OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 217 



seen inclose proximity to human habitations, and seemingly 

 shuns rather than courts the society of man. In the broad 

 glare of day, when roused from its burrow, it becomes greatly 

 bewildered, and is scarcely able to escape approaching 

 danger. It is decidedly the most nocturnal species of its 

 family, and apparently only ventures from its darksome re- 

 treat, when twilight has settled into dusky night. 



Like Scops asio, it leads a solitary existence, save on the 

 approach of warm weather, when the sexes are discerned 

 together, or heard in the distance calling one to the other. 

 A very curious incident of its history came under our notice 

 a few years ago, which reminded us of the strange associ- 

 ation of the Burrowing Owl with the prairie-dog. In the 

 hollow of an oak-tree, not far from German town, lived an 

 individual of the common chickaree squirrel {Scitirus 

 hitilsonius}^ with a specimen of this Owl as its sole com- 

 panion. They lived together in the most perfect har- 

 mony and srood-will. This association was not an accidental 



J <""> 



temporary one, for the bird and squirrel had repeatedly been 

 observed to enter the same hole together, as if they had 

 always shared the apartment. But what benefit could the 

 one have derived from the other was a question which 

 often suggested itself to our mind. 



The notes of this bird during the breeding-season bear a 

 close resemblance to the noise produced by the filing of a saw, 

 hence, the origin of the common appellation of Saw Whet 

 which is applied to it. These notes are so deceptive, that 

 persons unacquainted with their scource, have imagined 

 themselves in the vicinity of a saw-mill, or in close proxim- 

 ity to a person engaged in whetting a saw. Mr. Audubon 

 hearing these notes in a thicket for the first time, was thus 

 deceived. The same distinguished writer, on the authority 

 of Mr. McCullock, gives an interesting description not 

 only of the notes of this Owl, but also of its remarkable pow- 

 ers of ventriloquism. On a certain occasion, the latter was 

 seemingly aroused by what appeared to be the feeble notes 

 28 



