524 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 



which he repeats, as he often immediately answers in the 

 call he hears, supposing it to be that of his approaching 

 mate. 



On their arrival in the Middle States, in spring, vio- 

 lent contests sometimes ensue between the unmated and 

 jealous males. When the dispute is for the present closed, 

 the pair, probably for greater security, and dreading a re- 

 curring quarrel of doubtful issue, wander off to a remote 

 distance from their usual abode, and in this way, no 

 doubt, occasionally visit countries but little frequented 

 by the rest of their species. Early in May, it seems, 

 in Pennsylvania, according to Wilson, they begin to pre- 

 pare their nests, which are often placed in an ever- 

 green bush, cedar, laurel, or holly. The external mate- 

 rials are small twigs, dry weeds, and slips of vine-bark, 

 the lining being formed of fine stalks of dry grass. The 

 eggs, 4 or 5, are of a dull white, thickly spotted all over 

 with brownish olive. They usually raise two broods in 

 the season. As they are so easily domesticated immedi- 

 ately after being caught in trap cages, it is unnecessary 

 to raise them from the nest. By this kind of unnat- 

 ural confinement, the brilliant color of the male is found 

 sometimes to fade until it becomes of a pale whitish 

 red. They live, however, long in confinement, and an 

 instance is known of one which had survived for 21 

 years. In the cage, they have not that variety of song 

 which they exhibit in their native wilds ; and this, judg- 

 ing from the frequent repetition of the same phrase, 

 would appear to be a monotonous performance, if the va- 

 riety of expression, tone, and key did not perpetually re- 

 lieve and enhance the character of the lay. His song 

 also continues for 6 or 8 months in the year, and is even, 

 as among the Thrushes, more lively in wet weather ; the 

 sadness of nature, softening and soothing the tender vo- 



