1879. | Zoblogy. 78 3 
low along the center line of the back. A living example, domi- 
ciled in a cigar box partly filled with dirt, did not appear to be 
very active or very timid, as it would rest quietly upon the palm 
of the hand, and scarcely attempted to move away when touched. 
When placed upon the dirt in the box, however, it burrowed very 
deftly —W. N. Lockington. 
ANECDOTE OF THE GREAT HorNED OwL_.—Many years ago I 
observed a singular habit of the owl, a notice of which I have 
never seen published. In the “funny column” of our local 
newspaper, a paragraph appeared headed “ How to kill an Owl,” 
the substance of which was: after finding an owl ona post or 
tree, you were to have him fix his eyes upon you, and then walk 
rapidly around him; closing with the statement that he will keep 
his eyes so intently upon you, turning his head with your move- 
ments but forgetting to turn his body, that he will thus wring his 
own head off. 
Nothing is too absurd for a boy to attempt if it promises fun 
or novelty ; and shortly afterward a fine live specimen of a nearly 
adult Budo virginianus falling into my hands, I proceeded to test 
the matter by experiment. I placed Bubo on the top of one of 
my mother’s clothes line posts, where he remained motionless 
and entirely unconscious of the attempt about to be made upon 
his life. It was not difficult to secure his attention, for he never, 
while I had him, diverted his gaze’from me while I was in his 
presence. I began walking rapidly around the post, a few feet 
from it, keeping my eyes fixed upon him all the while. His body 
remained motionless but his head turned exactly with my move- 
ment. Half way round, and his face was directly behind. Three- 
quarters of the circle, and still the same twist of the neck, and 
the same stare following me. One entire circle, and no change. 
On I went, twice round and still that watchful stare and steady 
turn of the head. I had all this time kept uninterrupted watch 
of the bird. His talons grasped the top of the post, and his 
body was perfectly stationary. On I went, three times round, 
and I began really to wonder why the head did not drop off, 
when all at once I discovered what I had failed to notice before. 
movement of the readjustment of his gaze 
cise was this movement that I failed several times to detect it, 
even when I was looking expressly for it, and at the proper mo- 
— ment—C. A. W. : Bn oS 
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