88 The Owl. 



in the broad daylight, they fly around looking for 

 game. 



They catch their prey with their claws, and if 

 it is small, they swallow it whole; the bones, hair, 

 or feathers being afterward thrown up rolled in a 

 ball. If it is large, they first tear it into pieces. 



Owls' feathers are very soft, so their flight is 

 noiseless. The feathers, even those of the wings, 

 are downy. 



The legs and feet, of most owls, are feathered to 

 the toes, and in many kinds, even to the claws. 



Owls have large heads with flat faces. The 

 eyes are round and staring. They look very wise 

 and knowing. 



The bill is sharp and hooked, curving almost 

 from its base. 



During the night, they hoot sometimes for 

 hours. Often the noise sounds so much like a 

 person in distress that people, who do not know 

 them, have gone out with lanterns to see what 

 was the matter. All the time, the owls have been 

 enjoying themselves, hunting mice and birds. 



The barn owl lives in old buildings, or the 

 hollow trunks of trees. It destroys great num- 

 bers of rats and mice, and is a true friend to the 

 farmer. 



