OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. !;',:> 



gives ample opportunity for the cultivation of the social and 

 amiable qualities of their being. The males, which are 

 the most selfish of the sexes, about the first of Muv, some- 

 times earlier, go in search of the females. This is the sea- 

 son of courtship. The amorousness of the males, gives rise 

 to the most uncouth actions, which are quite amusing and 

 ludicrous. We have often observed a pair of males engag- 

 ed in making love to a single female. Sometimes, the one 

 would triumph, and the most devoted affection be mutually 

 reciprocated ; then events would take a turn, and the rival 

 claimant would enjoy for a brief season the taste of antici- 

 pated joys, but to be doomed as his predecessor had been. 

 This would often last for hours, when the female as if tired 

 of such flirtations, would accept the partner of her first 

 choice, and hie away to the woods to enjoy a brief honey- 

 moon before entering upon the trying and responsible duties 

 of wedded life. Occasionally, a pair of of both sexes 

 would happen to meet upon the same tree, when similar 

 scenes, though equally amusing yet more complicated, 

 would be enacted by the jolly females, much to the chagrin 

 and vexation of their respective suitors. The period of 

 courting has been known to last for nearly a week, but it 

 rarely exceeds a couple of days. 



This being over, the happy pair make due amends for the 

 time thus dallied away, and ransack the orchards and woods, 

 with the greatest diligence, for a suitable tree in which to ex- 

 cavate a nest. The apple is ordinarily chosen for this pur- 

 pose. Nidification commences about the middle of May, by 

 the male, who is the first to commence the process of exca- 

 vation. He is subsequently relieved by the female, both 

 birds working by turns with an industry and patience that 

 are quite praiseworthy. The opening is perfectly circular, 

 and as accurate as a skillful mechanic could do with a pair 

 of compasses. The hole is directed dowmvarcls, at an angle 

 of 40 degrees, for the distance of 5 inches ; thence, perpendic- 

 ularly, for nearly 10 inches. The bottom is quite capacious. 



