THE ORIOLE BRANCH 105 
The nest of this oriole is one of the prettiest 
we have. It is hung high up in a tall tree, 
an elm or willow usually, and near the end of 
a branch, where it swings in the wind. It is 
a deep bag made of plant fibres, bits of string, 
and other things. The whole has a gray tint 
and a silky look, which make it very attractive. 
While the mother bird is sitting, her mate 
stays near and sings a good deal; but when 
feeding time comes, he works as hard as she in 
stuffing the hungry little mouths. 
As soon as the nestlings are off, they go away 
in a little party. Then one who looks sharp 
may often see an oriole papa going quietly about 
on the ground, with two or three little ones after 
him, still calling to be fed. He does n’t sing any 
in these busy days. But sometimes, after the 
young have learned to feed themselves, he will 
sing again a little before they all start for their 
warm winter home in Central America. 
It is an anxious time in the bird world when 
the young are leaving the nest. Orioles are so 
nervous and make such an outcry over their 
troubles that we often hear them. The most 
common accident is the falling of a nestling to 
the ground. The old birds make so much fuss 
over it that one would think the baby had fallen 
into the claws of the cat, at the very least. 
