ii8 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



but beyond this area the typical form re-appears in the 

 Amoor, China, and Japan. 



Breeding habits : The migrations of the Eagle Owl 

 are extremely limited, and are merely nomadic wander- 

 ings in quest of food. It is not gregarious nor social, 

 and lives principally alone except during the breeding 

 season. This Owl probably pairs for life, and apparently 

 continues to haunt a certain spot for years, the daily 

 retreat being as usual the breeding place too. The 

 haunts of the Eagle Owl are large forests, especially 

 such where the trees are for the most part non-deciduous. 

 In wild, uncultivated localities it shows much preference 

 for mountain forests and woods, in which rocks contain- 

 ing caves and hollows occur. This Owl also never makes 

 a nest for itself, but either takes possession of a deserted 

 nest of an eagle or other large bird, or selects a con- 

 venient ledge on a cliff. Less frequently it has been 

 known to breed upon the ground at the foot of a tree, 

 probably because a convenient nest was not to be found ; 

 and WoUey had the eggs from under the roots of a 

 fallen tree in Lapland. The eggs are laid upon a slight 

 heap of pellets and food refuse, the bird apparently 

 doing nothing in the way of providing accommodation 

 for them, beyond scraping or treading a slight hollow, 

 when an old nest is not used. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Eagle Owl are usually two in number 

 and never exceed three. They are rotund in shape, 

 rather coarse in grain, and pure white. Average measure- 

 ment, 2'3 inches in length by 1*9 inch in breadth. In- 

 cubation lasts from thirty-four to thirty-six days in con- 

 finement, where this species frequently breeds, and is 

 doubtless of the same duration when the bird is at 

 liberty. The female probably performs most if not all 

 of the task, but on this authorities are silent. 



