OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 365 



ing, and protracted. In the procurement of food 

 its habits are mainly terrestrial; occasionally ar- 

 boreal, particularly during the breeding-period. 



Its food consists of the seeds of various plant- 

 species, berries, and insects. We have found it 

 feeding upon the seeds of grasses, and the berries 

 of Pmnus cerasus, P. serotina, Fragaria Virginiana, 

 and Rubus villosiis. During the early part of the 

 season it derives sustenance from the following 

 coleopterous and orthopterous insects: Harpalus 

 pensylvanicus, If. compar, Dictzlus dilatatus, Pan- 

 gus caliginosus, Cr atony chus cinereus, Cetonia inda, 

 Anomala varians, Chrysomela c<zruleipennis, CEdi- 

 poda sulphured, CE. nebulosa, and Caloptenus fcmur- 

 rubriun. When with young, which are also fed 

 thereon, the caterpillars of Eiidamus tilyrus, Ar- 

 gynnis myrina, A. bellona, A gratis tessellata, Cal- 

 limorpha lecontei, Ennomos subsignaria, Ck&rodes 

 transversata, Anisopteryx vernata, Zerene catenaria, 

 mature forms of Colias philodice, Harrisina Ameri- 

 cana, Utetheisa bella, and many of the Lyccenida, 

 Tortridda, are in great demand. Besides the 

 foregoing, various aphides, ants, 'and earthworms, 

 are also eaten. 



Building operations do not ordinarily commence 

 earlier than the last of April, or the beginning of 

 May; the intei*val of time between arrival and nidi- 

 fication, being employed, judging from the ma- 

 noeuvres of the birds, in the selection of a desira- 

 ble and suitable locality. The site chosen is not 

 always a meadow. Mr, Samuels affirms, the 



