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“In my opinion the radiating feathery circle is very simple in its 
operation, being only a kind of circular splay window cut through 
the thick mass of plumage, in which the head of the bird is en- 
veloped, in order to give it a wider sphere of vision, just as architects 
cut a splay in the thick wall of a fort, so as to permit a musket 
barrel to be pointed in any direction. And the radiating formation 
of the feathers is preserved, because the natural elasticity of their 
stems presses aside the softer downy plumage of the head and 
preserves the circular form complete. If examined they will be 
found to be formed in a peculiar manner, and quite distinct from 
those on which their extremities press.” The ears are placed 
behind the disc, and are very important and highly developed 
organs, for the Owl hunts for its prey as much by hearing as by 
sight. In some of the species the ears are very large. They 
have a large conchal opening and an operculum of greater or less 
size ; the whole can be thrown open at pleasure, and exposes a 
large concave opening, which, in a time of complete silence, is 
admirably fitted to catch the slightest vibration of sound. The 
operculum acts in the same manner as the tympanum of the 
human ear, and conveys the sound to the auditory nerve. The 
plumage of the Owl is of the softest texture “ falling gently on the 
air.” The wings are constructed for alight, buoyant and noiseless 
flight ; for independent of soft and downy feathers, they have 
webs with the plumules disunited at the tips or separated like 
the teeth of a saw, allowing a free passage to the air or posses- 
sing a pliability to yield to its pressure ; yet the proportion of 
quills is similar to that belonging to birds endowed with a 
powerful flight, and we see its use in the easy light-skimming or 
sailing near the surface of the ground or cover. But in addition 
to these provisions for allowing a noiseless approach to their prey, 
we find another nearly as essential, and where a contrary arrange- 
ment would have rendered the first useless. The colours of the 
plumage exhibit a union of tints best suited for concealment ; 
nothing marked or obtrusive, no bright or gaudy plumes which 
