96 
STRIX NiEVIA. 
case being 1 closely covered with a skin, appears at first 
to be of one continued piece; but, on removing' the 
exterior membrane, it is found to be formed of fifteen 
pieces, placed like the staves of a cask, overlapping 
a little at the base, or narrow end, and seem as if 
capable of being enlarged or contracted, perhaps by the 
muscular membrane with which they are encased. In 
five other different species of owls, which I have 
examined, I found nearly the same conformation of 
this organ, and exactly the same number of staves. 
The eye being thus fixed, these birds, as they" view 
different objects, are always obliged to turn the head; 
and nature has so excellently adapted their neck to 
this purpose, that they can, with ease, turn it round, 
without moving the body, in almost a complete circle. 
27. STRIX N^nA, WILSON. — MOTTLED OWL. 
WILSON, PLATE XIX. FIG. I. ADULT. 
On contemplating the grave and antiquated figure of 
this night wanderer , so destitute of every thing like 
gracefulness of shape, I can scarcely refrain from 
smiling at the conceit, of the ludicrous appearance this 
bird must have made, had nature bestowed on it the 
powers of song, and given it the faculty of warbling 
out sprightly airs, while robed in such a solemn exterior. 
But the great God of Nature hath, in his wisdom, 
assigned to this class of birds a more unsocial, and less 
noble, though, perhaps, not less useful, disposition, by 
assimilating them, not only in form of countenance, but 
in voice, manners, and appetite, to some particular 
beasts of prey; secluding them from the enjoyment of 
the gay sunshine of day, and giving them little more 
than the few solitary hours of morning and evening 
twilight, to procure their food and pursue their amours ; 
while all the tuneful tribes, a few excepted, are wrapt 
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