BARRED OWL. 
123 
bill, differ little from bristles; those that surround the region 
of the eyes, are exceeding open, and unwebbed; these are bound- 
ed by another set, generally proceeding from the external edge 
of the ear, of a most peculiar, small, narrow, velvetty kind, 
whose fibres are so exquisitely fine, as to be invisible to the 
naked eye; above, the plumage has one general character at the 
surface, calculated to repel rain and moisture; but towards the 
roots, it is of the most soft, loose, and downy substance, in na- 
ture, so much so, that it may be touched without being felt; the 
webs of the wing quills are also of a delicate softness, covered 
with an almost imperceptible hair, and edged with a loose silky 
down, so that the owner passes through the air without inter- 
rupting the most profound silence. Who cannot perceive the 
hand of God in all these things! 
