OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 343 



cinereus, Harpalus compar, Macrodactyla subspi- 

 7wsa, among beetles ; (Edipoda iicbulosa, Calopte- 

 mis femur-rubrur/i, among orthoptera; and Zerene 

 catenaria, Halesidotct tesscllaris, Plusia precationis, 

 Hybernia til i aria, Cheer odes transversata, Anisop- 

 tcryx vcrnata, UtetJicisa bella, Colias philodice, in 

 their larval stages; and many of the smaller Noc- 

 tuidee and Tineidce in their perfect stages ; besides 

 ants, aphides, and diptera. 



This species is exceedingly voracious. To 

 satisfy its voracity it exposes itself often to immi- 

 nent peril. In such demand is it in certain 

 districts that advantage is taken of its love of ap- 

 petite. Traps are placed in localities which these 

 birds frequent, and baited with buckwheat for which 

 they have a great fondness. As an inducement 

 for them to enter, a stuffed female is also used as 

 a decoy, and placed so as to be visible at a dis- 

 tance. To attract attention, a person conceals 

 himself close by, and imitates as nearly as possible 

 the call-note of the female, which generally has 

 the effect of enticing an unwary male to his doom. 



Nidification commences about the I5th of April, 

 and is entered into by both birds with considerable 

 alacrity. A thicket of brier-bushes is generally 

 selected as a suitable situation for a nest; occa- 

 sional!)', the wild grape "vine [''it is cordifolia, or 

 Juniperus Virginiana, is chosen. The construc- 

 tion of a nest requires the joint labor of the sexes 

 for a period of four days. It is composed ex- 

 teriorly of bits of sticks as a foundation, upon 



