344 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
(a). ‘* Above, grayish-brown, with white, black-edged spots ; 
below, tawny-whitish, variegated with reddish-brown, chiefly dis- 
posed in bars ; face and throat whitish ; crissum and legs mostly 
unmarked; quills with numerous paired tawny-white spots, 
and tail feathers barred with the same; bill grayish yellow; 
claws black; 9-10 long, * * * . Prairies and other open 
portions of the United States west of the Mississippi, abun- 
dant; lives in holes in the ground, in prairie-dog towns, and 
the settlements of other burrowing animals, using their de- 
serted holes for its nesting place. There is certainly but 
one species in this country; it is a mere variety of the S. 
American bird.” (Coues.) 
(v). The eggs are described by Dr. Brewer as white, and 
as averaging about 1:35 & 1°15 of an inch. 
(c). The peculiar Burrowing Owls habitually occupy the 
prairies and open lands to the westward of the Mississippi 
River, and there is but a solitary instance of their appear- 
ance in New England. They were formerly supposed to live 
habitually, as members of a “happy family,” in the imme- 
diate company and dwellings of both the rattle-snakes and 
prairie dogs, but such a state of things has been shown to 
be fabulous. From the accounts furnished by Say to Bona- 
parte, the following facts may be gathered. The Burrowing 
Owls frequently occupy the villages of the marmots, whose 
deserted holes they use, instead of digging others for them- 
selves. They are abroad during the day, and apparently feed 
chiefly on insects. ‘‘ They manifest but little timidity, and 
allow themselves to be approached sufficiently close for shoot- 
ing ; but if alarmed, some or all of them soar away, and settle 
down again at a short distance; if further disturbed, their 
flight is continued until they are no longer in view, or they 
descend into their dwellings, whence they are difficult to dis- 
lodge.” 
(ad). “The note of our bird is strikingly similar to the cry 
of the Marmot, which sounds like cheh, cheh, pronounced sey- 
eral times in rapid succession; * * * this cry is only uttered 
as the bird begins its flight.”. 
