132 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [1891 



as to give the grayish and brownish tints, which well agree 

 with the upper surface of the bird. 



A nest now before me, obtained the latter part of June, is 

 composed mainly of grasses, fine rootlets and feathers of the 

 turkey. It was found, as is always the case, on the ground, and 

 was partly arched over. 



The eggs, three in number, are much smaller than the ordin- 

 ary average size for such birds, and their color is whitish, 

 speckled with purplish-brown, more thickly ne.ir the larger end, 

 but sparsely near the middle and smaller end. 



It gives forth a very pleasant song, but not strong when we 

 consider the size of the bird. 



During winter it is comparatively mute, and so continues un- 

 til about April, when its well-known notes are again echoed 

 through the air. 



Icterus spurius (Linn.). Orchard Oriole. 



The " Orchard Oriole " arrives here early in May, and stays 

 all through the summer. In September it departs, rather early, 

 long before the majority of our other songsters are ready to 

 leave. During its stay, this bird is particularly fond of the 

 orchards, whence its name, but it also frequents other cultivated 

 places. The writer has also observed it along the roadside in 

 bushes, shrubs and small trees. 



It is not uncommon in various places, but is hardly entitled 

 to be called abundant in the strict sense of the word. 



It is difficult to give an adequate idea of its notes, by either 

 words or syllables. 



Icterus galbula (Linn.). Baltimore Oriole. 



This beautiful bird, notwithstanding its name, is not a common 

 summer visitor ; at any rate, it is less common than the Orchard 

 Oriole. It is evidently partial to certain districts, while it shuns 

 others, and therefore is not equally distributed over the country. 

 We may remark incidentally that the original Latin name be- 

 stowed upon it by Linnaeus did not refer to the city of Baltimore, 

 but to the heraldric colors of Lord Baltimore. 



