96 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



iSy Thaneroclerus sanguinalis, Harpalus corn- 

 par, H. pensylvanicus, Chrysomela cceruleipennis, 

 Formica sanguinea, Apis mellifica, Aphis mail in 

 profusion, and innumerable small spiders. We 

 have often witnessed its capture of small bees and 

 diptera, which it accomplishes with nearly the 

 adroitness of the Muscicapidce. 



Mr. Trippe describes its song as being sharp 

 and lisping, yet varied and agreeable. 



The nests are occasionally fastened to the trunks 

 of trees, but more generally are^ suspended from 

 branches at an elevation of a few feet above the 

 ground. They are beautifully and ingeniously 

 wrought of long grey lichens which depend from 

 the trees upon which the fabric is built. An elabo- 

 rate intertwining of these fibres constitutes the 

 major part, if not the entire structure. Whilst the 

 female is employed in incubation, when not en- 

 gaged in the procurement of food the male devotes 

 his spare moments to the improvement and en- 

 largement of the nest. 



The eggs are four, sometimes five in number, 

 with a few markings of reddish-brown, purple and 

 lilac upon a pure white background. They have 

 an average length of .64 of an inch, and in breadth 

 range from .49 to .50. 



It returns during the first week in September, 

 and remains with us until the middle of October, 

 when it takes up its southward-bound journey. 

 During its autumnal stay it is a resident of high 

 woodlands, and forages among the leaves and 

 branches of the tallest trees. 



