OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 389 



Formica sanguinea, F. subtcrranea, Lumbriciis ter- 

 restris, and specimens of Julus. Later, the cater- 

 pillars of Hybcrnia tiliaria, Anisoptcryx vernata, 

 A. pometaria, Ennomos subsignaria, Zcrene cate- 

 uaria, Anisoia rubicunda, Clisiocampa Ameri- 

 cana, Colias philodicc, Eufitchia ribearia, Utetheisa 

 bella, Gortyna ze<z, and mature forms of many of 

 the above, with Spilosoma Virginica, Penthina 

 pomonclla, Lithosia ininiata, and others. Besides 

 the above, small spiders, aphides, and a few diptera 

 are also eaten. Being slightly frugivorous it sub- 

 sists upon trfe berries of Prunus ccrasus, P. sero- 

 tina, Amelancliicr canadcnsis, Fragaria Virginiana, 

 Rubus villosus, R. strigosus, Vacciiiium staniineinn, 

 and in the autumn, upon those of Junipcrus Vir- 

 giniana, J. commiinis, Lonicera pcriclymcnuju, and 

 Liquidambar styraciflua. 



This species has one very bad trait, perhaps, not 

 generally known. Like the common crow, it is 

 fond of birds' eS and tender nestlings of which 



OO o 



it destroys a great many, particularly those of 

 Turdits mio-ratoruLs. Coward-like it lurks in the 



<_5 



vicinity of a robin's nest while its inmates are 

 absent, seizes an egg or a young bird, and beats 

 a precipitate retreat. But wary and vigilant as it 

 is, sometimes it is caught in the act, and forced to 

 seek safety from the impetuous attacks of the 

 owners, by flight. \Ye had been aware of its 

 fondness for eggs for several years past, but only 

 lately learned of this carnivorous propensity, which 

 is, doubtless, the natural outgrowth of the habit of 



