a _Grashopper_, we commonly think that which is so called among us to be the true _Cicada_; wherein, as we have elsewhere declared,[260] there is a great mistake: for we have not the _Cicada_ in _England_, and indeed no proper word for that Animal, which the French nameth _Cigale_. That which we commonly call a Grashopper, and the French _Saulterelle_ being one kind of Locust, so rendred in the Plague of _Ægypt_, and, in old Saxon named _Gersthop_. [260] _Vulg. Err. B. 5. c. 3._ * * * * * I have been the less accurate in these Answers, because the Queries are not of difficult Resolution, or of great moment: however, I would not wholly neglect them or your satisfaction, as being, Sir, _Yours_, etc. OF HAWKS AND FALCONRY Ancient and Modern. TRACT V SIR,