THE OWL. 



153 



to Persia and Media. The fleet of Solomon might easily procure 

 it, either from India itself, or from Persia. 



The peacock is admitted to be one of the most beautiful birds of 

 the feathered tribes. The feathers of its tail are frequently four feet 

 in length, and when expanded, present a mixture of the most de- 

 lightful colors. Its head, neck, and breast, are of a beautiful blue 

 color; the back and upper part of the wings are light ash, mixed 

 with black stripes; and on its head it carries a plume of greenish 

 feathers. The dispositions of the peacock, however, are of a very 

 different character from its plumage ; and the common people of 

 Italy are said to characterize it truly, who say it has the plumage 

 of an angel, and the voice of a devil. The loud scream of its voice 

 grates unpleasantly on the ear; and its insatiable gluttony, and 

 spirit of depredation, more than counterbalance the beauty of its 

 external form. 



THE OWL. 



IF the reader will turn to the account of the ostrich, he will see 

 that we have referred several passages of scripture to that bir<J, 

 which, in our translations of the Bible, are interpreted of the owl, 



