done so expeditiously as to prevent the young eagles from devouring part of their food, the shepherds are under the necessity of bringing our supply somewhat mutilated."

The Golden Eagle is remarkable for its long life and its power of going without food for a surprising length of time. One that died at Vienna had been in confinement above a century; and one that was in the possession of a gentleman of Conway, in Caernarvonshire, was, from the neglect of his servants, kept for three weeks without food. M. de Buffon was also assured, by a person on whom he could rely, that an eagle, being caught in a fox-trap, existed five weeks without any kind of food. It showed no appearance of weakness till the last eight days, and was at length killed, in order to put a period to its sufferings.

THE HAWK.

A GENTLEMAN relates the following:-" About three years since a young Sparrowhawk was purchased and brought up by my brother. This was rather hazardous, as he, at the same time, had a large stock of fancy pigeons, which, in consequence of their rarity and value, he greatly prized. It seems, hovever, that kindness and care had softened

the nature of the

hawk, or the regularity with which he was fed rendered the usual habits of his family unnecessary to his happiness; for, as he increased in age and size, his familiarity also increased, leading him to form an intimate acquaintance with a set of friends who have

hawk used also to accompany them. At first the pigeons were shy, of course; but, by degrees, they got over their fears, and ate as confidently as if the ancient enemies of their race had sent no representative to their banquet. It was curious to observe the playfulness of the hawk, and his perfect good-nature during the entertainment; for he received his morsel of meat without that ferocity with which birds of prey usually take their food, and merely uttered a cry of lamentation when the carver disappeared. He would then attend the pigeons in their flight round and round the house and gardens, and perch with them on the chimney-top, or roof of the mansion; and this voyage he never failed to make early in the morning, when the pigeons always took their exercise. At night he retired with them to the dovecot: and though for some days he was the sole occupant of the place, the pigeons not having relished this intrusion at first, he was afterwards merely a guest there; for he never disturbed his hospitable friends, even when their young ones, unfledged and helpless as they were, offered a strong temptation to his appetite. He seemed unhappy at any separation from the pigeons, and invariably returned to the dovehouse, after a few days purposed confinement in another abode, during which imprisonment he would utter most melancholy cries for deliverance; but, these were changed to cries of joy on the arrival of any person with whom he was familiar. All the household were on terms of acquaintance with him ; and there never was a bird who seemed to have won such general admiration. He was as playful as a kitten, and, literally, as loving as a dove.

But that his nature was not altogether altered, and that notwithstanding his education, he was still a hawk in spirit, was proved on an occasion of almost equal interest. A neighbour had sent us a very fine specimen of the smaller horned owl which he had winged when flying in the midst of a covey of partridges; and after having tended the wounded limb, and endeavoured to make a cure, we thought of soothing the prisoner's captivity by a larger degree of freedom than he had in the hencoop which he inhabited. No sooner, however, had our former acquaintance, the hawk, got sight of him, than he fell upon him most unmercifully; and from that instant, whenever they came in contact, a series of combats commenced, which equalled in skill and courage any of those which have so much distinguished that great hero, who to the boldness and clearness of vision of the hawk, unites the wisdom of the bird of Athens. The defence of the poor little owl was admirably conducted he would throw himself upon his back, and await the attack of his enemy with patience and preparation; and, by dint of biting and scratching, would frequently win a positive, as he often did a negative victory. Acquaintanceship did not seem, in this case, likely to ripen

into friendship; and when his wing had gained strength, taking advantage of a favourable opportunity, the owl decamped, leaving the hawk in possession of his territory.

The fate of the successful combatant was, however, soon to be accomplished; for he was shortly after found drowned in a butt of water, from which he had once or twice been extricated before, having summoned a deliverer to his assistance by cries that told he was in distress. There was great lamentation throughout the family when he died; and it was observed by more than one person, that the portion of the dovecot in which he was wont to pass the night was for some time unoccupied by the pigeons with whom he had lived so peaceably, even during his wars with the unfortunate owl.

THE OWL.

