114 " UPON THE TREE-TOP." 



within. Very seldom did both birds leave 

 home at the same time. When she was obliged 

 to go for food, for he never appeared to bring 

 her anything, she uttered a call; he at once 

 responded, and placed himself on his post of ob- 

 servation to watch; on returning she dropped 

 another note or two, as if of thanks, and then 

 he flew away. Once, in the early morning, 

 before the house was open, I found them both 

 off, so I concluded it was because of us that they 

 were so vigilant during the day. A more con, 

 stant and jealous watcher than this bird could 

 scarcely be. When not in the apple boughs, 

 he might generally be seen in a tree in the next 

 lot, a little farther off, and it seemed as if he 

 was not absent long enough to get necessary 

 food. 



One day an impatient visitor, wishing to see 

 if the oriole was at home, gave the tree a violent 

 shake. She was at home, and she flew off in a 

 rage, perching on the next tree, scolding and 

 shaking her wings at him, every moment emit- 

 ting a peculiar cry, new to me then, but very 

 familiar later, the cry of distress. In a mo- 

 ment or two this brought upon the scene her 

 mate, who added his cries and demonstrations 

 to hers. The perpetrator of this rude joke re- 

 tired, somewhat ashamed, and it was interesting 

 to see how long it was after all was quiet before 



