23O LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



earnest than those of any of our Eastern species, 

 and exhibit most astonishing variations. Early in 

 the spring it begins with a low whistle, which it 

 changes to a very quaint and peculiar succession 

 of irregular jiotes as the season advances; some 

 of these notes are softly and gently uttered, while 

 others are produced with a vehemence and shrill- 

 ness truly remarkable for so small a species. The 

 following syllables will express with considerable 

 accuracy, the language" of its song: tehlck- 

 tc hi ck-a- tee-way -ah; tchuka-wayoc ; t chick-way -ah - 

 tchlcka-way-dc-tchick. Sometimes tchuka-way-oc- 

 tchlck pronounced in a clear mournful manner, 

 and so distinct as to be heard at a great distance. 

 Again, the following syllables have been occa- 

 sionally heard early in the mommg-.fchuck-c/ttck 

 mea-chuck-chuk-cheeeeee-tchick-lwnni. 



Like the subject of the preceding sketch, this 

 species combines in a remarkable manner the 

 attributes of the Paridc? and Muscicapidce. Its 

 agility in the procurement of food surpasses that 

 of Vireo olivaceiis. Beetles constitute a large 

 portion of its diet during its early stay; but, later, 

 various hymenopterous, dipterous, and lepidop- 

 terous insects, are devoured in immense numbers. 

 The following insects constitute a small portion of 

 its voluminous bill of fare: Donacia confluenta, 

 Chrysomela cceruleipenms, Harpalus compar^mong 

 coleoptera; Tab anus lineola, Syrphus obscurus, S. 

 obliquus, Culex tceniorhynchus, Tipula ferruginea, 

 Musca domestica, among diptera; Apis mellifica, 



