BTKDS OF KAK^SAS 



79 



their foster parents ; and I find bv observation that the 

 egg or eggs so dropped are the first to hatch, and being 

 mnch the larger and stronger, receive the greater share of 

 food, the rightfnl little claimants being soon trodden to 

 death or crowded ont of their home. 



On account of their manner of laying, we have no way 

 of determining the number of eggs laid in a season. As 

 a rule, but one egg is found in a nest, and I think tliat, 

 with a view to survival, the bird distributes her eggs, 

 and that the extra ones occasionally found are the eggs of 

 different Gpwbirds. Thev vary greatly in size, averaging 

 about .85x.6eS; bluish white, thickly spotted and speckled 

 with ashy to reddish brown and occasional splaslies of 

 purple; in form, oval. 



XVIII.— BALTIMOEE OKIOLE. 



Icterus galbula (Lin^.). 



Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of April 

 to first of May; begin laying the last of May; return the 

 last of August to middle of September. 



Habitat. Eastern ^N^orth America; north to E'ew 

 Brunswick and Manitoba, west to the base of the Eocky 

 Mountains ; south in winter to Panama. 



Iris dark brown; bill, ridge Idack, rest light blue; 

 legs, feet and claws dark blue. 



This familiar Oriole is very similar in habits to the 

 Orchard, but is less lively in actions, and ranges much 

 farther north. The males arrive in the spring at least 

 a week ahead of the females, and their brilliant plumage 

 and varied mellow whistling song insure them a welcome. 

 The females also occasionally warble a few low, pleasing 



