OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 115 



and blossoms of herbaceous plants. It is exceedingly loose 

 and scarcely survives the season for which it is designed. 

 The external diameter measures about seven inches, and the 

 height about three. The cavity is about five inches wide, 

 and quite shallow. Dr. Brewer says the nest is built in low 

 bushes in damp places, and never more than two or three 

 feet from the ground ; it is composed of roots, twigs, strips of 

 bark and moss woven together, and is lined with blossoms 

 and catkins of various kinds. 



Ovi position usually takes place on the day following the 

 completion of the nest, but instances have been met with 

 where eggs were deposited on the same day. But a single 

 egg is daily deposited ; as the number laid usually varies 

 from three to six, the period varies likewise. The necessary 

 complement being furnished, incubation immediately suc- 

 ceeds. In this business the male does his part. When not 

 thus engaged, he occupies a limb close-by, and holds him- 

 self in readiness to defend his home and partner ; or, strays 

 off for a short distance in quest of a juicy caterpillar for his 

 mate. Incubation is ordinarily completed in a period of 

 fourteen days. But, as the eggs are occasionally deposited 

 at irregular intervals, it happens that the same nest often 

 contains both eggs and young birds, which seems to be a 

 wise provision of Nature, in strengthening that degree of 

 warmth which is denied by the shallowness and looseness of 

 the nest. Both parents are assiduous in incubation, and also 

 in furnishing each other with food. They manifest a strong- 

 er fidelity and a greater affection for each other, than any 

 other bird belonging to their family. Dr. Brewer cites an 

 instance in which a female was wantonly destroyed while with 

 eggs, where the male immediately assumed the all-essential 

 duty of incubation, and successfully reared the brood. So de- 

 voted was he to the task, that he would almost suffer himself 

 to be captured, rather than abandon his charge to the cruel 

 mercies of a human intruder. These nestlings under his 

 vigilant care throve splendidly. 



