66 



HAWK OWL 



It is worthy of remark, that in all Owls that fly by night the 

 exterior edges and sides of the wing quills are slightly recurved, 

 and end in fine hairs or points ; by which means the bird is enabled 

 to pass through the air with the greatest silence, a provision ne- 

 cessary for enabling them the better to surprise their prey. In 

 the Hawk Owl now before us, which flies by day, and to whom this 

 contrivance would be of no consequence, it is accordingly omitted, 

 or at least is scarcely observable. So judicious, so wise and per- 

 fectly applicable, are all the dispositions of the Creator. 



