OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 187 



rear of a tussock of grasses. In capturing its prey, it is ex- 

 ceedingly active, often taking it with the bill, but more 



generally in its claws. 

 J 



Its call consists of two or three notes which are uttered at 

 irregular intervals during the night. They are mournful in 

 their character, and quite moderately prolonged. In addition 

 to the above, these birds emit a hissing sound significative 

 of commingled indignation and disgust ; and also a sharp 

 clicking noise produced by the bill, which is invariably 

 made when the birds are provoked during the day while in 

 confinement. 



The food of this species consists of mice, moles, lizards, 

 small birds, and insects. The following list constitutes its 

 bill of fare : Mus musculns, Arvicola Gappcri, Jaculus 

 hudsonius, Scalops aquaticus, Hesperomysleucopus, Spiz- 

 ella socialis^ Spizella monticola* Melospiza melodia, Junco 

 hyemaUs Passerella iliaca, many of the Sylvicolidce, 

 GryllotaJpa borealis, Cyrtophyllus concavus, Acheta nigra, 

 Lucanus dama, Prionus latiicollis, Lachnosterna quer- 

 cina, L. hirticula, Osmoderma scabra. and others. 



Mating commences during the latter part of March, and 

 often not before the first week of April. The sexes evince 

 more pleasure in each other's society than any other of our 

 species. The friendly disposition of these birds outside of 

 the breeding-period, would naturally lead one to infer that 

 the sexes take deep interest in each other, were corroborative 

 facts wanting. There is no exhibition of the mirth-provok- 

 ing antics which characterize the love-affairs of our smaller 

 species, but an honest, quiet expression, which makes itself 

 known and felt through the medium of the eyes, and in the 

 accomplishment of deeds of love and valor. We have every 

 reason to believe that the same birds pair on each returning 

 season, unless one or the other has come to an untimely 

 end, until separated by death. Birds have been met with 

 during the winter months under circumstances which coun- 

 tenance this hypothesis. We have known a male and female 





