THE EAGLE OWL. 
569 
this is all the black swarm has been waiting for, the 
Crows being far its superiors on the wing. Giving vent 
to exulting cries, they dart clown from above with such 
unerring aim and force as to scatter the poor brute’s 
feathers in clouds to the winds: they rise again with a 
mighty noise, that heeds no secrecy, as though they 
sought to proclaim to the world at large, all the fell 
deeds committed by this Prince of Darkness, while other 
knights advance to battle. All Hawks and Falcons, aye, 
the proud Eagle even, answer to the call, and hasten to 
take part in the fray. Now the Owl must, perforce, 
either beat a hasty retreat or remain on the field. In any 
case, however, the Owl is thoroughly worried, and some¬ 
times really damaged, before it finds refuge in some thick 
tree or rocky cleft, where it hides itself as closely and 
silently as its rage will permit, until quit of the Crows. 
The detestation in which the Eagle Owl is held by all 
diurnal birds is not ill founded, for this bird preys on 
every living creature it can overcome, assassinating them 
in the most abominable manner while they are asleep. 
Its quarry is as follows:—fawns of the roe deer, hares, 
rabbits, hamsters, rats, moles, mice, Capercaillie, Black- 
game, Hazel Hens, Pheasants, Partridges, Books, Jays, 
Magpies, snakes, lizards, and frogs; Books seem to be its 
favourite morsel. No wonder, then, that they pay their 
enemy out if they can only see an opportunity. It assas¬ 
sinates them; they attack it in open day. The Eagle Owl 
generally breaks the spine of the smaller animals close to 
the head, and, cracking the remaining bones, devours its 
prey skin and all; the heads of the larger birds it pulls 
off, as also the feathers, and then tears away the flesh in 
large pieces, which it swallows: it, however, always 
devours a portion of the hair, feathers, or scales, as well, 
