THE EMPIRE OK TUE AIR. 



437 



The fircaf rared-Oirl. — T1k> ureat eaicd-owl is a curious creature, ainl a 

 .painter's brush would better describe him than a pen. Those great 

 horn-like ears, those large yellow eyes, that plumage spotted with crosses 

 and drops, the noise wliich he nnikes when snapping his bill, wliich 

 miglit be mistaken for that of a crackling bone; everything in fact, 

 even its attitudes, give it a satanic air, little like anything in this world. 

 But let ns disregard this infernal asjx'ct, and examine him in broad day. 



It is a large bird of prey; its talons are strong, its wings are power- 

 ful; its beak, while almost entirely hidden beneath the hairy feathers 

 protecting its nostrils, is nevertheless strong and with a force not 

 found in the bill of most diurnal l)irds of prey. Its ears are very 

 large; Ave see at hrst sight, that in consequence of the enormous 

 develo])ment of this organ, the sense of hearing must exist in great 

 perfection. This grouj) of brilliant (lualities, joined to a reckless 

 courage, render this bird an animal of extraordinary power. 



The great eared-owl might dispute with the eagle the empire of air. 

 The eagle is like the lion; he has the noble look of royalty, whilst the 

 tiger, which has only a brilliant reputation for ferocity, might easily 

 dispute for the prey should both meet on the same hunting grounds. 



Ul'p;it cared-Ou'l. 



Let us consider the bird further, lor we are confronted with a re- 

 markable creature. His bony frame is robust, his feathers are like 

 hose of all nocturnal l)irds, of velvet like softness; but this soft down 

 covers muscles with a dilferent order of action from those of the eagle; 

 they are shorter, quicker, and more rigid in their contraction; the 

 lever arms are longer. Tiic tliglit is a marvel; it is excessiA'ely comi)li- 

 cated in action. Jle soars perl'ectly well but rarely does so; he rows 

 like a pigeon, and possesses moreover the faculty of stopping suddenly 

 when at full sjiced, and of glancing off in another direction. This he 

 does to avoid collision with tree trunks at every monuMit. The tiiglit 

 is absolutely silent. We see these large creatures Hash under the 

 foliage, and we do not hear a nuirmur. This silence results from the 



