" UPON THE TREE-TOP.'' 121 



Scolding is quite ready to an oriole's tor.gue, 

 and even squawks like a robin's are not un- 

 known. The female has similar utterances, but 

 in those I have listened to her song was weaker, 

 lacked the clear-cut perfection of her mate's, 

 and sounded like the first efforts of a young 

 bird. In the case of those now under considera- 

 tion, the female reproduced exactly her partner's 

 notes, only in this inferior style, which seemed 

 rather unusual. The sweetest sound the oriole 

 utters is a very low one, to his mate when near 

 her, or flying away with her, or to his nestlings 

 before they leave the home. It is a tender, 

 yearning call that makes one feel like an in- 

 truder, and as if he should beg pardon and re- 

 tire. It is impossible to describe or reduce to 

 the scale, but it is well worth waiting and lis- 

 tening for. 



What I most desired to see, in watching the 

 oriole's nest, was the introduction of the young 

 into the world, the first steps, the first flight ; 

 and on the thirteenth day of the montli came 

 the first indication that they were out of the 

 shell. The male bird went to the nest, leaned 

 over, and looked in with great interest, while 

 his mate stood unconcernedly on another twig 

 near. The next day it became evident that 

 her special duties were over, for she spent no 

 more hours sitting, and her consort suddenly 



