•( 8 ) 

 The Black OwL 



Numb. VIII. 



THIS Bird was about the bignefs of the common brrmn 

 Owl J it 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 furnifhed with Valves. 



It was for the apparent Magnitude of the Bird very light, 

 full of Feathers, a Wreath or Hood of ftiff Feathers reach- 

 ing beyond the Ears, encompafTes the Face and Eyes, and 

 ends under the Chin, like a Woman's Hood ; within this 

 is another Circle of Feathers, the Tips of both are of a light 

 blewifh Afh Colour; a Circle of dark Feathers encompafles 

 the Eyes, which are large and bright, and makes it look 

 very beavitiful. 



The top of the Head, Back, Wings and Tail, were 

 of a dark brown fpotted with black, the Breaft and Belly 

 of a blewilh Alh Colour, fhadowed and motled with duf- 

 ky brown. 



The Legs were feathered down to the Feet, the upper fide 

 of the Toes dufky, the under fide or fole of the Foot callous, 

 and of a yellowifh Colour, as it were granulated with little 

 Knobs. The inner fide of the Claw of the outer Fore-toe is flat- 

 ted into an Edge, the better to hold its Pre v. 'The 



