126 7 BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
as she entered the niche. The male, her mate, on the follow- 
ing night entered it, uttering his peculiar call-note; an owl soon 
approached, he gave chase, they flew about for some time, and on 
the next night they were, to all appearance, mated. Had the male 
been killed instead of the female, this sudden marriage, and particu- 
larly Aer continuance at the old nesting-place, would seem less sur- 
prising. This species has two very distinct vocal utterances, — one a 
‘call-note, a sort of low, rapid chattering or clacking, uttered, so far 
as I have observed, when perched; the other a monosyllabic note, 
which I would spell ‘creech, uttered in a harsh halfscream, while 
on the wing, the intervals being very long.” 
Its food consists of mice and other small quadrupeds, and accord- 
ing to some writers, small birds. 
The inhabitants of some of the islands claim that a large, pure 
white owl is sometimes seen; but in all probability it is the present 
species, which they have seen flying about in the dim light of the 
evening. 
PiewAme. Bds. Ns Ac, Volk I. pl. 34. 
SPHEOTYTO CUNICULARIA VAR. FLORIDANA, (Mol.) Ridge. 
FLORIDA BURROWING OWL. 
Adult Male.— General plumage, dark brown, mottled with white; 
under parts, paler; feathers barred with brown and white, shading 
into pale tawny near the vent; primaries, reddish brown, blotched 
