176 A DESCRIPTION OP 
compassed with yellow ones, beginning from the nostrils 
on each side, passing round the eye and under the chin, 
somewhat resembling a hood that women used to wear ; 
so that the eyes appear to be sunk in the middle of the 
feathers. The breast and the feathers of the inside of 
the wings are white, and marked with a few dark spots ; 
the upper parts of the body are of a fine pale yellow 
colour, variegated with white spots. The legs are covered 
with a thick down to the feet, but the toes have only thin- 
set hairs around them. 
In ancient mythology, this bird was consecrated to 
Minerva, the goddess of wisdom ; in allusion to the 
lucubrations of wise men, who study in retirement and 
during the night, in order to improve their knowledge 
and communicate it to others. 
Now the Hermit Owlet peeps 
From the barn, or twisted brake ; 
And the blue mist slowly creeps, 
Curling on the silver lake. CUNNINGHAM. 
SECTION III. Jnse&soreg, or fetching 
THE BUTCHER-BIRD, OR SHRIKE. 
(Lanius excubitor.) 
THE Great Butcher-bird or Shrike is about as large as a 
