160 
OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. 
these and other birds, peace, at length, was completely 
restored, by the restitution of the quiet and happy condi- 
tion of monogamy. We therefore perceive, that though 
the quarrels of jealousy are usually confined to the 
bosoms of the males among birds, yet under peculiar cir- 
cumstances the females are far from passive ; and though 
this spring (1830) I witnessed many contests with the 
other sex, the country teeming with these beautiful birds, 
yet the war was only threatening and predatory, compar- 
ed with the close combats of these of the weaker sex. 
The eggs of this species are usually 4 or 5, white, with 
a faint, indistinct tint of bluish, and marked, chiefly at 
the greater end, though sometimes scatteringly, with 
straggling, serpentine, dark brown lines and spots, and 
fainter hair streaks,* looking sometimes almost like real 
hair, and occasionally lined only, and without the spots. 
The period of incubation is 14 days.f In Louisiana, accord- 
ing to Audubon, they frequently raise two broods in the 
season, arriving in that country with the opening of the 
early spring. Here they raise but a single brood, whose 
long and tedious support in their lofty cradle absorbs their 
whole attention ; and at this interesting period, they seem, 
as it were, to live only to protect, cherish, and educate 
their young. The first and general cry which the infant 
brood utter while yet in the nest, and nearly able to take 
wing, as well as for some days after, is a kind of Te-did , 
te-did , te-did , Jcai-te-te-did , or ’te’te } te ’te y ti ’t-did, which 
becomes clamorous as the parents approach them with 
food. They soon also acquire the scolding rattle and 
short notes which they probably hear around them, such 
as Peetweet , the cry of the spotted Sandpiper, and others, 
* The eggs which I have seen do not resemble Wilson’s figure, plate 4 j though 
they may vary as much. 
| Audubon, vol. i. p. 68. 
