Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 27, 1990 TAG: 9004270708
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The wild house finch's nest was destroyed in a storm a year ago when he was only a few days old, and he was rescued and cared for by people. He would fly with other wild birds during the day but return at night to his caretakers at The Hunter's Den, a hunting supply store on Virginia 311 in Craig County.
But apparently Bug has heard the call of the wild. He's gone and left no forwarding address.
"I'm not surprised," said Ellen Horn, one of Bug's keepers. "It's the mating season, and I guess his instincts took over."
Horn said Bug was antsy for several days before he disappeared. "He got to the point that he was real fussy to go out in the mornings," she said. "And he got so he was staying later and later."
Then about two weeks ago, Bug went out for his daily flight and didn't come back.
Those who loved him searched daily. But Horn realizes that Bug is, after all, a wild bird and probably won't return.
"We had him for a year, so I guess we should feel lucky to have had him that long," she said.
Wendy Old, who lives south of New Castle, found Bug's nest after a spring storm blew it down. Several other baby birds in the nest were killed, but Bug survived.
Old took the tiny bird to The Hunter's Den, where 16-year-old Angie Horn took over. She is the daughter of Ellen and James Horn, who operate the store.
Bug - so named because at that stage he looked like an ugly bug - was perhaps 2 days old and had not yet developed feathers. Angie called a veterinarian to get a crash course on bird nursing because Bug could not feed himself. The tiny bird needed to be fed about every hour.
"He would wake up and open his mouth real wide to be fed," she said.
For about the first two weeks, Angie set an alarm clock to wake her hourly during the night to feed the bird dry dog food soaked in water. Angie kept Bug at home for two or three weeks then took him to the store because the family has a cat at home.
When Bug was old enough to care for himself, he was offered freedom. But he wouldn't go - until now.
While he lived around The Hunter's Den, Bug regularly flew about a mile from the store during the day. On one occasion he was seen about 6 miles away. But he didn't like it outside when it was rainy or cold.
In his days with people, Bug would light on the shoulders, arms and hands of anyone, even strangers, who came by the store.
Bug caught insects to eat, but he also ate bird food and people food, including cheese twists and strawberry drink.
The Horns knew then that Bug might assert his independence one day.
"He might find a girlfriend," Angie said before Bug flew away.
Now Ellen is hoping Bug will bring a girlfriend home.
"I wish he would come back," she said.
by CNB