148 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



that it is sometimes terrestrial in its habits of 

 feeding. Insects of exclusively terrestrial habits, 

 and seeds of graminaceous plants h^y/e been found 

 in its stomach. Apart from such evidence, we 

 have the testimony of able writers. According to 

 our experience its habits are mainly arboreal; 

 being only occasionally terrestrial. 



When disturbed by the too near approach of 

 human beings, it quietly shifts its quarters by 

 short flights as long as the annoyance continues. 



Its only note which it utters whilst gleaning 

 alone for food, is a simple tweet, resembling very 

 closely the ordinary call-note oi Dendrceca coronata. 

 This is pronounced at irregular intervals and is so 

 intimately related to that of the just mentioned 

 species, that even the mast critical ear is apt to be 

 imposed upon. 



The following insects are prayed upon in vast 

 • numbers: — Platynus cupripennis, Harpalus compar, 

 Cratonychus cinereus, Bostrichus pini, among 

 eoleoptera ; Culex tceniorhytichus, Tabanus lineola, 

 among the two-winged flies; besides the small 

 pulmonary and tracheary Arachnidce- which infest 

 the leaves, and discover suitable lurking places 

 within the creviced bark of trees. 



During the autumnal migration, its presence 

 has often been observed by som'e of our ornitho- 

 logical friends, although not by us. 



Of its habits of nidification and incubation, 

 description of its eggs, and the extent of its dis- 

 tribution, our knowledge at present is very limited. 



