238 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



about 3 to 4 inches downward from the twigs on which it is suspended. 

 The outside diameter is usually about 4-4.5 inches; the inner cup is usually 

 about 3 inches deep by 2.5-3 inches outer diameter. The upper rim of 

 the nest is, however, somewhat contracted, and it is almost entirely con- 

 structed of thin, wiry grass; lined with softer substances like thistledown. 

 The eggs are 4 to 6 in number, ovate in shape, with a pale bluish white 

 ground color, overlaid with grayish or pearly. The markings consist of 

 blotches, spots, scrawls and pen blots of purple, brown and pearl gray, 

 heaviest about the larger end, forming more or less of a wreath, the darker 

 brownish and blackish tints predominating. The average dimensions of the 

 eggs are .82 by .57 inches. The song of the Orchard oriole is decidedly 

 different from that of our commoner Baltimore oriole. It is a more finished 

 effort, the voice rich and flexible with considerable expression. The song, 

 however, is uttered in a rather hurried manner as if the bird were restless 

 and implusive (Bendire). This bird is even more beneficial than the 

 Baltimore oriole as it rarely, if ever, is known to feed on green peas or 

 small fruits, so far as reported in this State, but subsists almost entirely 

 on caterpillars and rose bugs, beetles and plant lice. 



Icterus galbula (Linnaeus) 

 Baltimore Oriole 



Plate 75 



Coracias galbula Linnaeus. Syst. Nat. 1758. Ed. 10. 1:108 

 Icterus baltimore DeKay. Zool. N. Y. 1844. pt 2, p. 139, fig. 43 and 44 

 Icterus galbula A. 0. U. Check List. Ed. 3. 1910. p. 238. No. 507 

 galbula, Lat., name of some yellow bird 



Description. Colors orange and black; secondaries and greater coverts 

 edged with white, the former producing a rather distinct wing bar, the 

 latter, wing streaks; the head, neck, throat and forward portion of back 

 and greater portion of wings, and the middle portion of tail, black; under 

 parts, sides, rump, upper tail coverts, base of the tail, internal portion 

 of all except the middle tail feathers, orange, deepest on the forebreast 

 where it is of a decidedly reddish orange. Bill and feet leaden bluish. 

 Female and young: Much duller, the upper parts being mostly grayish brown 

 to grayish olive, more or less mottled on the head, sides of neck and back 



