OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 75 



emarkably imitative, the rattle of the Kingfisher, 

 e liveliness of the Tufted Titmouse, the refrain 



the Ground Robin, with the notes of the Grakles, 

 [eadow Lark, and Blue Bird, are produced with 

 itonishing exfictness. 



Nidification commences about the beginning of 

 me. Low swampy grounds ordinarily surround 

 le tree which marks the site of the nest. This 

 cperience agrees with Audubon's. Instances 

 ive been recorded of nests being built in close 

 roximity to human dwellings; butthese are.doubt- 

 ss, exceptional occurrences. The cavity which is 

 xupied, measures five" or six inches in depth; and 

 le entrance is just large enough to admit but one 

 ird at a time. The materials employed are leaves, 

 ly, grasses, horse-hair, and feathers, on the ex- 

 irior, with a warm and soft lining of hair and 

 lathers. We have never known more than a sin- 

 le brood to 'be reared in a season, although the 

 cperience of others proves the species to be oc- 

 isionally triple-brooded. 



The factthat sequestered situations are chosen 

 r nidificating-purposes, is not always proof that 

 species is shy. Both before breeding and after 



we have observed birds in retired situations, 

 id have not seen the least betrayal of timidity. 

 I primeval times, when dense forests and impene- 

 able underbrush covered what is now arable 

 •ound, there was no choice of locality; 'but since 

 eir disappearance by the magic wand of civiliza- 

 Dn, some have deserted their natural hauftts for 



