300 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



our door for crumbs, and when the latter is 

 thoughtlessly left open it enters with an air of con- 

 fidence, and deliberately sets to work, even while 

 the room is occupied by some of its rightful 

 tenants. So accustomed does it become to man's 

 society, that we have known individuals to present 

 themselves regularly thrice a day for food, and 

 even to accept crumbs from the hands of its bene- 

 factor. 



Its flight resembles that of Spizella pusilla, but 

 is less elevated. Its movements are the very 

 impersonation of activity. It is chiefly to be found 

 upon small trees and bushes, when, not foraging 

 upon the ground foi* insect and vegetable diet. 



The food of this species consists mainly 

 during the spring and summer months of the 

 larvae and imagos of various kinds of insects. 

 The following Hst embraces the most important 

 of those which constitute its bill of fare: — Formica 

 sanguinea, Musca domestica, Stomoxys calciirans, 

 Harpalus pensylvanicus, larvae of Cratonychus dne- 

 reus, and caterpillars of Gortyna zece, Anisopteryx 

 veniata, A. pometaria, Zerene catenaricu, Ennomos 

 subsignaria, Chcerodes transversata, Plusia pfeca- 

 tionis, Pieris rapa, P. brassicte, Colias philodice', 

 and mature forms of Spilosoma Virginica, Penthina 

 pomonella, Thecla humtdi, Ctenucha Virginica, and 

 many of the Noctuidce and Tineidce. 



The song is but a monotonous repetition of i a 

 single syllable. This species has very slender 

 claims to be reputed as one of our songsters. 



