OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 309 



habits are like this species, and although not 

 strictly terrestrial, it seldom perches high upon 

 trees, and ordinarily flies very -low, except in its 

 protracted migratory flights. 



Its song is a loud, distinct, and prolonged 

 whistle, and consists of twelve separate notes, re- 

 peated without variation from early morning until 

 late in the evening, and becoming quite monoto- 

 nous. 



During its sojourn which lasts until the 20th of 

 May, it feeds upon the seeds of grasses and weeds, 

 and upon various coleopterous insects which it is 

 enabled to procure in its accustomed haunts. 

 Among the former we have detected seeds of 

 Amarantus hybridus,A. albus, Chenopodium alium, 

 and Amdrosta artemisii^folia ; and among the latter, 

 remains of Harpahis pensylvanicus, H. compar, 

 Scarites stibierraneus, Platynus cupripennis, Donacia 

 metallica, Haltica chalybea, and Cratonychus cine- 

 reus; besides Formica sanguinea, earthworms and 

 diptera. The buds of Acer rubrum, A. sacchan- 

 num are eaten, together with the stameps and 

 pistils of the same in expanded specimens. 



An experience of several years has convinced 

 us that none remain to breed. According to Dr. 

 Brewer a few breed in favorable situations in ex- 

 treme northwestern parts of Massachusetts, and 

 quite abundantly in New Hampshire, Vermont, 

 and Maine, and in all the British Provinces. Sir 

 John Richardson discovered a nest near the Cum- 

 berland House on the Saskatchewan river, as 



