86 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



is said to be eaten in Italy, as are other species in the various countries in which they are 

 found. 



Varying considerably in size, the owls, nevertheless, present a very general uniformity in 

 appearance. All are remarkable for the peculiar softness of their plumage, which imparts to the 

 wings the almost unique power of absolutely silent flight, the sound being deadened or muffled, 

 so that the prey can be approached suddenly, and seized before escape is possible. This is very 

 necessary when hunting in twilight hours. The owls are almost the only birds in which the 

 outer toe is reversible, or capable of being turned either forwards or backwards. Furthermore, 

 the members of this group are remarkable for the fact that the eyes look directly forward, 

 instead of outwards, as in other birds, and that the feathers of the face are arranged round 

 each eye in the form of a disk, and thus impart the familiar owl-like visage, seen elsewhere 

 only among certain of the Hawk Tribe known as "Harriers." 



We may regard as the typical owl the species known as the TAWNY or WOOD-OWL. The 

 benefits it confers are great, but, unfortunately, unrecognized, for its chief food consists of rats 

 and mice. This is the bird which gives utterance to that weird "hoo-hoo hoo-hoo-hoo," one 

 of the most charming of the many delightful sounds that break the stillness of the summer 

 nights. 



Other common species are the LONG- and SHORT-EARED OWLS, both remarkable for the 

 fact that the aperture of the ear, which is of enormous size, is of a different shape on the right 

 and left sides of the head. These owls, furthermore, are characterised by the possession of a 

 pair of feathery tufts, or "horns," springing from the top of the head, which can be erected or 

 depressed at pleasure. These horns are found in many species of owl not necessarily closely 

 related. The species under consideration are of medium size, with large eyes of a most wonderful 

 golden-yellow colour, standing in strong contrast with those of the tawny owl, which are nearly 

 black. Like the tawny owl, these two species, and especially the short-eared, live largely on rats 

 and mice. The last-named bird also devours great numbers of dor beetles and cockchafer-. 



Amongst the largest of the tribe are the EAGLE- and SNOWY OWLS. The eagle-owl may be 

 described as a largely magnified long-eared owl in general appearance, though, as a matter of 

 fact, the two are not very closely related. The snowy owl, as its name implies, is white in 

 colour, the white being relieved by more or less conspicuous black markings. This white livery, 

 assimilating with its snowy surroundings, allows the wearer to approach its prey unperceived 

 on the snow. Whilst the snowy owl is confined to northern regions, the eagle-owl enjoys a 

 wide distribution. The larger species of eagle-owl are the most ferocious members of the order, 

 and prey largely upon hares, rabbits, and the large gamebirds : whilst the snowy owl. though 

 selecting similar prey, does incalculable good by devouring those destructive little rodents known 

 as the lemmings. 



The species known as PYGMY OWLS and LITTLE OWLS we mention here only on account 

 of their small size, one member of the former group being little bigger than a lark. Thus 

 they stand in strong contrast with the giant snowy and eagle-owls. 



