Habits when kept in Aviary 927 
two inches of rat’s tail which hangs pensively down from one 
corner of the mouth, or, in the case of a sparrow, occasionally the 
extremity of the tail feathers. The production of more food at 
once causes a final gulp to be made and the first course finally 
disappears, the Owl getting ready for another catch. Three 
young rats or four or five sparrows seem to be thus stowed with but 
little effort. 
The general appearance of the Eagle Owl is known to most 
people, but few save those who have seen them close at hand 
realize the marvellous size, brilliancy of colour and depth of their 
great yellow eyes, which combined with their so-called “ears,” fine 
black tufts on either side of the head, give them a most horrific 
and impressive appearance. When alarmed or on the alert they 
compress their plumage and elongate their bodies making a 
picture of savage determination and strength either to fight or flee. 
To noises, especially those they are unaccustomed to, they are 
peculiarly sensitive. The rumbling of a cart or waterbarrow for a 
long time caused them great alarm, which they showed by dashing 
aimlessly around their cage. When irritated and angry they assume 
extraordinary attitudes; every feather on their bodies stands erect, 
nearly tripling their natural size, whilst their wings are raised on 
high and arched around so as to form a regular wreath of feathers, in 
the centre of which appears their heads with their huge yellow eyes 
flashing, their bodies swaying from side to side as they rest first on 
one feathered leg and then on the other, all the time giving vent to 
an appalling series of pistol-shot snaps. This is apparently their 
stock-in-trade for alarming any would-be attackers, and is certainly 
very effective with cats and many dogs, who are clearly at a loss to 
divine what class of enemy they have to encounter. 
For my diminutive Aberdeen terrier ‘‘ Garry” they have an 
intense dislike and with small wonder for, whenever he sees them 
sitting near the wire, he hurls himself at their cage barking furiously 
