156 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



They are fed with the larvae of small beetles 

 and lepidoptera mainly; but the various species of 

 our common diptera are also freely eaten. But a 

 isiftgle brood is reared in a season. The young 

 are able to leave the nest in about twelve days; 

 but remain under parental care for a week longer, 

 when they are obliged to shift for themselves, still 

 permitted, however, to enjoy the society of their 

 parents. 



The nest in the latitude of Philadelphia is built 

 after the following fashion. Firstly, there is a peri- 

 phery of loose leaves chiefly of Quercus and Fagus, 

 which are held in position by the circumferential 

 walls of the cavity in which they are placed. In- 

 ternally, there is a layer of bark of the wild grape- 

 vine loosely interwoven, and lined with narrow 

 strips of the inner bark of Quercus and Casttmea. 

 In the construction of the rim there is no evidence 

 that would lead a person to suspect the existence 

 of a palisade or hedge for protective purposes. Of 

 the many nests which we have seen and exam ined 

 in situ, not one has ever presented the slightest 

 indication of such an appendage. They have 

 nearly all been inclined at angles varying from 20 

 to 45 degrees, and have been deeply imbedded 

 among the roots of brambles, and invariably con- 

 cealed from view by leaves. 



After the breeding-period .is over, the Yellow 

 Throat revisits but occasionally cultivated districts, 

 preferring, however, the solitary, dense forests. 

 It retires to the south during the latter part of 

 September, 



