. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. . uished by two tufts or horns of feathersplaced on each side of their head. They are subdivided intomany species, five of which—the Great Owl, Virginian Eared Owl,the Long-eared Owls, Short-eared Owls, and Scops-eared Owl, wewill mention. The Great Owl {Bubo maximus, Fig. 254) is the most remarkableof the family on account of its size and strength. Its height is onan average two feet, and it is justly acknowledged as the king ofnocturnal birds. Its bill and claw
. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. . uished by two tufts or horns of feathersplaced on each side of their head. They are subdivided intomany species, five of which—the Great Owl, Virginian Eared Owl,the Long-eared Owls, Short-eared Owls, and Scops-eared Owl, wewill mention. The Great Owl {Bubo maximus, Fig. 254) is the most remarkableof the family on account of its size and strength. Its height is onan average two feet, and it is justly acknowledged as the king ofnocturnal birds. Its bill and claws are of a black colour, very strongand hooked. Its plumage is russet, variegated with black spots andbrown stripes; its wings, when extended, are not less than five feet J J 2 548 REPTILES AND BIRDS. across. Its eyes are large and fixed, with black pupils surroundedwith yellow. It bears light with less inconvenience than the othernocturnal birds, and therefore goes out sooner in the evening andreturns home later in the morning. This bird makes its home amongthe clefts of rocks on mountain sides, rarely leaving elevated ground. Fig. 254. —Great Owl. to descend into the plain, even when hunting. Its cry, hiiibou,Iwuhoii^ bouhou, ouhou, re-echoing in the silence of night, is a sourceof terror to the rest of the feathered creation. It feeds also uponliares, rabbits, moles, rats, and mice. When rearing its young, whichare very voracious, it even devours toads, frogs, and small reptiles. THE GREAT OWL. 549 The Great Cwl is very courageous, and often fights with the Tawny-Eagle, not unfrequently becoming victor in such contests. The fightis sometimes so severe that it terminates in the death of both com-batants. M. Bailly relates that he was told by reliable witnesses that anEagle and Great Owl, which were fighting together in the mountainsof Savoy, drove their claws so deep into one anothers flesh thatthe belhgerents could not withdraw them, so both died on the sceneof action. I
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