The number of eggs vary from two to shades of either brown, purple or laven- 



five and "sets of one or two eggs of this der. 



Oriole, with two or three cowbird's eggs, The food of Audubon's Oriole consists 



seem to be most frequently found, some of insects and, to some extent, of berries 



of the first named eggs being thrown out and other fruits. Mr. Chark, who studied 



to make room." The eggs are ovate in the habits of this species in* Texas, says 



form and the general color varies from that he observed it frequently feeding on 



white with a bluish cast to white with a the fruit of the hackberry. He also states 



grayish cast and in some instances a pur- that these birds were usually in pairs and 



pie shade predominates. The markings exhibited a retiring disposition, prefer- 



vary greatly both in color and form. They ring the thick foliage of the margins of 



may be either thread-like, in streaks or in streams rather than that of more open 



blotches. In color they may be various and exposed places. 



Seth Mindwell. 



TO A SEA-BIRD. 



Sauntering hither on listless wings, 



Careless vagabond of the sea, 

 Little thou heedest the surf that sings, 

 The bar that thunders, the shale that rings, 



Give me to keep thy company. 



Little thou hast, old friend, that's new, 



Storms and wrecks are old things to thee; 

 Sick am I of these changes, too; 

 Little to care for, little to rue, 



I on the shore, and thou on the sea, 



All of thy wanderings, far and near, 



Bring thee at last to shore and me; 

 All of my journeyings end them here, 

 This our tether must be our cheer, 



I on the shore and thou on the sea. 



Lazily rocking on ocean's breast, 



Something in common, old friend, have we; 

 Thou on the shingle seek'st thy nest, 

 I to the waters look for rest, 



I on the shore, and thou on the sea. 



Bret Harte, 



197 



