240 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



) National Geographic Society 



ALTHOUGH SMALLEST OF THE OWLS 



THEY ARE STOUT-HEARTED AND SHREWD 



Resting on the pine bough above is the courageous Rocky Mountain pygmy, who will pounce 

 on squirrels or other rodents twice its own size. In Latin America, natives call the ferruginous 

 pygmy (left) " four eyes," believing the black spots on either side of its neck are eyes and that 

 it sees both in front and behind. Little Whitney's elf, in the tangle of cactus, is the rhvarf among 

 owls, being hardly larger than an English sparrow. Wise in the waj'S of the possum, it feigns 

 death when captured. Southern California to Texas is its habitat. 



