HOODED ORIOLE. 



505. Icterus cucullatus scnnetti. 8 inches. 



This very brilliantly plumaged Oriole is, perhaps, the 

 most abundant of the family in southern Texas. It is 

 not as shy a bird as the two preceding species and is 

 more often found in the neighborhood of houses. 



With the exception of a few kinds of fruits, their 

 food consists almost entirely of insects; all the Orioles 

 are regarded as among our most beneficial birds. 



Notes. A harsher and more grating whistle than that 

 of most of the Orioles. 



Nest. Usually in bunches of hanging moss, being 

 made by hollowing out and matting the moss together 

 and lining it with finer wiry moss. Others are placed 

 in yucca trees, such nests being made of the fiber of the 

 tree. Eggs dull white, scrawled about the large end 

 with black and lavender (.85x.60). 



Range. Found only in southern Texas. A sub- 

 species (nelsoni) is found in New Mexico, Arizona and 

 southern California. 



