OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 329 



after its arrival, its favorite haunts resound with 

 its quaint serenade from sunrise to sunset. Ac- 

 cording to Wilson its notes resemble cJiip-cJiip- 

 che-che-che, and in manners bear a close resem- 

 blance to the European Emberiza citrinclla. Mr. 

 Audubon compares its song to that of Embcriza 

 miliaria of Europe. 



The food of this species consists of seeds, 

 berries, and insects which it procures from the 

 ground, and in low bushes and low trees. \Ve 

 have observed it feeding upon the seeds of grasses, 

 particularly those of Phleum prcztcnse, Triticnm 

 vulgar e, Sec ale cere ale, and those of Tri folium 

 prcetense; besides the berries of Fragaria Vir- 

 giniana, Rubns villosus, Rubus strigosus, R. occi- 

 dentalis, Junipcnis Virginiana, and Pmmis sero- 

 tina. The following insects constitute a portion 

 of its bill of fare:- -CratouycJius cinercus, C/uy so- 

 me/a c&ruleipenms.Cymindis viridipenni$ y Harpalus 

 pensyhanicus, Formica sanguined, aphides, and 

 various lepidopterous larv:e, which it feeds to its 

 young, together with mature forms of the same. 



Nidification takes place about the 20 of May or 

 the beginning of June, usually about five days 

 after mating. The nest is invariably placed upon 

 the ground, according to our experience, which 

 has been the experience of both Mr. Ridgway and 

 Prof. Baird; but in some localities it is placed on 

 small bushes at a slight elevation above the ground. 

 Dr. P. R. Hoy, according to Dr. Brewer, has never 

 observed them to nest upon the ground, which 



