ITS FIGHT WITH A MAGPIE. 2? 7 



completely round as to give it the appearance of turning on a 

 pivot. She was very voracious ; and although her usual 

 allowance each day was only a sparrow or a titmouse, she could 

 easily devour a whole pine bullfinch (Pyrrhula Enucleator, 

 Temm.) But then it might happen that for several days 

 together she did not get a particle of food. If a person 

 was present when a hird was given to her, she would never 

 touch it; but so soon as he took his departure, it was 

 quickly despatched. As she never drank any water, I 

 deemed it needful to give her living birds, that she might 

 satisfy her thirst with their blood. Having killed the 

 bird, she would separate the head from the body, and 

 afterwards fly up with the latter on to one of the perches 

 of her cage. But before commencing her repast, which 

 was usually about the breast, she would in great degree 

 deprive the bird of its feathers. She was observed to feed 

 as well by day as by night. 



" Having on one occasion winged a magpie, I put it into 

 her cage alive. At first the two sat passive, and looked at 

 each other : the owl, with her usual quiet mien, but the 

 magpie (so at least it might be inferred from it stationing 

 itself in one corner of the cage), with a feeling of respect 

 for its little comrade. After they had been left for a while 

 to themselves, a singular noise was heard in the cage; 

 and on hastening to the spot I found the owl lying on 

 her back, and the magpie endeavouring to pluck out her 

 eyes. The owl, however, made a skilful and gallant de- 

 fence ; for having grasped the breast of the magpie with 

 her claws, she contrived to hold the enemy at a distance. 

 But as I saw she was overmatched, and as I did not 

 wish to lose her, I assisted her in conquering the some- 



