Identifier: naturalhistoryof41797dono (find matches)
Title: The natural history of British birds, or, A selection of the most rare, beautiful and interesting birds which inhabit this country : the descriptions from the Systema naturae of Linnaeus : with general observations, either original or collected from the latest and most esteemed English ornithologists : and embellished with figures, drawn, engraved, and coloured from the original specimens
Year: 1794 (1790s)
Authors: Donovan, E. (Edward), 1768-1837 Latham, John, 1740-1837 Pennant, Thomas, 1726-1798 Gilbert, Richard, 1794-1852, printer Donovan, E. (Edward), 1768-1837. Natural history of the nests and eggs of British birds Linné, Carl von, 1707-1778. Systema naturae. Regnum animale F. and C. Rivington (Firm), publisher F., C. and J. Rivington (Firm), publisher Law and Gilbert, printer R. & R. Gilbert (Firm), printer Leverian Museum (London, England)
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: London : Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington ...
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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ound-ifh, and one inch and a quarter in length. The Merlin appearsin England when the Hobby difappears, which happens in October. This fpecies, like the Hobby, feems to vary exceedingly in colourin different fpecimens; in fome the back and wings are bluifh afh-colour #, in others ferruginous: the bars of clay-colour and dufky onthe tail, are from thirteen to fifteen in moit. birds; but Mr. Pennantfays, one he examined had only eight; our fpecimen has twelve barsacrofs. The length of the Merlin is twelve inches: though fmall, it wasformerly trained for hawking, particularly for taking partridges,which fome authors fay, it could kill by a fingle ftroke on the neck.The Merlin flies low, frequents the fides of roads, and fkims fromone part to another in fearch of prey. It is defcribed as a birdwanting neither cunning nor fpirit. It is at this time very fcarce inEngland, and feems to be uncommon in every part of Europe. * A fpecimen in the Lererian Mufeum anfwers to this description. PLATE
Text Appearing After Image:
PLATE XCV. CORVUS PICA.MAGPIE. PlC^E, Bill comprefTed, convex. GENERIC CHARACTER. Bill ftrong, conic with bridles reflected from the bafe downwards.Tongue bifid. SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND STNONTMS.Varied with black and white. Tail fhaped like a wedge, Corvus Pica: albo nigroque varius, cauda cuneiformi. Linn*Syji. Nat. I. p, 106, 48. No, 10. edit. 10*Scop. ann. 1. p. 38, No, 41,Pica varia et caudata. Gefn, av> 695,Magpie or Planet. Rain Syn. f 41, A. 1, Will. Orn. p. 127. p. 19. Albin. I, pi 15. Ren. Br. Z00L I. JV*. 78. £#/£„ Gw, *S)fl, /*. L p* 392. 29. La PLATE XCV. La Pie. Brif. Qrn. 2. p. 35. No* 1. Buff. Oif. 3. p. 85. pi 7. P/. enh 488. Aelfter. Fr;/d&. /. 58. Kram. eh p. 335,Guzza, Putta, Zinan. 66.Skata, Skiura, Skara, i^«». Suec.fp. 92..Dtf7«V Skade, Huus Skade. Norv.Skior. Tunfugl. Brunnich, 32.Praka. &■#. 2V*. 38. The beautiful combination of vivid gloffes with which the plumageof this common bird is enriched, has been fo little attended to inpaintings of

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