see clearly in the light; and if it does go out in the day, other birds often tease and torment it. The eye of the Owl is extremely large, and is contained within a bony case, in form something like the frame of a watchmaker's eye-glass,—its large size and remarkable construction allowing free entrance to every ray of light; and it consequently has the power of seeing at times when most other birds, on account of the darkness, are unable to distinguish one object from another. We may sometimes hear it at night, hooting or screaming as it goes its rounds. When it sees a mouse in the field, it drops down upon it, and carries the little creature up in its claws to its nest. This is the way in which it feeds its young ones. The extremely downy nature of its feathers, and peculiar lightness of its bones, allow it to drop to the ground with so little noise or disturbance of the air, as to render its success in taking its prey by surprise nearly certain. We have spoken now of the English Barn Owl, which generally weighs about twelve ounces, and has its legs covered with down, like wool. Bishop Stanley says that there are upwards of sixty species of Owls in different parts of the world; such as the great Snowy Owl, which, from its size and noble appearance, he calls "the very king of Owls ;" the Horned Owl; the Short-Eared Owl; the SmoothHeaded Owl; and the Supercilious Owl. This lastmentioned Owl is a native of South America, and its habits agree with the rest of its tribe. Some of the finest Owls in this country are preserved in the ancient keep of Arundel Castle, Sussex. THE Common Sparrow is met with throughout the year, and finds its home among the habitations of men ; the roof of the royal palace, and of the homely cottage, being alike subject to its visits. The Sparrow, however, which is reared in the smoky city, and is so bold and familiar, affords but a poor example of the colours that adorn the rustic bird which is seen in the cottagegarden, or at the farmer's barn-door. The nest of the Sparrow is formed under the eaves of tiles, in holes or crevices in the wall, or in any hollow place which will allow of sufficient room for the mass of hay and feathers collected for the dwelling of its family. Sometimes the nest is fixed in a tree near a house. So fond is this bird of warmth, that large quantities of feathers are used even to line a hole for it, on the inner side of the thick thatching of a barn; and it has been seen collecting feathers in winter, and carrying them away to its home. The young are fed with soft fruits, tender vegetables, and insects, particularly caterpillars; and so great is the number of destructive insects consumed by the parents and their brood, that it is a question whether the good thus performed does not produce a balance in the bird's favour, against the grain and seeds which it requires at other seasons of the year, and of which it robs the farmer. The great attachment of the parent-birds to their offspring, has been frequently noticed. It is recorded, that, a few years since, a pair of Sparrows which had built in a thatched roof of a house at Poole, were observed to pay their visits to the nest long after the time at which the young birds generally take flight. This unusual circumstance continued throughout the year; and in the winter, a gentleman, on mounting a ladder, found one of the poor little birds detained a prisoner, by means of a piece of string or worsted, (part of the nest,) which had got accidentally twisted round its leg. Being thus prevented obtaining its own food, it had been sustained by the constant exertions of its parents. This simple anecdote may recall to the minds of some of our young readers many instances of tender care and attention shown them by a kind father or mother in the times of their greatest need. The Psalmist alludes to the Sparrow, as finding a shelter in the sanctuary ;* and in another Psalm, when in affliction and solitude, he says: "I watch, and am as a Sparrow, alone upon the house-top."† *Psalm lxxxiv. 3. + Psalm cii. 7. THE Nightingale is universally allowed to be the most delightful singer of all the tribe of WARBLERS. This is a very extensive tribe of birds, most of which migrate at the approach of cold weather, to warmer climates than ours. The Nightingale usually visits England in the beginning of April, and leaves it in August or September. It has been so long celebrated for the charms of its music, that the idea of harmony seems associated with its name. It begins its song in the evening, and often continues it during the whole night. Its fondness for a particular place is remarkable. It is said that during several weeks together, it will, if undisturbed, perch on the same tree, and from thence pour forth, evening after evening, its beautiful notes. The Nightingale is a solitary bird, and though often heard, is comparatively seldom seen. The colour of its plumage is such as to prevent its being easily discovered on a branch. Hence it has been elegantly styled "the sober-suited songstress." The head and back are of a pale tawny colour, dashed with an olive hue; the throat and breast are of a glossy pale ash colour; the tail of a reddish brown; the eyes are large and bright. The length of the bird is about six inches. It feeds on insects. Mr. Bingley observes, "It is very remarkable that all the gay and brilliant birds of America should be entirely destitute of that pleasing power of song which gives so peculiar a charm to the groves and fields of Europe." The same writer informs us, that a caged nightingale continues its season of singing for a much longer period than those which he heard abroad in the Spring, and that it sings more sweetly than they. Milton calls this bird "Most musical, most melancholy." But Coleridge says: "'Tis the merry Nightingale, That crowds, and hurries, and precipitates, The famous anatomist, John Hunter, carefully dissected several Nightingales, and found the muscles of the organ of voice exceedingly strong. In the best singers these muscles were the strongest. |