2-24 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



After capturing its quarry, it is by no means particular as 

 to the place which it selects for the enjoyment of its meal. 

 Sometimes, it seeks the summit of a small tree, or even 

 perches upon fences when such objects are convenient, but 

 most generally disposes of it in the tall grasses, by whose 

 aid it was enabled to secure its victim. The well-known 

 places which it frequents, indicate with a good degree of 

 certainty, the character of its food, and its rather peculiar 

 habitudes. It manifests a decided partiality for the batrach- 

 ians, particularly frogs, which rcnde/vous in humid 

 situations. Besides amphibians, snakes, small quadrupeds, 

 birds, and insects especially of the orthopterous character, 

 are devoured with considerable avidity. The following list 

 embraces a conspicuous portion of its multitudinous and 

 multifarious bill of fare: Arvico/a Gappcri, Hesperomys 

 feucopus, J/?/.v musculus, Jaculus hudsonius, among quad- 

 rupeds ; Mclospiza mclodia, SplzcHa monticola^ Jtinco 

 hy emails ) Zonotrichia albicoilis* Passerella iliaca* the 

 Svfvicolidce, and when pressed by hunger. Plovers, Par- 

 tridges, and Teal, among birds ; Raua sylvatica, R. piplc/t*. 

 /\. /lalecinct* Plethodon erythronotus^ Pseudotriton rnbct\ 

 among amphibians ; CJilorosoma ~ccrnali$* Ophibolus exim- 

 i//s, Kutccnia sir t alls ^ and other serpents ; Cyrtophyllus 

 COHCCCVUS* Phvlloptcra oblo ngifolia* (Edipoda ncbulosa. 

 CE. sulphurca* Gryllotalpa horcalis, among orthoptera : 

 Lucanus dania^ Lachnosterna quercina+Passalus cor nut us 

 Prionuslaticottis, Telca polyphcmits* Platysamta cecropia 

 Callosamia pronietJiea, CaiocaLc and other noctuids. 

 among coleoptera and lepidoptera. 



The winter notes of this species are quite sharp and loud, 

 and resemble the syllables pce-pcc-pce* produced moderately 

 rapidly and with a clear intonation. The love notes are said 

 to be like those of colnnibarins. The female is certainly- 

 more clamorous, particularly during the breeding-period, 

 than her partner. 



Xidification commences during the latter part *" A pri! 



