78 



THE COQUIMBO, OR BURROWING OWL. 



The large, round eyes of this bird are very beautiful, and even by daylight are remarkable 

 for their gem-like sheen, but in the evening they are still more attractive, and glow like two 

 balls of living tire. There is an amusing anecdote respecting one of these Owls, whicli settled 

 on the rigging of a ship by night to rest itself after a long journey. The bird was quietly 

 seated on one of the yards, when it was suddenly roused l)y a sailor who was sent aloft upon 

 some nautical duty. The man, terrified at the two glowing eyes that suddenly opened upon 

 him, descended precipitately from the rigging, declaring that "Davy Jones" was sitting on 

 the main yard. Several instances are known where Snowy Owls have made iise of a ship as a 

 temporary resting-place. On one such occasion, the siiip was visited by no less than sixty of 

 these birds, which were so fatigued that they permitted themselves to be captured by the 

 crew. 



The color of an old Snowy Owl is i^ure white without any markings whatever ; but in the 

 earlier years of its life, its plumage is covered with numerous dark-brown spots and bars, 

 caused by a dark tip to each feather. Upon the breast and abdomen, these markings form 

 short, abrupt curves, but on the back and upper surface they are nearly straight. The beak 

 and claws are black. The length of the male Snowy Owl is about twenty-two inches, and that 

 of the female twenty-six or twenty -seven. 



The Snowy Owl {Nyctea nidea). This great bird is an attractive creature, particularly in 

 the depth of winter, when it is seen perching on some snow-clad bough or rock. It is often 

 driven from the arctic regions in winter, when the prey is scarce. At such times it visits the 

 sea-shore, and feeds on the refuse of the beaches. It is common to both continents. This 

 bird is not strictly nocturnal in its habit, as it feeds equally hy daylight or dark. Audubon 

 says it catches fishes by seizing them in its claws. 



COQDTMBO, OR BUEROWING OWL.— Sjieoti/to ciiniaifana. 



The quaint, long-legged little Owl which is represented in tlie accompanying illustration 

 is a native of many parts of America, where it inhabits the same locality ns the prairie dog. 

 The description of that curious marmot and its peculiar burrow may bp found in Volume I. 



The prairie dogs and Burrowing Owls live together very harmoniously ; and this strange 



