THE OWL. 149 



THE OWL. 



This rapacious tribe of birds, instead of pursuing 

 their prey in the day-time, like those already described, 

 make war upon their fellows only during the night, 

 and like pirates and cowards, fall upon their victims 

 when they cannot defend themselves. Their eyes are 

 so constructed, that they can see much better at the 

 dusk of evening than by the light of the sun. Their 

 heads are round, and their eyes large and staring, like 

 those of the cat. Their bills and claws are hooked 

 and strong, and their whole form calculated for rapine 

 and plunder. They live on mice, young birds, and 

 such other small animals as they can catch. There 

 are about forty varieties of this bird, all of which have 

 similar habits and manners. 



THE GREAT HORNED OWL. 



How large is the Great Horned Owl ? 



The Great Horned Owl is two feet and a half long, 

 and five feet in extent. 



What is the shape of this bird ? 



In shape, this bird appears short and thick, the head 

 is broad and large, and on the top of it there rise two 

 tufts of feathers, which look like horns, and from which 

 he takes his name. 



What is his colour ? 



His colour is yellowish red, elegantly spotted with 

 black and brown ; the legs are reddish, and feathered 

 to the toes. 



Where is this bird found ? 



This Owl is a common inhabitant of Asia, Europe, 



and America. 



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