221 
Distribution. Western United States from southern Canada to Mexico, east in the 
south, to Florida and the islands of the gulf of Mexico. In Canada, across the southern 
boundary, north to about the Canadian Pacific main line in the three Prairie Provinces, 
and the southern ends of the valleys in the interior of British Columbia. 
SUBSPECIES. The Canadian form is the Northern Burrowing Owl Speolyto 
cunicularia hypogaea, that inhabits most of the United States. 
A very odd little Owl, and the one around which has grown the myth 
of living in friendly harmony in the same burrow with prairie dogs and 
rattlesnakes. It can often be seen standing in the bright warm sun, a 
round bunch of feathers with long, un-owl-like legs, perched on the little 
mound of earth thrown up from its burrow, or on some small commanding 
elevation nearby. When disturbed it flies off with a musical little whistle 
or gradually disappears backwards down into the depths of the ground, 
the last thing seen in the darkness of the tunnel being the reflections from 
its bright, yellow eyes. About the burrow, vast numbers of weathering 
pellets may be seen. Examination shows that the majority of these are 
mouse and small rodent remains, but in British Columbia, where the 
Poor- will is common in Burrowing Owl country, its woody-brown mottled 
plumage is commonly intermixed with the mammal remains, showing that 
small birds are acceptable when opportunity for taking them presents itself, 
and also that those that haunt the night suffer from the creatures of 
darkness. 
Economic Status. Of 32 stomachs examined in southern United States, 
30 contained insects; 3, small mammals; and 3, lizards. That this is 
not a complete story, for Canada at least, is shown by the formerly mention- 
ed regurgitated pellets about the nest-holes, but very little harm can be 
charged against the species, and there is much to its credit. 
379. Pygmy Owl (Including California, Vancouver, and Coast Pygmy Owls). 
Glauddium gnoma. L, 7. Plate XXXII A. A very diminutive Owl. Scarcely longer 
than many Sparrows, though of heavier build. Coloured in wood browns and white. 
Distinctions. Extreme small size, considerably smaller even than the Saw-whet. 
Sharply striped underparts; general wood-brown above, and a large, soft, black spot bor- 
dered with white on either side of the hindneck. Unmistakable for any other species. 
Field Marks. Extremely small size for an Owl. Wood-brown above, and white 
underparts sharply striped with dark. Much diurnal activity. 
Nesting. In holes in trees. 
Distribution. Western North America, mostly west of the Rockies. In Canada, 
practically confined to British Columbia; in the interior, north into Cariboo district, but 
west of the Coast range, at least as far north as Wrangel, Alaska. 
SUBSPECIES. The Pygmy Owl is divided into a number of subspecies of which 
three have been recognized in Canada. The California Pygmy Owl Glauddium gnoma 
calif omicum is the interior bird, the Coast Pygmy Owl Glauddium gnoma grinelli that 
of the coast, and the Vancouver Pygmy Owl Glauddium gnoma swarthi, of Vancouver 
island. Californicum has a slight greyish cast in the brown, whereas swarthi is darker and 
more reddish, has the white markings reduced, and more dark on the legs, grinelli in colour 
is about intermediate between them. 
An extraordinary and interesting little Owl. It is largely diurnal, and 
so small that one naturally expects it to have a gentle and unassertive 
disposition. This, however, is far from being the case. If the reaction 
of the small woodland birds to its presence is any evidence, this little raptor, 
no larger than many of them, must be one of their worst enemies. Its 
friends would call it courageous and determined; its enemies, ferocious 
and bloodthirsty. Pause anywhere in its haunts, and whistle an imitation 
of its call — a half whistle, half spoken “Cook-cook” followed by hollow, 
