302 NATURAL HISTORY. 



a British bird, recourse must be had to the writings of Continental naturalists for an account of its 

 habits, and the following extract is made from Dr. Brehm's " Bird Life " (p. 567) : " The Eagle Owl 

 is somewhat fantastic in appearance, usually sitting with its feathers so much ruffled as to make it 

 seem much larger than it really is. ' In that large, shapeless mass of feathers,' says Naumann, ' one 

 can scarcely distinguish the limbs ; the half-closed eyes hide their glorious rays ; suddenly it opens them 

 wide, bends the head and upper part of the body forwards, swaying from side to side, and raising first 

 one foot and then the other, begins to tremble, winks slowly with the eyelids, spits like a cat, and 

 snaps its bill. When angry its eyes flash fire, it bends forward with hanging wings, ruffles its plumage 

 as much as possible, and snapping and hissing, dashes furiously at the enemy.' 



" This bird seems less courageous than sui'ly and quarrelsome, and yet it is asserted that it will 

 fight to the death with the Golden Eagle, when attacked by the latter. The Eagle Owl is a powerful 

 bird, and as there are no bounds to its fury, it is but rarely that anything escapes from its grasp. 

 Though strictly nocturnal in its habits, it always keeps a good look out for its own safety in the 

 daytime, and is ever shy and cautious. Keen of sight and hearing, it takes wing while the danger is 

 still far off. Like other Owls, this bird is fond of pressing itself against the stem of a tree, with 

 unruffled feathers, so as to closely imitate the stump of a tree, and thus escape detection. Inasmuch 

 as deep clefts in the rocks, or the thickest of trees, are its usual retreats, the Owl is often passed over, 

 which fact is undoubtedly an advantage, for the day birds mob it whenever they see it. They may 

 possibly have made it the savage, spiteful bird it is, inasmuch as their system of constant irritation 

 would be sufficient to try the temper of the mildest individual. Thus nothing remains for the Owl 

 but to evade its distui-bers, and hide itself as long as possible; but woe betide it if discovered, for then 

 the friends of daylight treat it to a ' charivari ' without equal. 



" The first to arrive on the scene is the ubiquitous Crow, conducted thither by some inquisitive 

 warbler who has discovered the enemy's retreat. The Crow thoroughly understands what the little 

 fellow means, and hastens to convince itself of the truth of the information. Having satisfied itself, 

 it retires noiselessly, but only to carry the news to its relatives. Now they flock in from all sides 

 to take part in the fight, with an eagerness worthy of the boldest man ; gi'eeting one another with 

 hoarse and scornful croaks, the sooty tribe hasten as fast as they can to the scene of action. The 

 mockers surround the poor old ' Grand Duke,' at first at a respectful distance, though they are fully 

 determined effectively to disturb its siesta. There sits the Owl, rolling its eyes, spitting, snapping its 

 beak, and ruffling its feathers, now hopping from one leg to another, now raising and lowering its 

 feathered horns by turns ; mad with rage, bemoaning its fate, and at loggerheads with the whole 

 world, it awaits the turn that matters may take ; at the same time, be it remembered, every Crow 

 takes good care not to lay hold of the irritated gentleman ; nothing less than a Raven dares to rely on 

 its own strength. One of these, however, will run a tilt at the dark knight, using its sharp beak as a 

 lance ; but before the latter has time to raise the tenible claw, the Raven makes good its retreat, 

 pi-epares for another rush, and darts like an arrow, so as to use its weapon effectively. The Owl now 

 loses the last remnant of patience, and seeks safety in flight. Oh, unlucky wight ! this is all the black 

 swarm have been waiting for, the Crows being far its superiors on the wing. Giving vent to exulting 

 cries, they dart down from above with such unerring aim and force as to scatter the poor brute's 

 feathers in clouds to the wind : they rise again with a mighty noise that heeds no secrecy, as though 

 they sought to proclaim to the world at large all the fell deeds committed by this Prince of Darkness, 

 while other knights advance to battle. All Hawks and Falcons, ay, the proud Eagle even, answer 

 to the call, and hasten to take part in the fray. Now the Owl must, perforce, either beat a hasty 

 retreat or remain on the field. In any case, however, the Owl is thoroughly worried, and sometimes 

 really damaged, before it finds refuge in some thick tree or rocky cleft, where it hides itself as 

 closely and as silently as its rage will permit, until quit of the Crows. 



"The detestation in which the Eagle Owl is held by all diurnal birds is not ill-founded, for 

 this bird preys on every living creature it can overcome, assassinating them in the most abominable 

 manner while they are asleep. Its quarry is as follows : Fawns of the Roe Deer, Hares, Rabbits, 

 Hamsters, Rats, Moles, Mice, Capercailzie, Black-game, Hazel-hens, Pheasants, Partridges, Rooks, 

 Jays, Magpies, Snakes, Lizards, and Frogs ; Rooks seem to be its favourite morsel. No wonder, 

 then, that they pay their enemy out if they can only see an opportunity. It assassinates them ; they 



