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CONCERNING LAPLAND. 225
which they are furrounded. It feeds on infe@ts and worms, and I
have feen feveral of them with caterpillars in their beaks, which
were deftined for their young. The Laplanders call this bird
faddan kiellinen, which fignifies hundred tongues, and expreffes
the nature of its fong ; for this conftantly varies, and is an imi-
tation of the voices of almoft all the other birds. T’o the beauty
of its notes it joins that of its feathers, which are of a iky blue
colour, bordered about the throat with a black line, and after that
with one of a rufty appearance. It feems as if nature, charmed
with the melodious excellence of the iong, had been willing to
embellifh even the outfide of the organ that produced it, in order
to render her work quite perfect. No bird I know of would bea
more noble obje¢t for the captivity of a golden cage, to adorn the
magnificent apartment of fome of our ladies, who, tired with the
mufic of art, might, even in the midft of a great town, be de-
lighted in lending their ear to the fimple harmony of nature.
Luxury, however, has not yet made war upon this charming fong-
fter, nor {pread its nets to enfnare him, becaufe he has hitherto
remained unknown ; and fortunate will it be for that beautiful
creature, if it always keep aloof from the habitations of men, and
fhelter himfelf from their fearch by inacceffible retirement. This
bird is beyond comparifon fuperior to the nightingale, and far
better calculated for a companion inaroom. The voice of *he
nightingale is too fhrill and powerful, and on that account more
agreeable at a diftance than near: the nightingale, befides, is very
ordinary in its appearance ; whereas the motacilla fuecica fhines
Voc. If. Gg with
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