OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 110 



for a. period of several days, but varies according to the 

 number of eggs laid, and the irregularity of the time of 

 laying, eggs being frequently laid about the time that others 

 are hatching. But, as a rule, only a single egg is daily de- 

 posited. Incubation often commences when but two eggs, 

 are in the nest, the female depositing others as the process 

 goes on. This would seem like an extremely odd fancy of 

 hers, but it is evidently the result of great forethought and 

 prevision. The necessarily rude structure which is built for 

 the accommodation of the eggs, does not contain suitable 

 materials to protect them from cold, and thus necessitates 

 very close and arduous labor upon the part of these birds. 

 The hatching of a few young birds at the time when other 

 eggs are being laid, secures the requisite and continual 

 warmth which the parents are compelled to supply at great 

 'detriment to themselves. This plan relieves the parents 

 from too close application, while at the same time, it does 

 not materially interfere with the grand object which under- 

 lies all others. In most instances, we find, in this latitude, 

 the full complement of eggs deposited before the birds have 

 commenced the incubating process. The period of incuba- 

 tion is about fourteen days. 



During this business, the male-bird when not upon the 

 nest, seldom forsakes his mate, save to procure himself and 

 her, food. Perched upon a small limb close-by, he seems all 

 vigilance, and is in constant readiness to reply to her calls: 

 Feelings of the most devoted affection are mutually exhibited. 

 Mr. Newton, in his paper on the habits of the birds of St. Croix 

 Island, testifies to the conjugal affection which is evinced bv 

 these birds. On one occasion, a male had been killed: The 

 female, attracted by his shriek as he fell to the ground, ap- 

 peared upon the scene, and with wings fluttering along the 

 ground, after the manner of the Partridge, endeavored to 

 lead the pursuer of her young astray. 



In the spring of 1872, a nest of this species was placed 

 within full view of our window, from which the minutest 

 details of the every-day life of these birds could be closelv 



