HIS EYES AND EARS 103 
When a woodpecker taps on a tree trunk and 
turns his head to listen, it is thought that he 
hears the grub stir under the bark, for when he 
begins to cut the bark away, he is pretty sure to 
find and draw it out. 
Birds that are much hunted by men, like 
ducks and geese, get to be very knowing, and 
show how wonderful is their hearing. They 
can tell the difference between a noise made by 
an animal and that made by aman. A deer or 
any animal may crash through the bushes, and 
they pay no attention to it, but if a man makes 
the least sound they are off in an instant. 
A bird’s ears are behind the eyes, and a little 
below them. They are covered by delicate fea- 
thers that hide them from sight. When the 
bird raises these feathers — perhaps to hear bet- 
ter — they look like tiny ear muffs. 
Owls have little flaps of skin with which they 
can shut up their ears when they wish to be 
quiet. This must be very useful to birds who 
prefer to sleep during the day, when nearly 
everybody else is eral and making a noise. 
Many of us who live in cities would ie to be 
able to close our ears sometimes. 
Mr. Bolles tells a story about the sharp hear- 
ing of a heron. The bird was on a tree dress- 
ing his plumage, and he was hidden in some 
Paiies and could not be seen. 
