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 female is engaged in 

 sitting. Her partner seldom visits the nest, and 

 is rarely to be discerned in the immediate 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 of the 

 young ranges from 13 to -14 days. The usual 

 complement of eggs is four. We 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 .81 

 inches. 



Both parents are very attentive to their helpless 

 charges, and alternate usually in fetching food to 

 satisfy their rapacious appetites. During; the 

 temporary absence of the. parents on such mis- 

 sions which occasionally occurs, the young are 



