524 
GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 
which he repeats, as he often immediately answers in the 
call he hears, supposing it to be that of his approaching 
mate. 
On their arrival in the Middle States, in spring, vio- 
lent contests sometimes ensue between the unmated and 
jealous males. When the dispute is for the present closed, 
the pair, probably for greater security, and dreading a re- 
curring quarrel of doubtful issue, wander off to a remote 
distance from their usual abode, and in this way, no 
doubt, occasionally visit countries but little frequented 
by the rest of their species. Early in May, it seems, 
in Pennsylvania, according to Wilson, they begin to pre- 
pare their nests, which are often placed in an ever- 
green bush, cedar, laurel, or holly. The external mate- 
rials are small twigs, dry weeds, and slips of vine-bark, 
the lining being formed of fine stalks of dry grass. The 
eggs, 4 or 5, are of a dull white, thickly spotted all over 
with brownish olive. They usually raise two broods in 
the season. As they are so easily domesticated immedi- 
ately after being caught in trap cages, it is unnecessary 
to raise them from the nest. By this kind of unnat- 
ural confinement, the brilliant color of the male is found 
sometimes to fade until it becomes of a pale whitish 
red. They live, however, long in confinement, and an 
instance is known of one which had survived for 21 
years. In the cage, they have not that variety of song 
which they exhibit in their native wilds ; and this, judg- 
ing from the frequent repetition of the same phrase, 
would appear to be a monotonous performance, if the va- 
riety of expression, tone, and key did not perpetually re- 
lieve and enhance the character of the lay. His song 
also continues for 6 or 8 months in the year, and is even, 
as among the Thrushes, more lively in wet weather ; the 
sadness of nature, softening and soothing the tender vo- 
