XIII. 



INCOMPATIBILITY IN THE ORIOLE FAMILY. 



ONE whole year I entertained in my bird-room 

 an individual of strongly marked character, an 

 orchard oriole. Wishing to study his habits, I 

 put a pair of this species into a big cage, hoping 

 they would live happily, as did other couples in 

 the room at the same time. The pretty little 

 yellow and olive dame was amiable enough, 

 she could live in peace with any bird in the 

 room ; but her comrade rebelled against the de- 

 crees of man. He was an autocrat ; he intended 

 to have his house to himself, and, more, he pur- 

 posed to appropriate any other residence he 

 chose to select, whoever might claim it. Hos- 

 tilities began the moment the door was shut upon 

 them ; he drove her away from the food-cup, he 

 fought her over the bathing-dish, he answered 

 her sweet call with a harsh " chack " or an insult- 

 ing " huff," he twitched her. feathers if she came 

 near him, and gave her a peck if she seemed to 

 be having too easy a time. Withal, such was 

 his villainous temper that he desired a victim to 

 abuse, and never let her out of his sight for two 



