either in the tops of large fir
trees, in hollows of stumps, or, in some cases, upon the ground. When in
trees their nests are made of twigs, leaves and weeds, and sometimes
lined with moss and feathers; they lay from three to eight white eggs,
size 1.50 x 1.20. Data.--Labrador, May 3, 1899. Five eggs. Nest in the
top of a dead tree, 15 feet from the ground.

378. BURROWING OWL. _Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea._

Range.--Western North America from the Mississippi Valley west to
California; north to the southern parts of British America and south to
Central America.

These peculiar birds are wholly different in plumage, form and habits
from any other American Owls. They can readily be recognized by their
long, slender and scantily feathered legs. Their plumage is brownish,
spotted with white above, and white, barred with brown below; length 10
inches. They nest, generally in large communities in burrows in the
ground, usually deserted Prairie Dog holes. While generally but a single
pair occupy one burrow, as many as twenty have been found nesting
together. Sometimes the burrows are unlined, and again may have a carpet
of grasses and feathers. Their white eggs generally number from six to
ten; size 1.25 x 1.00. Data.--Sterling, Kans., May 7, 1899. Nest of bits
of dry dung at the end of a deserted Prairie Dog burrow.

[Illustration 240: American Hawk Owl.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 239

378a. FLORIDA BURROWING OWL. _Speotyto cunicularia floridana._

Range.--Local in the interior of Florida.

Like the last, but slightly smaller and paler, and with the tarsus less
feathered. Their habits or eggs do not differ from the preceding.

379. PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium gnoma gnoma._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region and westward; from British Columbia
southward. These interesting little Owls, which are but seven inches in
length, feed in the day time upon insects, mice and, occasionally, small
birds. They frequent extensively wooded districts, chiefly in the
mountain ranges. They nest in tall trees, generally in deserted
Woodpeckers' holes, laying three or four white eggs during May; size
about 1.00 x .90.

379a. California Pygmy Owl. _Glaucidium gnoma californicum._

Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia, south through California.
This sub-species is darker and more brownish than the last. It is not an
uncommon bird in California