272 IN BIRD-LAND 



The Short-eared Owl, unlike many of the same 

 family, searches for food during the hours of day- 

 light ; and it has been known to carry off a 

 wounded bird while shooting was in progress, and 

 before the very eyes of the sportsmen. 



This Owl makes a capital household pet, and 

 can be easily tamed, although its habit of hissing, 

 snapping its beak sharply, and beating the ground 

 with its feet when a stranger approaches, is some- 

 what alarming to those persons who do not know 

 what the habits of the creature are. I had a 

 specimen some years ago, and kept it for a few 

 weeks, or until it met with an unfortunate accident. 

 The food it most enjoyed was a rat and small 

 birds ; a rat was a meal to be attacked with great 

 violence, the bird holding it down with its powerful 

 feet, the long claws being well driven into the 

 animal's back. The eyes would first be torn out, 

 then the head was swallowed, and lastly portions 

 of the body ; and when about half was eaten, 

 the Owl would sit for some time with one foot 

 on the rat, and look round, eating the rest when 

 prompted by appetite. 



One day while it was so engaged, some Rooks 

 flew over the aviary in which it was confined, 

 The effect was remarkable ; the whole appearance 

 of the Owl altered ; its ear-tufts were erected, 



