OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. :W> 



create suspicion, and doubtless lead many a heartless oolo- 

 gist to institute pursuit, and possibly search the surrounding 

 territory with the view of finding a supposed nest. In the 

 midst of his explorations it is highly probable that his search 

 might be unwittingly directed to a nest-full of eggs, or the 

 hiding-place of a covev of young birds. 



\Yhen the nest is approached by human beings, even 

 though it contain but eggs, after giving the alarm to his 

 partner who manages to escape as secretly as possible, the 

 male endeavors to entice the intruder away from the where- 

 abouts of the nest, by drawing attention to himself. For 

 this purpose he feigns lameness, or a bird in deep distress ; 

 tumbles at the feet of the supposed depredator, always man- 

 aging to avoid capture by limping, or indulging in short 

 weak flights, until he has drawn his pursuer a reasonable 

 distance awav, when he throws off the assumed mask, and 

 seeks personal safety in flight. With the uninitiated in such 

 matters, this ruse succeeds admirably. But the experienced 

 oologist is not to be thus duped. lie heeds not these strat- 

 agems, but continues his search unintermittingly. until lie 

 has attained the object of his desires. 



The period of incubation is about eighteen days. There 

 are two broods in a season. The second brood appears 

 in the latter part of July, or the beginning of August. 

 While the female is engaged in incubating for the second 

 brood, the scarcely half-grown first brood are given over to 

 the care of the male-bird, who becomes a very bold, watch- 

 ful, and devoted guardian. They follow his lead with as 

 much care as when under maternal control. They readily 

 become reconciled to the change, and. indeed, we have often 

 thought that they were not cognizant thereof. When suddenly 

 surprised by human intrusion, the male utters a sharp shrill 

 whistle, indicative of intense alarm, and almost simultane- 

 ously throws himself down at the feet of the intruder, as if 

 in a dying condition. Obedient to the parent's cry, the young- 

 scatter in every direction. When the dan ire r has in a meas- 



