OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 361 



In the selection of a locality there is a manifest 

 evidence of design. High grounds are seldom 

 chosen for nidification, for the obvious reason that 

 the birds are not so apt to meet with such a ready 

 and full supply of the various insects that pander 

 to their appetites as in the former situations. The 

 insects which afford them nourishment in such 

 localities are the aquatic larvae and imagos of 

 ephemerids, libellulas, and mosquitoes, w r hich are 

 denizens of shallow pools. The following insects 

 contribute to its bill of fare during ity stay: 

 Culex tiZniorJiyncJius, Anopheles qiiadrimaculatns. 

 Tab a? ins lineal a, Stomoxys c aid trans, Tipula fcr- 

 mginea, larvae of smaller dragon flies, and cater- 

 pillars of Hybernia tiliaria, Anisopteryx vernata, 

 Utetheisa bclla, Ennomos siibsignaria, Argynnis 

 aphrodite, Col las pJiiiodice, and mature forms of 

 Spilosoina Virginica, Halesidota tcssellaris, Litho- 

 sia miniata, and many of the Lyccenida> Noctiddce, 

 and Tortmcidce ; together with A phi dee, Cocddcz, 

 ants, and earthworms. These last two, together 

 with small beetles, the birds procure while 

 gleaning upon fallow ground. The seeds of 

 various weeds and grasses, besides the berries of 

 Jimiperus Virginiana, Pninns ccrasns, P. serotina, 

 Avid an chiercanadensis, Fragaria I 'irginiana, 

 Riibus villosits, R. sti'2gos?is< and / r accinium 

 stamineum, are also eagerly relished. 



It has been affirmed that the Red Wing is very 

 destructive to farmers' crops, but as far as our 

 experience extends, the damage which it commits 



