OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 287 



garia are especially esteemed. Among insects 

 the larvae of Anisopteryx vernaia, A. pometara, 

 Zerene catenaria, Eujltchia rib ear ia, Angerina cro- 

 cataria, Ermomos subsignaria, Chcerodcs transver- 

 sata y Limacodes scapha^Asopia eostalis, Lozotcznia 

 rosaceana, and mature forms of Thecla Jiumuli, 

 Calliniorpha Lcconter, Lithacodesfasciola, Utetkeisa 

 bella, Spilosoma Virginica, Lithosia miniata, Pen- 

 thina pomonella and many of the Tineidcz. 



Mating commences about the 2Oth of April, or- 

 dinarily, and nidification about the 25th of the 

 same month, two weeks after the robin has com- 

 menced. Instances have been met with where this 

 business has been deferred, owing to meteorlogical 

 conditions, until the middle of May. Young birds 

 select for a nest a shallow cavity by the roadside, 

 or on the border's of a field in the midst of a dense 

 growth of grasses; while old birds, ordinarily, 

 build in low bushes. The former soon learn to 

 disregard such places for the security which eleva- 

 ted localities afford. Nests constructed amid 

 branches are generally more compact, and display 

 better taste and skill than those placed upon the 

 ground. The latter being less exposed to the 

 influence of the jvvind, require less compactness 

 than the others. .* 



Both birds labor with remarkable diligence until 

 a nest is built which is the result of four days' 

 application during the cool of the mornings and 

 afternoons. The birds commence at sunrise and 

 work for three hours; then desisting therefrom 



