284 THE ORIOLE. 



restless bird, he is on the ground on the trees, flying and 

 carolling in his hurried manner, in almost one and the same 

 instant. His notes are shrill and lively, but uttered with 

 such rapidity and seeming confusion, that the ear is unable 

 to follow them distinctly. Between these he has a single 

 note, which is agreeable and interesting. Wherever he is 

 protected, he shows his confidence and gratitude by his num- 

 bers and familiarity. In the Botanic Garden of my worthy 

 and scientific friends, the Messrs. Bartrams, of Kingsess, 

 which presents an epitome of almost every thing that is rare, 

 useful, and beautiful in the vegetable kingdom of this western 

 continent, and where the murderous gun scarce ever intrudes, 

 the Orchard Oriole revels without restraint, through thick- 

 ets of aromatic flowers and blossoms ; and, heedless of the 

 busy gardener that labors below, hangs his nest, in 'perfect 

 security, on the branches over his head. 



The female sits fourteen days ; the young remain in the 

 nest ten days afterwards,* before they venture abroad, which 

 is generally about the middle of June. Nests of this species, 

 with eggs, are sometimes found so late as the twentieth of 

 July, which must belong to birds that have lost their first 

 nest ; or it is probable that many of them raise two broods 

 in the same season, though I am not positive of the fact. 



The Orchard Orioles arrive rather later than the Balti- 

 mores, commonly about the first week in May ; and extend 

 as far as Maine. They are also more numerous towards the 

 mountains than the latter species. In traversing the country 

 near the Blue ridge, in the month of August, I have seen at 

 least five of this species for one of the Baltimore. Early in 

 September, they take their departure for the south ; their 

 term of residence here being little more than four months. 

 Previous to their departure, the young birds become gregari- 

 ous. They are easily raised from the nest, and soon become 

 agreeable domestics. One which I reared and kept through 

 the winter, whistled with great clearness and vivacity at two 



* There is evidently some mistake here, as the young could hardly be 

 fledged in ten days. 



