820 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



The plumage of the female varies much more than that of the 

 male. Occasionally there is almost as much black (excepting on the 

 tail) as in the male, but it is much duller and more or less broken. 



A young bird is soft, dull orange beneath, palest on the throat, 



and tinged along the sides with olive ; above olive, with an orange 



, cast on the rump and tail, the latter being without any black ; 



centres of dorsal feathers blackish ; wings blackish, with two broad 



white bands across coverts, and broad edges of white to the tertials. 



Excepting only the Scarlet Tanager, the Baltimore Oriole is the 

 most brilliant of our birds ; and it is also one of the most attractive 

 on account of the melody of its voice and the familiarity of its habits. 

 It is a more or less common summer resident throughout the State, 

 arriving, in the southern portion, during the third week in April and 

 remaining till the latter part of September. 



"The Baltimore Oriole," writes Dr. Brewer,* "is one of the most 

 common birds nearly throughout New England. Gay and brilliant 

 in plumage, interesting and lively in manners and habits, and a vo- 

 calist of rare power, with pathos, beauty, and variety in his notes, 

 the bird has been, and would still be, a great favorite, but for its 

 transgressions among the pea- vines of our gardens. He makes his 

 appearance with exemplary punctuality, seeming regardless of the 

 prematureness or tardiness of the season. Barely does the 10th of 

 May pass without the sound of his welcome notes, and rarely, if ever 

 does he come sooner. 



"Their period of song is not a long one, but soon terminates, as 

 family cares increase and the tender broods require an undivided 

 attention. Early in July this Oriole ceases to favor the world with 

 those remarkable notes that seldom fail to attract attention by their 

 peculiarity, and to excite admiration by their rich and full -toned 

 melody." 



Icterus spur-ins (Linn.) 



OBCHABD ORIOLE. 



Popular synonyms. Brown Oriole; Chestnut- colored Oriole. 

 Orioles spurius LINN. S. N. ed. 12,1.1766.162. 



Icterus spvrius BP. 1827. NUTT. Man. i, 1832, 165. A UD. Orn. Biog. 1. 1831, 221; v, 1839, 

 485, pi. 42; Synop. 1839,144; B. Am.iv,1842,46,pl. 219. BAIED. B. N. Ain. 1858, 547: Cat 

 N.Am. B. 1859, No. 414. COUES, Key, 1872, 158; 2d ed. 1884,407; Check List, 1873, No. 213; 

 2d ed. 1882. No. 324; B. N. W. 1874. 192.-B. B. & B. Hist N. Am. B. ii. 1874. 190. pi. 34. 

 figs. 4,5.6. Rroow.Nom. N. Am. B. 1881.NO. 270. 



* Mist. N. Am. B., voL ii. p. 197. 



