MOTTLED OWL. 
97 
in silence and repose. That their true character, how- 
ever, should not he concealed from those weaker animals 
on whom they feed, (for heaven abhors deceit and 
hypocrisy,) He has stamped their countenance with 
strong 1 traits of their murderer the cat ; and birds in 
this respect are, perhaps, better physiognomists than 
men. 
The owl now before us is chiefly a native of the 
northern regions, arriving here, with several others, 
about the commencement of cold weather ; frequenting 
the uplands and mountainous districts, in preference to 
the lower parts of the country ; and feeding on mice, 
small birds, beetles, and crickets. It is rather a scarce 
species in Pennsylvania ; flies usually in the early part 
of night and morning; and is sometimes observed sitting 
on the fences during day, when it is easily caught; its 
vision at that time being very imperfect. 
The bird which I am about to describe, Avas taken in 
this situation, and presented to me by a friend. I kept 
it in the room beside me for some time, during which 
its usual position Avas such as I have given it. Its 
eyelids were either half shut, or slowly and alternately 
opening and shutting, as if suffering from the glare of 
day ; hut no sooner Avas the sun set, than its whole 
appearance became lively and animated ; its full and 
globular eyes shone like those of a cat; and it often 
lowered its head, in the manner of a cock when pre- 
paring to fight, moving it from side to side, and also 
vertically, as if reconnoitring you AA r ith great sharpness. 
In flying through the room, it shifted from place to 
place with the silence of a spirit, (if I may be alloAved 
the expression,) the plumage of its wings being so 
extremely fine and soft as to occasion little or no friction 
with the air, — a wise provision of nature, bestowed on 
the whole genus, to enable them, without giving alarm, 
to seize their prey in the night. For an hour or two in 
the evening, and about break of day, it flew about with 
great activity. When angry, it snapped its bill repeat- 
edly with violence, and so loud as to be heard in the 
adjoining room, swelling out its eyes to their full dimen- 
VOL. I. G 
