244 ORIOLE INCOMPATIBILITY. 



during the nesting season. It was a long-con- 

 tinued melody, of considerable variety, with an 

 occasional interpolation of the common scolding 

 "chur-r-r." After about a month of this lovely 

 chant, the usual June carol was added, and from 

 this time he sang the two. Both birds also 

 treated us to the several calls we are accustomed 

 to hear in the orchard in that perfect month. 



Shortly following the beginning of the second 

 and more familiar song, a change appeared in 

 the relations of the pair. The male assumed 

 the aggressive, and became rather violent in his 

 attentions. He drove his mate around the room, 

 and when he cornered her they indulged in what 

 must be called a " clawing match," upon which 

 he flew away with a loud song, as though he had 

 won a victory. When this performance had 

 gone on a few days, she began to show a disin- 

 clination to go home, took possession of another 

 cage whose owner was amiable, and finally 

 turned upon her rough wooer, as I suppose he 

 must be named ; though if I had not seen a simi- 

 lar style of courtship among the orchard orioles 

 I should hesitate to give it that name. One 

 morning she rose in her might to put an end to 

 all this persecution, and I saw her on the war- 

 path, pursuing him with open beak ; but after 

 fleeing a moment, he turned and flung himself 

 upon her so savagely that both flew violently 



