OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 349 



they leave the nest. In lo days more they are 

 compelled to shift for themselves, being permitted, 

 however, to remain with their parents, thus helping 

 to form the small flocks whicl^ are common in the 

 autumn preparatory to migration during the mid- 

 dle of October. This species is single-brooded. 



A nest is composed externally of leaves of de- 

 ciduous' trees, the inner bark of Qtiercus and Cas- 

 fanea, broad strips of outer bark of the wildjgrape 

 vine, the Vitis cordifolia of Michx., loosely and 

 circularly arranged, and held in position by the 

 peripheral walls of the cavity in which it is posited. 

 Interiorly, there is a rather thick lining of small 

 roots and fine st&ms of Larix Americana, adjusted 

 with the slightest evidence of design and symme- 

 try. It is five inches in diameter and four in 

 height. The cavity is less than four inches wide, 

 and one and a half inches deep. 



The eggs are rounded-oval, and marked with 

 dots and blotches of light brown upon an obscure 

 whitish background, which are usually collected 

 about the larger end. They measure .97 of an 

 inch in length and .80 in breadth. 



