Definition of "owlishly"

To the muzzy drumming of beer in his veins he gazed long and owlishly at the sombre cottage[.]

1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, page 112

He gazed owlishly down at his confederates and they gazed owlishly back at him.

1941, Vardis Fisher, City of Illusion