140 EAGLE OWL. 



provision at the time. The gentleman and his servant watched 

 several nights in order that they might observe, through a 

 window, when and how this supply was brought, but in vain; 

 for it appeared that the Owls, which are very quick-sighted, 

 had discovered the moment when the window was not watched, 

 as food was found to be placed before the coop on these very 

 nights. In the month of August, the attention on the part 

 of the old birds ceased; but it should be observed that this 

 was about the usual period when all birds of prey abandon 

 their young to their own exertions, and usually drive them off 

 to shift for themselves in distant haunts. It may be readily 

 concluded, from this instance, how much game must be 

 destroyed by a pair of these large Owls, during the time they 

 rear their young.' 



The Eagle Owl is easily reconciled to confinement; and in 

 two instances has been known to breed in captivity. A pair 

 of these birds, in the possession of Mr. Edward Fountaine, of 

 Easton, near Norwich, formed a nest of straw in the corner 

 of their cage: the first egg was laid on the 13th. of April, 

 1849; and two others about a week afterwards. Two young 

 birds were hatched on the 19th. of May, and the third on 

 the 22nd. Another which was kept in the Zoological Gardens, 

 has also been known to lay an egg. In defence of this, it 

 exhibited the most determined spirit; hissing and snapping 

 with its bill, and ruining all its feathers. 



In moving on the ground, the action of this bird is by a 

 series of jumps, aided by the wings: it does not walk. 



The food of the Eagle Owl consists of even the larger 

 animals, such as fawns and lambs; hares, rabbits, rats, mice, 

 and moles; birds capercali, pheasants, grouse, partridges, 

 crows, rooks; as also snakes, lizards, frogs; and even insects 

 and fish; all indeed seems to be fish that comes to its net. 

 It pounces at its prey on the ground, and is said to destroy 

 life with its claws alone. The smaller prey are swallowed 

 whole, the larger are torn in pieces. 'From its lonely retreat 

 in some deep forest glen,' says Linnaeus Martin, 'some rift 

 among hoary rocks, where it reposes in silence during the 

 day, this winged marauder issues forth at night, intent upon 

 its victims; its harsh dismal voice resounding at intervals 

 through the gloomy solitude of a wild and savage scene.' 



The note resembles the bark of a small dog, varied some- 

 times into a 'hoot,' or 'hoo,' or 'poo-hoo,' accompanied by a 

 snapping of the bill, and hissing. The female has in addition 



