PLATE XXIII. ORCHARD ORIOLE. 



Icterus spurius. 



Breast and belly chestnut ; head, neck and upper-back black ; lower- 

 back chestnut ; wings black with chestnut shoulders and a transverse 

 band, some of the quills edged with lighter ; tail rounded, black, some 

 of its quills tipped with lighter ; bill and feet, dark. Length, 7.30 inches. 



Migratory. Arrives early in May, leaves middle of September. Nests in trees, 

 oftenest in orchards. The structure is woven in the same manner as that of the Baltimore 

 Oriole, but unlike the latter, it is placed upon the branch and is not dependent from it. 

 "The Orchard Oriole," to quote Nuttall, "is an exceedingly active, sprightly and restless 

 bird ; in the same instant, almost, he is on the ground after some fallen insect, fluttering 

 amidst the foliage of the trees, prying and springing after his lurking prey ; or flying, and 

 tuning his lively notes in a manner so hurried, rapid and seemingly confused, that the ear 

 is scarce able to thread out the shrill and lively syllables of his agitated ditty. Between 

 these hurried attempts, he also gives others which are distinct and agreeable ; but still his 

 tones are neither so full nor so mellow as those of the brilliant and gay Baltimore." 



