THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 337 



theretore, at which the nest of the Golden Oriole is found will 

 have an influence on its shape, as the nest which is taken in the 

 early spring, before the eggs are laid, will probably be shallower 

 than that wnich is found in autumn, after the eggs have been 

 hatched and the young reared. 



The object for deepening the nest may probably be traced to 

 the weather which happens to prevail. If the winds be light, 

 the nest may remain in its flat and saucer-like form without 

 endangering the safety of the eggs, but if the season should be 

 inclement and tempestuous, a deeper nest is needed in order to 

 prevent the eggs or young from being flung out of their home. 



The body of the nest is formed chiefly of vegetable substances, 

 usually the stems of difl"erent grasses, which are interwoven with 

 wool, and thus made into a tolerably strong fabric. The female 

 bird is said to be very affectionate, and to sit so closely on her 

 nest that she will almost suff"er the hand to be laid upon her 

 before she will leave her post. In the illustration, the female 

 bird is standing upright on the branch, and looking upwards, 

 while the male is bending over the bough, and peering down- 

 wards, as if at some fancied foe. He can always be distinguished 

 from his mate by the brighter gold of his plumage, the black 

 spot between the eye and the beak, and the deeper black of his 

 wings ; whereas in the female, a tinge of blue invades the yellow, 

 changing it to yellowish green, the wings are brown, edged with 

 grey, and the black spot in front of the eye is altogether absent. 

 Moreover, the breast and belly are marked with many longitu- 

 dinal dashes of greyish brown. 



One of the common American birds, the Yellow-breasted 

 Chat {Icteria viridis) is not only remarkable for its really pretty 

 nest.^but for the manner in which it defends its home. 



Although so chary of being seen that an experienced orni- 

 thologist may follow it for an hour by its voice, and never catch 

 a glimpse of the bird, it is full of talk, and as soon as a human 

 being approaches, it begins to vociferate reproaches in an odd 

 series of syllabic sounds, which can be easily imitated. Mocking 

 the bird is an unfailing method of doubling its anger, and will 



