82 ASNAPPER. 



my room, and after flitting to and fro on wing 

 so soft and silent that he is scarcely heard, he 

 takes his departure from the same window at 

 which he entered." Mr. Waterton suggests that 

 these birds may be encouraged to settle in our 

 woods ; if holes are made in poljard-trees that are 

 slightly decayed, the brown owls will readily adopt 

 them as nesting-places. 



I have not as yet heard Asnapper make any 

 sound except the characteristic snap of his beak, 

 and a low whining cry of eager pleasure at sight 

 of his accustomed food. We are very familiar 

 with the loud, melancholy hoot of his kith and kin 

 which we frequently hear at intervals during the 

 night in the gardens and woods around the house, 

 and Asnapper will join in the chorus, for, as soon 

 as he can feed himself, we shall bid him an affec- 

 tionate farewell, and have the pleasure of seeing 

 him spread his broad wings and sail away to his 

 native woods. 



