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BALTIMORE ORIOLES, "Golden Rob- 

 ins" or "Flame-birds," as they are 

 sometimes called, are named not after 

 the city of that name but in honor of 

 Lord Baltimore whose livery was 

 orange and black. 



They arrive soon after May 1st, just 

 as cherry trees are in full bloom and 

 spend the first few weeks in gay revel- 

 ry and- song. The duller plumaged fe- 

 males come a few days later and within 

 a short time partners have been select- 

 ed and nesting sites chosen. The nest 

 of this species is quite a remarkable 

 creation for a bird to make. a long 

 purse-shaped affair, five to eight inches 

 in length, suspended by the rim from 

 the outer branches of trees, usually 

 tall ones and particularly elms. It is 

 made of gray fibres, grasses, string, etc. 

 and is so firmly attached to its support 

 that the old nests may be seen for two 

 or three years afterwards, although 

 the same one is never used twice. The 

 eggs are dull bluish-white with black 

 scrawls chiefly about the large end. 



notes are not unmusical when gh en in concert by a number 

 of individuals. At nesting time they split up into smaller 

 parties and repair to coniferous groves, in the branches of 

 which trees they build their bulky nests of sticks and 

 twigs. Grackles are beautiful birds black, with an iri- 

 descent sheen of purple, blue, green and brass, but still 

 they are rather undesirable bird citizens, for they have 

 the pernicious habit of robbing nests of small birds. 



To those accustomed to think of Orioles as brilliantly 

 plumaged, orange-colored birds, it comes as a distinct sur- 

 prise when the chestnut and black ORCHARD ORIOLE 

 is first seen. This species is abundant in southern states, 

 but is only local in our range, reaching its northern limits 

 in southern New England and central New York. Not 

 only is the adult male remarkable in plumage, but males 

 of the second year are quite unique in that they resemble 

 the dull yellowish female, but have a black face and throat 

 patch. They are much shyer than Baltimore Orioles and 

 like to keep concealed within the foliage of the low trees 

 and bushes that they frequent. Their song is a rapid 

 and varied warbling, sounding something like that of Pur- 

 ple Finches. Their nest is a round basket, only partially 

 suspended by the brim, woven of stiff green grasses that 



