THE GREAT HORNED, OR EAGLE OWL. 



67 



perfection; and, in addition to this, there is an irradiation on tae back 

 of th^ eye, which greatly aids their vision in 

 the obscure places that they frequent. 



The head is round, and formed somewhat 

 iike that of a Cat. About the eyes, the 

 feathers are ranged as if proceeding from a 

 common centre in the middle of the eye , and 

 ihey extend in a circle to some distance. The 

 1)g3 are clad with down or feathers, even to 

 the origin of the claws, which are very sharp 

 and hooked. Three of the toes can occasion- 

 ally be turned back, to suit either for perching 

 or climbing, as occasion may require. 



In winter Owls retire into holes in towers and old walls, and 

 pass that season in sleep. The number of species is sibout fifty ; of 

 which twenty are furnished with long feathers, surrounding the open- 

 ings of tht ears, and called, from the appearance they give to the 

 animals, horns. In their general modes of life, the Owls may be 

 considered as the Cats of the feathered species. 



THK GREAT HORNED, OR EAGLE OWL. 



The body of this Owl is of a tawny red color, marked with lines and 

 dpots, elegantly varied, of black, brown, ash, and 

 rust color. The wings are long, and the tail ic 

 short, and marked with transverse dusky streaks. 

 The legs are thick, of a brick-dust red color, and 

 (except in one variety) feathered to the claws, 

 which are large, hooked, and dusky. 



Although Owls are superstitiously considered 

 by the inhabitants of most countries as birds of 

 ill-omen ; yet the Athenians alone, among the 

 ancients, seem to have been free from this popular prejudice, and 

 to have regarded them rather with veneration than abhorrence. The 

 present species, which is common in many parts of Greece, was even 

 considered a favorite bird of Minerva ; and at Athens the inhabitants 

 ^ad a proverb, " to send Owls to Athens," which was precisely 

 etj^uivalent to one used by the English, " to send coals to Newcastle." 



This Owl is equal in size to some of the Eagles : it inhabits inaccesible 

 rocks and desert places, in most parts of Europe, Asia, and America ; 

 and is sometimes, though rarely found in this country. Its eyes are 

 50 constructed, that it is able to see much better during the day-time 

 llian almost any other of the tribe. It has been frequently observed 

 preyimr, on its game of birds and small quadrupeds, in full day-light. 



M. Cronstedt has recorded a pleasing instance of the attachment of 

 these birds to their offspring. This gentleman resided several years 

 at a farm in Sudermania, near a steep mountain, on the summit of 

 which two Eagle Owls had their nest. One day in the month of July, 

 ft young Owl having quitted the nest was seized by some of his .''ervanta. 

 5 



