, 



OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 365 



ing, and protracted. In the procurement of food 

 its habits are mainly terrestrial ; occasionally ar- 

 boreal, particularly during the breeding-period. 



Its food consists of the seeds of various plant- 

 species, berries, and insects. We have found it 

 feeding upon the seeds of grasses, and the berries 

 of Prunus cerasus, P. scrotina, Fragaria Virginiana, 

 and Ritbus villosus. During the early part of the 

 season it derives sustenance from the following 



o 



coleopterous and orthopterous insects:- -Harpalus 

 pensylvanicus, 77. coin par, Die edits dilaiatus, Pan- 

 gus caliginoms, Cratonychus cinercus, Cetonia inda, 

 Anomala varians, Chrysomela cceruleipennis, CEdi- 

 hoda stilp/iurca, CE. ncbulosa, and Calopienus femur - 

 rnbi'iiui. When with young, which are also fed 

 thereon, the caterpillars of Eudamus tityrus, Ar- 

 gynms myriiia, A. bcllona, A gratis tesscllata, Cal- 

 liinorpha Iccontci, Eunomos subsignaria, Choerodes 

 transversata, Anisopteryx vcrnata, Zcrcuc catenaria, 

 mature forms of Colias philodice, Harrisina Ameri- 

 cana, Utetheisa bclla, and many, of the Lyctenidce, 

 TortricidtB) are in great demand. Besides the 

 foregoing, various aphides, ants, and earthworms, 

 are also eaten. 



Building operations do not ordinarily commence 

 earlier than the last of April, or the beginning of 

 May; the interval of time between arrival and nidi- 

 fication, being employed, judging from the ma- 

 noeuvres of the birds, in the selection of a desira- 

 ble and suitable locality. The site chosen is not 

 always a meadow. Mr. Samuels affirms, the 



