EAGLE OWL. 109 



rocky and unfrequented the country, the more it is preferred, 

 especially where old ruins exist, which are its chosen places 

 of resort. On this account the south of Germany is much 

 visited by the Eagle Owl, and in the Hartz Mountains it is 

 everywhere well known. 



In these wild regions this Owl was formerly the subject of 

 many a curious and popular superstition, and even at the 

 present time plays no inconsiderable part in the history of 

 the Wild Huntsman and other evil genii. Its singular and 

 savage appearance, associated with its melancholy voice, ren- 

 der it no inappropriate auxiliary in the supernatural tales 

 in which Germany so much delights. The modulation of 

 the higher and lower notes of several of these birds, heard 

 among ivy-covered ruins, or in dark forests, where echoes 

 repeat the hollow unearthly tone, may well be likened to the 

 barking of dogs, the neighing of horses, or the unhallowed 

 laughter of the phantom-huntsman, — stories which even now 

 thrill through the nerves, and chill with superstitious horror 

 the uneducated clowns, the chief inhabitants of the gloomy 

 and lonely mountain-forests of the Hartz. 



In former times, when fire-arms were not so much in use, 

 these birds frequented the towers of isolated castles, although 

 inhabited. About the latter end of March, these birds begin 

 their arrangements for breeding, although they only produce 

 one brood in the year. Their large unshapely nest is con- 

 structed of many dried sticks and branches, and lined with 

 dead leaves or straws, and is either placed among the rocks, 

 in old buildings, or stumps of trees, and occasionally in a 

 lofty tree. 



Sometimes the eggs are deposited in a hole, without any 

 attempt at a nest. The female deposits two or three, rarely 

 four eggs, and sits three weeks ; seldom more than two 

 young ones are hatched. These much resemble a ball of 



