CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE 



BIRDS OF PREY 



OWLS and hawks are birds of prey ; that is, they seize 

 other living creatures and devour them. Their claws, 

 or talons, are strong, curved, and very sharp. The 

 beak, when closed, has the upper mandible curving down 

 over the lower. Their wings, when spread, have a great 

 expanse, and the muscles that move them have great 

 strength. Their broad tails enable them to change their 

 course quickly. Their keen sight and sensitive ears de- 

 tect the motion of a mouse or the chirping of a sparrow. 

 In every way they are adapted to capturing prey. 



OWLS 



Several kinds of owls occur in most districts; yet 

 few people have an opportunity to see them, for most of 

 them remain in seclusion through the day. They may 

 be distinguished from other birds by their large eyes 

 directed forward ; in order to look around or to one side 

 an owl must turn its head. The female is usually larger 

 than the male, but both are of the same color. Several 

 species of owls remain in cold regions throughout the 

 winter. As they hunt chiefly at night, they need to be 

 well protected from cold ; even their legs are well covered 

 with feathers. Some kinds of owls are large enough 

 to carry off a full-grown cottontail rabbit or a hen. 



When an owl extends its legs to grasp an animal over 

 which it is flying, the toes spread out. When the 

 legs are drawn up, the toes close. The outer toe is ca- 

 pable of turning either way, so that when perching the 

 bird may have two toes behind the perch, or one behind 



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