THE ICTERIC ORIOLE. 



115 



admitted, and che grain spoiled. They are supposed to do this ii^ 

 search of inse^its. The farmers sometimes attempt their destruction, 

 by steeping the maize before it is sown, in a decoction of white 

 hellebore: the birds that eat this prepared corn, are seized with a 

 vertigo, and fall down stupified. They are so bold and voracious, 

 that a flock of them may frequently be shot at two or three timea 

 before they can be driven oS"; indeed it often happens, that during 

 the second loading of the gun their number increases. 



Catsby informs us, that in Carolina and Virginia, these birds breed 

 in swampy places, among the rushes ; the points of which they weave 

 so as to form a sort of roof or shed, under which they build their nest, 

 at so judicious a height, that it can never be reached even by the 

 highest floods. Dr. Latham states, that they build between the forks 

 of trees, three or four feet from the ground, in swamps which are 

 seldom penetrable by man. 



They are easily caught in traps; and can, without difficulty, be 

 rendered tame, and even taught to speak. They are fond of singing ; 

 and are exceedingly playful, either when confined or when suffered 

 to run about the house. With the liveliness and familiarity which 

 they possess, it is said to be highly diverting to place these birds 

 before a looking-glass, and observe their strange and whimsical ges- 

 ticulations : sometimes they erect the feathers of the head, and hiss at 

 the image; then, lowering their crest, they set up their tail, quiver 

 their wings, and strike at it with their bills. Whether taken young 

 or old, they become immediately tame. It is not unusual to keep 

 them in cylindrical cages with bells; and these cages they turn round 

 in the same manner as Squirrels do. But when they have been con- 

 fined in a cage for some years, they are said to become white, and so 

 stupid and inanimate, as at last not to be able to feed themselves. 



THE ICTERIC ORIOLE, AND WEAVER ORIOLE. 



The cteric Oriole is, in size, somewhat smaller than a Blackbird • 

 of a tawny color, with the head, throat, 

 back, quill, and tail-feathers black. The 

 wings have each a white spot. 



It is a native of Caroliiia and Jamaica, 

 The chief food of the Icteric Oriole 

 consists of insects; and, for the purpose of 

 killing these, the Americans domesticate 

 and keep this bird in their houses. Ik 

 hops about in a similar manner to the Mag- 

 pie ; and has many other gestures of that 

 bird. Albin states, that, in all its actions, 

 it resembles the Starlings; and adds, that 

 sometimes four or five of them will unite to attack a larger bird, 

 which, after they have killed, they eat in a very orderly manner, 

 each choosing his part according to his valor. In a wild state the 



lOTERIO OKIOLE. 



