M LIFE-HISTORIES OF 1JIRDS 



rewarded by the appearance of the young. On tlu^e occa- 

 sions, she provides her own nourishment. We incline 

 to this opinion for the following reasons ; the occasional 

 absence of the female while incubating under circumstance^ 

 which we are assured were optional : and, finally, the failure 

 to observe the male either engaged in feeding his partner, 

 or in such proximity to her, as would naturally lead to the 

 impression that he had been thus occupied. His absence 

 >n such occasions mav be purely intentional. 



While incubating, the female will permit a very near 

 approach. and will actually suffer herself to be nearly step- 

 ped upon, before quitting the eggs. When obliged to leave, 

 she will tumble at the feet of the intruder, and by a \\ ell-- 

 feigned lameness, endeavor to lead him away from the 

 treasures. Her imitation of a disabled bird is so well char- 

 acterized, that the person uninitiated in such devices, i^ 

 easily deceived thereby. 



The young are very properly cared for by both parents, 

 who vie with each other in unremitting attention during 

 their brief period of dependence. Their food consists of the 

 larvae and imagos of Zerene catena riot. Anisoptervx rer- 

 nata* Ilybernia tiliaria* Anisota rubicunda, with mature 

 forms of Chrysopkantfs amcricana* Pier is olcracea. l\>'a- 

 nieis cardni, t'tethei^a bclla* and others among lepidop 

 tera ; various dipterous species, such as Musca domestica. 

 Ta ban us liu col a, 7\ci?ictus* Anthrax elongata* etc.: Ilar- 

 palns con/par, l^angns cctliginosus ^ Scaritcs subterraneits^ 

 and riatytuts cttpripeitith* among coleoptera : besides the 

 hymenopterous Formica sangnhica* and earthworms. 



At the age of eight or nine davs, the voung cjuit the nest. 

 being able to move with considerable celerity : but they still 

 Continue to associate with the parents for a fortnight longer, 

 when they forsake them altogether. 



This species is single-brooded. After the duties ot breed- 

 ing are discharged, the sexes manifest little or no concern for 

 each other. During the middle of September, both young 



