38 LlFE-HISTORtES OF BIRDS 



season, the larvae oi Anisopteryxvernata, Eufitchiii 

 ribearia and others of the same family, Clisiocampd 

 Americana, Gortyna zed, Colias philodice, Har- 

 risina Americana, Callosamia pomonella, besides 

 mature forms of the Tortricids, Tineids and Noc- 

 tuids, which are eagerly hunted and devoured 

 with a gusto. Various berries contribute no mean 

 portion of its diet. The wild-cherry, Rubus villo- 

 sus. Viburnum, Lentago, yuniperus Virginiana and 

 J. communis constitute great luxuries. 



Pairing begins about the 25th of May; but a 

 week elapses before a suitable locality is se- 

 selected for nesting purposes. Ordinarily a brier- 

 bush is chosen as the site of a nest. A pile' of 

 brush, as affirmed by Dr. Brewer, is occasionally 

 made the site of a nest. In one instance, we dis- 

 covered a nest snugly hid away among the 

 accumulated leaves within a patch of brier-bushes. 

 This fabric reposed upon the bare soil, and was 

 so artfully concealed,- that its presence would have 

 escaped detection, had not the authors unwittingly 

 revealed its whereabouts by their worried move- 

 ments and piteous cries. 



We have never observed this species to build 

 in close proximity to human habitations. More 

 remote situations are, however, preferred. After 

 the selection of a suitable site, both birds set 

 diligently to work until a nest is completed, 

 which is the result or four of five days' stea:dy 

 labor. In size, the nest is nearly equal to that of 

 the Red-shouldered Black Bird, Agelaius pkcem- 



