The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-10-28
why Do Cats Eyes Shine In the Darh
While Mems Eyes DO Not?

Why DO Cats Eyes shine In the Dark
While Mems Eyes DO Not?
Why do cats eyes shine in the dark
while mems eyes do not? The author Of
"Idle Days In Patagonia" raises this
question without answering it. He shot
and wounded an eagle owl, and the sight
Of the bird, he says, was one Of the
greatest surprises with which nature
ever favored him. The owls haunt was
an island overgrown with grass and tall
willows. Thither Mr.. Hudson went to-
ward evening and found him upon hie
perch waiting for sunset. He eyed the
intruder so calmly as almost to disarm
him, but hunters of specimens have a
way of hardening their hearts. Mr.
Hudson fred. The owl swerved on his
perch, remained suspended for few mo-
ments and then slowly futtered down.
He says;
found my victim stung to fury by
his wounds and ready for tha last su-
preme effort, Even in repose he is a big,
Saglelike bird; now in the uncertain
light he looked gigantic in size--a mon.
Ster Of strange form and terrible aspect
Each particular feather stood on end,
the tawny barred tail spread out like q
fan, the immense tiger colored wings
wide open and rigid, so that as the bird.
that had clutched the grass with his
| great feathered claws, swayed slowly
from side to side-just as a snake about
to strike sways his head, or as an angry,
watchful cat moves its tail--6rst the tip
Of one, then of the other wing touched
the ground.
The black horns stood erect, while In
the center of the wheel shaped head ths
beak snapped incessantly, producing a
sound like the clicking of d sewing ma
chine. This was suitable setting for
the pair Of magnificent, furious eyes, on
which gazed with kind of fascination,
not unmixed with fear, when remem-
bered the agony suffered on former 90
easions from sharp, crooked talons driT-
On into me to the bone.
The irides were of a bright orange
color, but every time attempted to ap-
proach the bird they kindled into great
globes OF Quiyering yellow fame, the
black pupils being surrounded by a scin-
tillating crimson light which threw out
minute yellow sparks into the air, When
retired from the bird. this preternatu-
raj fiery aspect w5uhi instantly vanish.
The question as TO the cause Of thii
Aery appearance is one hard 60 answer
We know that the r..arce Of the lumi
Mostly il, qWl-' and cats eyes is the light
reheotmg membrane between the retins
and the sclerotic coat OF the eyeball, but
the mystery remains. When with th'
bid, / particularly noticed chat ever
time / retired the piciilaiing membran,
would immediately cover the eyes and
obscure them ion som lime, as they vii
; when an. owl - confronted with stronl
suD!ight, and this gave me theimpressioI
that the fiery, flashing appearance wa
accompanied with or followed bv bprn
ing or suarIms seusadoh
have lived a great deal among semi
savass l. au. 1 have often seen then
frenzei with excite .ArHt, their face
white as Lac. tholr h4ir ,eact and thei
eve. droppi .-.a. teus ol rage, but
have never seen m tA-m anything ap
preaching 60 ilai lae. oupoaranceO Of n
owl.-Youtl'5 Co.Ilaai %,
4 champ.
/, Little Willie-Jack, what's a chumpi
Little Jack-A chump Is a boy tina
5 doaan't know wOt a chump is.-GOO