YK& u 
The Great Horned Owl ( Bubo virginianus) in Confinement. — There has 
been considerable written upon this subject, and yet my present pet has 
displayed several characteristics which I have not observed mentioned in 
any of the records I have access to, and which are rather interesting. 
I took her (I am strongly impressed with the belief that the bird is a 
female) from the nest on May 21, 1882, and judged from the plumage that she 
was then some twenty days old. She and her nest mate were covered 
with a grayish down, and when I pushed them over the edge of the nest 
—a rough shapeless affair on the exterior, though comfortably lined with 
feathers, and built in the crotch of a birch tree some eighty feet from the 
ground— they made an awkward attempt at flying, but reached the ground 
all right. They snapped their bills as I picked them up, but allowed them- 
selves to be carried oft' without making further remonstrance. 
The parents did not interfere, though just before I climbed the tree 
one of them flew on to the edge of the nest and uttered a sharp and shrill 
cry, with a vibration similar to that produced by a ‘pea’ whistle (the same 
cry as my pet gives voice to when annoyed or angry) , and then flew off. 
The nest, by the way, was in a rather odd situation, being on the outskirts 
of a heronry of the Great Blue Heron, and not a hundred feet from where 
a pair of Fish Hawks were putting in habitable condition a nest which 
appeared to have been used for many years. 
I have given my pet the run of a large room, and had ample opportuni- 
ty to watch her growth and habits. At four months the horns, or ear- 
tufts, began to be noticeable, and in six months the bird was in full feather. 
In April, .1883, when about a year old, she made two attempts at nest-build- 
ing, but finally relinquished the idea and shortly after began to shed her 
feathers. 
From my experience with this bird I cannot fairly say that I consider 
the species untameable, though I confess I have not made much headway 
in reducing her to submission ; yet she will allow me to stroke her head, and 
makes very little fuss when I enter her apartment alone, in comparison 
to what she does when a stranger approaches her. But she is undoubtedly 
fierce, and thoroughly appreciating the value of her equipment of muscle 
and claw, and considering any infringement of vested rights a casus 
belli, soon teaches a meddlesome intruder that no liberties whatever will 
be tolerated. 
At times she is morose and sullen, but not unfrequently assumes a more 
playful air, when she seemingly enjoys putting herself into grotesque atti- 
tudes, varied with hooting, and another sound which so closely 
resembles the creaking of the door-hinge of her apartment that I am 
inclined to believe she has imitated it. Once, while in such a mood, I 
introduced a full grown cock into the room, when lo ! the whole demeanor 
of my pet changed instanter . The horns were thrown back flat against 
the crown, the eyes glared fiercely, and the stately bird of wisdom, and 
the humorous vendor of quaint .sounds, gave place to the savage bird of 
prey. As she stood for a moment glaring down upon her victim, moving 
her head from side to side, as if calculating the distance and the best 
method of attack, she looked like a veritable fiend. Her first swoop was 
dodged by the cock, and she then made an attack on the ground. Ap- 
proaching the now terrified bully of the barn-yard, quick as a flash one 
claw was thrust out, clutching his neck; throwing him over on his back 
she quietly held him there until all motion had ceased, which was much 
sooner than if his head had been chopped off. 
Nothing in the shape of fresh fish or flesh is neglected by the Owl 
when hungry, though her choice is for wild birds, and she will take small 
animals in preference to beef or mutton. A rat or squirrel is always 
swallowed whole, and about every second or third day the fur and bones 
are ejected, rolled into a hard pellet as large as a Grouse’s egg. Just before 
ejecting these pellets the bird’s appearance is very distressing. The first 
time I observed it I thought she must be ill, but as soon as the pellet is 
out she immediately recovers. If any food remains after her hunger is 
satisfied, it is carefully hidden away, and if I approach the spot where it 
has been laid the Owl attacks me most fiercely ; flying at my feet, and hit- 
ting at them with her wings and claws. 
She is very fond of bathing, and during the warm weather will bathe reg- 
ularly once a day; getting into the large basin 1 have provided and wash- 
ing very much' after the manner of a Canary. In winter she takes a 
bath about every three or four days. 
I have proven that her hearing is remarkably acute, and that she can 
see distinctly in the day time, when out of the glare of the sun. 
The ‘hoot’ is made with the bill firmly closed; the air is forced into the 
mouth and upper part of the throat, the latter being puffed out to the size 
of a large orange. — James W. Banks, Si. John, N. B. 
Auk, I, April, 1884. p. . 
the day as well 
he forenoon with 
at three oAclock 
3 claws . I have 
Pf the day, and 
Manly Hardy, 
■ er of Nov. 7,1889. 
