The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1850-04-26
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l8 .oW THE OWL. u sg4i4 F.
The solemn appearance and retired
habits ofthe Owl have in all ages ofthe
world attracted attention; and il is curiou.
10 discover the SAME bird used as a sym
boil for the same purposes, by the civilized
Greek Of antiquity, and the rude Indian
OF our continent. The ancient Greeks
deemed il the favorite OF Minerva, their
goddess ofwisdom; and among the 'Cfeek
Indians, the younger priests wear white
mantle with d great owI-skin, stuffed very
ingeniously, SO we'll executed as 10 ap.
pear likethe living bird with large spark.
ling beads for eyes. This emblem Of
wisdom and divination they wear, some
times as crest ON the head and at other
times on The arm. Thus dedicating his
effigy 10 their solemnities, they forbid
the mockery Of his ominous, dismal, and
almost supernatural cries. The Mohgul
TaItars pay divine honors 10 this misre.
presented bird, attributing the pIeseiva-
iioh Of the founder Of their Empire to one
Of its accidental visits TO The bush under
which he lay conceded, his pursuers ma
lurally supposing that no one could be
hid where this friend Of solitude would
perch. 1's
On this continent Of Europe the Owl
is almost domestic, inhabiiing even pop
uious towns, and is particularly attached
10 The towers, belfries and roofs Of an
tique churches. At early twilight il
leaves its dark retreats, and perched
amid The tombstones, sends forth such
unearthIy sounds as siartle the lonely
passer by, and inspire terror in the minds
ofthe timid and superstilious. The owl
has thus been long regarded as a funeral
spectre, and its note as boding lmpend-
ing evil.eqs a,ga bat a.ga
An universal aud determined hostility
is manifested towards every species OF
Owl, whenever any Of these night mar
auiers accidentally make their appear.
ance by day, or happen to place them.
Sc yes SO as to be observed blythe pass
ing birds, lu such cases the first biro
which discovers the owl, begins by peep
ing about at him with cautious wonder
as if he could scarcely believe his own
eyes, and having become assured OF the
correctness oi,his suspicious, ends with
sounding the peculiaruole of.alarm, tina,
appears to be understood as universal
language by sll species Of lirds from the
wren 10 the eagle. Tho alarm note has
the effect Of a gathering upon every bird
within hearing, which, obedient 10 the
summons, after peeping, as the first had
done al the poor owl, hastens to insult
him in every tone Of defiance. Our blue
|jay-the personiacasion Of mischief ii
very consp cuous as lnst'gator and 'eadeI
in this unequal contest. Inc whole
ieuthered fraternity thus assembled, sur
round the glmmering solitaire and folloy
up their preliminary threats by actual at
tack and buffeIing; the owl meanwhile nlgl'
returning each compliment. with seem
ingly broad goggllng stare. the war be
comes louder and fercer, and the owl a
length forced to betake himself to high
lis followed BY his linpudent prosecutors
lunlil he is driven beyond their Jurlsdic
tion. *. . !.
The prying curiosity, and hostile anti
pathy manifested BY all dsy-hying bird
towards owls Is taken advantage Of j
Switzerland for eagle shooting. Whe
the goat-herds On lie Alps find their goa
diminishing, aud the Camois-hun,ers fin
their sport curtaled by the depreciation
of an eagle, or lammergeyer (gypaett
bar.6atus) haunting a particular disric
they prepare to lure him to his disirut
ton by an owl. One ofthe largest spe
cies Bubo MaGimus) is chained by ,h
|lcgs 10 post in some conspicuous place
The eagle lis soon attracted by the ur
roar made by the smaller birds about til
Ioul. and swoops down from his. loft
|eyrie TO gaze a,,he strange bird, an
Threaten him with voice and wing for Of
I,ruding himself upon daylight. TIL
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