OWLS 157 



The beak of the Owl, although sharply hooked and 

 used to tear the prey, is not nearly so powerful as in 

 the true Birds of Prey, but more closely resembles 

 that of the Nighthawk and Whippoorwill. The eyes 

 are very large and are fixed in their sockets so that 

 they cannot be turned, the bird being obliged to move 

 its head in order to see at the side or behind it. The 

 eyelids are heavy, and the nictitating membrane, or 

 inner eyelid, is fully developed. Any one looking at 

 an Owl in the daytime will see this thick membrane 

 frequently sliding across the eyeball as the bird gazes 

 sleepily about. 



Owls are fierce and aggressive in character. When 

 disturbed, they fluff out their feathers, lower their 

 heads, and give vent to a loud, hissing sound, at the 

 same time clattering their mandibles together. When 

 in this attitude, nothing in the bird world is more 

 sinister in appearance. The voice of Owls is unlike 

 that of any other bird, and while it differs in various 

 species, is yet somewhat similar in all. The word 

 "hoot" is used to describe it. Sometimes this note is 

 uttered once and repeated at intervals, and again it 

 will be given several times in quick succession. It is 

 varied by strange coughs and hisses, and at times is 

 very loud and far-reaching. 



Owls have always occupied a prominent place in the 

 traditions and literature of the peoples of the world. 

 They were practically worshipped by the ancient 

 Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians, -who looked with 

 reverence upon this strange, usually silent, bird, and it 

 is even now used as an emblem of wisdom, though by 

 no means a very intelligent bird. 



