328 The Eagle Owl 
and raging up and down in his attempts to get at them. They on 
their part are no less anxious to close with him and frequently strike 
vigorously at the wire in the hopes of damaging him. This warfare 
has gone on now for five years and both parties are absolutely 
convinced of their power to obtain a victory and no doubt also in 
the justice of their cause. Such is Garry’s hatred of these birds 
that he has made repeated efforts when I enter their cage to slip in 
after me, but as he is equaliy anxious to have a personal explana- 
tion with my captive Bonelli’s Eagle, I have no doubt his courage 
causes him to imagine himself capable in both cases of defeating 
them. The bitterness of the quarrel has been accentuated by my 
giving the big birds live rats to kill, a task he looks upon as one 
of his especial prerogatives. 
When food of larger size, such as a rabbit or full-grown rat, is 
offered to them, they dash down and seize it and either fly off with 
it in their talons or, holding it in one foot, limp away on the other 
dragging it after them. Arrived at a convenient spot they tuck 
their prey under them and fluffing out the beautiful vermiculated 
feathers on and about their thighs until they assume the shape 
of a pair of big Zouave trousers completely hide their coming 
meal. On one occasion I threw in a couple of largish half- 
grown rabbits, which were promptly seized; one Owl, however, 
happened to take alarm and dropped its ration, upon which its 
comrade seized the two, and disposing them in a convenient heap, 
quickly expanded his (or her) trousers until both rabbits were com- 
pletely concealed. The other bird now returned to retrieve its 
dropped rabbit, and it was a study to observe the anxiety with which 
it lurched around the cage on the vain quest whilst the other sat 
erect, puffed out but placid and immovable on top of both rabbits. 
It was not until the rake-handle had been vigorously applied 
that the wearer of the Zouave breeches consented to part with his 
comrade’s rabbit. 
