

 BARRED OWL. . 123 





bill, differ little from bristles; those that surround the region 

 of the eyes, are exceeding open, and unwebbed ; these are bound- 

 ed by another set, generally proceeding from the external edge 

 of the ear, of a most peculiar, small, narrow, velvetty kind, 

 whose fibres are so exquisitely fine, as to be invisible to the 

 naked eye; above, the plumage has one general character at the 

 surface, calculated to repel rain and moisture; but towards the 

 roots, it is of the most soft, loose, and downy substance, in na- 

 ture, so much so, that it may be touched without being felt; the 

 webs of the wing quills are also of a delicate softness, covered 

 with an almost imperceptible hair, and edged with a loose silky 

 down, so that the owner passes through the air without inter- 

 rupting the most profound silence. Who cannot perceive the 

 hand of God in all these things! 



