the lion discription

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 110519

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "snow15145" <snow15145 at y...> wrote:
> Did anyone else notice that there is an owl in the very first book, 
> page 2, that was unnoticed by the Dursleys?
> 
> [None of them noticed a large, tawny owl flutter past the window.]
> 
> This is right before Vernon heads off to work.
> 
> Thought I would mention it because of the discription of tawny.
>
> Snow

b_boymn:

Well, the owl is easy to explain. It's Dumbledore's owl coming to Mrs.
Figg telling her to keep an eye on Harry after Dumbledore delivers him
to the Dursleys. 

Can't prove that but it does seem odd that JKR would mention that
specific owl at that specific time. There are already references to
odd owl behavior in the beginning of PS/SS. So, if we start by
assuming it was unique and specific owl was a Post Owl, then the only
person in that area that would be receiveing Post Owls is Mrs. Figg.

As fas as 'tawny', Eloise is right, a TAWNY OWL is a specific species
of owls (Strix aluco) that may be of "two basic colour types ..., one
being rich chestnut-brown, the other having greys instead of deep
browns. Intermediate birds are variously tawny-buff, buff-brown or
greyish-brown in coloration."

http://www.owlpages.com/species/strix/aluco/Default.htm

In a sense, 'tawny' as a color is much like 'auburn'; auburn is brown
with red highlights, and tawny is brown with orangish to yellowish
highlights.

To that point, I don't think there is a connection between the 'tawny'
lion-man and that owl. Tawny owls, I believe, are mentioned several
other times in the books, and are just one of the many assorted varieties.

Just a thought.
Steve/b_boymn