212 BIRDS 



at times deposits its eggs in hollow stumps, after the manner 

 of the screech and barn owls. 



BURROWING OWL 



The Burrowing Owl, one of our smallest owls, confines 

 its range to the prairies and great plains from Missouri, 

 Kansas, and Dakota westward. The Southeastern form, 

 known as the Florida Burrowing Owl, inhabits the Bahama 

 Islands and portions of Florida. The burrowing owl has 

 become popular through various sensational articles describ- 

 ing the contents of a burrow on the cheerless prairie, as 

 being shared by this little bird, the prairie dog, and the rat- 

 tlesnake. It is true that burrowing owls, like prairie dogs, 

 are found in communities, and inhabiting sections of the 

 prairies that are perforated with burrows suitable for nest- 

 ing sites; often holes constructed by mammals are utilized. 

 It should be distinctly understood, however, that these owls 

 choose only the abandoned burrows of rodents, principally 

 those of the prairie dogs. Their nesting places are not 

 shared by other creatures, unless an unwelcome guest should 

 intrude. It is a common occurrence for a number of the 

 owls to congi-egate and nest together, entering and depart- 

 ing from a single burrow. The males are kept busy supply- 

 ing their mates with mice, small birds, and grasshoppers, so 

 that this dirty little bird is a highly useful one. 



Frequently the eggs are deposited on the bare earth; 

 but if weeds, grass, or other material is available, the birds 

 usually accumulate a small quantity on which to deposit 

 their five to nine pure white eggs. 



