534 Home Nature-Study Course. 



LESSON XCIX. 



THE APPEARANCE OF AN OWL. 



Purpose. — To call attention to the owl's adaptations for its pe- 

 culiar life. 



Its beak is strong and hooked for tearing flesh. The feet have four 

 strong toes with long, sharp claws or talons; these are for seizing the 

 prey. Note that the owl in grasping the perch may have two toes 

 forward and two backward. The owls fly at night and their eyes are 

 adapted like those of a cat for seeing in the dark. See " Bird Book," 

 Eckstorm, p. no. Note especially that the eyes look forward and do 

 not turn in their sockets ; the owl is obliged to turn its head in order to 

 follow an object with its eyes. The owl's ear is very different from the 

 ordinary ear of birds ; instead of being a mere hole opening into the 

 internal ear, it consists of a fold of skin forming a channel, which 

 extends from above the eye around to the side of the throat. The owls 

 through hunting at night are obliged to depend very largely upon sound 

 to direct them in searching for their prey, and thus these remarkable 

 external ears have been developed. Note how soft and fluffy is the owl's 

 plumage and that the feathers used in flight are velvety and soft. Thus 

 it is that the flight of the owl is absolutely noiseless. This is another 

 adaptation for surprising the prey at night. In color owls are brownish 

 or grayish and more or less spotted so that they are not noticeable either 

 by day or by night. 



LESSON C. 



THE owl's habits. 



Purpose. — For making the pupils familiar with the habits of the 

 common screech owl. 



This interesting little creature is known to almost all children outside 

 of the largest cities by the long, mournful, whimpering cry, which it 

 makes at night. The screech owl makes a most interesting pet if taken 

 when young; it is a fascinating creature to watch and has a way of 

 snapping its beak, which is apparently its method of expressing its 

 own self-importance. The nest is made in a hollow tree, often in the 

 deserted nest of a woodpecker. The eggs are white, and sometimes the 

 two wise-looking little parents sit together on the eggs, a most happy 

 way of passing the tiresome period of incubation ; they are very constant 

 in their affection and remain mated for life. The color of the screech 

 owl's plumage varies greatly sometimes being gray and sometimes red- 

 dish-brown. This owl winters in this climate. Although it sees so well 

 by night it can also sec well by day. Its food is varied; it consists of 



