178 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



of the most conspicuous and brilliant of our 

 summer occupants. From its appearance early^ 

 in Ma[y until its departure during the first week-of 

 Se:ptember, it accomplishes an immense amount 

 of good in the destruction of many insects in their 

 various developmental stages. 



Within secluded situations this species displays 

 . a certain amount of shyness and timidity, which it 

 throws aside on its visits to the domains of man. 

 We have frequently approached within a few paces 

 of it without exciting undue alarm. In wooded 

 regions it seeks the topmost boughs of the tallest 

 trees, where it gleans for hours its daily subsist- 

 ence. The apple and pear are its favorite trees 

 outside of its natural haunts. In its habits of feed- 

 ing it is far from being strictly arboreal, as we 

 have known it to follow the plowman in company 

 Vi/ith the Robin and Purple Grakk; 



This species is never gregarious. Early in the 

 season the sexes are dissociated, and lead solitary 

 lives. From their earliest appearance, it is obvious 

 tha;t the male arrives in advance of the female. 

 Perhaps the modest and unassuming garb of the 

 female renders her a less conspicuous object of 

 notice than her more highly favored partner. ' -'^ 



The habits of the males on their arrival confirm 

 its in- our opinion. They seek the tops of the 

 loftiest trees, and for an hour at least poiir forth 

 their choicest music, doubtless, with a view of at-- 

 tracting the passing females. We have known 

 instances where a venturesome fellow had stationed 



