AN EVENING REVELLER 321 



the bark, but the strangely human-like eyes of the 

 Screech-owl do not discern them. This silent, 

 sleepy stupidity is his salvation, for he is helpless 

 against the attacks of small birds when blinded by the 

 glare of day. It also saves him from the marauding 

 bipeds who pass with guns and look at him again 

 and again without seeing him. 



The Screech-owl makes a strange and interesting 

 departure from the almost universal rule of sameness 

 in species. Almost all other birds adhere strictly to 

 the fashions in style and colouring. Almost every 

 feather has its distinguishing marks and shades, and 

 these are repeated with wonderful fidelity. Males 

 may have distinctive markings and colourings, but 

 males of the same species are almost invariably alike. 

 The same is true of the females and of the young, and 

 when changes occur with the seasons all adhere 

 strictly to the prevailing modes. That accurate same- 

 ness in every species would be regarded as wonderful 

 were it not an almost universal rule. But the Screech- 

 owl has the rare distinction of being an exception. 

 Grey and brown specimens differ so widely that they 

 would naturally be regarded as distinct species, but 

 they are of the same bone and flesh. They do not change 

 with the seasons, for a brown or a grey bird, male or 

 female, retains its colour through life. Young of both 

 colours are found in the same brood. This may 

 represent a formative stage in the development of a 



