;'.<M LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Alnusserrulata^ J>etula excclsa^ and those of different species 

 of* /Y>v/y.v. The fruits which it particularly likes, are those 

 of Frugai'l a \ irginiana^ AmelanchierCanadensis* Prunus 

 sefotin&\ Sambucus Canadensis^ Rihcs rubrum^ Junipe- 



rus / 'irgiiiiaiia. Rub us strig'osus. R. occidentalism I\. 

 villosus. A*. CanadenstS) Gaylussctcia resinosct, I ac- 



diitiiw tuacrocai'pou* \ '. stantincnin* I '. corvmbositni* 

 and others. It is reputed that they visit the gardens ami are 

 quite destructive to peas. We cannot credit the statement, 

 as a friend of ours has a fine garden in which he grows this 

 plant in great abundance, and not a word of complaint has 

 ever escaped his lips. He encourages their presence, and 

 will not permit them to be molested. Such places are fre- 

 quently visited for gravel, large quantities of which are 

 swallowed. Owing to the rich supply of food which it is 

 always able to secure without unnecessary physical labor, 

 it is exceedingly doubtful that it would go to the trouble to 

 exhume the peas, or to tear them from their pods. It is not 

 likely that it would be foolish enough to refuse such food 

 should it be found upon the surface of the ground. There are 

 other articles which it esteems more highly, which would 

 more readily invite its attention. Among insects, we 

 have detected traces of the following, in our numerous 

 stomach-examinations: Cratonyckus duet-ens. ('. fierti- 

 iiax. Harpalus com par* Rhynch&nus strobi, Haltica 

 c/ialvbea. l^ormica sanguined^ besides a few grasshoppers, 

 and the commonest measuring worms, Auisoptcrvx rcr- 

 nata and Zcrciie catenaria. 



These birds apparently arrive already mated. Oir their 

 arrival, they spend a brief time in the enjoyment ot their 

 honey-moon. They exhibit the strictest fidelity, and the most 

 genuine affection towards each other. The female is not 

 given to flirting, which we found to prevail among so 

 main of our smaller Insessorial birds. She does not en- 

 courage the attentions of other males, nor does her partner 

 lavish his affections upon another female. To strengthen 



