THE HAWK OWL. 185 



found in Denmark, Sweden, and Siberia. It strongly 

 resembles the Hawks in the general form of the body, 

 the narrowness of the face, and the length of the 

 tail ; but the radiating feathers around the eyes and 

 bill, as well as the form of the legs and feet, at once 

 distinguish it as an Owl. It is said to be a bold and 

 active species, possessing many of the manners of 

 the Hawk, preying hy day, and often following the 

 sportsman, and carrying off the game as soon as shot. 



With the general appearance of the Owl it is pre- 

 sumed that most of our readers are acquainted. A 

 large head, with a broad flat face, huge eyes sur- 

 rounded with fine feathers, which radiate in all direc- 

 tions, and almost conceal its small, hooked bill ; the 

 head sometimes surmounted with two fierce-looking 

 horns which project sideways from above the eyes; 

 these form some of the most prominent features of 

 this peculiar family. 



With the Owl has generally been associated the 

 habit of prowling about at night, and committing all 

 kinds of depredations upon its sleeping fellow-crea- 

 tures, and occasionally scaring some dreamy slum- 

 berer by perching upon his window-shutter, and inter- 

 spersing his visions with a wild and unearthly laugh. 

 How often has this innocent note of the poor little 

 Owl been made the foundation of senseless stories 

 about ghosts and other appearances whose existence 

 is not only contrary to Nature, but utterly impossi- 

 ble ! 



It is observed that in most species of Owls the 

 wing is formed of soft and downy feathers, in conse- 

 16* 



