THE BURROWING OWL. 33 



terminates in an apartment, within which the 

 industrious marmot constructs, at the approach 

 of the cold season, the comfortable cell for his 

 winter's sleep. This cell, which is composed of 

 fine dry grass, is globular in form, with an opening 

 at the top, and the whole is so firmly compacted 

 that it might without injury be rolled over the 

 floor. The chamber in which this cell is placed 

 is selected by the owls for their own residence. 

 In all these villages of the marmots the burrow- 

 ing owls may be seen marching briskly about, 

 and manifesting little timidity. If alarmed they 

 descend into their burrows, and, confiding in the 

 security of their dwellings, abide there until all 

 danger is past. The dwelling soon manifests the 

 absence of its original constructor, becomes chan- 

 neled by rains, and falls in time to ruin." 



Birds that build by the water-side are often 

 apparently careless in the situations they select 

 for their nests, and they do not appear to be 

 endowed with the same degree of constructive 

 skill as many others. There is also less art 

 employed to conceal their nests, because near 

 the water's edge enemies are less prone to be 

 on their pursuit. The common gallinule of 

 America constructs its nest of a quantity of 



D 



