SCREECH OWL 43 



Some haunt of night-like shadows it is sure to 

 be, for the Owl's eyes are so made that while he 

 can see well with almost no light and is free and 

 happy under the moon, he is dazzled by sun- 

 shine and does not like to stir abroad by day. 



Owls are the only birds who can look at an 

 object with both eyes at once. The eyes are fixed 

 in the sockets so that the head must be turned to 

 face whatever the Owl wishes to look at. 



Another peculiarity is the foot, of which two 

 toes are normally placed in front and two behind. 

 The outer toe is opposable, like a thumb, and can 

 be brought round to the front. 



They are also the only birds who have an 

 external ear — not the upstanding feather tufts 

 we call "horns," but real folds of flesh hidden 

 under the feathers, and serving, like the ears of 

 mammals, to catch the vibrations of sound and 

 turn them inward. The hearing of all Owds is 

 very acute. The softest slither of a bat's wing 

 on the leaves, the slightest scratch of a field 

 mouse's claws at the roots of a tree, and down 

 comes little Screech Owl like the drop of a velvet 

 cloth to seize his supper. He eats mice, some 

 insects, small birds, frogs, and lizards. When not 

 too large this prey is swallowed entire. After- 

 ward the bones, hair, and other indigestible parts 

 are ejected, rolled up in a ball that looks like 

 some strange cocoon. 



