OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 32! 



lowing the last deposit, and continues for 1 1 days. 

 Sometimes the male bird shares with his partner 

 the duties of sitting; but generally the burden of 

 the responsibility devolves upon the female, while 

 the male becomes a faithful guardian and most 

 willing provider. He displays the utmost affection 

 for his mate, and is indefatigable in his exertions 

 to render her comfortable and contented. His 

 jealousy is unbounded, and will not permit a 

 feathered stranger to venture within his precincts, 

 without chastising his temerity. When unable to 

 cope with an antagonist, a cry of distress soon 

 brings numbers of his brethren to his aid. He 

 seldom strays any considerable distance from the 

 nest, except when foraging for himself and 

 partner. 



The most devoted affection and solicitude are 

 manifested for the young. They are fed with the 

 larvae of insects particularly caterpillars, and dip- 

 tera. The principal insects which constitute their 

 dietary are the larvae of Gortyna ze<z, Anisopteryx 

 vernata, A. pometaria, Zerene catcnaria, Orgy a 

 leucostigma, Pieris rapce. Colias philodice, Hy hernia 

 tiliaria, Ennomos subsignaria, Chosrodes transver- 

 sata, Plusia precationis, Thecla humuli, Utetheisa 

 bella, among lepicloptera; and Musca domestica, 

 Culex tceniorhynchus, Stomoxys calcitrans, besides 

 many of the Aphidcc, and the ordinary Lumbricus 

 terrestris. 



When the young have attained the age of from 

 12 to 13 days, they quit the nest, but are supplied 



u 



