EAGLE OWL. The name most often given in Europe to the great-horned owl (Bubo ignarus), representing a group of large, tierce owls of the Northern generally. of which the American great Immed or hooting owl is a fa miliar example They are characterized by a somewhat incomplete facial disk, two tufts of feathers (horns or egrets) of considerable size on the head, ears with small external openings, legs and toes covered with feathers, short, strong. curved bill, and long. curved. sharp claws. To this genus belong the largest of the nocturnal birds of prey. The eagle owl of Europe ap proaches in size (26 to 28 inches) the golden eagle, and preys on quadrupeds such as bares, rabbits. and young, deer, and on grouse. par tridges. and other kinds of gamer. It seizes its prey with its feet. and seldom touches it with the hill till its struggles are over. It is an in habitant of many parts of Europe and Asia, but. it is rare in Great Britain. 'rite eagle owl of America (Bubo l'irginimuts), the Virginian or great horned owl. is very similar to the species just noticed. but of inferior size. although still a large and powerful, as it is also a hold, bird. It does not scruple to attack half-grown turkeys, and often suceeeds in making them its prey. It
carries off with ease almost any other inhabitant of the poultry-yard. It is fonnd in almost all parts of both North and South America. and is not migratory. Eastern Asia has some allied species.
The habits of all these birds are essentially similar, and differ from those of the smaller owls I -ee nwl.) only in the greater strength and boldness of their rapacity. They lay two or three white eggs, but an East Indian species eorom(ndus) is remarkable in laying, sometimes, distinctly spotted eggs. In northern regions the eggs are laid in March, or even in February, and often incubated amid violent snow-storms. This owl is often seen in menageries, and occasion ally huts been tamed. Its note is a deep. loud, two-syllabled hoot, but is varied sometimes into a hoarse. neighing laugh, well calculated to frighten one •II0 hears it in the midnight loneliness of the forest. Consult: Dresser, Birds of L'urope (Lon don, 1879), and other ornithologies ( see Bran. for the Old World species: Fisher, Hawks and Owls of the United States (Washington, 1893) : Selate• and lItlson..lrgentine Ornithology (Lon don, 1888). See Plate of Owl.s.