147 
where meadows and corn-fields foster the animals 
on which it habitually preys, which appear to be 
chiefly mice. Ruined buildings, the eaves of 
churches, church towers, barns, or hollow trees, 
are its usual places of abode, where in breeding 
time it lays its eggs, from three to five in number, 
and of a bluish white colour. The young are at 
first covered with white down. In its flight it 
occasionally utters loud screams, &ce. 
OWL, EAGLE. 
GREAT HorneD OwL. 
Srrix Buso, Lin. 
This species, which is equal in size to some of 
the largest Eagles, like all continental birds of 
prey occasionally visits this country in obedience 
to the instinct which prompts it to migrate; but 
the greater part of those which have been killed 
in England have escaped from confinement. 
Numbers also are taken in Sweden and Norway 
when young, brought up by the hand, and im- 
ported into Great Britain, where they not only 
live and thrive, but breed and bring up their 
young. In Ireland they appear to be quite un- 
known, none having been captured or killed in 
that country. This bird preys upon fawns, rabbits, 
the different species of grouse, rats, &e. It builds 
L 2 
