236 



SCOPSr HORNED OWl. 



of the number, Spallanzaiii, on calling them, re- 

 ceived their answer from a neighbouring elm, at 

 about three hundred feet from the garden : they 

 refused however to descend ; departed in the even- 

 ing, and returned to the elm the next morning. 

 Two days having elapsed since they had been fed 

 by the hand of Spallanzani, he resolved to sacrifice 

 one of the birds to his curiosity, and bringing it 

 down by a gun, found, on examining the stomach, 

 ^he remains of grasshoppers. That it was one 

 bf the birds which had been tamed was beyond a 

 doubt, since each had been marked by red silk 

 tied round the leg, and which the bird examined 

 had on. The flight of these two was soon suc- 

 ceeded by that of the rest, and though the time 

 of their emigration from the country was still far 

 distant, yet they never more returned to their 

 former spot, having found the means of providing 

 subsistence for themselves. Such, adds the phi- 

 losopher, is the general conduct of almost all wild 

 animals. When taken very young, they become, 

 by constant attention, familiar, and, to a certain 

 degree, affectionate; but this only continues so 

 long as their dependance is necessary for their 

 support. After that period is elapsed, their fa- 

 miliarity gradually subsides; their confidence di- 

 minishes, and at length they make their escape, 

 and seem to fly mankind as the general tyrant of 

 Nature, 



