I 
« 
THE AUK: 
A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF 
ORNITHOLOGY. 
vol. vii. April, 1890 . No. 2 . 
BARRED OWLS IN CAPTIVITY. 
BY FRANK BOLLES. 
Chocorua is one of .the boldest, most picturesque, and at the 
same time one of the most southerly, of the White Mountains of 
New Hampshire. At its southern foot are several small lakes fed 
by its streams. The chief of these streams is called Chocorua 
River, and its main lake Chocorua Lake. North of this water, 
fringing the river for half a mile, is a growth of yellow birch, 
beech, and hemlock of considerable age and size. The dainty 
Parula is frequently seen in its gray moss. Cooper’s Hawks, 
Broad-winged Hawks, and Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers are com- 
mon tenants of its shades. On June 1, 188S, while nest-hunting 
in its midst, I saw a Barred Owl sitting on the edge of a cavity 
in a beech. The tree was a giant. The cavity was about thirty- 
five feet from the ground, on the southwesterly side, and quite 
large. The Owl did not move, even after I threw a stick at her. 
Convinced that the cavity was worth exploring, I went home and 
returned with a friend, a ladder, and a gun. As a result two old 
birds were shot, and two young ones taken from the nest. The 
gun was quite necessary, for my friend would have fared badly in 
climbing if I had not shot the old birds before they could attack 
him. Their threatening cries and ImQ^apping of their beaks 
were quite enough to discourage an unarmed robber. 
I wrapped the two young birds in a towel and later placed them 
side by side in an ordinary canary cage. They were savage, 
using beaks and claws vigorously. When released in my door- 
5°4- 2 he Barred Owl [Syrnium nebulosam']. By R. Rowe. Canadian 
sportsman and Naturalist, Vol. I, p. 27. -Its abundance at St. John, N. 
■’ ,n the . wint er of 1880-81. Notes also the capture there of various 
other species. SPOt, 
43 . Three Early-breeding Birds. By J. M. W[hippl c] . Ibid., VI, p 80 
Great H mS d n , ?! °' Vl “ March ’ notes °n the breeding of the 
Great Horned Owl and Red-shouldered Hawk, and on early sprino- 
arrivals ; reference to Woodcocks lulled by telegraph wires. WWU, ScL&Lauo, J oaft 
1982. “ George . By LI. LI. Brimley. Ibid, nn A 4- ** * 
Barr ed Owl. \ ttU» & Oolo gist’s Serai- animal, Vnl , 9. rui.ii* 
Barred Owl. By F. II. pp. 69, 70. -Jits 
\ & Q.voz.vni 
737- Barred Otvl. By F. II. Cfarpenter], 
nesting habits, as observed at Rehoboth, Mass. 
