152 THE EAGLE-OWL. 



The Great-Horned or Eagle-Owl. 



(Strix Bubo.) Linn. (Bubo Maximus.) Sibbald. 



" They say the owl was a baker's daughter- 

 Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be." 



— Ophelia. 



This is the largest owl found in Britain, if not in the world, 

 equal in size to some of the largest eagles ; but as it does not 

 visit the grey old city, and very seldom seen in Britain, I shall 

 merely glance at it in passing, as my young friends may wish 

 to know what a " Great-Horned Eagle Owl " is like. In colour 

 and form he is very like his little brother, the common long- 

 eared or horned owl, and his " Great Horns " are simply long 

 feathers on each side of his head, right above his large, bright 

 orange eyes ; and his name of eagle is taken from his great size 

 and colour. The male is 24 inches to end of tail, and 58 inches 

 in extent of wings. The female is 26 and 61 inches; the tail 

 about 11 inches long. It builds its nest on the rocky side of 

 mountains, or on lofty trees, in the North of Europe. Lays 

 three or four eggs, 2 J by nearly 2 inches — the roundest of all 

 birds' eggs. They take about thirty-six days to hatch. Linnaeus, 

 the great authority, " found a nest in which the first egg was laid 

 on the 13th of April, two others a week after ; of which two were 

 hatched on the 19th and the other on the 22nd of May." The 

 wings are long, of great breadth, and rounded. The claws are 

 long, much curved, and very sharp. It preys upon fawns, 

 rabbits, ducks, grouse, rats, &c. Like all the rest of the family, 

 the plumage is very soft and blended with down. The general 

 colour is reddish yellow, spotted and barred with dark brown. 

 The facial disk extends two-thirds round the eves. 



The Long-Eared Owl — Common or Horned Owl. 

 (Strix Otus.) Linn. (Otus Vulgaris.) Flem. 



" Who shall tell Priam so, or Hecuba? 

 Let him that will a screech-owl aye be called, 

 Go into Troy and say there, Hector's dead." 



— Troilus and Crcssicla. 



This owl is found in most of our woody districts, especially 

 in fir woods. The general colour is buff or reddishy ellow, minutely 



