572 
BIRD-LIFE. 
the mischief they do, on account of the young, which are 
so much sought after, and fetch high prices. 
The young are easily reared, and are, to a certain 
degree, even capable of being tamed. I once saw an 
Eagle Owl, in Stockholm, which was one of the best- 
tempered creatures under the sun, and would allow its 
keeper to stroke it, would answer, and come to his call. It 
was allowed to go free in the courtyard, and would fly on to 
the neighbouring roofs, always returning, however, to its 
cage again; in short, it behaved in a manner for which 
one would not have given it credit. Eagle Owls have 
also been known to breed in confinement on several 
occasions. 
With us the Eagle Owl is kept in confinement for the 
purpose of being used as a decoy at the “ Krahenhutte” 
(literally, Crow’s hut). To indulge in this sport it is 
necessary to build a small hut on the top of any hill or 
mound which may be favourably situated: it must be 
about twelve feet in diameter, and sunk in the earth, so 
as to be almost flush with the surface, the roof being 
covered with turf. This hut is provided with several 
loopholes, which slope downwards from the inside, like 
those used for musketry; the door is made as small as 
possible. At about fifteen paces from the hut a small 
hillock of turf is raised; on this is a perch, and upon it 
the Owl is placed; right and left of the bird large dead 
boughs are planted, or even live trees. Now, when the 
migratory season arrives the sportsman comes before 
sunrise to the hut, accompanied by his tame Owl, whose 
claws have been filed; the King of the Night is then 
chained to his perch, and the hunter hides in the hut. 
After a short time his attention is attracted by the 
curious movements of the Owl, who rolls its eyes from 
