The Windhover Cock.
lyumb. V . '
THIS Bird weighed ten Ounces: Its length, from the point of the
Beak to the end of the Tail, was fourteen Inches and a quarter:
Its breadth, or diftance between the Wings, extended two Foot and a
half; the Beak ihort, prominent, hooked, and iharp pointed: The
Bafe-of the upper Chap covered with a Skin or Membrane, in which
are the Noftrils, the middle part of the Beak next the Sear is white, the
reft of a dark blew: Where it begins to bend if hath a Tooth or Angle,
which is received iri a Dent or Cavity in the lower Chap. The Noftrils
are round; the Tongue cleft; the Eyc-iids yellow; the Eyes defended
by prominent Rows; it hath a wide Mouth, and the Palate blew.
The Head is great; the Crown flat, inclining to an Aih Colour;
the Back, Shoulders and covert Feathers o f the Wings ferrugineous,
marked with dark Spots; the Rump cinereous; the Breaft and Belly
pale ferrugineous, varied with dark Lines drawn downwards; the lower
Belly is fpotted with large Spots of a dusky Colour.
The Flag-Feathers of the Wings were in number twenty four, the
exterior of which were black, their exterior Edges white, thofe next
the Body reddifh, with a Spot at the End of each; the under fide of the
Wing white, with dusky Spots: The .Train was made up of twelve
Feathers; the outmoft Tips white, then fucceeds ,a black. Bar or Ring
of an Inch broad, the reft of the Feathers being of a rufty A fh Golour.
The Legs and Feet of a lovely yellow, and the Talons black. It
had a Gall: In the Stomach was found Beetles and Fur of Mice; Kojlrels
are often reclaimed and trained up for Fowling, they catch not only
fmall Birds, but alfo young Partridges.