THE ORIOLE. 283 



formed of the same materials, is made much deeper, and of 

 slighter texture. The circumference is marked out by a num- 

 ber of these pensile twigs, that descend on each side like 

 ribs, supporting the whole ; their thick foliage, at the same 

 time, completely concealing the nest from view. The depth 

 in this case is increased to four or five inches, and the whole 

 is made much slighter. These long pendent branches, being 

 sometimes twelve and even fifteen feet in length, have a large 

 sweep in the wind, and render the first of these precautions 

 necessary, to prevent the eggs or young from being thrown 

 out ; and the close shelter afforded by the remarkable thick- 

 ness of the foliage is, no doubt, the cause of the latter. 



The Orchard Oriole, though partly a dependent on the in- 

 dustry of the farmer, is no sneaking pilferer, but an open and 

 truly beneficent friend. To all those countless multitudes of 

 destructive bugs and caterpillars, that infest the fruit trees in 

 spring and summer, preying on the leaves, blossoms and em- 

 bryo of the fruit, he is a deadly enemy ; devouring them 

 wherever he can find them ; arid destroying, on an average, 

 some hundreds of them every day ; without offering the 

 slightest injury to the fruit, however much it may stand in 

 his way. I have witnessed instances where the entrance to 

 his nest was more than half closed up by a cluster of apples, 

 which he could have easily demolished in half a minute ; 

 but, as if holding the property of his patron sacred, or con- 

 sidering it as a natural bulwark to his own, he slid out and 

 in with the greatest gentleness and caution. I am not suffi- 

 ciently conversant in entomology to particularize the different 

 species of insects on which he feeds ; but I have good reason 

 for believing that they are almost altogether such as commit 

 the greatest depredation on the fruits of the orchard ; and, as 

 he visits us at a time when his services are of the greatest 

 value, and, like a faithful guardian, takes up his station where 

 the enemy is most to be expected, he ought to be held in re- 

 spectful esteem, and protected by every considerate husband- 

 man. Nor is the gayety of his song one of his least recom- 

 mendations. Being an exceedingly active, sprightly and 



