lir, LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



The young arc objects of more than ordinary solicitude bv 

 the parents. While one parent is absent in search of cater- 

 pillars to satisfy their voracious appetites, the other exercises 

 the closest surveillance over the tender creatures, and exerts 

 his utmost endeavors to lead the intruder away, by drawing 

 attention to himself. On these occasions he has been observ- 

 ed to drop from the branch, and by simulating a wounded 

 bird with the greatest nicety, has often acomplished his pur- 

 pose. This ruse is so skilfully performed, that the umvarv 

 are often deceived thereby. The food of the voung consists 

 chiefly of caterpillars, at first, but other articles of an insect 

 character are added to their bill of fare, as they increase in 

 age. The caterpillars of Anisopteryx vernctta* A., ponic- 

 taria, Zercne catenaria, Hybernia tiliaria. Anisota rnb- 

 icunda. mature forms of Noctuidce, Tortricidte, and other 

 lepidoptera, with divers beetles, and the common earth worm 

 {Lumbricus terrestris}, constitute an important part of 

 their varied and voluminous bill of fare. 



At the age of fifteen days the young birds are able to leave 

 the nest, but they still continue to be fed and cared for by 

 the parents until the lapse of nearly two weeks, when they 

 are so far matured as to be able to shift for themselves. 



We have never known more than a single brood in a sea- 

 son. The period of breeding being over, both parents and 

 young separate, and concern themselves exclusively with the 

 gratification of appetite. Their stay does not seem to be 

 regulated by the scarcity or abundance of food-stuffs, for they 

 retire to their warm winter homes as early as the middle of 

 September. 



The eggs are somewhat spherical, of a bluish-green color, 

 and measure 1.12 inches in length, and about .90 of an inch 

 in width. They resemble very closely those of Americaints. 

 The color being exceedingly fugitive, cabinet specimens can 

 only be distinguished from those of the latter, by sixe and 

 shape. 



