Baltimore Oriole. 185 



bold colors and showy plumage, he alone deserves the 

 epithets of "golden robin" and "firebird." The colonists 

 of the middle and southern seaboard early were attracted 

 by his glowing colors, mellow notes, and ingenious archi- 

 tecture; and they followed the christening of the bird by 

 Linnifius in calling it the Baltimore Bird, from the simi- 

 larity of its orange and black suit to the livery of Lord 

 Baltimore, the patron of the Maryland colony. Steadily 

 growing in favor, the Baltimore oriole soon became re- 

 nowned for beauty, melody, and animation, making its 

 way into our literature with the bobolink and other gifted 

 species. Unlike some other birds equally gifted with 

 ornate plumage and mellow voice, it dwelt among the 

 trees which shaded the dooryards of the settlers of the 

 New World; and its rich plaint and vivacious manners 

 soon made it a welcome resident in the little area about 

 the colonist's habitation. 



The Baltimore oriole has an extensive range, being 

 found in all United States and British Provinces west- 

 ward to the Rocky Mountains, breeding throughout. It 

 winters in Cuba, Mexico, Central America, and adjacent 

 regions. No other bird is more regular in its appearance 

 on the spring migration. Eobert Eidgway notes its ar- 

 rival at Mt. Carmel, Illinois, in the years 1863-66 in- 

 clusive, on April 19-22. In central Illinois (39° 20') it 

 appeared in 1881 on April 24th; in 1882, on April 22nd; 

 and in 1883, on April 28th. 



From the first day of its arrival its clear mellow notes 

 float down almost incessantly from the elms and maples 

 shading our dooryards. It usually arrives in the night 

 and announces its presence at early dawn on the follow- 

 ing m.orning in sweet, ringing tones, as it unconcernedly 

 examines the tender leaves of the outer twigs for lurking 

 insects and larvae, its rich orange and glowing jet flashing 

 in vivid contrast to the bright green of the young foliage ; 

 it is indeed the "winged flame of Spring." The male 

 usually arrives alone, and he must wait a time for the ap- 

 pearance of his spouse, who has lingered a few hours on 

 the journey, and who will join him at the old nest when 

 he has made due announcement of his advent in the 

 neighborhood. From the top of the old cottonwood in the 



