OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 265 



An event may have occurred which has placed a 

 new aspect upon affairs. A male has died 

 and the female deprived of his- assistance deserts 

 the home, and rambles abroad. In her flights she 

 encounters a male, which has been compelled by 

 due necessity, or otherwise, to lead a single life. 



A friendship takes place, and after a brief court- 

 ship, the two become mated. These preliminaries 

 ended, and a suitable time having been spent in the 

 selection of a proper locality, a nest is built, and 

 the subsequent duties of oviposition and incuba- 

 tion accomplished. 



For nidificating purposes, a maple or pear tree 

 is usually chosen. The nest is placed about 

 fifteen feet from the ground; never less, but fre- 

 quently at higher elevations. Sometimes a horizon- 

 tal branch of the pear with diverging twigs is 

 selected. Than the nest of the " Thistle Bird' 

 there is no more beautiful structure of the basket 

 in form, and the felted in texture. The structure 

 is symmetrical in shape; delicately and neat!) 

 woven, and skilfully and finely fastened to the 

 forked twigs between 'which it is placrd. For 

 beauty of design, and neatness of finish, it is a per- 

 fect model of architectural skill. A nest before us 

 from this neighborhood, may be considered as 

 typical It is placed in a crotch, and held in sitn 

 by four small upright branches which are partly 

 wrought into the fabric, The exterior is com- 

 posed of the tassels of Castanea vesca, stems of 

 . a few leaves and fragments of a tun- 



