20 Breathing' lube of the Boa. 



" Emollit mot«s, nee sinit esse feros," * 



he was still a hawk in spirit, was proved on an occasion of 

 almost equal interest. A neighbour had sent us a very 

 fine specimen of the smaller horned owl (*Strix brachybtus), 

 which he had winged when flying in the midst of a covey of 

 partridges ; and after having tended the wounded limb, and 

 endeavoured to make a cure, we thought of soothing the 

 prisoner's captivity by a larger degree of freedom than he had 

 in the hen-coop which he inhabited. No sooner, however, 

 had our former acquaintance, the hawk, got sight of him, 

 than he fell upon the poor owl most unmercifully ; and from 

 that instant, whenever they came in contact, a series of com- 

 bats commenced, which equalled in skill and courage any of 

 those which have so much distinguished that great hero [?], 

 who to the boldness and clearness of vision of the hawk unites 

 the wisdom of the bird of Athens. The defence of the poor 

 little owl was admirably conducted : he would throw himself 

 iipon his back, and await the attack of his enemy with patience 

 and preparation ; and, by dint of biting and scratching, would 

 frequently win a positive, as he often did a negative, victory. 

 Acquaintanceship did not seem, in this case, likely to ripen 

 into friendship; and when his wing had gained strength, 

 taking advantage of a favourable opportunity, the owl de- 

 camped, leaving the hawk in possession of his territory. 



The fate of the successful combatant was, however, soon to 

 be accomplished ; for he was shortly after found drowned in a 

 butt of water, from which he had once or twice been extri- 

 cated before, having summoned a deliverer to his assistance 

 by cries that told he was in distress. There was great lament- 

 ation when he died throughout the family ; and it was observed 

 by more than one person, that that portion of the dovecote in 

 which he was wont to pass the night was for some time unoc- 

 cupied by the pigeons with whom he had lived so peaceably, 

 even during his wars with the unfortunate owl. 



W. B. Clarke. 

 East BerghoU, Suffolk, September 21. 1830. 



Art. VII. Notice of the Breaihiiig-Tube of the Boa, 

 By Bartholomew Dillon, Esq. 



Sir, 

 Several years ago I had an opportunity (the only one in 

 my life) of witnessing the rare sight of a boa feeding. Its 



* " Softens the manners, nor permits to be cruel." 



