BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
47 
rescue, desists from her meaningless flirtation, and bestows the jewel of her 
afiections upon her first lover. The combat ceases, and the particijjants 
separate. 
Occasionally, several pairs will meet by chance upon the same tree, 
when similar scenes will be enacted by the jolly females, much to the 
vexation of their resjjective suitors. These farces have been known to last 
for nearly a week, but they seldom continue for a longer period than 
two days. 
Mating having taken place, which is usually the case during the first 
week of May, never earlier except when the season is remarkably ad- 
vanced, the birds make ample amends for the time thus seemingly frittered 
away, by the perseverance and diligence with which they ransack the 
orchards and groves for a suitable tree in which to excavate a nest. 
The selection of a site is a matter of no little importance, the greater 
part of a week being consumed in making the necessary reconnoissances. 
These explorations commence early in the morning, and continue with but 
few interruptions until the close of the day. They are never performed 
singly, but always in pairs. One feature thereof strikes us as peculiarly 
interesting, and as deserving of mention. It is the perfect harmony and 
good-will w'hich then prevail. 
If a situation is discovered by one of the parties -which is apparently 
suitable, a conference is called, and the various advantages thereof dis- 
cussed. If mutually agreeable, further examinations cease, and building 
operations are begun. In cultivated grounds, a decayed branch of the 
aj^ple or cherry is chosen for this j^urjiose ; but in more retired situations, 
the maple, ash, elm or tulip-tree is given the preference. 
In the Southern States, nest-building commences about the middle of 
April ; in the Middle Atlantic, seldom later than the fifteenth of May ; in 
New England, from the fifteenth of May to the tenth of June ; and in 
the extreme northerly portions of its habitat, about the fifteenth of the 
latter month. 
