188 INSESSORES. 
particularly attentive to the object of his affections, 
strutting about her in grotesque attitudes, and occa- 
\ sionally saluting her 
with anod ora bow, 
awkward enough to 
make one laugh. 
In the vicinity of 
the Rocky Mountains 
a curious species of 
Owl is found, called 
the Burrowing Owl; 
it inhabits the de- 
serted holes of the 
Marmots or Prairie 
Dogs, which are so 
abundant as some- 
times to cover many 
acres of ground with 
Screech Owl. their villages. In lo- 
calities where these holes do not exist, the Owl is said 
to make a burrow for itself, at the bottom of which it 
lays its eggs. They appear to live on friendly terms 
with the Marmots, but never, as has been supposed, 
is the same burrow inhabited by both; the Owl al- 
ways selecting for itself one where it may retain un- 
disputed possession. Their habits are strictly diurnal, 
and they feed upon grasshoppers, crickets, and perhaps 
on field-mice. The nest is composed of fine grass, 
and placed at the extremity of the hole, where the 
bird deposits four pale white eggs, about the size of 
those of a pigeon. 
