lURDS ()K PREY. 



79 



Fish ; the Eagle sweeps downward, snatches it before 

 it reaches the water, and bears it away to the woods. 



Owls. 



Owls are Birds of Prey which, in most cases, are 

 active by night, and rest during the da^^ Their large 

 head, large staring eyes, and the tufts of feathers 

 resembling ears, which many of them have, give to the 



Fig. io8. — Great Horned Owl. 



face a strange, catlike expression. Their plumage is 

 soft and loose, and their flight is almost noiseless. 

 They prey upon birds, hares, squirrels, mice, and in- 

 sects. There are about forty kinds of Owls in Amer- 

 ica, greatly varying in size. The Great Horned Owl has 

 large ear-tufts like horns ; the Screech Owl is small, and 



