( 14 ) 



, ,,/, / The "^ack-Daw, Monedula; 



oJ(^ Numb. XIV. 



/it ^ . . 



TTS Length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail was 13 



-*- Inches and a half, the Breadth when the Wings are extended 2 Feet 



4 Inches, its Weight near 10 Ounces; the Bill flrong, from the Point to 



the Angles of the Mouth an Inch and a quarter long ; the Noftrils round, 



with a covert of little hairy Feathers over them and half the Bill ; the Tongue 



cloven, the Ir'td'is of the Eyes whitifh, the Ears large. 



The whole Plumage is black with a bluifh Glofs, except the hinder Part 

 as far as the middle of the Neck, which inclines to light a£h Colour, as u 

 alfo the Breaft and Belly, but lefs. 



The Number of prime Feathers in each Wing is lo, of which the firft 

 / is fhorter by half than the fecond, the third and fourth the longeft of all; 

 from the eleventh the fix following have the tops of their Vanes fo running 

 forth on each fide above their Shafts, that they feem to be notched in their 

 tops, and from the Angle of that Notch the Shaft: of the Feather is conti- 

 nued in form of a Briftle. The Tail is made up of twelve Feathers, 

 whereof the exterior are fomewhat fhorter ; the Length of the Tail is j 

 Inches and a half. ' ' 



The back Toe and Claw are larger than in other Birds are ufual; the out- 

 moft Fore-toe is join'd to the middlemoft at the bottom, as in the reft of 

 this kind ; it hath no Craw ; the Stomach is mufculous ; the Length of the 

 Guts \V2.% 24 Inches. It feeds on Ntits^ Fruits^ and InfeBs ; the Appendices 

 or blind Guts fmall, and fcarce an Inch long. 



■ Its Head is large in refped: to its Body; he feems to be a crafty and in- 

 genious Bird; they ufually frequent and build in ancient Cajiles^ Churches^ 

 and ruinous Buddings^ in great Numbers, and fometimes in Trees ; they 

 lay five or fix Eggs, lelTer and paler, and having fewer Spots than thoie 

 of Crows. 





The 



