THE BURROWINO OWL. 127 



other pai'ts of the world, where no bun-owing animals exist. These \nllages are very 

 numerous, sometimes covering only a few acres, and at others spreading over the surface 

 of the coimtry for miles together. They ai'e composed of sHghtly elevated mounds, 

 having the form of a truncated cone, about two feet in -width at the base, and seldom 

 rising so high as eighteen inches above the surface of the soil. The entrance is placed 

 either at the top or on the side, and the whole moimt is beaten iovm externally, especi- 

 ally at the summit, resemblmg a much-used footpath." 



" In all these prairie-dog villages, the burrowing owl is seen moving briskly about, or 

 else in small flocks scattered among the mounds, and at a distance it may be mistaken 

 for the marmot itself, when sitting erect. They manifest but little timidity, and allow 

 themselves to be approached sufficiently close for shooting ; but, if alarmed, some or all 

 of them soar away again and settle down at a short distance ; if further disturbed, their 

 flight is continued until they are no longer in view, or they descend into their dwellings, 

 whence they are difficult to dislodge. The burrows into which these owls have been 

 seen to descend, on the plains of the river Platte (Plata,) where they are most numer- 

 ous, were evidently excavated by the marmot ; whence it has been infei-red by Sury, 

 that they were either common, though unfriendly, residents of the same habitation, or 

 that our owl was the sole occupant acquired by the right of conquest. The evidence 

 of this was clearly presented by the ruinous condition of burrows tenanted by the owl, 

 which were frequently caved in and their sides channelled by the rains ; while the neat 

 and well-preserved mansion of the marmot showed the active care of a skilful and indus- 

 trious owner. We have no e\adence that the owl and mannot habitually resort to one 

 burrow ; yet we are well assured by Pike and others that a common danger often drives 

 them into the same excavation, where lizards and rattle-snakes also enter for concealment 

 and safety." 



