ISO THE OWL. 



The Owl is a ferocious, sly, and savage bird. He 

 does not, like the eagle and falcon, attack his prey by 

 broad day-light, and give it a chance to escape, but 

 like the deceitful robber, goes under the cover of night 

 and wages war, when it is least expected. The Owl 

 cannot, however, see best in the darkest nights, as 

 some people suppose. It is in the dusk of the evening, 

 and in the grey of the morning that his eyes are best 

 fitted for seeing ; and it is at these times, that he is 

 most successful in seizing his prey, for he then finds 

 most other birds asleep, and has only to seek, and 

 take such as he likes best. 



There is, however, considerable difference in the 

 several species of this bird, in respect to their being 

 able to see in the day time. The Great Horned Owl 

 can see to fly soon after sun-set, and even if caught 

 away from home in the day time, he will sometimes 

 find his way back. But the Barn Owl sees best when 

 it is quite dark, and if he happens to be caught at a 

 distance from his hole, when the sun shines, becomes 

 blind, and seemingly stupified with the light, and will not 

 move from the place where he is found, until it begins 

 to grow dark. 



The Great Horned Owl brings up its young in the 

 cavern of a rock, or in the hollow of some old tree, 

 far in the woods. Its nest is built of sticks, bound 

 together with the small roots of trees, and lined on 

 the inside with leaves. 



These birds are strongly attached to their offspring, 

 and when they are stolen and carried away, the pa- 

 rents will sometimes seek out the place where they 

 are confined, and continue to supply them with food. 



