EAGL1<: OWL. 



101 



eggs are pure white, very rotund, and the shell is somewhat rough in 

 texture. Their superior size prevents them being confused with those 

 of any other speeies of European Owl. They measure fi-om 2'55 to 

 21 inch in length and from 2 to 1'85 inch in breadth. 



The general colour of the upper parts of the Eagle Owl is a mottled 

 mixture of reddish brown and dark brown ; the primaries and tail trans- 

 versely barred. The underparts are brown, palest on the breast, which is 

 marked with longitudinal patches of dark brown, whilst the remainder of 

 the under surface is marked with numerous transverse bars of dark brown. 

 Beak, which is nearly hidden by feathers, black ; irides bright orange ; 

 claws black. The tufts on the head ai'e composed of elongated dark brown 

 feathers barred with light brown, and form two large horns erected or 

 depressed at pleasure. The female bird is similar to the male, but larger 



