BiRUS OF XoRTH CaEOLINA 



This newly recognized subspecies of the Meadowlark finds a place in our list 

 through the range given it bj' the latest (1910) edition of the American Ornitholo- 

 gists' Union Check List. 



In all particulars its habits ni life do not differ essentially from those of the 

 foregoing species. 



Genus Icterus (Briss.) 



This is a numerous genus, many species of wliich occur in tropical ami temperate 

 America. They are usuall}' of bright plumage, the prevailing colors being a com- 

 bination of black and yellow nuirkings. The bill is sharply pointed, and the birds 

 make use of it to weave the wonderfully neat baskct-hke structures wliich serve 

 them for nests. 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. Depth of bill at base, dpcidedly less tliun half its length. Colors of adult male, black and 

 chestnut. Orchard Oriole. 



1. Depth of liill at base equal to half its lengtli. Colors of adult male, black and orange. Balti- 

 more Oriole. 



207. Icterus spurius (Linn.). Orchard Oruile. 



Description. — Adult male lilack, the rump, bend of wing, and lower parts from lire.ast down, 

 deep chestnut, female j-ellowish olive. Young male similar to female, but tlu-oat is u.sualiy 

 black, and there are often other traces of the black anil chestnut markings of the adult. Extreme 

 mea.surements of tJ4 specimens from Halcigh: L., ().(i.")-7. .")!); W., 2.S.")-3.4."); T., 2.G.")-I{.0t). 



(icncrul Range. — Eastern Unitetl Stat(,'s in summer, wintering in Central .\merica. 



Ifanye in North Carolina. — Whole State in summer, except the liigher mountains. 



Fia. 174. Orchaki) Okiole. 



The Orchard Oriole, locally, l)iit erroneously, called "Baltimore Oriole" in this 

 State, is a common suunner visitor everywhere east of the" mountains, and also 

 in the lower mountain-valleys, but far more abundant in the extreme eastern sec- 

 tion; for instance, thousands of these birds are to be found in Hyde County around 

 the shores of Mattamuskeet Lake. It arrives froin its winter home in the far South 

 about the last week in April, and leaves us (|uite (>arly in the season, our latest 

 record being August 22, at Raleigh. 



As its name indicates, it jirefers orchards and groves, and. like many other bird.s, 

 is greatly attracted by nmlberry trees, the fruit of which it much enjoys in common 

 with Tanagers, Catbirds, Nonpareils, and many others. Its nest is a bag-shaped 

 structure, woven of green grass, which later turns yellow, giving it a very charac- 

 teri.stic ajijiearance. Sometimes it is lined with soft materials, but more often, 

 perhai)s, this special lining is omitted. The eggs are usually five in number, and 

 are laid in late iNIay or ,lune. They have a bluish ground-color, and are marked 



