266 BURROWING OWL. 



are composed of slightly elevated mounds, having the form of a trun- 

 cated cone, about two feet in width at base, and seldom rising as high 

 as eighteen inches above the surface of the soil. The entrance is placed 

 either at the top or on the side, and the whole mound is beaten down 

 externally, especially at the summit, resembling a much used foot-path. 



" From the entrance, the passage into the mound descends vertically 

 for one or two feet, and is thence continued obliquely downwards, until 

 it terminates in an apartment, within which the industrious Marmot 

 constructs, on 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 top capable of admitting the 

 finger ; and the whole is so firmly compacted, that it might, without 

 injury, be rolled over the floor. 



" It is delightful, during fine weather, to see these lively little crea- 

 tm-es sporting about the entrance of their burrows, which are always 

 kept in the neatest repair, and are often inhabited by several indivi- 

 duals. When alarmed, they immediately take refuge in their subter- 

 ranean chambers, or, if the dreaded danger be not immediately im- 

 pending, they stand near the brink of the entrance, bravely barking 

 and flourishing their tails, or else sit erect to reconnoitre the movements 

 of the enemy. * * * * 



" In all these prairie villages, the Burrowing Owl is seen moving 

 briskly about, or else in small flocks scattered among the mounds, and, 

 at a distance, it may be mistaken for the Marmot itself when sitting 

 erect. They manifest but little timidity, and allow themselves to be 

 approached sufficiently close for shooting ; but, if alarmed, some or all 

 of them soar away, and settle down again at a short distance. If iwc- 

 ther disturbed, their flight is continued until they are no longer in 

 view, or they descend into their dwellings, whence they are difficult to 

 dislodge. 



" The burrows into which these Owls have been seen to descend, on 

 the plains of the river Platte, where they are most numerous, were 

 evidently excavated by the Marmot, whence it has been inferred by 

 Say, that they were either common, though imfriendly residents of the 

 same habitation, or that om* Owl was the sole occupant of a burrow ac- 

 quired by the right of conquest. The evidence of this was clearly pre- 

 sented by the ruinous condition of the burrows tenanted by the Owl, 

 which were frequently caved in, and their sides channelled by the 



