A MIDSUMMER PRINCE. 231 



r 



In the swamps of the Gulf States, the Baltimore, find- 

 ing no necessity for great warmth or shelter from chilling 

 winds, fabricates an airy nest of Spanish moss (Tillandsia 

 usneoides). Audubon described and figured such a one, 

 but the exact truth of Audubon's description was rather 

 doubted until the Boston Society of Natural History re- 

 ceived other similar nests from Florida. In these cases the 

 bird chose material perfectly suited to the temperature, in 

 preference to the flax and felt which it would have used in 

 the North. This is a modification due to difference of lat- 

 itude and accompanying difference of climate ; but I vent- 

 ure to say that the Baltimores' nests, in general, built during 

 an unusually hot season in any latitude will be much light- 

 er than those built during a cool or backward year. 



We may suppose that the oriole, having learned that the 

 place for its home safest from all marauding animals and 

 reptiles was out upon the tips of the swaying twigs, which 

 would not bear the marauder's weight, would also have 

 learned the shape best adapted to that situation ; and that 

 if it knew enough to choose the lesser danger from man in 

 order to escape a greater one from hawks when it came out 

 of the deep woods, it would also have reason enough to 

 alter its style of building in such a way as should best hide 

 the sitting bird from the prying eyes of its winged enemies, 



