THE EAGLE-OWL. 
79 
Bilbo maciimus, Fleming; Macg. Br. B. iii. p. 428 (1840) ; Seeb. 
Br B 1. p. 187 (18S3); Lilford, Col, Fig. Br. B. part xi. 
(1889). 
Adult Male.— Of large size. Blackish above, mottled and 
freckled M’lth yellowish-buff or tawny markings ; ear-tufts 
inches in length, black, with tawny markings on the inner ones"*^- 
nape and hind-neck lighter than the rest of the upper surface' 
tawny-bulf, with broad black centres and narrow black cross- 
mes ; scapulars externally whitish or pale tawny, with a few- 
black cross-hues ; quills dark brown, barred with tawny-buff 
the bars freckled with black, the inner webs for the most part 
tawny, with irregular black markings; centre tail-feathers 
blackish, with buff vermiculations, the rest more or less dis- 
tinctly barred ivith tawny-buff, the inner webs bright tawny 
with irregular blackish mottlings, more distinct towards the 
ends of the feathers ; lores and region of the eye whitish • 
sides of neck like the hind-neck ; chin and fore-neck wFite' 
separated from each other by a band of tawny, black-centred 
feathers; crop taivny-buff; centre of breast w'hite ■ rest of 
under surface tawny-buff, the chest-feathers streaked with 
black and spotted or barred with irregular lines of black : 
bill blackish horn-colour ; iris orange. Total length, 26 inches' 
wing, i8-6; tail, 11-2 ; tarsus, 3-2. 
Adult Female.— Similar to the male, but larger. Wintr 18-2 
inches. 5> ^ “ 
Nestling.— Covered with down of a dull white colour. 
Eange in Great Britain,— Of rare and accidental occurrence. 
Many of the records doubtless refer to specimens escaped 
from confinement, as the bird is often kept in aviaries, and not 
unfrequently breeds m captivity. It is, therefore, difficult ta 
determine whether the Eagle-Owls which have from time to 
time been recorded, have actually wandered to Oreat Britain 
or have been escaped individuals. Some undoubtedly wild 
birds have, however, been taken in the Orkneys and Shetland 
Isles, on the mainland of Scotland, and in some parts of Eng- 
land ; so that there can be no doubt that the bird occasionally 
visits us from the Continent. The statement of its occurrence 
m Ireland is untrustworthy, as the specimen recorded by Dr. 
