ANIMAL LIFE IN THE WOODS 



159 



2. They arrive in this region about the middle of May, 

 and begin nest-building a week or two later. 



3. Nest. A perfect pocket, woven out of milkweed fibres, 

 strings, threads, cotton, and similar material ; suspended 

 near the end of a long, swaying branch, from twenty to 

 thirty feet from the ground. An oriole's nest is one of the 

 wonders of bird architecture; give every child an oppor- 



FIG. 38. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 



timity to examine it carefully. Can you identify a bird's 

 nest without seeing the bird? Have you ever watched a 

 pair building their nest ? 



4. Song. Rendered in words by Mrs. Wright as " Will 

 you ? Will you really, really, truly ? " Female does not sing. 



.5. Food. Worms, caterpillars, grasshoppers and other 

 injurious insects, and some fruit. By means of its food, 

 beautiful color, and song, one of our most beneficial birds. 



6. The parent birds are very much attached to their 

 home and young, and bravely defend them against cl\ip- 

 munks, squirrels, and predaceous birds. 



7. They leave, at St. Paul, about the first of September. 



