The Eagle Owl of Europe 



(Evidently this is the bird described by Mr. Mattli in the previous 

 article . — Editor.) 



The Great Owl or Eagle Owl, as it is often called, inhabits the 

 northern part of Europe, being especially common in Sweden, 

 Norway. Switzerland, and Russia, and being found even in some 

 parts of Italy and Turkey. Although seemingly exceeding the 

 golden eagle in dimensions, the Great Owl is in reality a very 

 much smaller bird, owing its apparent magnitude to its feathers 

 and not to its body. The length of this fine bird is rather more 

 than two feet, and the aspect of its outstretched wings is wonder- 

 fully magnificent. The general color of the Eagle Owl is brown, 

 mingled with a yellow tinge, and covered on the upper surface 

 with bars, dashes, and streaks of blackish -brown. The long armed 

 claws are black, and the beak is also nearly black. The eyes are 

 of a bright radiant orange, and have a very fierce appearance 

 when the bird looks the spectator in the face. 



The food of this Owl consists generally of grouse, partridges, 

 hares, and other similar game, and the bird is so powerful that it 

 will successfully chase even larger prey. Mr. Lloyd, in his well- 

 known "Field Sports," gives the following description of the 

 Eagle Owl as it appears in the Scandinavian forests. 



"These Owls, Dr. Mellerborg assured me, will sometimes destroy 

 dogs. Indeed, he himself once knew an instance of the kind. He 

 states another 'circumstance, showing the ferocity of these birds, 

 which came under his notice. Two men were in the forest for the 

 purpose of getting berries, when one of them happening to approach 

 near to the nest of the Owl, she pounced on him while he was in the 

 act of stooping, and fixing her talons in his back, wounded him very 

 severely. His companion, however, was fortunately near at hand, 

 who, catching up a stick, lost no time in destroying the furious bird. 



"Mr. Nilsson states that these Owls not infrequently engage in 

 combat with the eagle himself, and that they often come off vic- 

 torious. These powerful and voracious birds, that gentleman 

 remarks, occasionally kill the fawns of the stag, roebuck, and 

 reindeer. The largest of the birds common to the Scandinavian 

 forests, such as the capercali, often become their prey. The 

 hooting of these Owls may often be heard during the night-time 

 in the northern forests; the sound, which is a most melancholy 

 one, and which has given rise to many superstitions, is audible at 

 a long distance." — Extract front Wood's Living World. 



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