272 
INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. 
has most of the manners and physiognomy of the whole 
section or family to which he belongs. The nest being 
formed in the hollow of a tree, the materials are conse- 
quently scant, but somewhat novel ; being, according to 
Catesby and Wilson, a little loose hay, and large feathers, 
with hogs’ bristles, dogs’ hair, and pieces of cast snake- 
skins, the last of which, though an extraordinary mate- 
rial, is rarely wanting, its elastic softness forming a suita- 
ble bed for the young. The eggs are said to be 4, of a 
dull white, thickly marked with scratches and purple 
lines of various tints, as if laid on with a pen. The note 
of the male appears often delivered in anger and impa- 
tience, and he defends his retreat from the access of all 
other birds with the tyrannic insolence, characteristic of 
the King-bird. 
Towards the end of summer they feed on berries of 
various kinds, being particularly partial to whortle-berries, 
which, for a time, seem to constitute the principal food of 
the young. They remain in Pennsylvania till about the 
middle of September, when they retire to tropical Ameri- 
ca. In July, 1831, I observed a pair in an orchard at 
Acton, in this State (Mass.) They had reared a brood in 
the vicinity, and still appeared very stationary on the 
premises ; their harsh ’ payup , and sometimes a slender 
twittering as they took the perch, were heard almost 
from morn to night, and resembled at first the chirp of a 
young Robin. They fed on the caterpillars or vermin 
of some kind which happened to infest the apple-trees. 
I was told that it uttered a different and more musical 
note about sunrise, but of this I cannot speak from my 
own knowledge. They are unknown in the vicinity of 
the sea-coast of Massachusetts. 
This species is inches long, and 13 in alar extent. Above, the 
color is dull greenish olive ; the feathers of the head pointed, and 
