50 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



be, but he has a different name. He is called the burrowing owl, or the mouse 

 owl ; but this term is not strictly correct. He docs not burrow for himself, 

 but lives in the burrows that have been already made by the marmot. He is 

 sitting now at the entrance of the marmot's hole as if it belonged to him. 



He is almost always found there. The marmots and the owls seem as 

 if they lived together, but they do not. It is only when an enemy comes 

 near that they both squat down under shelter together. But they frisk about 

 in company, so that at a distance they are often taken one for the other. 



The marmot is often called the '* prairie dog," and the burrows it makes, 

 that are very large, and extend a great way, go by the name of " prairie village." 



In some parts of North America the " prairie village " reaches under 

 ground for miles together. 



At any rate, the owl has quite discarded the habits of his family. He 

 lives in open daylight, and hunts about in the full blaze of the sun. He has 

 no kind of intimacy with the marmots, as some people used to think from 

 .seeing him so much in their company. He usually selects a burrow that has 

 been deserted, and his nest, that is made of grass, is placed at the entrance 

 of the hole. Four white eggs are laid in the nest ; and the food of the young 

 ones is grasshoppers, or crickets, or even field mice. 



The owl often perches on a bush over his hole for a long time together. 

 When any one comes near, he makes a low chattering sound, and skims along 

 the plain. If he is attacked on the w^ing, he makes for the nearest burrow, 

 and takes shelter there. Then it is no easy matter to dislodge him. 



In the winter the owls retreat to their burrow, and are said by the 

 Indians to fall into a torpid state. At any rate, their burrow is in a very 

 different condition from that of the marmot. It is ruinous and neglected, 

 while that of the marmot is well kept, and as comfortable as possible. 



THE GREAT HORNED OWL. 



Far away in the deep forests of North America the traveller has sometimes 

 paused to rest, and to cook his supper, gipsy fashion, on a stick, and by a fire 

 lighted of dry leaves and twigs. 



