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diameter; it is composed of sticks, bound 
together by fibrous roots, and lined with 
leaves; it generally lays two eggs, somewhat 
larger than those of a Hen, and variegated 
like the bird itself. It builds its nest in the 
caverns of rocks, in mountainous and almost 
inaccessible places, and is seldom seen on the 
plain or perched on trees. It feeds on young 
Hares, Rabbits, Rats, Mice, and reptiles of 
various kinds. 
This species of Owl sees better during the 
day than almost any of the tribe. It has 
been frequently observed preying on birds 
and the smaller quadrupeds in full day- 
light. 
A pleasing instance of the attachment of 
these birds to their young is recorded by 
Bingley, as extracted from the transactions of 
the Philosophical Society of Stockholm. 
M. Cronstedt "resided several years on a 
farm in Sudermania, near a steep mountain, 
on the summit of which two Eagle Owls had 
their nest. One day in the month of July, a 
young one, having quitted the nest, was seized 
by some of his servants. This bird, after it 
was caught, was shut up in a large hen-coop ; 
