The Birds and Poets 259 



being observed it draws itself up in rigid fashion 

 until it more nearly resembles a dead limb than a 

 live bird. 



The saw-whet or Acadian is the smallest of our 

 owls, being two inches shorter than a robin. Its 

 small size and absence of ears at once distinguish 

 it from our other owls. It is now very rare in this 

 latitude. The notes of this species are harsh and 

 rasping, somewhat resembling the noise made by 

 filing a saw, hence its name. 



The owls are among the most interesting of our 

 birds. Their resemblance to the feline race has 

 been frequently noted. Like the cat they see best by 

 twilight or moonlight, feed at night and spend most 

 of the day in sleep. Their ear-tufts resemble the 

 ears of a cat. Watchfulness and stealth are charac- 

 teristics of both, and both feed upon mice, rats and 

 birds. 



The disk of flat feathers about the eyes, the 

 hooked, nose-shaped bill, the big blinking eyes and 

 the upright position produce a grave and dignified 

 appearance which is almost human. It was doubt- 

 less because of this that the owl was chosen by the 

 ancients as the emblem of wisdom and consecrated 

 to Minerva. 



Another peculiarity that marks his stiff and 

 stately bearing is his inability to turn his eyes in 

 their sockets. The eyes are fixed, and to look from 

 one point to another he is obliged to turn his head, 

 which he does in a slow, mechanical manner that 

 is as interesting as it is unusual. 



