78 ASNAPPER. 



learned how gently Asnapper could use it ; he 

 would play with my fingers and hold them with 

 such care that we had merry games of play at 

 evening recreation time, when he looked to be let 

 out of his cage and go where he pleased for an 

 hour or two. 



If allowed to be in the drawing-room the sociable 

 bird made himself quite one of the party. Perched 

 on the back of a chair, he would watch all that 

 went on with a grave air of consideration, or else 

 he would amuse himself by chasing a ball, or 

 cotton reel, upon the floor, as if trying to make 

 believe it was a mouse'. I could not have thought 

 there was so much latent fun in a solemn looking 

 owl, but then we are never out at night perched 

 up in the tree-branches to see what goes on there 

 amongst young owlets, so this afforded us a rather 

 unusual glimpse into the habits and manners of 

 the bird of wisdom in his merry days of youth. 



This species, called the brown or tawny owl 

 (Syrniiim striditld], is found in most of the counties 

 of England ; it is rare in Scotland, and has not, 

 I believe, been met with in Ireland. It generally 

 retires to thick woods during the day, coming out 



