94 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



and the Douglass's Spermophile. He usually saw them standing at the en- 

 trance to these burrows, often permitting liim to approach within gun-shot, 

 and before taking to flight twisting their heads about and bowing with 

 many ludicrous gestures, apparently in order to aid their imperfect sight, 

 and to get a better view of the intruder. When shot at or otherwise alarmed, 

 they fly with an irregular jerking motion, dropping down much like a Wood- 

 cock. 



Dr. Suckley obtained a specimen near Fort Benton, on the Upper Mis- 

 souri, in Dakotah, and Dr. Cooper procured others thirty-five miles west 

 of Fort Kearney, in Nebraska, in August. He saw them in great numbers 

 on the plains of Nebraska, and did not observe any difference in habits 

 between tliem and the birds of California. 



This species was found in Texas, near Fort Davis, and also at El Paso, by 

 Mr. J. H. Clark. It was taken in Tamaulipas, Mexico, by Lieutenant 

 Couch. Mr. Clark remarks that they were seen by him only in the prairie- 

 dog towns, and were found in conjunction with the rattlesnake, and accuses 

 them of feeding upon the young of the prairie-dog ; but this ungrateful 

 requital of the hospitality given them in the burrows of this marmot is dis- 

 credited by Dr. Kennerly and others, who regard the apparent harmony in 

 which the two dwell together as altogether incompatible with this habit. 



This species is also found on our Pacific coast, west of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, as far north as British Columbia. Mr. Lord met with it along the 

 entire course of the boundary-line. It was not by any means plentiful, 

 but pairs of them were occasionally seen. While in camp at the Dalles he 

 dug out several squirrel-holes. In one he found two eggs of this species, 

 the female bird, a racer-snake, and a female ground-squirrel {Spennophilus 

 douglassi). The Owl he found to be strictly of diurnal habits, feeding jmn- 

 cipally on crickets, grasshoppers, large beetles, and larvae. He tliinks it 

 never captures small animals or birds, and regards it as a peaceful and harm- 

 less bird. 



Dr. Kennerly met with this species near Los Angeles, California. At any 

 hour of the day they miglit be seen seated upon the mounds erected around 

 the holes of the marmot, or else with head protruding from its orifice, dis- 

 appearing immediately when approached. When molested, they commence 

 bowing and chattering in a somewhat ludicrous manner at the intruder, or fly 

 swiftly away, keeping near the earth and alighting suddenly in the vicinity 

 of a burrow to renew these anmsing motions. He found it very abundant 

 in the valley of the San Gabriel Pdver, where it associated with the large 

 ground-squirrel of that region. 



Dr. Heermann, who found them common on the extensive open prairies, 

 speaks of its sight as very clear by day, and adds that it will not allow the 

 hunter on foot to approach within shooting distance ; but that, if approached 

 on a horse or a mule, it may be easily shot. The nests he found were 

 formed of a few straws carelessly thrown together at the bottom of its tor- 



