EAGLE OWL. 295 
like those of all the Owls we are acquainted with, 
and of a rounded form. 
In confinement this bird is easily kept, and 
becomes to a certain extent acquainted -with its 
keeper, or those immediately near it. One which 
we kept for some years excited much interest, 
and we shall again transcribe our note on its 
manners. “ An Eagle Owl in my possession 
remains quiet during the day, unless he is shewn 
some prey, when he becomes eager to possess 
it; and when it is put within his reach, at 
once clutches it, and retires to a corner to devour 
at leisure. During the night he is extremely 
active, and sometimes keeps up an incessant hark ; 
it is so similar to that of a cur or terrier, as to 
annoy a large Labrador house-dog, who expressed 
his dissatisfaction by replying to him, and disturb- 
ing the inmates nightly. I at first also mistook 
the cry for that of a dog, and without any recol- 
lection of the Owl, sallied forth to silence the 
disturber of our repose, and it was not until tracing 
the noise to the cage that I became satisfied of the 
author of our annoyance. I have remarked that 
he barks more incessantly during a clear night in 
winter than at any other time ; and the thin air at 
that season makes the cry very distinctly heard to 
a considerable distance. This, however, is not 
the only call ; when much annoyed either at some 
stranger, or the appearance of any larger animal. 
