NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 141 



crowd around their keeper, and with wide-open pouches 

 earnestly solicit contributions. 



THE AQUATIC BIRD HOUSE, No. 5. 



This building is the result of an attempt to solve an old 

 problem in a new way — the care of large migratory water 

 birds in the most uneven winter climate on earth. In com- 

 parison with the care in winter of flamingoes, large herons, 

 egrets, ibises, and the like, the housing of perching birds, 

 birds of prey and the parrots, presents few difficulties. But 

 the wealth of fine water birds in North America alone, and 

 the interest attaching to them, seem to justify the labor 

 and expense that have been involved in this building and 

 its appointments. Practically all of the birds to be seen in 

 this building in winter are mentioned elsewhere in this 

 volume. 



THE OWL CAGES.— After the completion of the Eagle 

 and Vulture Aviary, the ten large cages on the exterior of 

 the Aquatic-Bird House, which have been occupied tempo- 

 rarily by the birds of prey, will be used for the owl collec- 

 tion. 



The Giant Eagle Owl, (Bubo bubo), is a true giant among 

 the owls. It is found throughout continental Europe, keep 

 ing mostly to the deep forests, and feeding on grouse, rab- 

 bits, etc. It is unusually long-lived in captivity, and breeds 

 freely. 



The Milky Eagle Owl, (Bubo lactcus), has the same gen- 

 eral characters as its congener, but its feathers are of a 

 beautiful, soft gray. It is very rare in collections. 



The Great Horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus) . — These noc- 

 turnal birds of prey inhabit heavily wooded regions, feed- 

 ing on mice, and poultry when it is obtainable. The bright 

 yellow iris, the conspicuous feather horns, and the appar- 

 ently pivoted neck are curious features of these birds. 

 Their reputation for wisdom is founded only on their ex- 

 ternal appearance, for in reality they are rather dull birds. 



The Snowy Owl, (Nyctca nyctea), of the Arctic regions, 

 migrating in winter to the northern United States, some- 

 times remains for several seasons in succession so far north 

 that no specimens are obtainable. During 1899, 1900, and 

 the first half of 1901, not one specimen could be procured, 

 but in the late autumn of 1901 a southward migration be- 



