BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR GOLDEN ROBIN. 163 



That our Oriole is not familiar with us, independent of 

 the all powerful natural impulse which he obeys, is suf- 

 ficiently obvious when he nests in the woods. Two of 

 these solitary and retiring pairs had this summer, contrary 

 to their usual habits, taken up their abode in the lofty 

 branches of a gigantic Button-wood in the forest. As 

 soon as we appeared, they took the alarm, and remained 

 uneasy and irritable until we were wholly out of sight. 

 Others, again, visit the heart of the populous city, and 

 pour forth their wild and plaintive songs from the trees 

 which decorate the streets and gardens, amid the din of 

 the passing crowd, and the tumult of incessant and 

 noisy occupations. Audubon remarks, that their migra- 

 tions are performed singly, and during the day, and that 

 they proceed high, and fly straight and continuous. 



The food of the Baltimore appears to be small caterpil- 

 lars, sometimes those of the apple-trees, some uncommon 

 kinds of beetles, cimices, and small flies, like a species 

 of cynips. Occasionally I have seen an individual collect- 

 ing Cicindeli by the sides of sandy and gravelly roadff. 

 They feed their young usually with soft caterpillars, which 

 they swallow, and disgorge on arriving at the nest ; and 

 in this necessary toil both sexes assiduously unite. They 

 seldom molest any of the fruits of our gardens, except a 

 few cherries and mulberries, and are the most harmless, 

 useful, beautiful, and common birds of the country. 

 They are, however, accused of sometimes accompanying 

 their young to the garden peas, which they devour 

 while small and green, and, being now partly gregarious, 

 the damage they commit is at times rendered visible. 

 Occasionally they are seen in cages, being chiefly fed 

 on soaked bread, or meal and water ; they appear also 

 fond of cherries, strawberries, currants, raisins, and figs, 

 so that we may justly consider them, like the Cassicans 



