OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 71 



A. pometaria^ Zerenc catcnaria^ Hybernia tiliaria*, An- 

 isota rubicunda^ Utetheisa bella^ Lithosia miniata, among 

 lepidoptera, and Tabanus lineal a ^ T. cinctus^ JMtisca domes- 

 tica, Syrphus obliquus* Anthrax elo-ngata^ and other dip- 

 terous insects. When older, mature lepidoptera, of Enncmios 

 subsignaria, Penthina pomonella, Gortyna zc<z* Procr/s 

 Americana, Clisiocampa Am eric an a, and many of the Lv- 

 ccenidce, Tortricidce, and Noctuidts, are eaten in consider- 

 able numbers. 



At the age of fourteen days, the young leave the nest, but 

 are not sufficiently matured to support themselves until the 

 expiration of a fortnight. When out of the nest, the joy of 

 the parents is indescribable. Every effort is made to per- 

 suade the yet tender creatures to try their untrained wings. 

 Parental example is not lacking. And then when the task 

 is essayed, with only partial success, a perfect medley of 

 inharmonious sounds, escapes from the parents, in token of 

 approval. Still stronger exertions are made with propor- 

 tionate success. These trials are daily made for nearly a 

 week, under parental supervision. 



The breeding-period being over, the parents and young 

 separate. The sole aim now seems to be the gratification 

 of appetite. For this purpose, the habitations of man are 

 forsaken for the retirement of the woods. The habits of 

 the species now remind us of those which it displayed 

 early in the season. Its diet consists of beetles, diptera. 

 and lepidoptera, slightly varied by the berries of Jumperus 



Virginiana. During the last of September, parents and 

 young retire to their southern homes. In this latitude the 

 species is single-brooded. 



The Qggs are elongated oval in configuration, and rather 

 pointed at one extremity. They are a rich cream-color, 

 with a slight reddish tinge, and are marked about the larger 

 end with scattered and vivid reddish-brown blotches. They 



measure .77 of an inch in length, and .55 in width ; and 

 bear a slight resemblance to the eggs of Con t opus. 



