Read Orwell's letters regularly; they epitomise wisdom (4)

I believe the answer is:

owls

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'they epitomise wisdom' is the definition.
(owls are proverbially wise)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for owls that I've seen before include "Strigiform creatures" , "Types incredibly wise" , "Members of Parliament" , "Slow (anag) -- birds of prey" , "Nocturnal birds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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