II30 



Rural School Leaflet 



Orchard oriole 



ORIOLE 



Size. — Larger than an English sparrow, smaller than a robin. 



General color. — The male Baltimore oriole is brilliant orange and 



black; the female is dull orange and 

 brownish black. The male orchard 

 oriole is deep chestnut and black; the 

 female is dull greenish yellow. 



There are two species of orioles in 

 New York State, the Baltimore and 

 the orchard ; the latter, however, is not 

 common except in the lower Hudson 

 Valley, and, in most localities, is 

 extremely rare and is seldom seen. 

 The probability is that, except in the 

 vicinity of New York City, any oriole 

 that is seen will be the Baltimore 

 oriole. 



The male Baltimore oriole, next to the scarlet tanager, is our most 

 brilliantly colored bird, and certainly one of the most conspicuous, for 

 he makes no attempt to hide his charms, and his loud, clear whistle of 

 several notes rings out as one of the most pleasing sounds from our or- 

 chards and shade trees. The song of the orchard oriole is a much more 

 varied and finished performance than 

 that of the Baltimore, and at times 

 is suggestive of that of the bobolink 

 and of the purple finch. 



After the leaves have fallen in 

 autrnnn, the nests of the Baltimore 

 orioles are very striking as they 

 swing from the outermost branches 

 of our shade trees, particularly the 

 elms and the maples. In some trees 

 may be seen fragments of three or 

 four nests, for very often the oriole 

 returns to the same tree year after 

 year, and the nests are tightly woven 

 and so firmly fastened as to with- 

 stand the storms of many years. Bal- 

 timore orioles usually build their nests 

 of strong plant fibers of a grayish color, but they are quick to take 

 advantage of strings and yarn that are put out for them, and to weave 



Baltimore oriole 



