OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 265 



An event may have occurred which has placed a 

 new aspect upon affairs. A male has died 

 and the female deprived of his assistance deserts 

 the home, and rambles abroad. In her flights she 

 encounters a male, which has been compelled by 

 due necessity, or otherwise, to lead a single life. 



A friendship takes place, and after a brief court- 

 ship, the two become mated. These preliminaries 

 ended, and a suitable time having been spent in the 

 selection of a proper locality, a nest is built, and 

 the subsequent duties of oviposition and incuba- 

 tion accomplished. 



For nidificating purposes, a maple or pear tree 

 is usually chosen. The nest is placed about 

 fifteen feet from the ground; never less, but fre- 

 quently at higher elevations. Sometimes a horizon- 

 tal branch of the pear with diverging twigs is 

 selected. Than the nest of the "Thistle Bird" 

 there is no more beautiful structure of the basket 

 in form, and the felted in texture. The structure 

 is symmetrical in shape; delicately and neatly 

 woven, and skilfully and finely fastened to the 

 forked twigs between which it is placed. For 

 beauty of design, and neatness of finish, it is a per- 

 fect model of architectural skill. A nest before us 

 from this neighborhood, may be considered as 

 typical. It is placed in a crotch, and held in situ 

 by four small upright branches which are partly 

 wrought into the fabric. The exterior is com- 

 posed of the tassels of Castanea vesca, stems of 

 Polygonum, a few leaves and fragments of a fun- 



