OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 1 79 



himself upon a tall tree by the side of a public 

 road, utterly unconscious of his surroundings and 

 aught else save the task which he had in view, 

 and which he performed with commendable vim. 



Within the coverts of dense woods, the male 

 invariably seeks the tallest tree-tops, seldom 

 changing his position unless to seize a passing 

 insect, or to obey the call of a kindred species. At 

 irregular intervals he utters his simple call of chir 

 charr. The sounds are strangely delusive, seem- 

 ingly emanating from a distance, when their author 

 is evidently close by. Later in the season wjhen 

 the trees are covered with leaves, he is seldom 

 observed. His gaudy dress needs to be concealed 

 by enveloping leaves from the view." of rapacious 

 birds, which his stationary position materially 

 assists in bringing about. In orchards and gardens 

 adjoining occupied dwellings, it is true that his 

 behavior is marked with less shyness and greater 

 freedom. Xhe less danger which such places 

 afford,, from the less frequent visits of rapacious 

 birds thereto, doubtless furnishes an explanation to 

 the fact. Birds of prey have a decided aversion to 

 man, and hence the advantage which this species 

 derives by building close to human habitations. 

 The power of ventriloquism which is the peculiar 

 property of the male, enables him to please his 

 mate with sweet music, w'ithout revealing to his 

 enemies his precise whereaboyts. 



The song of the male which is uttered at 

 irregular intervals, is a moderately low and pensive 



