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This sketch of Owl keeping is only intended as a hint to

their management, and not in any way individual. It may be

taken as a general rule that Owls of the genus Bubo, as the Eagle

Owl is, are very hardy and thrive well, and that the Arctic Owls

are delicate and require care, notably Tengmalm’s, the Hawk Owl,

the Snowy Owl, and of this latter I can endorse all that Mr.

St. Quintin says of the importance of tender food for them.

Rabbits always as young as possible, young rats (never old ones),

water rats (the latter are particularly good food, and possibly

from being vegetarians are very like the Lemmings) with, if

they will eat them, young birds, mice, sparrows, fish, fresh

chickens’ heads and necks forming the best diet. All food should

be given warm, viz., just dead, as often as possble to all the Owl

tribe, and has a most beneficial effect.


In describing the aviaries that I consider suitable I forgot

to mention that, as many Owls prefer to nest on the ground, it is

advisable to have the floor of the back compartment consisting

of the ground itself, which is the only thing in which a convenient

hole can be scratched. For those that nest in boxes a little

decayed wood is all that is necessary, no Owl using any materials

for its nest.


At some future time I will give an account of some

particular Owls and their nesting habits.



INTELLIGENT PETS.


By Rosie Aederson.


I suppose all bird-lovers have at different times had one

special pet which had a nearer place in their affections than any

of the others, and this not because of the bird’s rarity or beauty,

but because it was intelligent and returned the care and love

spent upon it by its owner.


One of my earliest recollections was that of “Joe,” a very

fine Grey parrot. Most people know that a Grey which shows

more or less red on the body or wing-feathers, is called by the

dealers a “ king” bird, and is considered of higher value than an

ordinary Grey. Every year as “ Joe ” moulted his little regal badge

always reappeared. He lived with us many years, notwithstanding

the fadt that his diet was most unsuitable, being chiefly sopped

bread and hemp seed. I have never known a bird speak so plainly,

or learn fresh words so quickly, and he would not only pronounce

the words, but even imitate exactly the tones of the speaker’s



