OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 1H3 



and feathers, which are thrown promiscuously into the 

 bottom. 



The nest being completed, the female commences to 

 deposit her full number of eggs at the rate of one egg per 

 day, which requires from five to six days according to the 

 number which is to constitute a sitting. Incubation imme- 

 diately follows and continues for a period of fifteen days. 

 The labor is performed chiefly by the female, the male occa- 

 sionally relieving her when absent in search of food. While 

 with eggs or young, the approach of a human being is 

 greeted with a sort of hissing sound, and the protrusion of 

 the hand often meets with a sharp but not to be mistaken 

 reception. In the daytime, when surprised they are such 

 comparatively stupid, sleepy creatures, that they seldom notice 

 the near approach of persons ; but if they do, it is only with a 

 sort of vacant stare occasionally varied by moderately rapid 

 Winkings, save when partially aroused by a thrust with the 

 finger, when they open wide the eyes in a staring manner, 

 throw back the head, and utter a loud hiss of indignation or 

 disgust, which is quickly followed by the elevation and pro- 

 trusion of the claw r s of the right foot. All this is of 

 momentary duration, and is quickly succeeded by the same 

 stolid indifference, or utter obljviousness to all surrounding 

 objects. 



The young are vigorous feeders, and tax the time and 

 energies of their parents to the utmost, to procure the 

 requisite supply of nourishment. The feeding process is 

 performed exclusively during the night, both birds being 

 absent from the nest at the same time in search of food. 

 Their food consists of small quadrupeds, birds, lizards, and 

 insects. At first these are torn into pieces by the parent birds, 

 particularly the larger kinds but as the birds increase in size 

 and age, they are brought and deposited in the burrow. 

 Mr. Nuttall cites an instance w r here a full supply of Bluebirds, 

 Blackbirds, and Song-Sparrows, was thrown into the nest by 

 the parents, which is a striking illustration of their provi- 



