THE BALTIMORE ORTOLE. 241 



are not those light-orange outer feathers of the same about 

 to burst into a flame? The brightest orange, however, is on 

 the breast, becoming lighter on the sides and under parts; 

 and in the brightest specimens, even the white of the wing- 

 coverts is tinged with the same. His female, who may 

 arrive in a day or two, or may linger behind more than a 

 week, has but a general resemblance, being much duller in 

 color and marking. 



Hero, hero, hero: Cheery, cheery, cheery: Cheer -up, cheer -up, 

 cheer-up: are among his common notes, generally coming 

 from among the swaying branches of the taller trees; but 

 sometimes also from the bushes, and even from the fence. 

 Occasionally, only, is he seen on the ground, and then he 

 appears as much out of place as a gentleman in broadcloth 

 and kid-gloves digging a ditch, or guiding a plow. On 

 some minds the effect of the song of birds is very great. 

 The most sprightly cheerfulness is particularly emphasized 

 in the song of the Baltimore. How I have been cheered by 

 it, in certain days dark with, sorrow, I cannot easily forget. 

 Hence his first note awakens a throng of tender reminis- 

 cences, and his return is always an event of the season. 

 And yet that song has but little compass or variety. Its 

 effect is wholly in the tones. The notes are almost monoto- 

 nous, unless, indeed, he has learned to imitate the note or 

 song of some bird by the way, one which never reaches us, 

 and so leaves the acquired song a mystery to us; a peculiar 

 attainment of the Baltimore, in which his voice may become 

 quite flexible. Unquestionably he has quite a faculty for 

 imitation. Besides his song he has a spirited twitter, or 

 rattle, when in combat, and when winning the female. 

 He has also a single note, corresponding to the com- 

 mon chipping of birds when alarmed about their nest or 

 young. But all his noise will soon be over. Incubation 

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