OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, l6l 



Its habits whilst feeding are both terrestrial and 

 arboreal; it, however, restricts its foraging to low 

 trees and shrubs. In general movements, there 

 are noticeable remarkable agility and a certain de- 

 gree of eccentricity. They frequently squat upon 

 the ground, keeping up all the while a peculiar 

 jerking movement of the tail; then spring upon 

 their feet and display the most antic gestures. 

 When surprised while thus occupied, they en- 

 deavor to effect concealment among the bushes, 

 or seek security in flight. 



The food of the Chat consists mainly of in- 

 sects, although the fruits of the wild strawberry 

 (JFrkgctnd Visginicd}, Rubns villosus, and the 

 common whortleberry are esteemed great luxuries. 

 We have detected in the several stomachs which 

 we have examined, the presence of Pdngtis caligi- 

 nosus, Harpalus pensylrahicuS) H. cotupar, Scarites 

 subtcrrancus, ffAtynus cupripsnnis, Bostrichus pini, 

 Donacia pusiUa, Chrysomela cczruleipennis, and 

 many other coleoptera; besides Formica sanguined, 

 F. subicrranea, small spiders, and the smaller 

 species of Tulis. Later, the smajler lepidoptera 

 belonging- to the Noctuidce, Tortricidcc, and 

 Tineidce, in mature stages, besides the larvae of 

 Anisopteryx vcrnaia, Eufitchia ribearia, Clisio- 

 campa Americana, Utctlieisa bclla, and Colias philo- 

 dice are eagerly hunted. 



Its song consists of a variety of uncouth sounds 

 easily imitated; at one time, comparing favorably 

 with the whistling of the .wings of a duck, being 



K 



