TURDID-E. 



159 



of silk and hanks of tliread are often found after the 

 leaves have fallen, hanging about the nest, but so woven 

 \ip and entangled as to be quite unreclaimable. Before 

 the introduction of Europeans, no such materials could 



Fig. 65. — >'Est of baltuioee oriolk. 



have been obtained in America ; but, with the sagacity of 

 a good architect, the bird has turned them to account, and 

 the st?'ongest and best threads are uniformly found in 

 those parts by which the fabric is supported. The " Bal- 

 timore " inhabits North America, from Canada to Mexico, 

 and even as far south as Brazil. Since the streets have 

 been planted with Lombardy poplars, these birds are con- 

 stantly in the habit of boldly entering the towns, where, 

 amid the noise and tumult of coaches, drays, wheelbar- 

 rows, and the din of the multitude, they are heard chanting 

 " their native w^ood-notes wild." 



