the relative disposition of white and black * strongly resembles that of the common stork. They flew very near to us, evidently having no fear of man. In most countries, vultures are indeed not only unmolested, but regarded as benefactors ; the Turks, however, amiably protect birds of all kinds.
THE EAGLE OWL.
Bubo maximus, Sibbald.
Strix bubo, Linn.
Is said to have been once observed in Ireland.
The only record of its occurrence appears in Mr. J.V. Stewart's Catalogue of the Birds of Donegal, in the following words : — "Four of these birds paid us a visit for two days after a great storm from the north, when the ground was covered with snow. They have not since been seen here. As I am informed that a pair of them breed in Tory Island, about nine miles to the north of this coast, it is probable that they came from that island. I have heard of them nowhere else/' f Their breeding at Tory must be a mere fancy on the part of the individual who made the communication to Mr. Stewart.
THE SCOPS-EARED OWL.
Scops Aldrovandi, Ray.
Strix scops, Linn.
Has been obtained at least twice in Ireland.
The following notice of its first occurrence was communicated by me to the Zoological Society of London, in 1837, and appeared in the Proceedings of that year, p. 54 : —
I have been informed by Robert Ball, Esq., of Dublin, that a scops-eared owl was shot in the month of July, a few years ago, by the gamekeeper at Loughcrew, county of Meath, the seat of J.W.L. Naper, Esq., in whose possession it now is. The specimen was kindly sent to Dublin for the examination of Mr. Ball, and
See Yarrell's figure of the adult Egyptian vulture.
t Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. v. p. 581. 1832.
