14 
1 Mr. Peabody on the 
hatehed, the weather became intensely hot, and the 
nest was entirely open to the sun. In order to shield 
their offspring, the old birds stood, by turns, on the 
side, with their wings spread so as to overshadow 
them. The position was evidently constrained and 
painful; they panted with the effort and the heat; 
but they did not grow weary of it till the weather 
relented, and the protection was no longer needed by 
the young. 1f a cat appears in the vicinity of their 
nest, the king-birds attack her so violently that she - 
is glad to retreat, though somewhat ashamed to yield 
to such a little foe. 
The GnaEAT-cRESTED Frrcaronrn, Muscicapa eri- 
nita, is spoken of by Nuttall, as nearly unknown in 
New England. It is probably more common in 
other parts of the State than in the vicinity of Bos- 
ton; though I learn from Dr. Brewer, that Mr. 
Cabot, who is familiar with the bird, has seen it in 
Cambridge. Professor Emmons assures me that it — 
breeds in Berkshire. It is doubtless one of our birds, — — 
but not numerous enough at present to be of much 
importance. It is difficult to say why its reach of 
migration should be less than that of other birds of 
its tribe, which do not equal it in hardihood and 
power of flight, nor can any natural cause be im- 
agined which should prevent its going farther to the 
north than our southern border. Tts food, consisting. 
of insects, grapes, and berries, such as those of th 
poke-weed, can be found any where. It was Lin 
bly some accidental preference in the beginning; 
afterwards continued from habit, which confines this. 
species to the southern parts of New England. 
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