OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 297 



grasses. In bur yards the crumbs and scraps that 

 are wasted, and the cracked corn, brooiri-seed, 

 and wheat-screenings which it shares with the 

 chidcens. In the spring it repairs to open fields 

 and the margins of forests where it varies some- 

 what its bill of fare. Besides the seeds of grasses 

 and other plants, it manifests a decided partiality 

 for -the tender buds, and the stamens, pistils, and 

 ovaries of blossoms. The flowers of Acer rubrum 

 are particularly chosen. A further advance in 

 time with its consequent increase of sun-power, is 

 attended by a development of insect-life which 

 contributes an essential portion to its diet. We 

 have detected remains of Cratonychus cinereus, C. 

 :Ptrtinax, Harpalus pensylvanicus, H. compar, 

 Musea domestica, Tabanus lineola, Formica sangui- 

 nea, Casnonia pennsylvanica, Scariies subterruneus , 

 J-Mtnbi'icus terrestris, &c,in many stomach-examina- 

 tions. 



The flight of this species is moderately lofty and 

 performed in graceful undulations. When not 

 engaged in the procurernent of food it reposes 

 upon small trees and shrubs, never seeking for. 

 this purpose the summits of larger growths. Its 

 song ordinarily commences during the first week 

 of April, and for fifteen minutes or more at a time, 

 from the summit of a small tree or bush it is heard 

 with scarce an intermission. There is a resemblance 

 to the song of the Field Sparrow, being, however, 

 sweeter and more varied. It consists of a repeti- 

 tion of a simple sound^ uttered sharply and quickly, 



