94 WOOD PEWEE. 



are heard mingling with its own plaintive notes. In all these places, it 

 exhibits the simplicity and freedom of its natural habits, dashing after the 

 insects on which it principally feeds, with a remarkable degree of inatten- 

 tion to surrounding objects. Its sallies have also the appearance of be- 

 ing careless, although at times protracted, when it seems to seize several 

 insects in succession, the more so perhaps that it has no rival to contend 

 with in such situations. Sometimes towards autumn, it sweeps so closely 

 over the pools that it is enabled to seize the insects as they float on the 

 water ; while, at other times, and as if in surprise, it rises to the tops of 

 the forest trees, and .snaps the insect which is just launching forth on some 

 extensive journey, with all the freedom of flight that the bird itself pos- 

 sesses. 



The weary traveller, who at this season wanders from his path in 

 search of water to quench his thirst, or to repose for a wliile in the shade, 

 is sure to be saluted with the melancholy song of this little creature, 

 which, perched erect on a withered twig, its wings quivering as if it had 

 been seized with a momentary chill, pours forth its rather low, mellow 

 notes with such sweetness as is sure to engage the attention. Few other 

 birds are near ; and, should the more musical song of a Wood-thrush come 

 on his ear, he may conceive himself in a retreat where no danger is likely 

 to assail him during his repose. 



This species, which is considerably more abundant than the M.fusca^ 

 is rather late in entering the Middle States, seldom reaching Pennsylvania 

 until the 10th of May ; yet it pushes its migrations quite beyond the 

 limits of the United States. On the one hand, many of them spend the 

 winter months in the most Southern States, such as Louisiana and the 

 pine barrens of Florida, feeding on different berries, as well as insects ; 

 while, on the other, I have met with them in September, in the British 

 province of New Brunswick, and observed their retrograde movements 

 through Maine and Massachusetts. I have also seen some near Halifax, 

 but neither in Labrador nor Newfoundland did I find an individual. 



In autumn, when its notes are almost the only ones heard, it may often 

 be seen approaching the roads and pathways, or even flitting among the 

 tall and beautiful elms in the vicinity, or in the midst of our eastern cities. 

 There you may observe the old birds teaching the young how to procure 

 their food. The various groups, imperceptibly as it were, and in the 

 most peaceable manner, now remove southward by day ; and, at this sea- 

 son, their notes are heard at a very late hour, as in early spring. They 



