FLORIDA BURROWING OWL. 
SPEOTYTO CUNICULARIA FLORIDANA. 
Cuar. Above, grayish brown spotted and barred with white; below, 
pale buffish barred with brown; a patch of white on the breast; legs long 
and slender, and covered with buffish bristles. Length about ro inches. 
Vest, At the end of a burrow in the ground, lined with grass and 
feathers. 
£ggs. 4-10; white, varying in shape, usually nearly round; 1.25 
X 1.00. 
This variety, which is found in Florida only, is smaller and lighter- 
colored than is the well-known bird of the prairies. In habits the 
two differ little, the Florida birds living in communities, — sometimes 
several pairs in one burrow, — and feeding on mice and small birds. 
The tales related of Burrowing Owls and rattlesnakes occupying 
the same burrow are “ hunter’s tales,” and lack confirmation. 
Note. — The Western form of the BURROWING OWL (S. cuvi- 
cularia hypogea, has been taken in Massachusetts; but its occur- 
rence to the eastward of the Great Plains is accidental. 
