BARRED OWLS IN CAPTIVITY. 109 



and then to step cautiously in. He would test 

 the depth before ducking his head, and then, 

 holding out his wings, he would pump the water 

 under them, flapping his tail and otherwise 

 drenching himself. When thus soaked he be- 

 came about the size of a plucked pigeon, the 

 color of a crow, and a dismal object to look 

 upon. His eyes at such times would stand out 

 from his drenched and drizzling feathers in a 

 most unpleasant way. This habit of bathing 

 has been maintained in all weathers and temper- 

 atures. I have seen both birds take their plunges 

 on mornings when the mercury outdoors was 

 not more than 10 F. On such occasions they 

 shiver for hours before drying. After washing, 

 it is their habit to preen each feather in their 

 wings and tails with great care and precision. 



During the summer and autumn of 1888, and 

 at intervals since, I have tried various experi- 

 ments in feeding the owls. They reject all 

 vegetable substances with the possible exception 

 of cooked oatmeal, although they will sometimes 

 play with apples, grape leaves, fresh twigs, corn- 

 silk and husks, tearing them up solely for amuse- 

 ment apparently, and flinging fragments in all 

 directions. Mice they consider a rare treat, and 

 they swallow them without hesitation, head fore- 

 most. With birds they are equally pleased, but 

 if one is larger than a redstart they are quite 



