THE LITTLE OWL . 
T9 
society is said also to be augmented by a third member, namely, the rattlesnake. It is now, 
however, ascertained with tolerable accuracy that the rattlesnake is nothing but a very unwel- 
come intruder upon the marmot, and, as has been shown by experiments, is liable to be 
attacked and destroyed by the legal owner of the burrow. If all had their rights, it would 
seem that the Owl is nearly as much an intruder as the snake, and that it only takes posses- 
sion of the burrow excavated by the prairie dog in order to save itself the trouble of making a 
subterranean abode for itself. Indeed, there are some parts of the country where the Owl is 
perforce obliged to be its own workman, and in default of convenient “dog” burrows, is fain 
to employ its claws and bill in excavating a home for itself. 
The tunnel which is made by the Owl is not nearly so deep or so neatly constructed as 
that which is dug by the marmot, being only eighteen inches or two feet in depth, and very 
rough in the interior. At the bottom of this burrow is placed a tolerably-sized heap of dried 
grass, moss, leaves, and other soft substances, upon which are deposited its white-shelled 
eggs. 
The Burrowing Owl is peculiar to America, where it is distributed over the whole of the 
western and southern portion of the continent. It congregates in great numbers, and differs 
from any of the other members of the Owl family by breeding under ground. 
Dr. Kennedy says: “When molested, they commence bowing and chattering in a some- 
what ludicrous manner at the intruder.” Mr. Darwin says the South American Owl digs its 
own burrow. 
The genus Athene is a very large one, and contains many curious and interesting birds 
which cannot be described at length except in a monograph of the Owl tribe. Among these 
maybe mentioned two remarkable birds, the Boobook Owl (. Athene boo-book), and the Wink- 
ing Owl (. Athene connwens ), both natives of Australia. 
The former of these birds is popularly called the Australian Cuckoo by the colonists on 
account of its cry, which bears no small resemblance to the well-known song of “ Spring’s har- 
binger.” As the bird, after the manner of Owls, utters its cry by night, it is often noted as an 
instance of the perversity of the Australian climate, which reverses the usual operations of 
nature, and forces the cuckoo to take the place of the nightingale, and pour forth its song at 
night. This species is diurnal in its habits, and remarkably swift and agile on the wing, being 
able to chase successfully the quick-winged insects that are so numerous in Australia. When 
roused, it is said by Mr. Gould to resemble the woodcock in the manner of its flight, and to 
further carry out the likeness in its habit of rising out of gun-shot, and diving rapidly into 
the nearest covert, where it lies safely housed until its enemies have withdrawn from the neigh- 
borhood. The quaint title of Boobook is the name by which it is known among the natives. 
The Winking Owl is also a day flyer, strong and powerful on the wing, though with 
flight nearly as noiseless as that of the common barn Owl of England. It is a large and power- 
ful bird, delighting to capture the young koala, or native bear, together with other prey of 
equal strength and magnitude. Berries have been found in the stomach of one of these Owls ; 
but Mr. Gould thinks that they have probably come from the crop of some unfortunate bird 
which had fallen a prey to the Winking Owl. The cry of this species is remarkably resonant, 
and is said to resemble the lowing of an ox. If wounded it becomes a very dangerous oppo- 
nent, flinging itself on its back, striking fierce and rapid blows with its well-armed feet, and 
seeking to seize its foe in the terrible clutch of its curved talons. 
The general color of this species is a dark clove-brown, diversified by many bars and 
stripes. 
This genus finds another representative in the person of the Little Owl (. Athene 
passerina). 
The name of Little Owl is very appropriate, for it is only eight inches in length including 
the plumage, and when stripped of its feathers appears hardly so large as a common starling. 
It is properly a native of Germany, Holland, France, and Austria, and has sometimes been 
