SNOWY OWL. 383 



satisfied, any mistake about the bird, as it was too long about the ves- 

 sel and too close for us to be deceived. I had with me at that time 

 one of these birds alive, and my attention was fii'st directed to the 

 other by one of the sailors pointing to it, and calling to me that mine 

 had escaped. 



As the Snowy Owl is very seldom obtained alive, the following no- 

 tices of the one which I had for a few weeks in my possession may per- 

 haps prove interesting to you. The bird was purchased from an In- 

 dian the day upon which I sailed, and was at first so exceedingly timid 

 that when I approached, it used to expand its wings and make every 

 effort to escape, uttering at the same time a sharp shrill sound, which 

 closely resembled the note of the little Sparrow Hawk. After a few 

 days, however, it greedily devoured the fresh beef which was laid be- 

 side it, and became apparently quite reconciled to confinement. The 

 disposition of the bird appeared to be exceedingly gentle. I never ob- 

 served it attempt to strike with its claws, and it never used to bite un- 

 less when provoked. Nothing seemed to afford it so much pleasure as 

 scratching its head and breast-bone, and while this was being done, it 

 would close its eyes and remain perfectly still, as if lulled to sleep by 

 the agreeable sensation. The captain put up a roost for the Owl, 

 along one of the lockers, and often amused himself by shaking hands, 

 as he called it, with the bird. This was done by placing one of his 

 fingers among the strong talons of the Owl, and shaking away, often 

 very roughly, while the bird, apparently much delighted, used to sup- 

 port itself upon the other leg. At first, when the captain wished to 

 withdraw his finger, he used to give the Owl a sudden touch upon the 

 shoulder with his left hand, which made the bird jump and scream most 

 violently. For a short time this answered the purpose, but the Owl 

 got so cunning at length, that though the proferred finger was never 

 refused, yet the slightest motion of the left arm was sufficient to make 

 it tighten the gripe and bite most furiously. With the sailors it was 

 a general favourite, and when upon deck they used to cram it with 

 every bit of fresh meat they could obtain ; and in course of time it be- 

 came so accustomed to get scraps from them, that frequently when 

 dozing, by merely touching its bill or breast, it would take the pieces 

 from their hands without opening its eyes. One morning the Owl was 

 dozing upon deck, and a sailor, by the way of shewing his cleverness, 

 held his hands full of salt water directly in front of the bird. With- 



