" UPON THE TREE-TOP," 123 



indeed, the untiring efforts of both parents to 

 keep pace with the growth of the family. 



On the twenty-second day of the month, nine 

 days after the sitting was abandoned and I 

 knew the young orioles to be hatched (though 

 of course they may have been out a day or two 

 before), I heard them peep softly when food 

 was brought, and I redoubled my watching to 

 see them appear. On the twenty-seventh, when 

 I went to the veranda at eight o'clock, I heard 

 a new and strange cry in the next lot, a pasture 

 with scattering trees, and I saw both orioles 

 often fly that way. It sounded like birds in 

 distress, and reminded me of cries I once heard 

 from several wood thrushes when disturbed by 

 a cat. I hastened upon the scene, and was met 

 at the entrance by a bluebird in a great rage. 

 I thought she was in trouble, but upon following 

 the cries (in spite of her protests) I came upon 

 a bird new to me. It somewhat resembled the 

 female oriole, being almost her colors, with head 

 and wings a little darker. This bird received 

 me with scolding, and was very lively in run- 

 ning over the trees, though he did not seem in- 

 clined to fly. The calling was now very near, 

 and while I never saw him in the act, I was 

 confident he made at least a part of it ; and I 

 still think he did, althougli I afterwards found 

 those whose natural cry it proved to be. I 



