OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 303 



their unassuming trustful nature, quiet, placid demeanor, 

 combined with their winning- manners and graceful, digni- 

 fied actions, all lend a potent influence in softening their 

 rugged human natures, and melting down their flinty hearts. 

 When a little more of the same spirit is manifested, which a 

 thorough study of the habits of this bird will certainly a- 

 waken, there is no doubt that the same kindness and mer- 

 cy will be extended to it, in other quarters. 



The flight of these birds is rapid, powerful, and vigorous. 

 Whilst moving with considerable swiftness, they can readily 

 alight. Upon the ground they walk with considerable ease 

 and grace ; and among the tree-branches they move with 

 remarkable facility. Their movements are ordinarily low. 

 and but briefly sustained. But, when dreadfully alarmed, 

 their flight is rather lofty, and greatly protracted. They 

 cannot compete with their near cousins, in this particular. 



Their love-notes are characterized by a peculiarly sad yet 

 touching plaintive ness of tone, which does not comport well 

 with their demeanor and manners, which are exceedingly 

 vivacious and gentle in character. They are repeated 

 almost continually, and may be fully represented by the syl- 

 lables ah-cdo-roo-coG-roo. The same sounds are also heard 

 during the intervals of nest-building, and. not unfrequently, 

 during oviposition, W r hilst incubating, these mournful 

 notes of endearment are rarely heard, and altogether sub- 

 side when the trying duties of parental life begin. 



The food of these birds consists of various kinds of 

 grain, fruits of divers kind, besides a modicum of insects. 

 The seeds of the following plants constitute a conspicuous part 

 of their bill of fare : Triticum vulgare. Sccale ccrealc. 

 Hordcttm vitlgarc, Fagopvrum esculent um, /tea .\favs. 

 Sorghum vulgare, Saccharum offitinarum, I\ap/iauns 

 sativus, Brass lea olcracea, B. c am pest r is. />. rapa* Cap- 

 sell a Bursa-pastoris, Cam el hi a satrca. Sinapis alba* .V. 

 nigrct) Ambrosia artemisiafolia, Panicum Crus-gctlli, 

 Quercus /V/////.V. .!^. l^hellos* j. palustris* Castanea resca. 



