1891-92]. ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT. 93 
last long in a draught, (2) kindness and attention ; they should not be 
frightened or caught, and if a little cautiousness is exercised your birds 
will soon know you and will not be at all alarmed when you are near. 
Bubo virginianus, Great Horned Owl—This specimen came into 
my possession in infancy and although handled frequently gradually be- 
came of uncertain temper and objected to such intimacy. However he 
still shows some affection for his owner, and when hungry screeches if I 
appear within sight, until satisfied. He has a very peculiar appetite, 
sometimes being content with fresh meat, or living birds and mice, and. 
sometimes he will leave the meat in a corner of the cage until in a putrid 
condition and then eat heartily of it. When he was about four months 
old he would take seven birds as big as sparrows at one meal. He will 
eat almost anything from a piece of fresh beef to a handful of cotton bat- 
ting ; if a mouse or small bird be given him he seizes it by the head 
crushes the skull, and with two or three jerks it is swallowed, feathers, fur 
and all; after digestion he throws up the feathers or fur with the bones 
and hard portions rolled up into a ball. Birds the size of a Sapsucker 
are swallowed whole, but large birds or animals are torn to pieces with 
the beak and claws. He will take a bath about twice a week in warm 
weather but not at all in winter; from November till about May, he 
hoots nearly all night and part of the day, but the remainder of the year 
only makes a sharp screech. He shows great aversion to a dog, cat or 
rabbit and whenever any of them come near the cage he lowers his head, 
throws back his horns, curves his wings, and spreading his tail will raise 
all his feathers to their full extent and walk about snapping his beak and 
hissing most ferociously ; should the animal come near the cage he will 
bound against the bars at it and, as a rule, the intruder, taken by surprise, 
will depart hastily. When asnake is brought near him the tables are 
turned, he will then fly to the farthest corner of the cage and remain as 
quiet as possible, watching it until it disappears. If I am working near 
his cage at night he will amuse himself by throwing sticks and pieces of 
rag about and pouncing on them suddenly. 
Colaptes auratus. — Flicker or Highholder. These birds being 
_ naturally of a shy disposition are very difficult to keep in a cage, as they 
dash themselves against the bars until exhausted. In confinement they 
will feed on corn or meat, but seem to get no nourishment from any- 
thing, and soon pine and die, if not liberated. 
Otocoris alpestris praticola—The Shorelark is a timid little 
creature, and although it takes readily to a cage and feeds well, it is 
constantly alert as if expecting to be taken by surprise, and at the 
slightest alarm it rushes to a corner, and conceals itself from view. It 
