336 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



supply is obtained with but a trifling outlay of 

 physical strength. The following insects constitute 

 no mean part of its dietary: — Mtisca domestica, 

 Stomoxys calcitrans, Tabanus Imeola, Tipula tri- 

 color, Syrphus pbscurus, S. obliquns, S. artiericanus 

 S. politus, Culex tcBniorhynchus, and Anopheles 

 quadrimaculatus, among diptera, and during the 

 breeding-season, the larvae of Eufitchia ribearia 

 Anisopteryx vernata, A. pometaria, Zerene cate- 

 naria, Ennomos subsignaria, Choerodes transversata, 

 Goriyna zea;, Colias philodice, Thecla hwmuli, Ati- 

 chylopera fragarice, Utetheisa bella, Halesidota tes- 

 sellaris, and mature forms oi Noctuid^s Sind Tineidee 

 which are also fed to their young; besides, aphides, 

 and small beetles. The seeds of grasses of last 

 year's growth, and later the berries of Juniperus 

 Virginiana, Fragaria Virginiana, Riibus villosus, 

 R . strigosus, and the seeds of Cirsium altissimum, 

 C. discolor, C canadensis, the common salad, and 

 various species of aster and solidago among com- 

 posite plants, and Panicum, Aira, Poa, Triticiim 

 vulgare, and Secale cereale, among graminaceous 

 plants. The stamens and ovaries of blossoms, 

 and various buds are also eagerly eaten. 



The flight of this species is low, moderately 

 rapid, and in graceful undulations. In gleaning 

 for food it confines itself to bushes and low trees. 

 It is sometimes terrestrial. While perched upon a 

 weed or bush, we have observed its capture of 

 insects upon the wing with considerable dexterity. 

 Its general movements are characterized by won- 

 derful agility. 



