INSESSORES. 333 



vary with the temperature. In Louisiana, its nest (see Plate 

 XI. fig. 4) is constructed of moss, woven throughout, so that the 

 air can easily pass through it, and it is placed in the coolest posi- 

 tion", so strongly is it secured, that no wind can carry it off 

 without breaking the branch to which it is suspended. In Penn- 

 sylvania and New York, the nest is constructed of the warmest 

 and softest materials, and so placed as to be exposed to the 

 sun's rays. In summer, the Baltimore Orioles are dispersed 

 over the United States, and as far North as Nova Scotia. The 

 song of this bird, is a clear, mellow whistle, repeated at short 

 intervals. The male, according to Audubon, does not receive 

 its full plumage until the third spring. The principal food of the 

 Oriole consists of caterpillars, beetles, and bugs, particularly one 

 of a brilliant glossy green. 



Dr. DeKay, in the Natural History of New York, includes 

 the Crow Blackbirds, (Quiscalus,) the Orioles, (Icterus,) the Cow 

 Bunting, (Molothrus,) and the Bob-o'link, (Dolichonyx,) in one 

 family, Quiscalida. But Audubon arranges these together, 

 with the Marsh Blackbird, Agelaius, in the family AgelaincB, 



MINO BIRD. Among the Starlings we also place the Mino 

 Bird, Eulabes, (Gr. eulabes, circumspect, or religious,) Javana- 

 cus, or Gracula religiosa ; following Swainson in this arrange- 

 ment, who deems it quite unreasonable to place this long-legged 

 Grackle close to the short-legged ROLLERS, as M. Lesson has 

 done. This bird has a short and stout beak, with the tip dis- 

 tinctly notched. Its plumage is of a deep velvety black, with a 

 white space in the middle of the wing ; behind the eye spring 

 fleshy carbuncles of a bright orange color. 



The Mino Bird feeds on insects and fruits. It is easily tamed ;. 

 learns to whistle and talk with great facility, and is therefore a 

 great favorite with the Javanese. Marsden says, it has the fac- 

 ulty of imitating human speech in greater perfection than any 

 other of the feathered tribe. There is said to be a smaller 

 variety of this bird in India. 



THIRD FAMILY. FINCHES. 

 Fringittida. (Lat. Fringilla, a finch.) 



The Finches are a large and interesting family, the smallest 

 of the Perchers, and, for the most part, excellent songsters. 

 They have short, thick, and powerful beaks ; both mandibles are 

 usually of equal thickness, and their length and breadth nearly 

 alike, so that when the beak is closed, it generally appears like 

 a. very, short cone divided in the middle by the gape. In some 



