67 



being the Great Eagle Owl. It is one of the fiercest and boldest of its 

 kii d, even attacking young fawns. When discovered during the 

 daytime by the smaller birds, it is usually set upon and mobbed. It 

 is found in the greater pr<rt of Europe, and occasionally scan in Britain. 



Frazer's Eagle Owl (Bubo fioensis) Page 22. Another species 

 of the eagle owl is Frazer's Eagle Owl, differing somewhat from the 

 rest of its kind by the markings of its plumage. It is a native of 

 West Africa. 



Pel's Owl (Scotopelia peli). Page 23. This is one of the fishing 

 owls, all of which are distinguished by having bare legs. It comes 

 from West Africa. ^ 



Winking Owl (Ninox connivens), Page 24. A native of North 

 Queensland, this bird derives its name from the curious habit of open- 

 ing and shutting its eyes, suggestive of winking. In size it is not 

 much larger than the barn owl, 



EAGLES. 



The ea;les belong to the hawk tribe, and are mostly of large 

 size, being little smaller than the largest species of vultures ; 

 but unlike the latter (except in a very few cases), they do not feed 

 upon carrion, but on food which they have first killed for themselves. 

 Their noble appta ance has given them the title of "the king of 

 birds." 



White-Tailed Sea Eagle (Haliactus albicilla}, Page 25. To 

 the sea eagles belong the largest species of the family. The White' 

 tailed Sea Eagle is found all over Europe, and on rare occasions seen in 

 the British Islands, when it is more frequently than not mistaken for 

 the golden eagle. It feeds upon both fish and water fowl, even being 

 known to attack a salmon. The female bird is considerably larger 

 than the male ; a fact which is well exemplified in the pair now to 

 be seen at the Zoo. 



Bateleur Eagle (Helotarsus ecaudatus), Page 26. A native of 

 Africa, this bird is at once distinguishable from other eagles by iis 

 colouring, the plumage being of a glossy black and chestnut. 

 However, the most conspicuous colouring is on the naked skin round 

 the eyes, and on the feet, which are deep red although this may 

 diminish somewhat in captivity. Its principal food consists of 

 snakes and lizards, of which it eats a large quantity. It has a very 

 curious habit, when flying, of looking downwards and backwards. 



Martial Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus bellicosus), Page 27. The 

 hawk eagles appioach the sparrowhawks and goshawks in having 

 their plumage barred and spotted ; their wings are also much smaller 

 than with the other species, They are the fiercest of their kind, and 

 remarkably quick in their movements. The Martial Hawk Eagle 

 is a native of South Africa. 



Crowned Hawk Eagle (Sfizaetus coronatus), Page 28. The 

 Crowned Hawk Eagle, belonging to this group, is a smaller bird 

 than the Martial Hawk Eagle, but for all that is quite as fierce. None 

 of the hawk eagles feed upon carrion, but kill their prey for them- 

 selves. It hails from Africa. 



Golden Eagle (Aguila chrysaetus), Page 29. This bird is the 

 best known of its kind, and still breeds in the remoter parts of the 

 British Isles. The size of the female bird is stated to be 35% inches, 

 whilst the male is some few inches shorter. Their nests are generally 

 placed in the most inaccessible ledges amongst the high cliffs ; al- 

 though a case has been noted of one building in a tree in Scotland. 



Vulturine Eagle (Aguila verreauxi), Page 30. Another 

 representative species is the Vulturine Eagle, a native of South Africa. 



