RAPACIOUS BIRDS. 87 



The softness and pliancy of the owl's feathers 

 are also remarkable, fitting it to move noiselessly 

 through the air. Its plumage is so very abundant 

 it looks a thick, stout, even clumsy bird, but 

 when stripped of its feathers it is surprisingly 

 small. 



The ear of the owl is exceedingly susceptible, 

 being very large, and of peculiar form, with a sort 

 of double valve outside, which can be thrown 

 apart so as to concentrate, as well as easily admit, 

 every slight vibration of the air. 



Thus softly gliding on noiseless wing, with its 

 huge acutely-seeing eye, and sharp ear, the owl is 

 well-fitted for his work, which is to hunt the 

 meadows and hedge-banks with the regularity of 

 a pointer-dog, in search of mice, young rats, small 

 birds and insects. 



The very name of this bird is associated with 

 gloomy and solemn ideas. Its note, deep, mono- 

 tonous, and sad, has been well called " one of the 

 most melancholy love-songs in the whole chorus 

 of nature." The time of its appearance too the 

 mysterious twilight hour ; its ghost-like Sittings 

 to-and-fro ; its secluded habits and favourite 

 haunts in hollow trees, crumbling ruins, steeples, 

 and church-yards ; all have combined to procure 

 for it a superstitious dread among the ignorant. 



Yet the owl is in reality an interesting bird : 



