no LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



or more it may be seen among the low trees and 

 bushes along our water-courses. Isolated indi- 

 viduals have been observed by us on the out- 

 skirts of dense woods, gleaning for insects among 

 the leaves and branches of the tallest trees. Just 

 before their departure, they visit our haunts in 

 great numbei;s, where they derive a ready sub- 

 sistence. Unlike the Red Poll, their stay is brief 

 With a most voracious appetite they hurry from 

 tree to tree and are soon out of our midst. 



Its habits are those of the Muscicapidce, being 

 less expert, however, than many of its congeneric • 

 relations. 



The flight of this species is low, slightly undu- 

 lating, and moderately sustained. 



The only note which it essays to utter during 

 its short stay, is a simple tweet, which is heard at 

 irregular intervals during the passage from tree 

 to tree. 



Notably unsuspicious even in its natural haunts, 

 the subject of the present sketch will permit the 

 closest approach without betrayal of fear or alarm. 



During its vernal stay, its bill of fare is as 

 various as it is voluminous. We have detected 

 indubitable fragments of the following insects, in 

 the stomachs of the numerous individuals which 

 we have been permitted to examine: — Cratony- 

 chus cinereus, C. pertinax, Scarites subterrancus, 

 Harpalus pemisylvanicus, H. compar, Casnonia 

 pennsylvanica, Platynus cupripenms, Corymbites 

 ^thiops, Ckrysomela ca/uleipennis, Bostrichus 



