OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 9 



mud on the inside, which in this, case, was much 

 less than what more exposed nests require, the 

 female was observed to resort freequently to a 

 pool of water and after having 1 saturated her 

 plumage, to repair to the unfinished nest, and by 

 a series of bodily evolutions which she practised, im- 

 part thereto a smoothness and symmetry of outline, 

 At the time of writing the femaU is enpfasfed in 



t * " > 



sitting. Her partner seldom vi ihe nest, and 

 is rarely to be discerned in the , .ite vicinity. 



The female is compelled to provide her own sus- 

 tenance which she regularly does every morning 

 Actuated by a true motherly instinct, she barely 

 allows time to satisfy the cravings of appetite 

 before resuming her labor. 



The period required for the hatching ol the 

 young ranges from 13 to 14 clays. The usual 

 complement of eggs is four. \Ve have frequently 

 discovered nests with three eggs, and occasionally 

 others with five. The full number is ordinarily 

 hatched where the female is not interfered with, 

 The eggs are of a uniform greenish-blue color, 

 liable to fade on exposure to light, but when fresh- 

 exhibit a bright and distinct tint. They vary in 

 size, but the average measurement is i.iS by >i 

 inches. 



Both parents arevi r\ attentive to their helpless- 

 charges, and alternate usually in fetchino- food to 



* J *7> 



satisfy their rapacious appetites. During the 

 temporary absence of the parents on such mis- 

 sions which occasionally occurs, the young- are 



