BIRD-NOTES 69 



be seen. The power that the bird had of discerning 

 the approach of an enemy on the darkest of nights 

 was very remarkable, and I tested it frequently. At 

 this time I had also in captivity a young Palm-Civet, 

 and if I carried this pet in my arms towards the end 

 of the verandah of my house, where the Owl lived, 

 no matter how dark the night, I would hear the loud 

 cracking noise and great flutterings of wings, betoken- 

 ing violent efforts to escape, long before I could see 

 the bird myself. If I approached alone, the Owl, being 

 extremely tame, would show no signs of terror at all. 

 I feel sure that the Owl was actually able to see the 

 Palm-Civet, that it was not indebted only to its sense 

 of smell for the power of distinguishing its enemy in 

 the darkness, because if after handling the Civet-Cat 

 I went near the Owl the bird was quite at its 

 ease, though my hands and clothing must still have 

 borne distinct traces of the effluvium which these 

 mammals emit. 



It interested me greatly to note the very important 

 part which the tongue of Photodilus badius plays in 

 the deglutition of food, and I have little doubt that 

 other birds of prey, both Hawks and Owls, put it 

 to the same use when swallowing their meal. The 

 tongue of Photodilus badius may be roughly described 

 as shaped like an arrow-head, the tip of the arrow 

 pointing forwards, the barbs pointing backwards. This 

 arrow-head is borne on a thick muscular stalk, the 

 attachment being midway between the barbs and the 

 point. The arrow-head is rather horny, and its upper 

 surface is roughened : it may be sensory, but I 

 doubt it. 



No predatory bird munches or chews its food. If 



