62 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



as the Coquimbo owl takes possession of the excavations made 

 by the prairie dog. The rabbit does not allow its dominion to 

 be usurped without remonstrance, and accordingly the bird and 

 the beast engage in fierce conflict before the matter is settled. 

 Almost invariably the Puffin wins the day, its powerful beak 

 and determined courage being more than a match for the superior 

 size of its antagonist. 



When it is unable to obtain a ready-made habitation, it sets to 

 work on its own account, and excavates tunnels of considerable 

 dimensions. 



The Feroe Islands are notable haunts of the Puffin, because 

 the soil, which is in many places soft and easily worked, is 



favourable for its excavations. The male is the principal exca- 

 vator, though he is assisted by the female ; and so intent is the 

 bird upon its work, that it may be captured by hand by thrust- 

 ing the arm into the burrow. The average length of the tunnel 

 is about three feet, and it is seldom straight, taking a more or 

 less curved form, and being furnished with a second entrance. 



