The Butcher-Bird, or Shrike. 217 



hooked at the end, is more than an inch and a half long. 

 There is a circle or wreath of white, soft, and downy 

 feathers, encompassed with yellow ones, beginning from 

 the nostrils on each side, passing round the eye and 

 under the chin, somewhat resembling the hood that 

 women used to wear ; so that the eyes appear to be sunk 

 in the middle of the feathers, and only the tip of the 

 beak projects from them. The breast and feathers of 

 the inside of the wings are white, and marked with a 

 few dark spots ; the upper parts of the body are of a fine 

 pale yellow colour, variegated with black and white spots. 

 The legs are covered with a thick down to the feet, but 

 the toes have only thin-set hairs around them. 



In ancient mythology, another common species, the 

 Brown Owl (Syrnium aluco), was consecrated to Minerva, 

 the goddess of wisdom ; in allusion to the lucubrations 

 of wise men, who study in retirement and during the 

 night. 



" Now the Hermit Owlet peeps 



From the barn, or twisted brake ; 

 And the blue mist slowly creeps, 

 Curling on the silver lake." 



III. Insessores, or Perching Birds. 



THE BUTCHER-BIRD, OB SHRIKE. 



(Lanius excubitor.) 



THE GREAT BUTCHER-BIRD, or SHRIKE, is about as large as 

 a thrush ; its bill is black, an inch long, and hooked at the 



