OWLS 41 



bush-loving species ; we found it. not uncommon in the 

 bush near Grahamstown. It extends northward to 

 British East Africa. 



The adult bird is dark brown above, adorned with 

 three-cornered white spots ; below, white barred with 

 brown. No "ear" tufts. The young bird has the 

 plumage shaded with tawny. It usually breeds in a 

 hollow tree. 



The Eagle Owls (Bubo) are the largest of the South 

 African representatives of the Striges and are all 

 " eared." 



The Cape Eagle Owl (Bubo capensis) is dark brown, 

 spotted with reddish-buff; bill black. It measures about 

 19J inches in length ; wing 14 inches. 



It nests in old nests of other birds, or in a nest of 

 its own construction on the bank of a river, and lays 

 two to four pure white eggs. 



It is confined to Cape Colony and Natal. 



The Spotted Eagle Owl (B. maculosus) is smaller than 

 the preceding bird, but, like it, has a black bill. Length 

 of wing 12j inches. 



It is recorded from almost everywhere, and is the 

 commonest owl in the sub-continent. 



The cry of this bird is a thorough hoot, described by 

 many as " ominous " ; it can be heard from the Owl's 

 position on the housetop, or in the bush. The senseless 

 superstition that its cry is an augury of the death of 

 some member of the household attaches to this Owl as to 

 the Barn Owl. 



It subsists on reptiles, frogs, insects, and mice and 

 other small mammals, and is therefore of economic value 

 to the farmer. 



It generally lays its eggs in a depression in the ground. 



