34 BIRDS OF THE ROCKIES 



Bullock's is not merely a variety or sub-species, but a 

 well-defined species of the oriole family, his scientific 

 title being Icterus bullocki. 



Like our familiar Lord Baltimore, he bravely bears 

 black and orange ; but in bullocki the latter color 

 invades the sides of the neck, head, and forehead, leav- 

 ing only a small black bow for the throat and a narrow 

 black stripe running back over the crown and down the 

 back of the neck ; whereas in Icterus galbida the entire 

 head and neck are black. Brilliant as Bullock's oriole 

 is, he does not seem to be anxious to display his 

 fineries, for he usually makes it a point to keep him- 

 self ensconced behind a clump of foliage, so that, while 

 you may hear a desultory piping in the trees, appar- 

 ently inviting your confidence, it will be a long time 

 before you can get more than a provoking glimpse of 

 the jolly piper himself. " My gorgeous apparel was not 

 made for parade," seems to be his modest disclaimer. 



He is quite a vocalist. Here is a quotation from my 

 lead-pencil, dashes and all : " Bullock's oriole — fine 

 singer — voice stronger than orchard oriole's — song 

 not quite so well articulated or so elaborate, but 

 louder and more resonant — better singer than the 

 Baltimore." It might be added that Bullock's, like 

 the orchard, but unlike the Baltimore, pipes a real 

 tune, with something of a theme running through its 

 intermittent outbursts. The plumage of the young 



