At home in the far north, the owls feed largely upon hares and grouse; here nothing comes amiss, from a stray cat, roving too far from the house, to stray Mussels on the beach that have escaped the sharp eyes of sea-gulls.
"Ways of Wood Folk"
William J. Long
Some, however, appear to be centuries old, with teeth as long as a human hand, and with backs covered with seaweeds, and Mussels, or other marine growths, as an indication of their great age.
"The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries"
W. Y. Evans Wentz
In either case two interesting questions suggest themselves: first, How did a bird whose whole life from birth to death is spent on the sea first learn that certain Mussels will drown in fresh water?
"A Little Brother to the Bear and other Animal Stories"
William Long