NATURAL HISTORY. 
I l8 
back, and coverts of tlie wings, are of an a(h 
colour, and the fules of the head arc white. 
Of this fpecies are alio to be found, the 
Ilcd-3ackcd Butcher-Bird, the Wood-chat, 
and the Leall Butcher-Binl ; which latter, 
although not much larger than a titmoufe, is 
a bird ot prey. The head is of a fine grey, 
and beneath each eye there is a tuft of black 
feathers. 
fhe OWL. 
H 
A V I N G defcribed the rapacious birds 
of day, we proceed to thole of night, which 
are equally cruel, and more treacherous. 
That no link in the chain of nature fliould be 
incomplete, tlicfe birds employ the night in 
devaftation, preventing by this means any 
chafm in the round of time. They are dif- 
tinguiflied from all other birds by their eyes, 
which are better adapted for purpofes tf dark* 
nefs than of light. Like tygejrs and cats which 
fublilt by their nocturnal watchfulnels, they 
are endued with the power of difeerning 
objefts, at a time when wc fliould conceive it 
to be totally dark. The idea, however, that 
they fee befl: in total darknefs, is erroneous; 
twilight, which is the medium between the 
glare of day, and the gloom of night, being 
the time they fee with the grcateil: perfpicu- 
ity, 
