112 BIRDS OF PREY. 



wings. In the other species (either with or without ear- 

 tufts, and with a short and rounded tail seldom extending 

 beyond the wings,) the pupil of the eye is so large, and 

 admits so many rays, that they are dazzled by the light 

 of day, and endeavour, like cats, to obviate this defect 

 by contracting the pupil into a narrower circle of vision. 

 In consequence of this peculiar organization, they seek, 

 in the day, the retirement of the thickest forest, the cran- 

 nies of the desolate ruin, or the humble and more natural 

 retreat of a hollow and decaying tree. At times, 

 routed from their refuge, or suddenly surprised by the 

 approach of day, they may be seen dozing on some 

 exposed branch or trunk of a tree. On such occasions, 

 cries and insult are poured upon the nocturnal depre- 

 dator from most of the neighbouring birds who make 

 the discovery,* and detest the feline prowler ; the Jay 

 and Titmouse, themselves plunderers, are often the 

 most ready to assail the bewildered Owl with scolding 

 invective ; but the lesser birds, full of sympathy for their 

 mates and young, seem only employed in extenuating the 

 cry of alarm. The purblindness of these nocturnal birds 

 arises rather from the delicacy than the defect of the 

 eye ; their sense of hearing and its apparatus are also ex- 

 quisite, perhaps superior to that of any other animal, and 

 sufficient probably to direct them to the slightest motions 

 of their skulking prey ; the drum of the ear is propor- 

 tionally larger than in the quadrupeds, and the ear itself 

 generally provided with an operculum which can be open- 

 ed or shut at pleasure. The almost spectral flight of the 

 Owl is rendered thus inaudible and gliding by the downy 

 softness of his feathers, which is perhaps assisted by the 

 recurved barbs that commonly edge the exterior of the 



* So constant is this persecution of the Owl by a variety of birds, that advantage 

 is taken of their antipathy, and niuny are caught by liming the neighbouring twigs. 



