224. BURROWING OWL. 
season, a comfortable cell for his winter's sleep. This cell, 
which is composed of fine dry grass, is globular in form, with 
an opening at top capable of admitting the finger; and the 
whole is so firmly compacted, that it might, without injury, 
be rolled over the floor. 
It is delightful, during fine weather, to see these lively little 
creatures sporting about the entrance of their burrows, which 
are always kept in the neatest repair, and are often mbhabited 
by several individuals. When alarmed, they immediately 
take refuge in their subterranean chambers, or, if the dreaded 
danger be not immediately impending, they stand near the 
brink of the entrance, bravely barking and flourishing their 
tails, or else sit erect to reconnoitre the movements of the 
enemy. 
The mounds thrown up by the marmot in the neighbourhood 
of the Rocky Mountains have an appearance of greater antiquity 
than those observed on the far distant plains. ‘They sometimes 
extend to several yards in diameter, although their elevation 
is trifling, and, except immediately surrounding the entrance, 
are clothed with a scanty herbage which always distinguishes 
the area of these villages. Sometimes several villages have 
been observed almost entirely destitute of vegetation, and 
recollecting that the marmot feeds exclusively on grasses and 
herbaceous plants, it seems singular that this animal should 
always choose the most barren spot for the place of his abode. 
However this may be accounted for, it at least affords an 
opportunity of beholding the approach of his enemies, and 
allows him to seek, within the bosom of the earth, that security 
which he has neither strength nor arms to command. 
In all these prairie-dog villages, the burrowing owl is seen 
moving briskly about, or else in small flocks scattered among 
the mounds, and, at a distance, it may be mistaken for the 
marmot itself when sitting erect. They manifest but little 
timidity, and allow themselves to be approached sufficiently 
close for shooting; but if alarmed, some or all of them soar 
away, and settle down again at a short distance; if further 

