52 BRITISH BIRDS. 



confused/with the light of the sun ; some of them 

 being able to fly, and see distinctly in open day. 



Nocturnal birds of prey have been generally 

 divided into two kinds that which hath tufted ears 

 or horns, as they have been termed, and that which 

 is plain or without them. These consist of small 

 tufts of feathers, standing up like ears on each side 

 of the head, which are erected or depressed at 

 pleasure ; and in all probability are of use in 

 directing the organs of hearing, which are very 

 large. Both kinds are alike in having their eyes 

 so formed as to be able to pursue their prey with 

 much less light than other birds. The general 

 character of the Owl is as follows : The eyes large, 

 and surrounded with a radiated circle of feathers, 

 of which the eye itself is the centre ; the beak and 

 talons strong and hooked : the body very short, 

 but thick, and well covered with the softest and 

 most delicate feathers ; the external edges of the 

 outer quills in general are finely fringed, which 

 adds greatly to the smoothness and silence of its 

 flight. 



