OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 369 



its departure during the last of September. At 

 first it is rather wild, but as the season for mating 

 arrives, it becomes rather tame and unsuspicious, 

 and can be readily approached. We have seldom, 

 if ever, observed the species in waste grounds, in 

 dense thickets, or along the borders of woods, ex- 

 cept where orchards were adjoining the latter. 



The flight of this species is low, graceful, undu- 

 lating, and but slightly protracted. This bird is 

 strictly arboricole. We have never observed it 

 gleaning upon the ground, although it may proba- 

 bly do so at times. It is active, sprightly, and viva- 

 cious, and is remarkable for its song which is enun- 

 ciated in a hurried and energetic manner. By 

 some it is considered as a medley of agreeable 

 gushing notes which the listener in his inability to 

 follow thus characterizes. The performance con- 

 sists of rather shrill and sprightly notes, uttered 

 xvith apparent agitation, and are quite as distinct 

 and pleasing as those of Icterus baltimore, but lack 

 their richness. Shortly after his arrival, the male 

 bird seeks the topmost branch of a pear or maple 

 tree, and for a half-hour at a time, unmindful of 

 passers-by, makes the neighborhood resound with 

 his melody. After nesting is begun, and par- 

 ticularly during the incubating process and 

 while with young, his song is seldom heard. 

 Occasionally a young and inexperienced male, in 

 the exuberance of his joy, will break forth in 

 wanton rhapsodies to the peril of his nest and its 

 contents. The following syllables uttered loudly, 



