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by Jerri Graham
As Harry Potter's
beloved pet, Hedwig, a Snowy owl, is probably the most famous bird in the world. Snowy owls are just one of the more than 200
species of owls. Owls _(1)_ size and can be as little as the 31-gram Elf owl and as large as the Blakiston's Fish Owl, which can weigh almost five kilograms. Owls
are actually very
different from other birds.
Owls are
nocturnal animals, which means that they sleep during the day and hunt at night. They are known both for their unique call, or
hoot, and their
extremely good sight. They use these features to
navigate and hunt in the dark. They are
far-sighted and use this
vision to
track and target their
prey _(2)_ a distance.
_(3)_ pigeons and sparrows can exist on seeds and
grains, this would not
satisfy most owls. Instead, they
prefer to eat small
mammals such as
moles, mice, and rabbits. _(4)_ these warm-blooded creatures, they will also
feed on insects and other birds when hunger
strikes. Like other
birds of prey, owls have sharp
beaks and
claws that they use to tear their food to pieces before eating it.
Sometimes they do swallow larger
chunks of bone, feathers, and other things that are
indigestible. What their bodies don't
digest is
thrown up _(5)_ owl
pellets. These
lumps of bone and other bits are collected because they are _(6)_ for studying the habits and diet of owls.
Owls serve man by _(7)_ some of the
pests that would make life
unbearable. Protecting their
habitat is,
in a sense, a way of protecting our own.
1. (A) vary in (B) range from (C) cover up (D) yield to
2. (A) upon (B) beyond (C) from (D) among
3. (A) Since (B) Whether (C) Unless (D) While
4. (A) Except for (B) In addition to (C) Rather than (D) In spite of
5. (A) in the form of (B) for the sake of (C) at the sight of (D) on the verge of
6. (A) costless (B) invalid (C) worthless (D) invaluable
7. (A) promoting (B) eliminating (C) attracting (D) neglecting
