Mr. E. Fountaine on the Nesting of a pair of Eagle Owls. 273 



tions. The old ones meanwhile had never ceased to ring their 

 alarm note, and angrily tap the neighbouring trees ; but before 

 we lost sight of the well-known spot, I was pleased to see the 

 mother boldly re-enter her violated abode to comfort her asto- 

 nished but undaunted offspring, who suffered, I am inclined to 

 believe, no further inconvenience from our visit beyond a slight 

 increase of air and light into their apartment. 



Some days afterwards I returned to the very place in company 

 with Mr. WoUey, who was desirous of visiting this wonderful 

 Woodpecker locality, where the tall poplars have been bored on 

 all sides during so many succeeding years. The broken ladder 

 lay at the foot of the tree, which itself bore marks of the recent 

 axe, but no young ones looked out upon the intruder, no old 

 ones rang out the alarm note from amongst the neighbouring 

 trees. The family had gone, and the forest was silent. 



London, February 26, 1859. 



XXVII. — Notes on the Nesting of a pair of Eagle Owls (Bubo 

 maximus) in confinement. By Edward Fountaine. 



A PAIR of Eagle Owls {Bubo maximus) have bred with me in 

 confinement during eleven successive years. 



The first nest was made in May 1849 ; in it were laid three 

 eggs, the first on April 13th ; three young birds were hatched 

 and all reared. 



The second nest was made in March 1850; there were three 

 eggs laid, the first on the 10th ; two young birds were hatched, 

 which were sent to Mr. J. H. Gurney ; one egg was bad. 



The third nest was in February 1851 ; there were three eggs 

 laid, the first was laid on the 10th ; three young birds were 

 hatched and all reared. 



The fourth nest was in February 1852 ; three eggs were 

 laid, the first was laid on the 10th ; three young birds were 

 hatched and all reared. 



The fifth nest was in Februai*y 1853 ; three eggs were laid, 

 the first was laid on the 14th ; three young birds were hatched 

 and all reared. 



The sixth nest was in February 1854 ; three eggs were laid. 



