OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 227 



becomes a selfish gourmand. His partner is now 

 rtecessitated to look after her own salvation. For 

 the purposes of subsistence they seek the solitude 

 of dense woods, where they glean among the 

 leaves and branches of the tallest tree-tops ; some- 

 times they may be seen perched upon a rotten 

 twig on the alert for insects which they seize 

 with nearly the adroitness of the Muscicapid^. 

 Although insects now contribute the principal 

 part of their diet, yet the berries of Cornus florida , 

 C. circinata, Viburnum Lentago, and V. deniahim, 

 are eaten with a gusta. Except at breeding-time we 

 have known this species to be of a quiet and 

 reserved disposition, never venturing into the dis- 

 putes of other specie?, and dwelling in peace and 

 harmony with its own kith and kin. It retires for 

 the South during the last of September, or the 

 beginning of October. 



Before closing this narrative, a few thoughts on 

 its style of architecture may not be amiss. As its 

 present habit of nidification in this latitude variips 

 materially from what has been recorded, a few 

 hints in reference thereto may be highly interest- 

 ing and instructive. In localities much visited by 

 the Blue-headed Vireo, we have frequently seen 

 masses of catkins of the pin-oak, which at a short 

 distance were very deceptive in appearance, and 

 bore every indication of being genuine, nests. 

 The question naturally occurs, may not some 

 formerly existing individuals possessed of a due 

 amount of sagacity and forethought, have dis- 



