OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 243 



common pigeon, mallard duck, petrels, and dead fish, are 

 often eaten. 



We have never met with this species breeding in any por- 

 tion of Pennsylvania. According to Dr. Brewer it was 

 found breeding on a high cliff close by the house of Prof. 

 S. S. Haldeman, Columbia, Penn., who, on several occa- 

 sions, captured young birds which had fallen from their nest. 

 They occupied the above locality during ten or eleven months 

 of the year, leaving only during the cold winter months, but 

 returning with the dawn of favorable weather. They were 

 early breeders, the young quitting the nest possibly in May. 

 It was the opinion of Prof. Haldeman that the young left in 

 the course of the season, only a single pair remaining. 



The nest of this species is mostly constructed on a cliff, 

 and, exceptionally, upon a tree. The only reliable instance 

 of the latter case, is given on the authority of Mr. Dall, who 

 found it nesting in a tree in our newly acquired territory 

 of Alaska. 



The barest apology of a nest is sometimes constructed, 

 but most generally the eggs are deposited on a ledge of 

 crumbling shale, or one of clayey mud, without any accessory 

 lining or protection. Mr. Allen affirms that these birds re- 

 pair to Mt. Tom very early in the season. They are said to 

 exercise the closest watch over their eyry, which they defend 

 quite persistently, even displaying greater alarm when it is 

 approached, than when it contains eggs or young. Nesting 

 certainly takes place during the early part of April, some- 

 times later, as the young birds are taken both in May and 

 June. Mr. Bennett once robbed the nest of this bird twice 

 in succession, but the pair sought other quarters as he sup- 

 posed, and had unfledged young during the latter part of 

 August. In one instance, Mr. Boardman discovered a nest 

 close by the structure of a pair of Ravens. The most per- 

 fect friendship and mutual forbearance were seemingly mani- 

 fested by such diverse families. The young, even when fully 

 fledged, are said to be attended by their parents. Early in 



