ICTEEUS BULLOCKII, BULLOCK's ORIOLE. 195 



nest without its customary coveriug. In Nortlniinbeiland County, of 

 the State of Pennsylvania, where this nest was found in the summer of 

 1866, I am tokl that it is the characteristic style of nest. It is more 

 than likely that in districts tiir removed from the busy haunts of men, 

 owing to a lack of the usual materials, the birds are constrained to use 

 the hairs of the domestic as well as those of wild animals in the structure 

 of their domiciles. In times very remote, before the introduction of 

 civilized man into the country, there is no doubt that the above was the 

 only style of architecture known to the species. 



" It is evident that in those days of primitive gloom, and even at the 

 present time in thickly-wooded sections, a very dense nest is not at all 

 desirable, since the birds obtain the protection which they require from 

 the weather in the beautiful covering which Nature throws around them. 

 Now, in sections where the forests have disappeared by the strokes of 

 the pioneer's axe, such a shelter would not afford the comfort and 

 security which the inmates demand, Now, as birds are not slow to 

 discern what best comports with their security, surely the Oriole, which 

 displays so much taste and ingenuity, would readily perceive that a 

 more compact and thicker structure would be necessary. History shows 

 that the highest and most elaborate style of architecture which man is 

 now capable of achieving is but the outgrowth of the simpler and less 

 complicated forms that preceded it. Keasouing, therefore, from anal- 

 ogy, the highest style which the Baltimore Oriole has been able to ac- 

 complish the typical nest, is but an outgrowth of the one which I have 

 described. 



" From the i)lausible remarks advanced, the inclosing pouch is but 

 an improvement superadded to the main structure, it being a subse- 

 quent oi)eration. This is apparent from the manner in which the initial 

 stages of the nests of Vireo olivaceus and V. novehoracensis are accom- 

 plished. 



" In the first of these anomalous forms of nests still further improve- 

 ment is manifest in the closely-woven roof In the open nests this 

 protection is but partially secured in the clusters of leaves that depend 

 from above, the site being doubtless selected with a view to this natural 

 arrangement. As reason tends to improvement, and as birds are pos- 

 sessed of a share of this great gift, so it is natural to suppose that they 

 must vary their style of nest-buihling in favorable directions when it 

 will subserve the individual and family good." 



ICTERUS BULLOCKII, (Sw.) Bp. 



Bullock's Oriole. 



Xanthornm huUoclcU, Sw., Syn. Mex. B. Phil. Mag. i, 1827, 436. 



Agelaius hulloclch, Rich., List., Rep. Br. Assoc. 18157. 



Ictcrm bnUockii, Bi>., List, 18:?8, '29.— Aid., Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 9, pis. 388. 4.^3.— AuD., 

 Syu. 1H:5'J, 143.— All)., B. Am. iv, lt?4'2, 43, pi. 218.— Nkwh., T. R. R. R.-p. vi, 

 18i-,7, 87.— Bn., B. N. A. lf^5H, 549; Mcx. B. Siiiv. ii, 1858, pt. ii, -Jd.— Maxim., J. 

 f. O. vi, 1858, 259.— Coop. & Suck., N. H. Wnsh. T<r. ISCi), 209.— Hayd.. I^op. 

 18(!2, 170.— LoRi>, Pr. Rov. Art. Inst, iv, 121 (Ikitisli Colunil)i:i).— ("oi r.s, I'r. 

 Philii. Acad. 1866, 91.— Coop., B. Cal. i, 1870, 273.— CouES, Am. Nat. v, lt<71, 

 678 (biography).— Hold., Pr. Bost. Soc. 1872, 203.— Allkn, Bull. M. C. Z. iii, 

 1872, 178.— Mkhu., U. S. Gool. Snrv. 1872,685,708 (t-ggs).— Snow, B. Kaii.-<. 1-73, 

 8.— CoiKs, Koy, 1872, l.V, lig. 100.— B. B. & R.,N. A. l?.ii, lf74. 19!i. pl.34, f.3,7. 



Tphanics bHllocLii, Bp., Consp. i, 1850, 432.— Hkkkm., P. R. R. Rop. x, 1859, pt. vi, 52. 



JJiiphaiitca hullorhii, Cas.s., Pr. Phila. Aead. 1867, (y2. 



rmroculiu.1 auricvltin, Maxi.m., Reise, i, IKW, 367 (Dakota). 



Mnb. — Entire Missouri region (rare above Fort Pierre, Hai/dai) to the Pacific, and 

 southward along the Tablf-Lands of M('xi('o. North to British Columbia. Breeds in 

 8nit;ibh' i)la(TS tliroughout its Cnitcd States range. Passes beyond the L'nited btates 

 in winter. (City of Mexico, Scl., P. Z. S. 1869, 362). 



