368 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



pointed at one extremity, large in size, and irr egu- 

 larly marked with fine red dots; whereas the eggs 

 of younger birds, or those breeding for the first* 

 time, or those that have been robbed, or have a 

 third set, have eggs smaller, more/ oblong and 

 more pointed at one extremity than the others, and 

 marked at the larger end only with dark-purplish 

 plashes. In this latitude there is but a single 

 brood in a season. 



Subfamily Icterinae. Orioles. 



Thia> family comprehends species that are both 

 insectivorous and frugivorous. They are non- 

 gregarious, mainly arboricole, and are distin- 

 guished for their pleasing song, brilliant and 

 strikingly contrasted colors, and elaborately woven 

 pensile nest. The bill is more attenuated, more 

 acute, and relatively longer; and the feet weaker, 

 and better adapted to perching than most of the 

 species of the last subfamily. Three of our species 

 ane abundant and migratory in the summer; the 

 residue attaining our Southern border from tropi- 

 cal America; but two of which are denizens of 

 Eastern Pennsylvania. 



Icterus spurius, Bonap. 



The Orchard Oriole is quite as common as its 

 nearest relative, and reaches Eastern Pennsylvania 

 not earlier than the first of May. It is fend of 

 cultivated grounds, particularly old orchards which 

 it visits on its arrival, and where it remains until 



