56 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



manner with the pertinacity of a Creeper, in its 

 search for eggs and small insects. Though a very 

 active creature, it lacks, however, the nimbleness 

 of its cousin, the Ruby-crowned. Scarcity of food 

 impels it to visit our yards, in the company of the 

 Black-cap, where it derives a partial subsistance 

 from the discarded crumbs of the table. 



Within its natural haunts, it frequents the light 

 of the tallest trees, and can then only be 

 approached with the greatest caution. About the 

 time the Red Maple arrays itself in purple gar- 

 ments, this little creature may be seen along the 

 borders of fields, and within our orchards and 

 gardens, in the enjoyment of the most perfect 

 felicity. It is now exceedingly tame and confiden- 

 tial. 



Though chiefly arboreal in its habits of feeding, 

 in the spring it freely descends from its aerial 

 heights, to seek its food upon terrafirma. The small 

 insects which are attracted by the blossoms of the 

 tulip-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), which mani- 

 fest themselves in early June, afford it a rich repast. 

 The ova and larvae found in fissured bark are 

 captured with nearly the skill of a Creeper, and 

 relished with a. gusto. The following insects have 

 been found in the stomachs of several individuals 

 which we have examined: Cratonychus cjnereus, 

 Rhynch&us pini, BostricJms pini, Harpahis compar, 

 Platynus cupripennis, Donacia metallica Chry- 

 somela c(Kruleipennis y besides Formica sanguined. 



This species is an expert fly- catcher and cap- 



