Caught by the camera - owl and man together. Many photographs have been taken of birds in their natural surroundings by means of 'hides' or mechanic trip devices set off by the animal; This one., however, was taken with a human being in the picture, within inches of the bird. It all happened because Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Matthews, of Iver heath, acquired an injured owl, which had been shot when very young. They kept it in an aviary for almost a year, hoping to release it back to nature when the wounds were healed. Unfortunately the bird has become to humanized that it was not possible to let it free. They noticed that a wild owl started paying attention hooting in the vicinity at all hours of the night. But this was probably romance in the air - more likely murder, because the tawny owl is very territorial and had the tame owl been at liberty the wild one would have kill edit. a dead chick was placed on a ledge on th aviary each night. For a long time it remained untouched, then one night it disappeared. It was noticed that the Owl became bolder and visited the aviary each evening at twilight once a chick was placed in position. Mr. Matthews hid at first in an o those about 30ft away and watched the bird snatch the chick, then gradually he moved a foot nearer the perch over a period of several weeks. This entailed at first waiting an hour or so before the owl descended. Now he has got within an arm's length, and her wings almost tough his more when she takes the chick.
Photo measures 10.25 x 8 inches.
Photo is dated --none.
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