232 FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 



and at the same time afford dryness and warmth to the in- 

 terior. Both of these were secured in the thick branches 

 of the primeval forest by the leaves overhead and around. 

 It is hence found that in the same climate the more ex- 

 posed a nest is the denser its composition, the deeper the 

 pouch, and the smaller its mouth. Pennant and others of 

 the earlier writers on American birds described the orioles' 

 nests as having only a hole near the top for" entrance and 

 exit, like those of some of the South American species. 

 Wilson, who was the first real critic of our ornithology, said 

 this was certainly an error, adding, " I have never met with 

 anything of the kind." Both authors seem to have made too 

 sweeping assertions, and, as usual, there is a golden mean of 

 fact. Our hang-nest has enough discernment to select the 

 safest and best site for a nest ever chosen by a tree-build- 

 ing bird. He has sufficient discretion to inhabit trees where 

 his young will be least exposed to birds of prey. He has 

 sense and skill enough to build a warm or cool house to 

 suit the climate a deep and tight one where the sun shines 

 brightly, and sharp eyes might see the orange coat of 

 himself or his mate within, and a loose and (in labor) less 

 expensive one where deep shadows hide it. Surely, then, 

 this consummate workman has ingenuity enough to put a 

 roof over his dwelling to shed the rain and the hawk's 



