112 
BIRDS OF PREY. 
wings. In the other species (either with or without ear- 
tufts, and with a short and rounded tail seldom extending 
beyond the wings,) the pupil of the eye is so large, and 
admits so many rays, that they are dazzled by the light 
of day, and endeavour, like cats, to obviate this defect 
by contracting the pupil into a narrower circle of vision. 
In consequence of this peculiar organization, they seek, 
in the day, the retirement of the thickest forest, the cran- 
nies of the desolate ruin, or the humble and more natural 
retreat of a hollow and decaying tree. At times, 
routed from their refuge, or suddenly surprised by the 
approach of day, they may be seen dozing on some 
exposed branch or trunk of a tree. On such occasions, 
cries and insult are poured upon the nocturnal depre- 
dator from most of the neighbouring birds who make 
the discovery,* and detest the feline prowler ; the Jay 
and Titmouse, themselves plunderers, are often the 
most ready to assail the bewildered Owl with scolding 
invective ;^?ut the lesser birds, full of sympathy for their 
mates and young, seem only employed in extenuating the 
cry of alarm. The purblindness of these nocturnal birds 
arises rather from the delicacy than the defect of the 
eye ; their sense of hearing and its apparatus are also ex- 
quisite, perhaps superior to that of any other animal, and 
sufficient probably to direct them to the slightest motions 
of their skulking prey ; the drum of the ear is propor- 
tionally larger than in the quadrupeds, and the ear itself 
generally provided with an operculum which can be open- 
ed or shut at pleasure. The almost spectral flight of the 
Owl is rendered thus inaudible and gliding by the downy 
softness of his feathers, which is perhaps assisted by the 
recurved barbs that commonly edge the exterior of the 
* So constant is this persecution of the Owl by a variety of birds, that advantage 
is taken of their antipathy, and many are caught by liming the neighbouring twigs, 
