256 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
tions have taken advantage of the reverential horror 
for this bird, and have adopted the great horned owl, 
the subject of the present account, as the symbol or 
emblem of their office. Among the Creeks the junior 
priests or students constantly wear a white mantle, 
and have a great owl-skin cased and stuffed very in- 
geniously, so well executed as almost to appear like 
the living bird, having large, sparkling glass beads 
or buttons fixed in the head for eyes. This emblem 
of wisdom and divination they wear sometimes as a 
crest on the top of the head ; at other times the image 
sits on the arm or is borne on the hand/ 
“ These concluding words are the best of all : 
‘With all the gloomy habits and ungracious tones 
of the owl, there is nothing in this bird supernatural 
or mysterious, or more than that of a simple bird of 
prey formed for feeding by night, like many other 
animals, and of reposing by day. The harshness of 
its voice, occasioned by the width and capacity of its 
throat, may be intended by Heaven as an alarm and 
warning to the birds and animals on which it preys 
to secure themselves from danger.’ 
“The white or barn owl (Fig. 21). is seldom seen 
here, except during very severe winters. The mul- 
titudes of old ruined castles, towers, monasteries, and 
cathedrals that are to be found in the Old World are 
the chosen haunts of this well-known species. Its 
