222 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 211 



all of the nests found by me, was woven of a species of slender wiry grass growing 

 in moist places, which was used in a green state. It contained a little Cottonwood 

 down for lining. Its green color, closely resembling the surrounding foliage, 

 made it very difficult to see. It was securely fastened to several mistletoe twigs 

 among which it was placed. Fully three-fifths of the nests found by me were 

 placed in similar situations; the others were suspended in mesquite (excepting 

 one found in an ash tree), at various heights from 12 to 45 feet from the ground. 

 The majority of these nests were woven of this green wire grass, which seems 

 admirably adapted for this purpose, and a few only were made of dry yucca fibers; 

 the latter were much more easily seen. In some instances this material was 

 also used for the inner lining, mixed with willow down or a little wool, rarely 

 with a few feathers, or a small quantity of horsehair. 



While some of the nests were semipensile and slung somewhat like a hammock, 

 so that they rocked like a cradle with every breeze, in the majority some of the 

 surrounding slender twigs among which the nest was placed were incorporated 

 into its walls and sides, securing it almost immovably in position. None of the 

 nests seen by me in any way resembled those of Bullock's Oriole, which was also 

 common here. They were always much brighter colored, not nearly so deep, 

 and were constructed of entirely different materials. Neither do the grass- 

 woven nests of the Arizona Hooded Oriole resemble the common type of its near 

 relative found in Texas. I refer to the nests built of tree moss, which are usually 

 located in bunches of the same material. But those of either form of the Hooded 

 Oriole, when built of yucca fibers, might be readily mistaken for each other. 

 Besides the trees already mentioned, Mr. Scott found it breeding in sycamores, 

 and in California it nests in walnut, cypress, gum, and fan palms, the fibers of 

 which, according to Mr. Theo. D. Hurd, are almost exclusively used as nesting 

 material in that locality. 



Hurd (1890) published the following interesting notes on the 

 nesting habits of this oriole, as observed by him in that vicinity: 

 "For the rearing of the first brood the nests are usually suspended in 

 overhanging branches of the blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), but it 

 is a noticeable fact that the second nests are more commonly attached 

 to the leaves of the palm tree. Why this is I do not know, unless they 

 want to begin laying as soon as possible, and therefore build where 

 material is most easily obtained. When in palms the nests are fast- 

 ened directly to the under side of a large leaf, leaving a small opening 

 on one or more often on either side, for the bird to enter." 



Says Bendire (1895): "Two and possibly even three broods are 

 sometimes raised in a season. I found slightly incubated eggs in 

 Arizona on August 25. From three to five eggs are laid to a set; 

 in Arizona usually only three or four; but Mr. Hurd reports taking a 

 set of seven on May 6, 1890. An egg is deposited daily until the set 

 is completed." 



He reports having seen the male carrying nesting materials, and 

 adds: "The nest is well built, it is basket or cup shaped, with a very 

 thick bottom and strong sides. It averages about 4 inches in height 

 externally. The inner cup is oval, about 2% inches deep and 3 by 2 

 inches wide, and it takes about 4 or 5 days to complete it." 



