THE ORIOLE. 285 



months old. It had an odd manner of moving its head and 

 neck slowly and regularly, and in various directions, when 

 intent on observing any thing, without stirring its body, This 

 motion was as slow and regular as that of a snake. When 

 at night> a candle was brought into the room, it became rest- 

 less, and evidently dissatisfied, fluttering about the cage as if 

 seeking to get out ; but when the cage was placed on the 

 same table with the candle, it seemed extremely Well pleased, 

 fed and drank, drest, shook, and arranged its plumage, sat as 

 close to the light as possible, and sometimes chanted a few 

 broken irregular notes in that situation, as I sat writing or 

 reading beside it. I also kept a young female of the same 

 nest, during the greatest part of winter, but could not observe 

 in that time any change in its plumage. 



