2 NESTING OF THE EAGLE OWL AT CROYDON. 



I had had peat earth, about 18 inches deep, laid 

 down in the inner portion of a large wirework 

 aviary, in which they were confined, as it is the 

 habit of this species to nest on the ground. 

 During the last week in January they scratched a 

 large hollow in the further portion of the aviary. 

 Both male and female assisted each other in 

 excavating this, and the first egg was laid on Feb. 

 11. The hen-bird then commenced sitting, and, 

 as she very rarely left the nest, it was difficult to 

 ascertain the exact period on which the other two 

 eggs were deposited. I am certain, however, that 

 several days elapsed between the laying of the first 

 and the last. Incubation is entirely carried on by 

 the female owl, the male remaining on guard out- 

 side, and carrying in food whenever his mate 

 appears to require it. Both birds at this time 

 became very bold and savage. The male, though 

 commonly extremely tame, dashed furiously against 

 the wirework whenever approached, and now 

 showed a particular dislike to dogs, though on 

 ordinary occasions he seemed to regard their 

 presence with indifference. The first nestling was 

 noticed on March 22, and another during the 

 ensuing week, one egg proving addled. They were 

 entirely covered with yellowish- white down, and 

 about the size of newly-hatched goslings. They 

 rapidly, however, increased in size, and when about 



