The Owl.'] OF ORKNEY 41 



GENUS II. THE OWL. 



Gen. Char. Bill hooked ; base covered with bristles ; no cere ; nostrils oblong ; 

 tongue cleft at the end ; eyes very large and protuberant, surrounded by a 

 circle of a feathers ; head very large and round, full of feathers ; ears large 

 and open ; outmost toe versatile, or capable of being turned back, so as to act 

 with the back toe ; claws hooked, and sharp. 



Species I. The Eagle-Owl. 



Bubo Maximus, nigri et fusci colons, Sib. Scot. 14. Great Horn or Eagle Owl, 

 Wil. Orn.gg. Raii Syn. Strix Bubo, Lin. Sys. 131. Brit. ZooL III its. 

 10. tab. 16. Ore. Katogle. Stock Owl, Wai. Desc. of Ork. 



THIS bird I have never seen, but am credibly informed is 

 still to be found in the Orkneys, especially in the hilly parts, 

 where it is often surprised sleeping. When the horns are 

 erected, I am told it has very much the appearance of a cat, 

 whence the Orkney appellation. Not having a specimen, I 

 shall give the description of this bird from Mr Pennant's Bri- 

 tish Zoology, a book worthy to be read by every lover of na- 

 tural history, and ought to excite every one to give him what 

 assistance is in his power, to the perfecting of a plan which is 

 not in the power of any one man, though, like Mr Pennant, 

 indefatigable, to accomplish. 



" In size it is almost equal to the eagle ; the irides bright 

 " yellow ; the head and whole body finely varied with lines, 

 " spots, and specks of black, brown, ash-colour, and ferrugi- 



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