OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 393 



mantown, which contains several, probably a dozen 

 fine trees of Pinus strobus, during the past four 

 years, we have known as many as a dozen pairs 

 to breed, all within a short distance of each other. 

 The most perfect good feeling exists among the 

 members of the different families. These birds 

 seemingly conscious of protection upon the part 

 of the owner of the premises upon which they 

 build, revisit the scene year after year, and their 

 presence is announced by the almost deafening 

 chattering which issues from the trees during the 



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mating period. 



In about sixteen days the young are able to quit 

 the nest, but still require the attention and care of 

 the parents for at least ten clays longer, before 

 being fitted to look after their own well-being. 

 Both old and young continue together, however, 

 until they take their departure during the last of 

 September, or the beginning of October, to their 

 southern homes. Immense numbers winter in the 

 lower counties of Virginia, in the Carolinas, and 

 Georgia where they constitute one congregated 

 multitude of many hundred thousands. W ilson 

 speaks of meeting on the banks of the Roanoke 

 River, January 2Oth, an immense array of these 

 birds which rose from the surrounding fields with 

 a thunder-like noise and settled clown upon the 

 road and completely covered it and the fences 

 with black. When they ao;ain rose and descended 



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upon the skirts of high timbered thickets, whole 

 trees from the summit to the lowest branches 



