222 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



This newly recognized subspecies of the Meadowlark finds a place in our list 

 through the range given it by the latest (1910) edition of the American Ornitholo- 

 gists' Union Check List. 



In all particulars its habits of life do not differ essentially from those of the 

 foregoing species. 



Genus Icterus (Briss.) 



This is a numerous genus, many species of which occur in tropical and temperate 

 America. They are usually of bright plumage, the prevailing colors being a com- 

 bination of black and yellow markings. The bill is sharply pointed, and the birds 

 make use of it to weave the wonderfully neat basket-like structures which serve 

 them for nests. 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. Depth of bill at base, decidedly less than half its length. Colors of adult male, black and 

 chestnut. Orchard Oriole. 



1. Depth of bill at base equal to half its length. Colors of adult male, black and orange. Balti- 

 more Oriole. 



207. Icterus spurius (Linn.}. ORCHARD ORIOLE. 



Description. Adult male black, the rump, bend of wing, and lower parts from breast down, 

 deep chestnut. Female yellowish olive. Young male similar to female, but throat is usually 

 black, and there are often other traces of the black and chestnut markings of the adult. Extreme 

 measurements of 64 specimens from Raleigh: L., 6.65-7.50; W., 2.85-3.45; T., 2.65-3.00. 



General Range. Eastern United States in summer, wintering in Central America. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State in summer, except the higher mountains. 



FIG. 174. OBCHAED ORIOLE. 



The Orchard Oriole, locally, but erroneously, called "Baltimore Oriole" in this 

 State, is a common summer visitor everywhere east of the mountains, and also 

 in the lower mountain-valleys, but far more abundant in the extreme eastern sec- 

 tion; for instance, thousands of these birds are to be found in Hyde County around 

 the shores of Mattamuskeet Lake. It arrives from its winter home in the far South 

 about the last week in April, and leaves us quite early in the season, our latest 

 record being August 22, at Raleigh. 



As its name indicates, it prefers orchards and groves, and, like many other birds, 

 is greatly attracted by mulberry trees, the fruit of which it much enjoys in common 

 with Tanagers, Catbirds, Nonpareils, and many others. Its nest is a bag-shaped 

 structure, woven of green grass, which later turns yellow, giving it a very charac- 

 teristic appearance. Sometimes it is lined with soft materials, but more often, 

 perhaps, this special lining is omitted. The eggs are usually five in number, and 

 are laid in late May or June. They have a bluish ground-color, and are marked 



