OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 33 



by supplying the nest, as far as practicable, with materials 

 that are non-conductors of heat. 



Though the Kingbird usually nidificates in trees, it dors 

 not always choose such localities. Dr. Brewer mentions a 

 nest which he noticed in the summer of 1851, while crossing 

 a bridge near the village of Aylesford, in Nova Scotia, which 

 was placed upon the kk projecting end of one of the planks 

 of which the bridge was made." This nest was consider- 

 ably exposed, and placed on a level with the highway, and 

 but a few feet from it. 



The young birds when hatched, are objects of more than 

 ordinary parental solicitude ; both parents vying with each 

 other in deeds of self-sacrifice. The most endearing atten- 

 tions are lavished upon them, and no effort is spared to sat- 

 isfy the eager demands of appetite. Their bill of fare con- 

 sists mainly of caterpillars and diptera at first, to which 

 coleoptera, orthoptera, and mature lepidoptera, are added. 

 as they increase in age. The following caterpillars arc 

 sacrificed to their greedy appetites: Hybernia tiliaria. 

 Anisoptervx vernata, A. pcmctaria, Zcrcne catena na^ 

 Lima codes scapha, and Agrotis tessellata. Among diptera, 

 vast numbers of Cii/ex taniorhynchiis, Mnsca domcstica, 

 Tabanus Uneola, and T. cinctus, are devoured. Later. 

 Coliasphilodice, Pier is olcracea, Utethaisa bellci, Ennonio* 

 snbsignaria, Agrotis tcsscllata, Plusia precatioui , among 

 mature lepidoptera ; Caloptenns fcnuir-rnbrum, (Edipoda 

 Carolina, ffi\ nclutlosa, CE. sulphured, and other orthop- 

 tera ; Apis mcllifica, and many hymenopters of the genera 

 Hale it us, Andrcna, Anthomyia, and Formica. 



On the fourteenth day after incubation, the young are able 

 to quit the nest. A fortnight longer elapses, however, before 

 they are fitted to take care of themselves. For a brief period 

 they now enjoy the association of the parents, but finally 

 sever this relationship, and each individual shifts for itself. 

 Their departure for the South takes place about the i5th of 

 September, seldom later. 



