OWLS. 271 



the closed wings ; horns 2 in. high. Colour, above 

 black, speckled with rusty yellow and grey ; below rusty 

 yellow, with black streaks and small wavy lines on the 

 belly and sides. Little difference in the plumage of the 

 sexes, save that the white spot on the chin is much 

 purer and larger in the male. 



The eagle owl is sparingly distributed throughout all 

 Scandinavia, to far up within the Polar circle. I have 

 found the nest on a rock, and also in a small tree. Eggs 

 three j the largest of all the Northern owls' eggs. 

 Like all the owls they go to nest early. 

 I am very fond of having this bird in confinement, and 

 am rarely without one or a pair. Of all pets they are the 

 least trouble. I never knew them want any water, and they 

 are satisfied if they get a good meal once a week. Although 

 diurnal, like the little owl, it is only at night when they 

 wake up, and the measured " boo, boo," of the eagle owl, 

 like the distant bark of a gruff old watch dog, is heard 

 throughout the whole summer night by any one who chances 

 to intrude on the vicinity of their eyrie. Next to the gos- 

 hawk, I think the eagle owl is the most destructive of all the 

 birds of prey in these forests. Blackcock, hares, capercaillie, 

 and even the cunning fox, fall a prey to them ; and as the 

 young lie long in the nest, they require a deal of food. Is 

 said to breed in Denmark, but I fancy very rarely. 



2. Nocturnal Owls. 



NOTE. Although Nilsson, perhaps properly, includes the 

 short-eared owl, and the lap owl, in this division, I may 

 remark that both these species can hunt by daylight as well 

 as by night. In fact, in the high Polar regions which both 

 frequent, for three months in the year, the nights are as light 

 as day ; and I believe the glare of daylight quite as little 

 affects their eyes as it does those of the eagle owl. 



Gen. Ulula, Bon. 



Ear openings large, half-moon shaped, furnished with a 

 cover or flap ; feather disk large, perfect ; size of the head 

 very large ; feathers silky. 



