206 BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 



wild;" sometimes too within a few yards of an oysterman, who 

 stands bellowing with the lungs of a Stentor, under the shade 

 of the same tree; so much will habit reconcile even birds to the 

 roar of the city, and to sounds and noises, that in other cir- 

 cumstances, would put a whole grove of them to flight. 



These birds are several years in receiving their complete plu- 

 mage. Sometimes the whole tail of a male individual, in spring, 

 is yellow, sometimes only the two middle feathers are black, 

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

 and the tail tipt with the same colour. Three years, I have rea- 

 son to believe, are necessary to fix the full tint of the plumage, 

 and then the male bird appears as already described. 



