I 62 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



loud and rapid, and produced with a gradual 

 cadence; at another time, closely resembling the 

 barking of young puppies; and, again, resembling 

 the mewing of a cat, only hoarser. These notes 

 are uttered with great vehemence in divers keys, 

 and with peculiar modifications. Its voice, as it 

 shifts from place to place, the possessor being 

 unseen, seems to be more like that of a spirit than 

 a bird. At one time it is close by: the next move- 

 ment it comes from a distance; so that by these 

 tricks of ventriloquism, it is not always possible to 

 locate its whereabouts with any degree of cer- 

 tainty. The following syllables express its song 

 during the period of nidification quite accurately: 

 twl-wl -wl-wl-wi-wl, kwawawawawa, knk, -chl-chl- 

 f/il-chi-chi, twcinm, chweah. 



Mating commences during the last week of 

 May usually, and nest-building early in June. 

 The nest is .generally placed within a forked twig 

 of Kalmia latifolia, the smaller growths being in- 

 variably selected. It is rarely placed at a greater 

 height than three feet from the ground. In a few 

 instances we have seen nests in brier-bushes. 



The nest is the joint labor of both sexes, and is 

 the reward of patient and unwearied perseverance 

 from three to four days. Oviposition instantly 

 succeeds, and proceeds at the rate of one egg per 

 day; this duty is followed by that of incubation 

 which continues for a period of 1 1 clays, the female 

 performing the labor exclusively. Whilst the 

 Utter is thus employed, the male becomes * very 



