. The birds of America : from drawings made in the United States and their territories . han a bird of the dimensions of the Summer Red-bird might besupposed capable of swallowing. It seldom alights on the ground, butprefers pursuing insects on the wing, which it frequently does from thedried twigs at the extremity of the branches. The construction of the nest of this richly clad species is nearly the samein all parts of the LTnion in which it breeds. It is frequently fixed on abranch crossing a road, or an opening of some description, or, if in thewoods, in some partially cleared space. It is
. The birds of America : from drawings made in the United States and their territories . han a bird of the dimensions of the Summer Red-bird might besupposed capable of swallowing. It seldom alights on the ground, butprefers pursuing insects on the wing, which it frequently does from thedried twigs at the extremity of the branches. The construction of the nest of this richly clad species is nearly the samein all parts of the LTnion in which it breeds. It is frequently fixed on abranch crossing a road, or an opening of some description, or, if in thewoods, in some partially cleared space. It is usually placed low on a hori-zontal branch. It is composed externally of dried stalks of weeds, and isfinished within with fine grass, arranged in a slovenly manner. It is soinsecurely fastened to the branch, that it may be shaken off by striking thelatter smartly. The female lays four or five eggs of a light blue male and female sit upon them alternately for twelve days, and are asanxious about their safety as most species. The young are seen about the N? 1-2. Fl. 2 0 /-MaU. ^. 3 YinataJIdaU- •<m^^^j&ticL< ^s/c^cjis: Ial?i,,mw£alld-b:),j: «n, THE SUMMER RED-BIRD. 223 beginning of June, and follow their parents until the time of the migrationof the latter, which takes place a fortnight earlier than that of the youngbirds. They raise only one brood in a season. The alterations of plumage which appear in the young birds between theperiod at which they leave the nest, and the ensuing spring, are as great asthose of the Orchard Oriole. They are at first nearly of the colour of thefemale. The males become a little mottled with dull reddish-orange, towardsthe time of their departure for the south, the females only deepening theirtints. I have several times attempted to raise the young from the nest, but invain. Insects, fruits, and eggs, mixed with boiled meat of various kinds,always failed, and the birds generally died in a very few day
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1840
