BIRDS. 21 



Wherever we found the prairie dog, (Cynomys,) there we were sure to find this singular 

 little owl. Indisposed, as it would seem, to hurrow a hole in the earth for itself, it occupies 

 those that have been deserted by the marmot, and occasionally, I believe, I have seen it 

 enter the same hole with that animal. At any hour of the day they may be seen seated upon 

 the mounds erected around the holes of the marmot, or else with its head protruding from the 

 orifice, disappearing immediately when approached. Sometimes 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 

 amusing motions. 



We found it also very abundant in the valley of the San Gabriel river, California, associated 

 with the large ground squirrel of that region. Here its habits were the_same as we have 

 observed them elsewhere. 



I am not disposed to believe with some that this bird feeds on the young of the animals with 

 which it is always associated. In this event a degree of animosity would certainly exist between 

 them which the closest observation has failed to detect. On the contrary, they seem to live 

 together in the utmost harmony. I think there is but little doubt that the owl feeds upon these 

 animals when they die from natural causes ; thus he becomes a scavenger to the burrows, and on 

 that account is respected rather than hated by his companions. 



12. CONURUS CAROLINENSIS, Kuhl, (p. 67.) Parakeet. 

 3896. Fort Smith, Arkansas. H. B. Mollhausen. 



13. GEOCOCCYX CALIFORNIANUS, Baird, (p. 73.) Paisano. 



6178. El Paso, Texas. Dr. Kennerly. 6182. Fort Conrad, New Mexico. Dr. Kennerly. 

 6183. Little Colorado river, November 2, 1853. (33.) K. & M. 



We found this bird quite abundant near San Antonio, Texas, living among the thick mezquite 

 (Algarobia) bushes. Frequently, as we marched up the Eio Grande, did it cross the road in 

 front of us, running very rapidly and disappearing among the weeds. It was also seen occa 

 sionally during the winter along the Little Colorado river. After leaving this river, although 

 we did not see the bird itself, yet we frequently saw the tracks of this, or some other species of 

 the same genus in the sands along the valley of Bill Williams Fork. We found it somewhat 

 difficult to procure a specimen, owing to its shyness and rapidity on foot. It is said that 

 sometimes it is captured alive by being pursued on horseback, and when thus taken very soon 

 becomes quite tame, willingly remaining about the house and soon destroying all the mice in 

 its vicinity. Besides mice, which they catch with as much dexterity as a cat, they also eat 

 lizards, which are generally numerous in the vicinities in which this bird is found. 



I embraced the opportunity of dissecting the specimen that I procured and found that the 

 viscera consisted simply of the stomach or digesting cavity and a very short intestinal canal, very 

 little if at all longer than the rectum of other birds. 



14. PICUS HARRISII, Aud. (p. 87.) Harris Woodpecker. 

 6079. Little Colorado river, December 8, 1853. (35.) K. & M. 



This bird was found along the Little Colorado river, in the month of December, wherever the 

 cottonwood trees grew. When seen there were generally several in company. After leaving 

 this river, however, we did not see them again. 



