THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 233 
of the wing; the graceful and nicely-graduated 
feathers and wing-plumes and rudder-like tail,— 
these are marks of special adaptations which 
cannot be overlooked, and reveal a motive- 
power beyond human understanding. 
“ Little less wonderful in special adjustment 
are the powers of vision in birds. Eagles have 
a sight so keen that it must be both telescopic 
and microscopic. High in air, they can mark 
the skulking hare or other small game, and 
pounce upon it with unerring certainty. This 
astonishing keenness of vision is shared more 
or less by all the rapacious birds which seize 
their prey by daylight. But while they are 
making such abundant provision for their 
wants, behold sitting yonder the poor owl, 
craving the same kind of feeding, but dozing 
and blinking, quite dazed by the sun-rays 
in which his feathered compeers so much de¬ 
light. Has the great Provider of meat for all 
made a mistake in the make-up of the hun¬ 
gry owl ? With a white covering you can ap¬ 
proach near enough to the poor wight to make 
inspection of his outfit. As you do so, a great 
pair of staring eyes will be turned dully toward 
you; and with such orbs you wonder that the 
