OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. G7 



shy. and keeps at a wary distance from the lords of creation. 

 It is of a quarrelsome disposition, which manifests itself, 

 when two males chance to meet ; they pursue each other 

 with considerable fierceness, all the while snapping their 

 bills, and uttering sharp, complaining, twittering notes. 

 Mr. Allen characterizes this species as being the most spir- 

 ited and tyrannical of its genus. As Audubon affirms, it is 

 extremely pugnacious, for we have known it to drive away 

 even- feathered comer whom necessity would bring within 

 its domain. 



Whilst feeding, it stations itself upon low branches, and 

 is ever on the alert for passing insects, which it seizes with 

 considerable adroitness ; ever and anon uttering a sharp 

 squeak which may be happily expressed by the dissyllabic 

 note quequeal, and enunciated so loudly as to be distinctly 

 heard at a great distance. While on the wing, it utters a 

 low, querulous note, which becomes at once changed to its 

 ordinary sharp cry, when it alights. 



It is mainly insectivorous, and to a slight degree, frugivo- 

 rous. In its solitary rambles, early in the season, it devours 

 immense numbers of beetles. We have detected remains 

 of Ptinns Jntnicralis, RhyncJuenus strobi, Harpalus corn- 

 par^ Donacia confliieuta.D. pnsilla, Cr atony chus chiereus, 

 etc., in our numerous stomach-examinations. Later, many 

 diptera are eaten, and are highly esteemed. The principal 

 species \ye\ngHtfusca domestica, Tabanus Uneola, Stomoxys 

 calcitrans* J3ombyH.it s cequalis* Culex tceniorhvncJius, and 

 Syrphits obliquus. But, when the weather becomes warm- 

 er and summer has full sway, the caterpillars and perfect 

 insects of the following lepidopteral species, are destroyed : 

 Anisopteryx ~ccrnata, A., pometaria, Zerene catenaria^ 

 Hybernia til/aria, Lithosia miniata, Utetheisa bella, 

 Spilosoma tcxtor, Anisota rubicunda, and many of the Sat- 

 yridcc, Lyccenidce, Noctuidce, and Tortricidic. Among 

 hymenoptera, Apis mclUJica, Selandria roscc, S, ;vV/.v, 

 Lophyrus abictis. with C<xleoxys HaUctns and Andre- 



