OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 245 



In their movements among the tree-branches in 

 qoiest of food, they resemble the Black Cap and 

 Nuthatches ; 'i^onietimes clinging to the under sur- 

 face in an inverted manner, and at Others, rtinning 

 sllchg them with the address of Sitta carolinensis. 



In early autumn it enters our gardens arid lawns 

 ahd subsists upon the seeds of Raphanus sati-ous, 

 Amarahtus hybridus, and Chmopodium album, 

 togpether with those of many of the srhallei- grartii- 

 naceous plants. Later, when the snoA)ris ujSbn 

 the ground, it revisits similar situations and feeds 

 upon the berries of Lonice'ra sempervirenS, L. piri- 

 clymenum, for which it affects a decided partiality. 

 When foraging in open fields or on' the borders of 

 thickets, the berries of yuniperus Virginiana, 

 y. ^ommum's, a.nd the seeds of Lmodendi'^bn tulipi- 

 fera which are persistent through the wiriter 

 months, are eagerly devoured. Though chiefly a 

 "vegetarian, yet the ova, pupae, and imagos of insedts 

 are eaten. The remains of CEdifiodd sulplhiyea, 

 CE. nebulosa, Diceslusdilatatus, PangUs caliginosns, 

 "Q^atmychus dnerezis, and C. pertnax, have" been 

 found in its stomach. 



When Acer rubrum is in blossom in March, 

 small flocks may be seen in the lowlands and 

 about our houses, feasting upon the stamens and 

 pistils which they esteem great luxuries, if the 

 eagerness -With which they afe devoured,'' affords 

 any (Criterion. It is highly probable that the small 

 coleopterous and' dipterous insects which are at- 

 tracted to the blossoms by reason of their honey- 

 secretions, are some inducement. 



