2H() NATUIIAL HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA, 



Black-headed titmouse {Parus atricapillus). — Was very com- 

 men when I first went to Trenton. The birds seem to 

 disappear from the houses and open fields in summer, and 

 have now reappeared in swarms. I may be wrong, but think 

 the note of this bird more like our cole tit's, than the marsh tit's. 

 It is certainly not the same as our Parus palustris. 



Bombycilla Carolinensis. — Cedar birds, or cherry birds, 

 swarm. They are as tame and bold as possible ; they steal 

 the currants by wholesale, also cherries, peas, &c. They are 

 the most affectionate birds possible. The people in this 

 country, when talking together (that is, intimate friends), often 

 put one arm over the other's shoulder ; or if sitting together, 

 have hold of one another's hands. I have seen two senators 

 standing, the one having his arm over his friend's neck, his 

 friend at the same time having his arm round the other's waist ; 

 or you will see one person sitting down, and another talking 

 to him, standing all the while, and stroking back his friend's 

 hair, or doing something of that kind. Well ! the cherry 

 birds have learned the ways of the people. They sit all iti a 

 row on a branch, and as they cannot put arms around each 

 other's necks, they lay their heads together in the most fond 

 and loving manner. You may see them rub their heads toge- 

 ther, and then fairly rest one on the other's shoulder, &c. I 

 would not hurt a cherry bird, if they cleared every cherry and 

 currant out of my garden. 



King-birds and peicees are very common. 



The American redstart, {Setophaqa ruticilla) is not very 

 common at Trenton, but I have seen several in the low bushes 

 in the less rocky parts of the creek, and near the house. They 

 keep mostly in the bushes, and sing very prettily. 



Muscicapa cwridea, I think I have seen once or twice, but it 

 is no easy matter to decide upon birds at a distance. There 

 are several other small birds I cannot make out, and amongst 

 them some Vireos. I know only Vireo olivaceiis for certain, 

 but am convinced I have seen others. 



Turdus riifus, one of the sweetest songsters of this country, 

 but rare at Trenton. 



Cat-bird {Turdus felivox). — Very common. Often saw its 

 nest; put itself in very odd postures while singing. 



Turdus migratorius. — Common, and very tame. 



Turdus minor and WiUoni. — The note of the latter the most 