THE characters and appearance of Owls are so singular and so peculiar, that once having seen them they are not readily forgotten. They have but little external beauty of form. The head is large, the expression very grave, the body bulky in appearance, the plumage soft and downy. Unlike the falcons, which hunt for their food by day, the owls seek their prey during the twilight of morning and evening, and probably during the greater part of the night, if the state of the moon or the atmosphere affords sufficient light for the purpose. From this habit of flying at night, the singular appearance of the bird produced by the arrangement of the feathers of the face, forming a broad circular disc, a peculiar hollow tone of voice, unlike that of any other bird, and the circumstance of most of them selecting the ruins of sacred buildings as places of resort, the owl has been considered by the superstitious as a bird of darkness and ill-fortune, and by some persons he has even been regarded as a messenger of death.

The eyes of owls are large, and appear to be particularly susceptible of impression from light. If exposed to the glare of day, most of the species seem to be powerfully affected by it, and their eyes are either closed entirely, or defended by an internal eyelid, which is brought down with ease and rapidity. The power of hearing in owls is probably more acute than in many other birds. Their flight is easy and buoyant, but not rapid; and from the softness of the feathers, even those of the wings, it is performed without noise.

The Eagle-Owl is one of the largest species of the family, and inhabits the north of Europe generally; but it is very seldom met with in Eng

land. Its food consists of the larger sorts of game, such as fawns, hares, grouse, &c., which it pounces on upon the ground, seizing its prey with its feet, and seldom advancing its head towards the victim till its struggles are over.

Owls have been noticed to have an extraordinary atttachment to their young. An instance of this was witnessed by a Swedish gentleman, who resided several years on a farm near a steep mountain, on the top of which two eagle-owls had built their nest. One day in the month of July, a young bird, having quitted the nest, was caught by the servants. This bird was, considering the season of the year, well feathered; but the down appeared here and there between those feathers which had not yet attained their full growth. After it was caught, it was shut up in a large hen-coop, when, to his surprise, on the following morning, a fine young partridge was found lying dead before the door of the coop. It was immediately concluded that this provision had been brought there by the old owls, which no doubt had been searching in the night time for their lost young one. And such

The Scops-Eared Owl is one of the smallest of the family which is found in this country. It never appears in the day-time, and feeds upon mice, beetles, and large moths. It forms a simple nest in the openings of rocks, or in the hollows of trees, laying from two to four or five eggs, which are white, one inch in length, and about an inch and a half in breadth.

The Long-Eared Owl, from the variety and beauty of the markings on

its plumage, is a very handsome species, and, though probably not numerous anywhere, is by no means unknown or uncommon in most wooded districts.

The Short-Eared Owl is not only numerous as a species, but is also very widely diffused. Unlike the long-eared owl, which hides itself in large woods or thick plantations, this bird frequents wide open fields, extensive commons, heaths, and moors.

Naturalists appear to be agreed that our well-known White, or BarnOwl may be considered the type of the true owls. Unlike the species last described, the barn-owl is resident in this country throughout the year; and is so peculiar in the colouring of its plumage, and so generally diffused, that it is probably the best known of all the British species of owls.

This White Owl inhabits church-steeples, barns, old malting-kilns, or deserted ruins of any sort, and also holes in decayed trees. Unless disturbed, these birds seldom leave their retreat during the day; and if the place of concealment be approached with caution, and a view of the bird obtained, it will generally be observed to have its eyes closed, as if asleep. About sunset the pair of owls, particularly when they have young, issue forth in search of food, and may be observed flapping gently along, through lanes, hedge-rows, orchards, and small enclosures near out-buildings.

The Tawny Owl is a common bird in most well-wooded districts, and seldom leaves her place of concealment during the day; it also appears to suffer more from bright light than any other species of owl. It inhabits thick woods, or strong plantations of evergreens; and at night goes forth to seek its food, sometimes visiting small enclosures about farm-houses, and at others taking a wider range over the neighbouring fields.

THE PARROT.

A PARROT belonging to the sister of the Comte de Buffon (says Bingley), would frequently speak to himself, and seem to fancy that some one

addressed him. He often asked for his paw, and answered by holding up. Though he liked to hear the voice of children, he seemed to have an antipathy to them; he pursued them, and bit them till he

it