
HABITS OF THE BURROWING OWL. 583 
the cornea feels the pressure within, and starts out; the 
marsupium stands erect, swelling and bristling all over, and 
the lens leaps forward, while the iris flaunts the flag of 
battle. Guided by such an instrument as this, the bird 
comes down with unerring aim upon his quarry; he seizes it 
in his talons; and now, become near sighted, well can he 
see to perform the bloody work before him. 
There is, perhaps, as much to be seen in a view of a bird’s 
eye, as ever lies within the bounds of a “bird’s-eye view.” 

HABITS OF THE BURROWING OWL OF CALIFORNIA. 
BY DR. C. S. CANFIELD.* 

I wish to state a few facts about the Burrowing Owl 
(Athene cunicularia Molina) that lives in California. I had 
almost constantly for four years opportunities of observing 
the habits of this little owl, which is really one of the most 
notable features in the natural history of California. A col- 
ony of these owls lived within one hundred yards of my 
cabin while I passed a frontier life; and they were very com- 
mon everywhere in that vicinity. I have seen them every — 
day for years, hundreds and perhaps thousands of them in 
Where I have seen them, they always live in the de- 
serted or unoccupied burrows of the Ground Squirrel (Sper- 
mophilus Beecheyi). I came to the conclusion that they 
were able to drive out the Spermophiles from their habita- 
tions, but I am not certain of the fact. It is true that there 
were, in that region, always a large number of unoccupied 
burrows wherever there was a colony of Spermophiles ; so 
that there was no lack of unoccupied habitations for the owls 
to take possession of. But I have noticed that wherever 
there was a large number of the owls, very few or no Sper- 
B a eo et ee 
*Communicated in a letter to the Smithsonian Institution, and forwarded by the 
Secretary for publication. 
