And elsewhere also the same phenomenon is to be observed.
The eagle and the snake are enemies, for the eagle lives on
snakes; so are the ichneumon and the venom-spider, for the ichneumon
preys upon the latter. In the case of birds, there is mutual enmity
between the poecilis, the crested lark, the woodpecker (?), and the
chloreus, for they devour one another's eggs; so also between the crow
and the owl; for, owing to the fact that the owl is dim-sighted by
day, the crow at midday preys upon the owl's eggs, and the owl at
night upon the crow's, each having the whip-hand of the other, turn
and turn about, night and day.
There is enmity also between the owl and the wren; for the
latter also devours the owl's eggs. In the daytime all other little
birds flutter round the owl-a practice which is popularly termed
'admiring him'-buffet him, and pluck out his feathers; in
consequence of this habit, bird-catchers use the owl as a decoy for
catching little birds of all kinds.
The so-called presbys or 'old man' is at war with the weasel and
the crow, for they prey on her eggs and her brood; and so the
turtle-dove with the pyrallis, for they live in the same districts and
on the same food; and so with the green wood pecker and the libyus;
and so with kite and the raven, for, owing to his having the advantage
from stronger talons and more rapid flight the former can steal
whatever the latter is holding, so that it is food also that makes
enemies of these.
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