We have heard from several people that owls are among the birds that
cannot be tamed and kept as pets; but this idea is a fallacy. Barn-owls
taken from the nest, and properly handled, grow into attractive pets,
and we know a pair of them, about four months old, who sit on their
master's shoulders, and seem to return his affection. We dislike the
idea of rearing wild birds in captivity--especially such useful birds
as barn-owls, who are better employed in catching mice than in doing
tricks. But nearly all birds are susceptible to a taming treatment,
even such shy creatures as the redshanks of the marshes, the wariest
of birds in their wild state. There are people who seem to possess a
natural instinct for understanding birds, as others for handling dogs,
horses, or snakes.
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