OF BIRDS# 
179 
up on each side of the head over the ear, and resembling 
horns. One variety of these appears at first sight, as 
large as an eagle, but, on a closer inspection, he will be 
found considerably less. His plumage is of a reddish 
brown, diversified with black and yellow spots. The 
other varieties differ principally in their size. 
The largest of these birds without horns is the owlet, 
with dusky plumes and black eyes; to which may be 
added, the screech owl, with blue eyes, and plumage of 
an iron grey; the white owl, with yellow eyes, and about 
as large as the former; the brown owd, so called from the 
colour of its beak and plumage, and the little brown owl, 
with yellowish eyes, and an orange-coloured bill. — All 
these varieties, however they may differ in their size and 
plumage, agree in their general characteristics of preying 
by night, and having their eyes formed for nocturnal vi- 
sion. They have all likewise, a hideous note, which is 
often heard in the silence of midnight, and breaks the 
general pause with a horrid variation. 
These birds are often seen in the northern parts of 
England; and at times, near the vicinity of London. 
Cock. (PI. 27.) All birds of this species being of 
the poultry kind, have white flesh and bulky bodies. 
They are furnished with short strong bills, for picking 
up grain, which constitutes their principal sustenance; 
their wings are short and concave, for which reason they 
are not able to fly far; and their toes are united by a 
membrane as far as the first articulation, being after- 
wards divided, as in those of the former class. The fe- 
males generally make their nest on the ground, and lay 
a great number of eggs. 
Of ail other birds the cock seems to have been first re- 
claimed from the forest, and taken to supply the acci- 
dental failure of the luxuries or necessities of life. As 
he has thus been longest under the care and protection 
of man, so of all others he seems to exhibit the greatest 
|number of varieties; there being scarcely two birds of 
this species that exactly resemble each other in form and 
iplumage. The tail, which makes such a beautiful figure 
in the generality of these animals, is entirely wanting in 
