THE PEWEE PLYCATCHEPv. 225 



by their well-known note, and I saw them darting about through the air, 

 giving chase to some insects close over the water. They were full of gaiety, 

 frequently flew into and out of the cave, and while alighted on a favourite 

 tree near it, seemed engaged in the most interesting converse. The light 

 fluttering or tremulous motions of their wings, the jetting of their tail, the 

 erection of their crest, and the neatness of their attitudes, all indicated that 

 they were no longer fatigued, but on the contrary refreshed and happy. On 

 my going into the cave, the male flew violently towards the entrance, snap- 

 ped his bill sharply and repeatedly, accompanying this action with a tremu- 

 lous rolling note, the import of which I soon guessed. Presently he flew 

 into the cave and out of it again, with a swiftness scarcely credible: it was 

 like the passing of a shadow. 



Several days in succession I went to the spot, and saw with pleasure that 

 as my visits increased in frequency, the birds became more familiarized to 

 me, and, before a week had elapsed, the Pewees and myself were quite on 

 terms of intimacy. It was now the 10th of April; the spring was forward 

 that season, no more snow was to be seen, Redwings and Grakles were to be 

 found here and there. The Pewees, I observed, began working at their old 

 nest Desirous of judging for myself, and anxious to enjoy the company of 

 this friendly pair, I determined to spend the greater part of each day in the 

 cave. My presence no longer alarmed either of them. They brought a few 

 fresh materials, lined the nest anew, and rendered it warm by adding a few 

 large soft feathers of the common goose, which they found strewn along the 

 edge of the water in the creek. There was a remarkable and curious twit- 

 tering in their note while both sat on the edge of the nest at those meetings, 

 and which is never heard on any other occasion. It was the soft, tender ex- 

 pression, I thought, of the pleasure they both appeared to anticipate of the 

 future. Their mutual caresses, simple as they might have seemed to another, 

 and the delicate manner used by the male to please his mate, ri vetted my 

 eyes on these birds, and excited sensations which I can never forget. 



The female one day spent the greater part of the time in her nest; she 

 frequently changed her position; her mate exhibited much uneasiness, he 

 would alight by her sometimes, sit by her side for a moment, and suddenly 

 flying out, would return with an insect, which she took from his bill with 

 apparent gratification. About three o'clock in the afternoon, I saw the un- 

 easiness of the female increase; the male showed an unusual appearance of 

 despondence, when, of a sudden, the female rose on her feet, looked sidewise 

 under her, and flying out, followed by her attentive consort, left the cave, 

 rose high in the air, performing evolutions more curious to me than any I 

 had seen before. They flew about over the water, the female leading her 

 mate, as it were, through her own meanderings. Leaving the Pewees to 



