Page 107.--The little black and white owls, which fly out at dusk and
sit always in pairs, chattering to each other in a singularly
conversational version of owl language, are among the most
widely-spread of Indian birds, and in every province where they are
found are regarded as the most accomplished of soothsayers. Unlike
other ominous creatures, they are anxious to do good to mankind, for
they always tell each other what the traveler ought to do, and, if
mankind were not so dull in understanding their language, would save
the hearer from all risk of misfortune.