326 The Eagle Owl 
a barrel. Here when sated they sit side by side, indulging in 
pistol-like cracks of their beaks when interviewed. But they by no 
means avoid the light and are often to be seen of a fine day, sitting 
in the bright sunshine enjoying the warmth of its rays. After 
various minor engagements with them, during which I received a 
series of more or less painful stabs from the needle-like hinder 
talons with which they strike, | procured a fencing mask which to 
some extent prevents my being taken unawares when engaged in 
cleaning out or regulating their cage. The courage and pertinacity 
of these big birds is amazing. One day last summer one of 
them, after making a violent attack on me which was repulsed with 
a rake-handle, returned to the assault on eight successive occasions 
and eventually struck its claws well into my shoulder, after which 
it retired to its tub and fired volleys of “snaps” at me, evidently 
much pleased at its success. Despite such minor adventures, feed- 
ing Eagle Owls is ever a joy to me, for there is a quaintness and 
originality about their ways and movements which must be seen to 
be appreciated. 
When food is brought them, they fly to a convenient point such 
as a log or perch and watch every movement of the feeder intently. 
Upon a rat or bird being thrown to them they spring up with 
marvellous agility and “field” it with unerring accuracy, with either 
left or right foot, even when bowled “wide,” dropping back to 
their perch with their booty. Then if undisturbed, should the 
food be of reasonable dimensions, such as a half-grown rat, or 
a sparrow, it is gravely raised in the talons of one foot and held 
somewhat as a meditative smoker at times holds his cigar or 
pipe. Next moment it is seized in the beak head-foremost and 
swallowed whole. As it disappears the throat is expanded and 
the beautiful patch of white feathers on it, at other times hardly 
noticeable, becomes most conspicuous. A pause now generally 
ensues, all trace of the meal having departed save an inch or 
