OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. :)2:J 



The birds work with commendable xeal. only intermitting 

 the task for a while during the heat of the day, or whilst 

 eneraered in seeking food, or when conscious of the near 



c5 ~> o 



presence of intruders. The period of nidification is never 

 longer than three days, occasionally, less, when the tunnel- 

 shaped appendage is lacking. It is affirmed that nests are 

 often constructed without any covering. This may be the 

 case in certain sections, particularly in sequestered localities, 

 but we have never discovered any such structures. Although 

 the male-bird seems comparatively unconcerned about the 

 building of the nest, if his failure to assist affords any cri- 

 terion, he is nevertheless courageous, devoted and watchful, 

 and instantly announces to his partner, by a low unmistak- 

 able call, the presence of danger, in sufficient time to secure 

 hers, as well as his own safety. 



The nest being finished, scarcely more than a day passes, 

 before the female is ready to deposit her first egg. These 

 are laid on each consecutive day, at the rate of one egg per 

 day. The ordinary complement is from seven to eight, 

 except where two or more females lay in the same nest. 

 Twenty, twenty-five, and even thirty have been thus found. 

 This is particularly the case when several females are under 

 one male. In some instances, but quite rarely, several 

 pairs utilize the same structure. As many as four females 

 are frequently met with under the leadership of a single 

 cock ; two is a very common number. Two birds are oc- 

 casionally seen to leave a nest when the latter is disturbed, 

 from which it is reasonable to infer that this number ovi- 

 posits simultaneously. A large number could not con- 

 veniently be accommodated, owing to the want of nest- 

 capacity. The eggs when discovered are piled on top of 

 each other. 



Incubation closely follows oviposition. Not more than 

 a day at the most elapses before the task is begun. Where 

 there are several female-birds, the labor is quite equally 

 apportioned among them. It would be at first supposed 



