238 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



feel the force of his indignation : although, in the generality 

 of instances, a feeling of extreme shyness is manifested in 

 the presence of human intruders. We have known the 

 males whilst their partners were on the nest, to bring an 

 occasional choice article which they deemed tempting to 

 the appetite of the latter. During the building of the nest, 

 and even during the continuance of the incubating process, 

 the male accomplishes the most curious and remarkable 

 feats ; fairlv rivalling our most skilful and accomplished 

 human acrobats. After reaching an immense height in 

 the air, not unlike the Tumbler Pigeon, he amuses as 

 well as interests us by his sporting. Vaulting and summer- 

 sault movements, which are certainly the result of a super- 

 abundance of animal spirits. At these periods as he tiies 

 from tree to tree, he is heard to utter a peculiar cry. which 

 resembles the syllables kwic-k-wic-kivic* produced quite 

 rapidly. This cry is entirely dissimilar to the sharp, shrill 

 scream which he utters when in pursuit of prey, or when 

 taken unawares. The female produces the same notes 

 under similar circumstances. A low. mournful, somewhat 

 lisping note, is indicative of hunger. Air. Charles S. Paine 

 of Randolph. Yt., affirms that the cry of gel sfc! g'd g'd is 

 several times repeated by both parents, when the nest is as- 

 sailed by human intruders. We have never heard these 

 sounds under similar circumstances, and are inclined to 

 think that scarcely any two pairs act precisely alike when 

 subjected to the same annovances. The period of incuba- 

 tion is eighteen days. But a single brood is reared in a 

 season. 



The voungare carefully nourished bv the parents. Being 

 vcrv voracious feeders, thev scverelv tax the time and 

 energies of their supporters. Their food consists mostly of 

 small birds, and various coleopterous, orthopterous. and 

 lepidopterous insects. In about four weeks they are able 

 to leave the nest, and receive their food while clinging to 

 the tree-branches. An expiration of a fortnight finds them 



