

OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 205 



racious appetite than his brethren, who continues his clamors 

 after the rest have been satisfied, 



The young birds grow quite rapidly, and in about three 

 weeks from the time of hatching, quit the nest, and 

 receive their food while perched upon the tree-branches. 

 After the expiration of a fortnight, the labors of the parents 

 are considerably lessened, for the young are now able to con- 

 tribute much to their own maintenance. Another period of 

 similar extent finds them so far matured, that parental 

 assistance is unnecessary. They continue to visit the paren- 

 tal tree for roosting purposes, emerging therefrom at nights, 

 but returning thither on the approach of morning. But, 

 eventually, they become separated, and retire to other quar- 

 ters, which they come to regard in the course of time with 

 particular favor. At the age of four months, they imitate the 

 peculiar cries of the adult birds, with great precision. Two 

 months later they assume their characteristic plumage. 

 The claws continue to grow even after the normal bodily 

 size has been attained. During the succeeding season they 

 begin to mate, imitating precisely the habits of their older 

 brethren. We are convinced that birds of the same age 

 most generally pair together, although, when there is a scar- 

 city of young females, a young male who is desirous of 

 entering into conjugal relationship, will not long hesitate 

 about accepting an older bird for his partner, and vice, versa. 

 Our experience has taught us that these birds, on each annual 

 return of the breeding-period, mutually select their old 

 partners. In some cases, both sexes continue to dwell to- 

 gether, evincing but little affection for each other, during 

 the cold weather. The desire for food, and the extreme 

 difficulty by which it is obtained in the winter, have dulled 

 the amorous passions, and it is only when the season of 

 plenty returns with the warm weather, that the passions, as 

 if to rival Nature herself, are vastly aglow with warmth and 

 excitement. 



Dr. Brewer cites two instances of well developed eggs 



