86 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 
is said to be eaten in Italy, as are other species in the various countries in which they are 
found. 
Varying considerably in size, the owls, nevertheless, present a very general uniformity in 
appearance. All are remarkable for the peculiar softness of their plumage, which imparts to the 
wings the almost unique power of absolutely silent flight, the sound being deadened or muffled, 
so that the prey can be approached suddenly, and seized before escape is possible. This is very 
necessary when hunting in twilight hours. The owls are almost the only birds in which the 
outer toe is reversible, or capable of being turned either forwards or backwards. Furthermore, 
the members of this group are remarkable for the fact that the eyes look directly forward, 
instead of outwards, as in other birds, and that the feathers of the face are arranged round 
each eye in the form of a disk, and thus impart the familiar owl-like visage, seen elsewhere 
only among certain of the Hawk Tribe known as “Harriers.” 
We may regard as the typical owl the species known as the Tawny or Wood-owl. The 
benefits it confers are great, but, unfortunately, unrecognized, for its chief food consists of rats 
and mice. This is the bird which gives utterance to that weird “hoo-hoo — hoo-hoo-hoo,” one 
of the most charming of the many delightful sounds that break the stillness of the summer 
nights. 
Other common species are the Long- and Short-eared Owls, both remarkable for the 
fact that the aperture of the ear, which is of enormous size, is of a different shape on the right 
and left sides of the head. These owls, furthermore, are characterised by the possession of a 
pair of feathery tufts, or “horns,” springing from the top of the head, which can be erected or 
depressed at pleasure. These horns are found in many species of owl not necessarily closely 
related. The species under consideration are of medium size, with large eyes of a most wonderful 
golden-yellow colour, standing in strong contrast with those of the tawny owl, which are nearly 
black. Like the tawny owl, these two species, and especially the short-eared, live largely on rats 
and mice. The last-named bird also devours great numbers of dor beetles and cockchafers. 
Amongst the largest of the tribe are the Eagle- and Snowy Owls. The eagle-owl may be 
described as a largely magnified long-eared owl in general appearance, though, as a matter of 
fact, the two are not very closely related. The snowy owl, as its name implies, is white in 
colour, the white being relieved by more or less conspicuous black markings. This white livery, 
assimilating with its snowy surroundings, allows the wearer to approach its prey unperceived 
on the snow. Whilst the snowy owl is confined to northern regions, the eagle-owl enjoys a 
wide distribution. The larger species of eagle-owl are the most ferocious members of the order, 
and prey largely upon hares, rabbits, and the large gamebirds ; whilst the snowy owl, though 
selecting similar prey, does incalculable good by devouring those destructive little rodents known 
as the lemmings. 
The species known as Pygmy Owls and Little Owls we mention here only on account 
of their small size, one member of the former group being little bigger than a lark. Thus 
they stand in strong contrast with the giant snowy and eagle-owls. 
