36 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



vegetation gave place to the soft perishable grasses 

 and clovers, accidentally introduced by European 

 settlers, the Owl disappeared from the country, like 

 the large Tinamu {Rhynchotis rufescens), the Red- 

 billed Finch (Embernagra platensis), and various 

 other species ; for the smooth level plains afforded 

 it no shelter. Now, however, with the spread of 

 cultivation, it has reappeared, and is once more 

 becoming a common bird in the more settled 

 districts. 



BURROWING-OWL 



Speotyto amiadaria 



Above dark sandy brown, with large white oval spots and small 

 spots and freckles of pale brown ; wings with broad whitish cross- 

 bars ; facial disk greyish brown ; beneath white ; length lo, wing 7.5, 

 tail 3.3 inches. Female similar, but larger. 



The Burrowing-Owl is abundant everywhere on the 

 pampas of Buenos Ayres and avoids woods, but not 

 districts abounding in scattered trees and bushes. 

 It sees much better than most Owls by day, and 

 never affects concealment nor appears confused by 

 diurnal sounds and the glare of noon. It stares 

 fixedly — " with insolence," Azara says — ^at a passer- 

 by, following him with the eyes, the round head 

 turning about as on a pivot. If closely approached 

 it drops its body or bobs in a curious fashion, emit- 

 ting a brief scream, followed by three abrupt ejacula- 



