HORNLESS OWLS. 555 
the house by the same right as the owl, was cordially hated by it. 
It showed much irritation at the sight of other birds, even if they 
were only stuffed ones ; and when able to obtain possession of them, 
carried them into a corner, and plucked off their feathers at leisure. 
It also delighted in rolling in the dust. 
Another diminutive species, ‘Tengmalm’s Owl (lVyctate funerea), 
inhabits the northern part of the two continents, and sometimes 
ventures as far south as Germany. Its plumage, which is ash- 
coloured above, below the chest is dazzling white, marked with 
spots. It has a white stripe round the front of its neck. 
The Pampas Sparrow Owl is found in South America, and is no 
bigger than a Thrush. This bird, though so small, has strongly- 
developed bloodthirsty instincts; for it slips under the wings of 
poultry, and kills them by tearing open their sides. 
Buffon classes with this species a variety which inhabits the 
Cape of Good Hope, and is endowed with magnificent plumage, 
red and black partly mixed with grey. The colonists tame it, and 
use it to keep their houses clear of mice. 
The Burrowing Owl (Azhene cunicularia) derives its name from 
the place in which it makes its nest. This bird is about the size 
of a pigeon, and frequents the immense plains or pampas of South 
America and the prairies of North America. However, it does 
not itself dig the burrows, but simply takes possession of those 
belonging to the prairie dog, with which it lives on the most ami- 
cable terms. 
Burrowing Owls are not solely nocturnal, for they love the light 
of day, and seek their food even when the sun is vertical. It is 
a curious circumstance, this bird living in association with beings 
with which it has no natural tie. Captain Francis Head, an 
English traveller, gives the following description of such a com- 
monwealth :— 
“Towards the evening the prairie dogs keep outside their bur- 
rows, with a serious look on their faces, like grave and reflective 
philosophers or moralists. During the day the entrance to their 
subterranean burrow is guarded by two owls, which never quit their 
post. While the travellers were galloping over the plain the owls 
continued their duty as sentries, looking them full in the face, and 
one after the other shaking their venerable heads in a way which 
was most ludicrous on account of its solemnity. When the horsemen 
came near them the two sentinels lost much of their dignified look, 
and darted hurriedly into the burrows.” 
This Owl feeds on mice, reptiles, and insects. It is gentle, and 
