ANECDOTE OF A TAjVIE BAEN OWL. 



Ill 



bird to its owner, so incorrigilily miscliievous and spiteful, that it was at last doomed to 

 death. 



It seemed to fear nothing, and to care for nothing with one curious exception, in the 

 person of a free but tame skylark, which was accustomed to sleep in a cage witli the door 

 open, and to forage for food on its own account when it was not satisfied with the quantity 

 or quality of the diet that was daily furnished. With this lark the Owl contracted a 

 firm alliance, permitting its little friend to sit upon its back and buiy itself among the 

 mass of soft plumage with which it was clad. This Owl always welcomed the approach 

 of its friend, and when it perched upon its back, seemed as pleased as a horse when his 

 favourite cat comes to bear him company. No other bird was so honoured, and a pair 

 of goldfinches that were kept in a cage were constantly persecuted by the 0\\'l, which 

 could never understand that they were not to be killed, and was in the habit of pushing 

 his feet through the bars, in vain attempts to secure the inmates. 



It was a confirmed murderer of bats, and small birds as well as mice, and was 

 accustomed to push its prey into a hole in an old wall that had been occasioned by the 

 fall of a brick. In this odd larder were constantly found a strange variety of slaughtered 



WHITE, OB BABN OWL.—Slrix flammea. 



game. Six to eight small birds were often counted when the hole was explored in the 

 early morning, and once the 0«'l had poked finirteen bats into the aperture. On several 

 occasions, the bird had contrived to pack a moderately sized eel into its storehouse, having 

 always killed the eel by a bite across the back of the neck. The Owl was always attracted 

 by bright and glittering objects, and once was seen to pounce upon a knitting-needle that 

 lay glistening in the moonshine, and to carry it away to its usual receptacle. 



This bird was remarkably fond of half-cooked chicken, and was wonderfully delighted 

 if its meal were seasoned with a very slight sprinkling of sugar and salt, a fact which is 

 rather remarkable, because, as a general ride, the predaceous birds do not care for sugar. 



The hunting hour of this Owl varied much according to the time of year, and was about 

 six P.M. in April and May, and eight in June and July. It was a spiteful liird, and very 

 much given to attacking strange men and beasts. His last escapade was of such a serious 

 nature, that he was summarily handed over to the executioner. He dashed at a pony 

 which was coming towards the house, and fastening on its nose ^vith its claws, battered the 

 poor beast with his wings to such an extent that it became quite fi-antic, and by a powerful 

 toss of the head flung its assailant violently on the ground and broke one of his legs. 



