Heads and Necks 



2 53 



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, 



FIG. 195. 



FIG. 196. 



FIG. 195. Head of Dove, with eyes at side 



FIG. 196. Head of Owl, with eyes 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 role 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 



