32 BIRD WORLD. 



then, the secret of the owl's success, — broad, power- 

 ful wings on which he relies for stealthy, noiseless 

 flight ; large eyes, like a cat's, which gather up all 

 the dim light ; and sharp, strong claws which seize 

 and tear his victim. An owl is a cat on wings. 



It was long believed that an owl could not see by 

 day, and that he hunted on the darkest nights. Prob- 

 ably neither statement is true. The owl can see as 

 well, if not better, in the daytime than we can ; but if 

 there is no light he cannot see at all. Why does he 

 hide by day, you will ask, in the barn or belfry, or in 

 the hollow tree, and only come out at dusk ? 



If a pickpocket had a certain mark by which every 

 one knew him the moment he appeared, it would be 

 easy to avoid him, and he would probably have to get 

 his living by honest work ; the owl is known the mo- 

 ment he is seen, and the fuss the little birds make 

 when he happens to appear in the daytime w^ould warn 

 his victims and keep him hungry till he starved. 



No one who has seen an owl surrounded by a crowd 

 of furious birds, scolding and flying excitedly about, 

 can forget the scene. It seems as if they were calling 

 him " rascal," " thief," and " murderer." Sometimes a 

 cheerful little Chickadee, looking over an apple tree, 

 puts its head into a hollow trunk, and instantly his 

 feathers bristle, and he calls loudly to his friends, 

 "There's an owl in here, there's an owl in here!" 



