254 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



birds that come so far to the northward as New England. 

 They reach Massachusetts about the tenth of Maj% and are 

 soon followed by the females. Though abundantly distributed 

 through this State, they are not common beyond it. Wherever 

 they go, the}' attract attention by their bright colors, their loud 

 notes, and their peculiar nest. This latter structure requires 

 the labor of a pair for a week or ten da^-s. It is most interest- 

 ing to watch its progress, but I have generally found it unsat- 

 isfactory to observe birds while building, so far as regards 

 learning exactly the manner in which they work. The " Fire- 

 birds" are exceedingly clever architects, and a most skilful 

 knitter would be puzzled to construct a piece of work like 

 theirs, or even to understand how the original manufacturers 

 produce it. They do so by fastening at both ends a piece of 

 string, or grass, to the twigs between Avhich their nest is to 

 hang, by winding and twisting it around them. Having fast- 

 ened many other pieces like these, so as to cross one another, 

 and to form a loose pouch, they interweave other materials with 

 care and skill, finally adding the lining. As Nuttall says : 

 "There is sometimes a considerable difference in the manufac- 

 ture of these nests, as well as in the materials which enter 

 into their composition. Both sexes seem to be equally adepts 

 at this sort of labor ; and I have seen the female alone perform 

 the whole without any assistance, and the male also complete 

 this laborious task nearly without the aid of his consort, who, 

 however, in general, is the principal worker." The j^oung, 

 soon after being hatched, clamber to the edge of the nest, and 

 are there fed by their parents. They climb well, but some- 

 times tumble to the ground. 



The Baltimore Orioles frequent our orchards, gardens, and 

 the woods. They have a mai-ked fondness for elms, and among 

 them may often be seen in villages, or even on Boston Com- 

 mon. I do not doubt that they are beneficial to man, for, 

 though they certainly destroy the blossoms of fruit-trees, they 

 are chiefly dependent upon insects, and check the ravages of 

 caterpillars more than any other of our birds. They fJed also 

 upon berries, and occasionally search for food upon the ground, 



