Heads and Necks 253 
spend so much of their time in the air, or in trees, where 
danger may threaten from all sides, above or below, this 
arrangement is most useful to them, giving them com- 
mand of almost their whole surroundings, whereas, with- 
out turning the head, we can see only ahead of us. In 
much the same relative position, the two ears are placed, 
Fic. 195. Fic. 196 
Fic. 195.—Head of Dove, with eyes at side es 
Fic. 196.—Head of Owl, with eves in front Showing difference in position of 
eyes In a pursued and a pursuer in Life’s race 
and the absence of a directive outer ear renders the bird 
susceptible to sounds coming from every direction. 
Owls, for very obvious reasons, are interesting excep- 
tions to the above statements. Living most of their 
active life at night, playing always the réle of pursuers, 
these raptorial birds have few enemies to fear; and their 
subsistence depends upon the keenness of their senses 
when focussed in one direction—downward. When its 
strong, soft-feathered pinions carry a mousing owl over 
