134 "WOULD N'T TAKE NO, FOR AN ANSWER." 



of oriole beauty, being bright chestnut on the 

 lower parts, with velvety black hood coming 

 down on the breast. With them was one female, 

 and though far from being friends, the three 

 were never separated. The trouble seemed to be 

 that both males were suitors, and notwithstand- 

 ing the pretty little maid appeared to have a 

 mind of her own and to prefer the younger of 

 her wooers, the older plainly refused " to take 

 no for an answer," and was determined to have 

 his own way, bringing to bear on his courtship 

 all the persistence of his race. In that particu- 

 lar quality of never giving up what he has set 

 his heart on, the oriole cannot be excelled, if 

 indeed he can be equaled in the bird world ; 

 for a time, and a long time, too, he is a bird of 

 one idea, and by fair means or foul he will al- 

 most certainly accomplish his desire, whatever 

 it may be. 



Life never grew dull in the party mentioned ; 

 they were always talking, singing, or going for 

 each other in the mad way already described. 

 Sometimes the chase was between the males, 

 but oftener the female flew for her life appar- 

 ently, while the rough wooer followed closely 

 with great noise and confusion. The affair 

 ended occasionally with a cry of distress as 

 though somebody was pecked, but several times 

 she stood at bay and defied him with mouth 



