64 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Oviposition commences on the day following the comple- 

 tion of the nest. The usual complement of eggs is four, 

 which are laid on consecutive days, at the rate of one egg per 

 dic'iu. On the day succeeding the last deposit, the female 

 begins the all-trying duty of incubation, which continues 

 for eleven days. This labor devolves directly upon her, 

 while the male contributes his share to the success of the 

 undertaking, by guarding his partner from danger, and sup- 

 plying her with the necessary articles of diet. When his 

 home is assailed by feathered enemies, if less than a match 

 for his strength, he is not slow to wreak instant vengeance 

 upon their temerity. But in the case of human depredations, 

 where all effort would be inutile and hopeless, no extra- 

 ordinary exertions are put forth to cause desistance from at- 

 tack, save a little scolding and fluttering. 



The young are objects of more than ordinary parental so- 

 licitude. They are amply fed by the parents who alternate 

 in fetching food for the gratification of their rapacious appe- 

 tites. We have known instances where both birds were 

 absent from the nest at the same time ; but one was only a 

 few paces away, and within seeing distance ; and could 

 come to the assistance of the helpless brood, in the shortest 

 possible time. In these cases, the nests were placed close by 

 human habitations, and the necessary vigilance could be in 

 a measure relaxed. The young are able to leave the nest 

 when two weeks old ; and, after the lapse of a similar period, 

 are endowed with the ability necessary to self-maintenance. 

 But a single brood is raised in a season. 



Their food at first consists of the larvae of Anisoptcryx 

 vernata, A. pomctaria, Zcrene catenaria, Anisota rubi- 

 cunda, Eujitchia ribearia, Eudryas grata, Procris Amer- 

 icana, and mature forms of the following diptera ; Mttsca 

 domestica, Tabanus lineola, Syr pints obliquus, Culcx 

 t&niorhynchus, and others. Later, they are fed upon 

 Aphis malt, A. rosce, and the various lepidopterous and 

 coleopterous imagos of Pcnthhia pomoncUa, Colias phil- 



