Note: Some species have erectile tufts of feathers on the
head. The feathers are soft and somewhat downy. The
species are numerous. See {Barn owl}, {Burrowing owl},
{Eared owl}, {Hawk owl}, {Horned owl}, {Screech owl},
{Snowy owl}, under {Barn}, {Burrowing}, etc.
Note: In the Scriptures the owl is commonly associated with
desolation; poets and story-tellers introduce it as a
bird of ill omen. . . . The Greeks and Romans made it
the emblem of wisdom, and sacred to Minerva, -- and
indeed its large head and solemn eyes give it an air of
wisdom. --Am. Cyc.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A variety of the domestic pigeon.
{Owl monkey} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of South
American nocturnal monkeys of the genus {Nyctipithecus}.
They have very large eyes. Called also {durukuli}.
{Owl moth} (Zo["o]l.), a very large moth ({Erebus strix}).
The expanse of its wings is over ten inches.
{Owl parrot} (Zo["o]l.), the kakapo.
{Sea owl} (Zo["o]l.), the lumpfish.
{Owl train}, a cant name for certain railway trains whose run
is in the nighttime.