OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 363 



bation succeeds on the day following the last 

 deposit, and continues for fifteen days; the sole 

 duty devolving upon the female, while her partner, 

 like a dutiful husband, guards her from intrusion 

 when not engaged in "providing her with food. 

 When the nest is disturbed, the parent-birds flutter 

 over the intruder, uttering the most piteous cries, 

 which are enough to strike a sympathetic chord 

 in the bosom of even the most relentless person. 

 After the nest has been ravished, both parents 

 perched upon a bush or a small tree, continue 

 their lamentations for a half-hour afterwards. The 

 most intense affection is displayed for the young, 

 and the most devoted attention is bestowed upon 

 them. They are fed upon earthworms, plant-lice, 

 diptera, and the caterpillars of the various lepi- 

 doptera which we have mentioned above. The 

 young quit the nest in about fourteen days after 

 hatching, and in twelve days more are able to shift 

 for themselves. Both young and old remain in 

 their accustomed haunts, and collect in small flocks, 

 until ready to depart for their winter homes, during, 

 the last of September, or the early part of October. 

 The eggs are oval and marbled, blotched, and 

 streaked with light and dark purple upon a light 

 bluish background, mainly about the larger ex- 

 tremity. The average length is i.oi inches, and 

 breadth .76. The species is single-brooded in 

 Eastern Pennsylvania, whilst farther south it is 

 affirmed to be triple-brooded, or even more. 



