THE WEAVER ORIOLE. 



117 



Icteric Orioles are so fierce and bold, that, when disturbed, they will 

 attack even mankind ; but, when introduced into our society, they 

 are said to be easily tamed. 



Their nests are constructed in a cylindrical form ; several on the 

 same tree, and suspended from the extremity of the branches, where 

 they wave freely in the air. In these situations they are far out of 

 the reach of such animals as would otherwise destroy the young-onea. 

 Several other species construct their nests in a similar manner. 



THE WEAVER ORIOLE 



This bird is of a yellow color ; the head is brown, with a golden 

 shade, and the quill and tail-feathers are blackish, edged with orange. 

 It is chiefly found in Senegal, and some other parts of Africa. 



Of two females of the Weaver Oriole, which were brought some 

 years ago from Senegal to England, it was observed, that, being kept 

 together in a cage, they entwined among the wires some of the stalks 

 of the pimpernal, with which they were fed. As this seemed to show 

 a disposition for forming a nest, some rushstalks were put into the cage. 

 Of these they presently made a large nest ; but it was as often deranged 

 as made, the work of one day being spoiled the next. This seemed to 

 prove that the fabrication of the nest in a state of nature, is the work 

 of both male and female, and that the female is not able to finish this 

 important structure by herself. 



A bird of this species having, by accident, obtained a thread of 

 sewing-silk, wove it among the wires of its cage ; and, on being sup- 

 plied with more, it interlaced the whole very confusedly, so as to 

 prevent most part of that side of the cage from being seen through. 

 It was found to prefer green and yellow silks to those of any othei 

 color. 



THE OVEN BIRD. 



In South America there is a bird 

 that builds its nest of clay and 

 shapes it something like an oven ; 

 and for this reason it has been called 

 the " Oven Bird." 



This curious bird in building his 

 nest of the wet clay by the river 

 banks, mixes in grass and straw to 

 keep it in shape until the sun bakes 

 it nearly as hard as brick. The nest 

 has two chambers. In the inner one, 

 which is nearly dark, the mother 

 bird lays her eggs on downy feathers 

 and then hatches her young. The 

 Oven Bird is slenderly built and 

 about the size of a Lark. 



