NESTS AND NEST-BUILDING IN BIRDS 



357 



first threads in the same tree and in a similar position, but 

 this time in a high wind which whipped out the strands to 'a 

 great length and seemed to hamper her to such an extent that 

 the site was quickly abandoned in favor of another across the 

 way. 



Though constantly guarded and frequently escorted by the 

 male, the female was the sole builder, and as in the case of the 

 vireo, her visits to the site were noted for their frequency and 



Figure 19. Beginnings of a nest of the Baltimore oriole, showing the two primary 

 points of attachment, and primary nest-mass. Nest begun May 14, at about 

 4 p. M. ; drawing made on May 15 at 7 a. m. Points of suspension, which appear 

 to be taken up in regular succession, and here represented as reading from 

 left to right, indicated by Roman numerals (i-vi). Foliage omitted. 



for the small size of the increments added, as well as for the 

 speed and address with which everything was handled and every 

 situation met. So rapidly at times was this work performed, 

 that it was quite impossible to see and record the movements. 

 The oriole shows the tendency of choosing the fork of a twig 

 for the primary points of support to her nest, but unlike the 

 more uniform practise of the vireo, gradually gathers in two 

 or more forks, or makes use of a number of nearly vertical twigs. 

 So far as observed it never uses a horizontal crotch. 



