THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 306 



American sparrow is still more ingenious; it builds one. 

 It is a regular mason, and hence the name of oven-huilder 

 has naturally been given to it. It is a more robust 

 workman than the swallow. It is astonishing what a 

 nvimber of journeys it must make, to carry to the tops of 

 the trees the tempered, almost pure, earth of which its 

 family -dwelling is composed. The oven-bird is the size 

 of a quail. Its hemisiiherical nests, placed in the bifur- 

 cation of large branches of trees, are more than eight 

 inches in diameter, and weigh from three to four pounds. 

 Even if such a building cannot be compared in point of 

 laboiu^ to that of the Megapodius, it is nevertheless re- 

 markable for its compact masonry and for its opening being 

 exactly similar to the mouth of a baker's oven. 



Prince Charles Bonaparte has made us acquainted with 

 a charming and curious little owl, which ought also to be 

 placed in the category we are speaking of. It is a revolted 

 child which disdains all the traditions of its family, and 

 which, in spite of an owl's nocturnal livery, deserts the 

 ancient ruin and the obscurity of the cave, to hunt in 

 full day and by a bright light which would blind its 

 comrades. 



This species abounds in the territory of the Missis- 

 sippi, where it shelters itself in subterranean abodes several 

 yards in depth, the entrance to which is crowned by a 

 mound of earth. It is called the burrowing-owl {Strlr cuni- 

 cularia); nevertheless it does not strictly merit the appel- 

 lation, for it is often simply a spoiler, installing itself in 

 the villages of the marmots, which it probably drives 

 away. What is certain is, that according to this illustri- 

 ous ornithologist, the two animals do not live together, Imt 

 that Avhen menaced by a common danger the marmot and 



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