THE ORCHARD ORIOLE. 347 



grasses, which are woven together very neatly and com- 

 pactly : the whole is lined with fine grass, and sometimes a 

 few horsehairs. It is not pensile, but is built on the branch. 

 The eggs are four or five in number : their color varies from 

 a light-blue to a fleshy tint, which is marlced with irregu- 

 lar spots and lines of obscure lavender, over which are bold 

 spots and blotches of black and brown. The dimensions 

 vary from .86 to .56 by .54 inch. But one brood is reared 

 in the season. 



Nuttall, in describing the habits of this species, says, — 



" The Orchard Oriole is an exceedingly active, sprightly, and 

 restless bird : in the same instant almost, he is on the ground after 

 some fallen insect ; fluttering amidst the foliage of the trees, prying 

 and sj^ringing after his lurking j^rey ; or flying, and tuning his lively 

 notes in a manner so hurried, rapid, and seemingly confused, that 

 the ear is scarce able to thread out the shrill and lively syllables 

 of his agitated ditty. Between these hurried attempts, he also 

 gives others, which are distinct and agreeable ; but still his tones 

 are neither so full nor so mellow as those of the brilliant and gay 

 Baltimore." 



After a description of the nest and eggs, he continues : — 



"The female sits about fourteen days, and the young continue 

 in the nest ten (?) days before they become qualified to flit along 

 with their parents ; but they are generally seen abroad about the 

 middle of June. Previously to their departure, the young, leaving 

 the care of their parents, become gregarious, and assemble some- 

 times in flocks of separate sexes, from thirty to forty upwards ; in 

 the South, frequenting the savannahs, feeding much on crickets, 

 grasshoppers, and spiders. According to Audubon, they sing with 

 great liveliness in cages, being fed on rice and dry fruits, when 

 fresh cannot be procured. Their ordinary diet, it appears, is cater- 

 pillars and insects, of which they destroy great quantities. In the 

 course of the season, they likewise feed on various kinds of juicy 

 fruits and berries ; but their depredations on the fruits of the orchard 

 are very unimportant." 



