56 



BALTIMORE ORIOLE.^ 



Icterus Baltmiore. 



Description. Length, seven and a half inches. 

 Head, throat, and back, black : wing feathers, dark 

 brown ; the two middle tail feathers, dark brown ; the 

 others, brown above, and yellow on the end ; the upper 

 covert (shoulder) orange ; the greater covert, black, with 

 white ends ; breast, belly, and rump, orange color, a 

 little darker on the breast. 



The name of this beautiful bird denotes its being a 

 native of the South ; however, it visits us here in the 

 North, in the spring, where it remains, breeds, and re- 

 turns in the fall to its warm quarters. They live in the 

 wild state, on insects, berries, &c. When caged, the 

 paste. No. 2, as prescribed under head of General 

 Remarks, answers for them, and agrees very well. 



The song of this bird, although low and short, will 

 be found agreeable ; but it is more for their beautiful 

 plumage that they are kept in cages. 



*These birds have a very peculiar manner of building their 

 nest : They choose the utmost branch of a high tree, from 

 one of the twigs of which they hang a nest, in the shape of a 

 little bag, weaved beautifully together with strings of twine, 

 dry grass, small roots, &c. : indeed, so artfully and so cun- 

 ningly out of the reach of the hands of their enemies, that we 

 must look with amazement, and ponder and admire what 

 wonders the Almighty has wrought for this species of his 

 creation. 



