NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



attempts to seize their tormentors, although within 

 reach of bill and claw. I have examined the cast-up 

 pellets of the three species of South African eagle owls 

 at various times and seasons, and the results furnished 

 overwhelming proof that these birds render invaluable 

 service to man by eating rats and mice. The farmer 

 who destroys or allows others to destroy any species 

 of owl on his farm is doing himself, his neighbours, 

 and the State a serious mischief. 



The spotted eagle owl {Bubo maculosus) is the 

 species which renders the South African farmer the 

 greatest service ; the other two are shyer birds and 

 flee from the haunts of man, having learned by bitter 

 experience how treacherous and untrustworthy he is. 



The spotted eagle owl is one of the nocturnal 

 keepers of our lands and plantations, and the poaching 

 rats and mice lead hard and perilous lives when these 

 owls are abroad. 



Unfortunately, however, the spotted eagle owl's cry 

 to his mate is a mournful hoot, or rather succession of 

 hoots. This is thought by ignorant people to be an 

 augury of death to a member of the household, and, 

 like its cousin the barn owl, the spotted eagle owl is 

 sacrificed at the altar of superstition. 



The barbarous, inhuman cruelties inflicted upon 

 God's creatures on this beautiful world by people 

 who are under the influence of stupid superstitious 

 beliefs is simply unthinkable. I have heard men 

 boast of their fiendish practices against our friend the 

 owl. Through ignorance of the first principles of 

 hygiene, a child died, and the superstitious father, 



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