BALTIMORE ORIOLE 



57 



endangered by the striking orange and black, but 

 the mothers who brood the nests and protect the 

 little ones are well concealed by a dull orange 

 dress, and the color pattern of the males must dis- 

 guise their form at a distance. Then, perhaps, as 

 Mr. Fuertes has suggested, it is well that attention 

 be called from the female and young by the gaudy 

 plumage of the male. However that may be, the 

 Orioles are strong and swift of wing, and in time 

 of danger seek safety in flight ; while the Wrens 

 and Quail with short wings (see Fig 18, p. 45) 

 find their greatest safety in standing motionless 

 against their natural background. 



Besides having strong wings, the Oriole has a 

 sharp-pointed bill, which makes 

 a good weapon and a good 

 fork ; being especially adapted 

 to holding the long worms and 

 large insects on which the bird 

 feeds. While eating a great 

 many bugs, grasshoppers, and 

 beetles that injure the locust, 

 apple, and elm trees, the Oriole 

 has a weakness for caterpil- 

 lars, and, most fortunately for 

 the farmers, for the click bee- 

 tles (Fig. 26), the adults of the 

 wire worm, among the most insidious of pests, 

 mining at the roots of turnips, potatoes, and corn. 

 Few birds like the hairy caterpillars, but Doctor 



FIG. 26. 



Click Beetle (adult 



of wire worm), eaten 



by Oriole. 



