The Black Owl.
ftumb. y i l l .
>“p H I S Bird was about the bignefs of the common brawn
X Owl rt weighed eleven Ounces and a half; its length
from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail, four-
teen Inches and a half, the breadth when the Wings were
extended, two Foot and eleven Inches, the Bill an Inch and
a quarter long, of a yellow Colour. The Eyes were large
the Irides yellow; both upper and lower Eye-lid terminate
in a Membrane, having black Edges. The Ear Holes were
great and furnilhed with Valves.
It was for the apparent Magnitude of the Bird very light
full of Feathers, a Wreath or Hood of ftiff Feathers reaching
beyond the Ears, encompafles the Face and Eyes, and
ends under the Chin, like a Woman’s Hood; within this
is anther Circle of Feathers, the Tips of both are o f a light
blewiih Aih Co our; a Circle of dark Feathers encompaffes
the Eyes, winch are large and bright, and makes it look
very beautiful.
T h e top of the Head, Back, Wings and Tail, were
of a ¿ ark brown fpotted with black, the Breaft and Belly
of a blewiih Alh Colour, ihadowed and motled with duf-
ky brown.1
I The Legs were feathered down to- the Feet, the upper fide
of the Toes duiky, the under fide or foie of the Foot callous
and ofa yellowiih Colour, as it were granulated with little
Knobs. The inner fide of the Claw of the outer Fore-toe is flatted
into an Edge, the better to hold its Prey. <j},e