280 THE ORIOLE. 



his advantage ; and the strongest and best materials are uni- 

 formly found in those parts by which the whole is supported. 



Their principal food consists of caterpillars, beetles and 

 bugs, particularly one of a brilliant glossy green, fragments 

 of which have been almost always found in their stomach, 

 and sometimes these only. 



The song of the Baltimore is a clear mellow whistle, re- 

 peated at short intervals as he gleans among the branches. 

 There is in it a certain wild plaintiveness and naivete, ex- 

 tremely interesting. It is not uttered with the rapidity of the 

 ferruginous thrush ( Turdus rufus), and some other eminent 

 songsters ; but with the pleasing tranquillity of a careless 

 plough-boy, whistling merely for his own amusement. When 

 alarmed by an approach to his nest, or any such circum- 

 stances, he makes a kind of rapid chirruping, very different 

 from his usual note. This, however, is always succeeded by 

 those mellow tones, which seem so congenial to his nature. 



High on yon poplar, clad in glossiest green, 

 The orange, black-capp'd Baltimore is seen, 

 The broad extended boughs still please him best ; 

 Beneath their bending skirts he hangs his nest; 

 There his sweet mate, secure from every harm, 

 Broods o'er her spotted store, and wraps them warm ; 

 Lists to the noontide hum of busy bees, 

 Her partner's mellow song, the brook, the breeze ; 

 These, day by day, the lonely hours deceive, 

 From dewy morn to slow descending eve. 

 Two weeks elaps'd, behold a helpless crew ! 

 Claim all her care and her affection too ; 

 On wings of love th' assiduous nurses fly, 

 Flowers, leaves and boughs, abundant food supply ; 

 Glad chants their guardian as abroad he goes, 

 And waving breezes rock them to repose. 



The Baltimore inhabits North America, from Canada to 

 Mexico, and is even found as far South as Brazil. These 

 birds are several years in receiving their complete plumage. 

 Sometimes the whole tail of a mail individual, in spring, is 

 yellow, sometimes only the two middle feathers are black, 

 and frequently the black on the back is skirted with orange, 



