OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 189 



abundance in Sacramento Valley, and also in the Great 

 Basin, assarts that it is found in dense willow copses near 

 streams ; and far into the interior, he says it deposits its 

 eggs in the deserted structures of the Magpie. 



The eorors vary from two to four in number. These are 



C~><"^ J 



laid on the day following the completion of the nest, one egg 

 being deposited daily. Incubation commences immediately, 

 and is performed by both birds, although the brunt of the 

 labor falls upon the female. The period of incubation is 

 about twenty days. While the female is sitting, during the 

 daytime, the male-bird is in close proximity; and we have 

 met cases, though rarely, where both birds occupied the nest 

 together. This was only the case where the nest -was unu- 

 sually large, and sufficiently capacious. 



The young are fed by the parents, but mainly, if not 

 entirely, during the night. The fewness of the number 

 raised, does not seem to necessitate diurnal pilgrimages, in 

 quest of food, as is frequently the case with its more distant 

 kin previously alluded to. The young are vigorous feeders, 

 and rapid growers. As they increase in age and size, they 

 make more strenuous demands upon their parents for food, 

 who keep them amply supplied with the necessary articles, 

 as evidenced by the fact that nests have been occasionally 

 found with two young birds in the midst of a number of 

 small birds and quadrupeds. This act of provident fore- 

 thought, undoubtedly obviates the necessity of day-explora- 

 tions. Their food consists of mice, moles, small birds, 

 lizards, various beetles, and the larger lepidoptera. In 

 about three weeks they are able to quit the nest, and may 

 be often found upon the tree-branches in the dusk of evening 

 receiving food from their parents. They are so sure-footed 

 even at this early period, that they seldom lose their hold 

 and become precipitated to the ground. Another period of 

 three weeks finds them sufficiently matured to look after 

 their own interests, in a great measure. In about five months 

 from the time of hatching, they have passed through the 



