OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 235 



time, taking a calm survey of the surrounding 

 prospect, unless disturbed by intruders, or aroused 

 from its apparent listlessness by the cravings of 

 appetite, which are doubtless sharpened by the 

 accidental appearance of a feathered stranger. 



When thus disturbed it utters a sharp piercing 

 shriek and sails away to some distance ; but re- 

 turns when the source of danger has vanished, and 

 resumes its posture as though nothing had oc- 

 curred. 



The female, like the male, also passes the 

 autumnal and winter months in solitude. It leads 

 a more secluded life, however, than the male, 

 being seldom observed close to human habitations. 

 She delights in the coverts of deep and gloomy 

 forests where she procures her nourishment 

 under greater difficulties than the male. She 

 lacks, however, the spirit and daring of the latter. 



This species possesses remarkable powers of 

 imitation. It imitates the cries of Melospiza melo- 

 dia and Spizella nwnticola^ apparently to decoy 

 them within its power; but, ordinarily, it disdains 

 to practice such deception and prefers to await its 

 prey, or overtake it in pursuit. Its movements 

 recall those of our smaller hawks. When in quest 

 of game it seldom misses it, but pursues it with 

 notable pertinacity. 



Nuttall ascribes to it the power of song. He 

 says substantially that he heard it as late as No- 

 vember loth, uttering a low soft warble which 

 resembled at first that of Melospiza melodia, and 



