52 BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. 
SDV. 
BALTIMORE ORIOLE; FIRE-BIRD ; GOLDEN ROBIN; 
HANG-NEST. 
WILson notices the interesting fact that our 
oriole was named by Linneus in honor of Lord 
Baltimore, whose colors were black and orange. 
He is shorter than the robin, and compared 
with that plump alderman is slenderly and deli- 
cately built — much more in the form of the 
blackbirds. His back is black instead of grayish- 
brown, and his breast orange instead of dull red- 
dish. In habit, he contrasts still more strongly 
with the robin. Who ever saw Sir Baltimore 
watching for fish-worms in the grass, or taking 
possession of a crotch in the piazza ?— and, on 
the other hand, who ever saw a robin hold his din- 
ner under his claw and peck it to pieces as the 
orioles and their cousins the blackbirds do? The 
oriole is comparatively shy, and has a nervous, 
excitable temperament, while the robin is not only 
social but phlegmatic. Then the call of the fire- 
bird is shriller, and pitched on a higher key; 
while his love song is an elaborate poem in mel- 
ody, compared with the blunt courtship of robin 
redbreast — just watch this graceful suitor some 
morning as he bows and scrapes before his lady- 
love to the rhythm of his exquisitely modulated 
song. Now running high and loud with joyful 
