128 Handbook of Nature-Study 



3. With what material and how is the nest fastened to the branches? 

 Of what material is the outside made? How is it woven together? Is it 

 more loosely woven at the top than at the bottom ? How many kinds of 

 material can you find in the outside of the nest? 



4. With what is the nest lined? How far up is it lined? With what 

 tool was the nest woven ? If you put out bright colored bits of ribbon and 

 string do you think the orioles will use them? Why should you not put 

 out long strings? 



5. At what date did you first see the Baltimore oriole? Why is it 

 called the Baltimore oriole? How many other names has it? Describe 

 in the following way the colors of the male oriole: top of head, back, 

 wings, tail, throat, breast, under parts. What are the colors of his mate? 

 How would it endanger the nest and nestlings if the mother bird were as 

 bright colored as the father bird ? 



6. Which weaves the nest, the father or the mother bird? Does 

 the former assist in any way in nest building? 



7. Where does the father bird stay and what does he do while the 

 mother bird is sitting on the eggs? 



8. What is the oriole's song? Has he more than one song? What 

 other notes has he? After the young birds hatch does the father bird 

 help take care of them? 



9. By the middle of June the young birds are usually hatched and if 

 you know where an oriole nest is hung, listen and describe the call of the 

 nestlings for food. 



10. Which parent do the young birds resemble in their colors? Why 

 is this a benefit? 



11. What is the oriole's food? How is the oriole of benefit to us in 

 ways which other birds are not? 



12. Do the orioles use the same nest two years in succession? How 

 long does the oriole stay in the North ? Where does it spend its winters ? 



''Hush! 'tis he! 

 My oriole, my glance of summer fire, 

 Is come at last, and, ever on the watch. 

 Twitches the packthread I had lightly wound 

 About the bough to help his housekeeping, — - 

 Twitches and scouts by turns, blessing his luck. 

 Yet fearing me who laid it in his way. 

 Nor, more than wiser we in our affairs. 

 Divines the Providence that hides and helps. 

 Heave, ho! Heave, ho! he whistles as the twine 

 Slackens its hold; once more, now! and a flash 

 Lightens across the sunlight to the elm 

 Where his mate dangles at her cup of felt.'" 



— "Under the Willows", Lowell. 



