BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 143 



1 1. \IUTS. 



When the warm, reviving breath of the south wind has caused the cherry trees of 

 New England lo put forth (heir blossoms, the first notes of the "Ma Hi more Orioles are heard. 

 I do not think I ever knew a single season to pass when these lovely birds did not appear 

 promptly as soon as the cherry trees were in bloom, for they are extremely fond of fre- 

 quenting them in order to feed on the insects which infest them at this season. As they 

 swing gracefully from the topmost boughs, their brilliant plumage forms a fine contrast 

 with the snowy flowers which surround them, while at intervals th perfumed air is filled 

 with bursts of that clear, ringing melody which is always a sure indication that summer 

 has I'airlv come. Later the dark-green foliage on the lofty branches of the grand old elms 

 which beautify so many of our streets is enlivened by their presence. Indeed of all the 

 ornamental trees which are to be found in villages, the elm appears to be the prime favor- 

 ite with the Orioles for these birds seldom occur far from dwellings when their chosen 

 trees stand in the immediate vicinity of them. In some portions of Pennsylvania, howev- 

 er, where but little attention is paid to planting trees about the houses, they almost always 

 inhabit, small groves, seeming to prefer the lofty trees in the immediate neighborhood of 

 water. 



The Susquchanna River at Williamsport is some three hundred and fifty yards in width 

 and is filled with numerous small, wooded islands upon which the Baltimore Orioles abound, 

 in fact I never saw them more abundant in any given locality. It was here that I first 

 obtained the specimen with the peculiar yellow plumage of which I have spoken, but these 

 only occurred at one particular point on the River, all of the other birds being in normal 

 dress. This was about the middle of May when they were migrating, which would partly 

 account for the large numbers that had congregated together, but later when they were 

 nesting, they were still numerous, proving that it was an attractive place for them. The 

 birds which remained there were remarkable on account of having a peculiar song that 

 consisted of several short, though sweet, notes repeated rapidly. The effect, however, 

 was very pleasing, but I was much surprised to find that the females sang nearly as well 

 as the males. It is a fact that no two birds even of the same species sing exactly alike 

 although the difference is oftentimes so very slight that it is extremely difficult to detect, 

 but I know of very few, if any, among our native birds where there is so much individual 

 variation in the song as in that of the Baltimore Orioles. It is also noticeable that the 

 peculiar lay of some individuals is frequently inherited by their offspring. Thus I know of 

 several places where all the Orioles utter notes which are similar but which I never heard 

 elsewhere. But a particular song is not always imparted by the parent to its descendants; 

 for example, one of the finest singers that I ever heard was an ( (riole that built for several 

 years in an huge pear tree which stands back of my place in Ncwtonville. This bird be- 

 sides having a variety of clear, liquid notes which were perfectly enchanting, frequently 

 uttered ;i series of loud whistles which sounded almost exactly like those given by t.'ie 

 Great-crested Flycatcher, vet T never heard any other Oriole attempt anything like them. 

 The melody of the Baltimore Orioles, although so varied that it is simply indescribable, 

 has a singular clear richness of tone which renders it unmistakable whenever heard. Their 



