432 BUBO MAXIMUS. 



derately dilated. The proventriculus, b c, of which the glan- 

 dules are very numerous and cylindrical, gradually dilates into 

 the stomach, c d ; which is roundish, somewhat compressed, 

 three inches and a half in its greatest diameter ; its muscular 

 coat thin, and composed of a single series of fasciculi ; the ten- 

 dons roundish, very thin, about nine twelfths in diameter ; the 

 epithelium soft, smooth, and even. The intestine, defg, is forty- 

 nine inches long; its diameter in the duodenal part nine twelfths, 

 then gradually contracting to four twelfths. The coeca, Fig. 5, 

 cd, cd, narrow for half their length, then enlarged into an oblong 

 sac ; one of them five inches long, the other four and a half. 

 The rectum, b c, at first about eight twelfths in width, enlarges 

 into a nearly globular cloaca, j, two inches in width. 



Length to end of tail 26 inches, to end of wings 24 ; extent 

 of wings 61 ; wing from flexure 20 ; tail 10 (somewhat worn) ; 

 bill along the ridge 2/^, along the edge of lower mandible 2 j^g ; 

 tarsus 2f ; first toe Ij, its claw l^f ; middle toe 2j|, its 

 claw 2 1^2. 



Habits. — The Great Eagle-Owl is said by authors to inhabit 

 the continent of Europe, from Sweden, Norway, and Lapland, 

 southward to the shores of the Mediterranean. It has also 

 been obtained from some parts of Asia ; but its range over 

 that continent is unknown. M. Temminck states that it is 

 very common in Russia, Germany, and Switzerland. Indivi- 

 duals have been obtained in Devonshire, Sussex, Yorkshire, 

 the county of Durham, and one or two other districts in Eng- 

 land. In Scotland, I am unable to refer to any authentic ac- 

 count of its capture. Mr Low, who is often quoted as an 

 authority for its occurrence in Orkney, merely says he has 

 been credibly informed that it " is still to be found, especially 

 in the hilly parts, where it is often surprised sleeping." It 

 can hardly be supposed now to breed in any part of Britain, 

 so that the individuals occasionally seen there are probably 

 stragglers from the continent. 



All that appears to be known of its habits amounts to 

 very little. It is not very uncommon in the Scandinavian 

 countries, where it resides in the forests, feeds on quadrupeds 



