cliffs, or in dense foliage, during the daytimd, and sallies
forth at dusk in quest of its prey, which consists of
birds, and, where they exist, hares and rabbits. In
Epirus I am convinced that, during the autumn and
winter months, these Owls fed principally upon wildfowl,
which they seized as they were feeding on the
open marshy lands by night. This bird is a very early
breeder, usually commencing to lay early in February;
the eggs are pure white, much rounded in shape, and
generally from two to four in number; very little nest
is made, the eggs being generally laid on a bare earthy
ledge of cliff (I am, of course, only writing of my own
experience).
The Eagle-Owl will live in confinement for a great
number of years, if not over-fed and allowed to take
a sun-bath when so inclined. We have reared several
young of this species at Lilford from eggs laid in the
aviaries, but from some hitherto unexplained cause have
not of late years met with the success in this direction
that has attended other English possessors of these Owls
in captivity.