RAPTORES 13 



bird was observed several times, and many attempts 

 were made to secure it, but in vain. From its size 

 and markings, it was supposed to be a female, or 

 "Kingtail." Yarrell observes that no less than 

 twenty lizards were found in the stomach of one 

 killed near London. 



Family Strigid2E.. 



Eagle Owl, Strix bubo. I am only aware of one 

 instance in which this rare British bird has been 

 obtained in a wild state in Middlesex. The fol- 

 lowing notice of its occurrence at Hampstead is 

 communicated by Mr. Thomas Hall, in * The 

 Zoologist ' : — 



" On the 3rd of November, 1845, my father pre- 

 served for Mr. Burgess, Temple House, Hampstead, 

 a female specimen of the Great Horned Owl (Strix 

 bubo). It was caught, after much trouble, in a hedge 

 near the house, and was kept for some time, until 

 it died. It was very fierce during its captivity, and 

 had been severely wounded in the wing by shot, 

 previously to its capture." 



From the rare beauty of this species, and the 

 readiness with which it submits to confinement, it 

 has always been a great favourite with those who 

 delight in keeping live birds in their grounds, 

 although its scarcity in England renders it, of course, 

 difficult to procure. Many years ago, the Earl of 



c 



