A First Glance at the Birds, 



peculiarly distinctive of the west as to 

 demand our attention. The first of 

 these is the burrowing owl, concerning 

 which such extraordinary tales have been 

 related. We have been gravely told 

 that it dwells in peace in the same burrow 

 with the rattlesnake and the prairie-dog, 

 like the happy family in the menagerie. 

 As a matter of fact, it occupies the 

 deserted tunnels of the prairie-dog in 

 the great plains, and of the ground- 

 squirrel in California. It is distinguished 

 from all other owls by its greatly elon- 

 gated and almost featherless feet, enab- 

 ling it to work in the earth with greater 

 ease. We see it abroad by day much 

 more than other owls, and it may 

 frequently be observed in bare, open 

 fields or on hill slopes, sitting upon the 

 mound at the opening to its burrow, or 

 upon an adjacent fence post. It is a comi- 

 cal sight to see the mother with her fuzzy 

 little ones sunning themselves near their 

 hole, and, at the approach of danger, scam- 

 pering precipitately into their retreat. 

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