OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 201 



between the sexes outside of this period, yet at this time 

 the feeling becomes exceedingly strengthened, and lapses 

 into one of all absorbing-love. The males are evidently 

 more amorous than the females, as shown by the numerous 

 deeds of kindness which they perform, and the most endear- 

 ing caresses which they lavish upon the latter. It has been 

 affirmed that the cries of the female are heard more fre- 

 quently than those of the male, and also that the latter 

 possesses a much feebler voice than the former. According 

 to our experience, the reverse of this is the true statement of 

 things. The advances are first made by the males, who 

 are addicted to the most ridiculous actions in their efforts 

 to attract the attention and please the fancy of the wooed. 

 The latter are not slow to interpret these actions, and to 

 reciprocate them. There is no time wasted in frivolous 

 flirtations. Ordinarily, a single day binds the compact, and 

 thus seals the fate of the two birds, for another season. 



The pairing being accomplished, the birds now seem actu- 

 ated by no other motive than that of propagating their kind. 

 For this essential purpose, they start off in search of a 

 suitable place in which to construct a nest. Where un- 

 disturbed, they nidificate in the same locality o.i each suc- 

 ceeding season, and not unfrequently in the same tree. 

 Where necessitated to seek other quarters, the sexes sep- 

 arate, and carefully examine every tree in their search, until 

 a suitable one is found. It often happens that a site is 

 selected by each bird, but no difficulty arises in consequence. 

 Both trees are visited, and after a brief but harmonious 

 consultation, one is chosen as possessing greater advantages 

 than the other. The female exercises considerable in- 

 fluence over her partner, and it seems that her judgment 

 ultimately prevails in these deliberations. 



The nest is mostly placed in a thick evergreen ; a cedar, 

 or some species of pine, being generally preferred, at but a 

 slight distance from favorite feeding-grounds ; but, occasion- 

 ally, in the midst of a dense forest of pines, where a suit- 

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