STRIX NiEVIA. 
96 
case being closely covered with a skin, appears at » 
to be of one continued piece; but, on removinff j, 
exterior membrane, it is found to be formed of ntt 
pieces, placed like the staves of a cask, overlapP'*^ 
a little at the base, or narrow end, and seem 
capable of being enlarged or contracted, perhaps by jj, 
muscular membrane with which they are encased. . 
five other dilfereut species of owls, uhich I *' 
examined, I found nearly the same conformatioo ^ 
this organ, and exactly the same number of 
The eye being thus fixed, these birds, .os they 
different objects, are always obliged to turn the 
and nature has so excellently .adapted their nece^^j^ 
this purpose, that they can, with ease, turn it 
without moving the body, in almost a complete cn'f 
27 . UTEIX ITJEFIA, WILSOX MOTTLED OWL. 
WILSON, PLATE XIS. PIG. I ADULT. 
re 
On contemplating the grave and antiquated hg" jj|;C 
this night wandere.r, so destitute of every thing ‘jn 
gracefulness of shape, I can scarcely refrain 
smiling at the conceit, of the ludicrous appearance 
bird must have made, had nature bestowed on 
powers of song, .and given it the faculty of 
out sprightly airs, while robed in such a solemn 
But the great God of Nature hath, in his "'''mo? 
iLSsigned to this class of birds a more unsocial, aim 
noble, though, perhaps, not less useful, disposition’ 
.assimilating them, not only in form of countenancf’ 
in voice, nuanners, and appetite, to some panf’^j ol 
beasts of prey; secluding them from the enjoyjonn/ 
the gay sunshine of d.ay, and giving them liH*® “Jiii? 
than tile few solitary hours of morning and c' 
twilight, to procure their food and pursue their aoio^pl 
while all the tuneful tribes, a few excepted, are ' 
5 
