ICTERID^ — THE ORIOLES. 197 



The Baltimore Oriole is one of the most common birds nearly throughout 

 New England. Gay and brilliant in plumage, interesting and lively in man- 

 ners and habits, and a vocalist of rare power, with pathos, beauty, and 

 variety in his notes, this bird has been, and would still l^e, a great favorite, 

 but for its transgressions among the pea-vines of our gardens. He makes 

 his appearance with exemplary punctuality, seeming regardless of the pre- 

 matureness or tardiness of the season. Earely does tlie 10th of May pass 

 without tlie sound of his welcome notes, and rarely, if ever, does he come 

 sooner. 



Their period of song is not a long one, but soon terminates, as family 

 cares increase and the tender broods require an undivided attention. 

 Early in July this Oriole ceases to favor the world with those remarkable 

 notes that seldom fail to attract attention by their peculiarity, and to excite 

 admiration by their rich and full-toned melody. 



When the male Baltimores first arrive, they come unaccompanied by their 

 mates. At this time their notes are unusually loud, and their voices seem 

 shrill. Their song appears to partake somewhat of the nature of tender 

 lamentations and complaining. At this period they are very active and 

 restless, moving rapidly through the branches of the trees, just opening into 

 leaf and blossom, searching busily for the insects which then form their 

 principal food. When, a few days after their arrival, they are joined by the 

 females, the whole character of their song changes, which becomes a lower- 

 toned, richer, and more pleasing refrain. During their love-season their 

 resonant and peculiarly mellow whistle resounds in every garden and orchard, 

 along the highways of our villages, and in the parks and public squares of 

 our cities. 



Nuttall, generally very felicitous in expressing by verbal equivalents the 

 notes of various species of our song-birds, describes the notes of its song as 

 running tlnis, TsMi'iiw-tsliayia'too-too-tshippc-tshippe-too-too, with several other 

 very similar modifications and variations. But these characters give a very 

 inadequate idea of their song. It must be heard to be appreciated, and no 

 description can do justice to its beauties. The notes are of an almost end- 

 less variety, and each individual has his own special variations. The 

 female, too, has her own peculiar and very pretty notes, which she inces- 

 santly warbles as she weaves her curiously elaborate nest. 



To agriculturists this Oriole renders immense service in the destruction 

 of vast numbers of highly injurious insects ; among the most noteworthy of 

 these are the common canker-worm and the tent caterpillars, ' both great 

 pests to orchards. These benefits far more than compensate for its annoy- 

 ing attacks on the pods of esculent peas, the only sin that can rightfully be 

 brought against it, except, perhaps, the acts of theft committed against other 

 birds, in seizing upon and appropriating to it materials collected by smaller 

 birds for their nests. 



The Baltimore Orioles are devoted, faithful, and courageous parents, reso- 



