120 BIRDS OF FIELD, FOREST AND PARK 



is a splendid musician, enjoyed and admired by 

 all who know him. 



As nest builders these Orioles are among our 

 most interesting birds. The bag-like structure, 

 several inches deep, is woven of horse hair, 

 twine, plant fibre, bits of cloth, paper, etc., and 

 suspended from the end of a swaying bough, 

 usually that of an elm tree. It is lined with hair, 

 cotton, etc., a safe and cozy cradle for the nest- 

 lings where they may swing and sway in the 

 gentle breezes, secure from all harm. We have 

 a nest made from twine, which we put out for a 

 pair of Orioles that nested for years in an elm 

 standing in a neighbor's dooryard. No other 

 material enters into the composition of the nest 

 except the horse hair, rootlets, and cotton used 

 for a lining. It is so securely fastened to the 

 forked branch from which it was suspended, that 

 it could be removed only by cutting away the 

 strings, some of the strongest of which are 

 wound round and round the branches, then 

 passed through the nest as the main supports. 

 As the twine was highly colored, the nest was 

 at first rather gaudy, but a season's sun and 

 rain faded it not a little. 



Orioles have a bad reputation among owners 

 of orchards and vineyards, for they spoil much 

 fruit by puncturing it with their sharp bills. It 

 is believed, after careful investigation, that the 

 thirsty bird is seeking the juice of the fruit. A 

 remedy is said to be had by placing vessels of 

 water where they may be readily found. Some- 

 times the Orioles puncture the white Astrachans 

 that ripen in our garden in August. But I have 



