FAMILY Icteridx. 



but I have not been able to gather a sufficient number 

 of records of his song to enable me to authoritatively de- 

 scribe its character. It is, of course, very similar to that 

 ot the Baltimore, but it is more flexible and expressive. 

 Also, the notes are often characteristically separated into 

 groups of three, thus : 



8va. . 



J ^JWecfro agitato. 



This is the only record I have, and one cannot be sure 

 that its character is one which distinguishes the song of 

 the species; the delivery is certainly more rapid than 

 that of the Baltimore, but the notes are in consequence 

 confused. Mr. John B. Grant writes, that he tunes " his 

 lively notes in a manner so hurried, that the ear is scarce 

 able to thread out the shrill and lively syllables of his 

 agitated ditty. Between these hurried attempts, he also 

 gives others which are distinct and agreeable; but still 

 his tones are neither so full nor so mellow as those of 

 the brilliant and gay Baltimore." 



Baltimore The brilliancy of this Oriole's feathers 



Oriole ^^ gj ven jjj m ^wo significant names, 



galbuia Golden Robin and Firebird, also the pen- 



L. 7.50 inches dent character of his nest has added an- 

 May ioth other Hangnest. But the name Baltimore 



Oriole has prevailed above the others, and it is to be 

 hoped will eventually displace them, for the bird is no 

 relation whatever to either the American or the English 

 Robin, and in appearance it does not suggest a fire nor a 

 nest. It does, however, deserve the historic nama of the 

 first Lord Baltimore, as his Lordship's arms were bla- 



64 



