EAGLE-OWLS. 



165 



It is considered a true friend to the farmer, as it lives almost exclusively on mice 

 and other small rodents and the larger insects. Hollow apple and oak trees are 

 its favourite nesting-resorts; the eggs, usually five or six in number, being laid 

 on the bare wood. 



The great horned owls, or eagle-owls, include the largest and 

 most powerful representatives of the entire order, but few of the 

 species falling short of 20 inches in length. Allied to the screech-owls, they 



Eagle-Owls. 



EAGLE-OWL {\ nat. size). 



may be distinguished by their relatively shorter wings, which never reach within 

 a considerable distance of the end of the tail ; while the great size of the ear- 

 tufts and the beautifully barred plumage aids in recognising these magnificent 

 birds. Although the toes may be sometimes bare or but sparsely feathered, the 

 metatarsus is always plumed throughout. The beak is short and strong, with a 

 compressed tip, and the large nostrils are either oval or rounded. Of eagle- 

 owls there are nearly a score of species, ranging over the greater part of the 

 Old and New Worlds, although unrepresented in Australasia. As being the only 



