THE OWLS 



BIRDS OF THE NIGHT 



{Fiffs. 15-18) 



HE human-like traits which make 

 birds so interesting to us are us- 

 ually not evident until we actually 

 become acquainted with them. 

 This is only another way of say- 

 ing that, as a rule, birds' faces do 

 not reveal their characters ; but Owls are exceptions. 

 Any one can see at a glance that they are wise birds. 

 At least they look like wise birds, and it remains for 

 us to discover whether Owls actually deserve the 

 reputation for wisdom which they have borne ever 

 since mankind has known of their existence. 



We must, of course, always remember that Owls 

 are birds and in our attempt to measure their in- 

 telligence compare them, not with man, but with 

 other birds. Doubtless the first thing that will im- 

 press us when we make this comparison is that 



Owls arise at about the time most birds go to bed; 



144 



