ICTEUID.E — THE ORIOLES. 207 



Tlio Baltiinoro Oriol > is one of the most common birds nearly tliron<,rli(jut 

 Xew Knj^land. Gay and lirilliant in plumage, interesting and lively in man- 

 ners and lialiits, and a vocalist of rare power, with jiathos, lii'uutv, and 

 van' 'ty in his notes, this hird has been, and would still be, a great 'avorite, 

 but for its trunsgressions among the pea-vines of our gardens, lie makes 

 his a]ipearance wi'a exemjilary punctuality, seeming I'egardless of the jire- 

 matureness or tardiness of the season. IJarely does tlie lOth of ^lay pass 

 without the sound of his welcome notes, and rarely, if e\er, does he come 

 sooner. 



Their period of S(< g is not a long one, but soon terminates, as family 

 cares increase and the tender broods require an undivided attention. 

 Early in July this Or'ole ceases to favor tlie world with those remarkable 

 notes tliat seldom f.'il to attract attention by (heir peculiarity, and to e.xcite 

 admiration by their rich and full-toned melody. 



When the male Baltimores iirst arrive, they come unaccompanied by their 

 mates. At this time their notes are unusually loud, and their voices seem 

 shrill. Their song appears to partake somewliat of the nature of tender 

 lamentations and complaining. At this, period they are very active and 

 restless, moving raj)idly through the branches of the trees, just opening into 

 leaf and blossom, searching busily for the insects which then form their 

 principal food. "When, a few days after their arrival, tliey are joined by the 

 females, tlie whole character of their song changes, which becomes a lower- 

 toned, richer, and more ])leasing rei'rain. During their love-season their 

 resonant and peculiarly mellow whistle resounds in every garden and orchard, 

 along tlie highways of our villages, and in tlie parks and jiulilie S(|uai'(!s of 

 our cities. 



Nuttall, generally very felicitous in expressing by verbal equivalents the 

 notes of various species of our song-birds, describes the notes of its song as 

 running thus, Tfihippr-tfthKi/in-too-foo-tship/K-tshipfc-too-too, witli several other 

 very similar modifications and variations. But these characters give a very 

 inadecpiate idea of their song. It must be heard to lie ajijireciated, and no 

 descrijition can do justice to its beauties. The notes are of an almost end- 

 less variety, and each individual has his own special variations. The 

 female, too, has her own peculiar and very jiretty notes, which she inces- 

 santly warbles as she weaves her curiously elaborate nest. 



To agriculturists this Oriole renders immense service in the destruction 

 of vast numbers of highly injurious insects; among the most notewortiiy of 

 tlie.se are the common canker-worm and the tent caterjiillars, both great 

 pests to orchards. These benefits far more than compensate for its annoy- 

 ing attacks on the pods of esculent peas, the only sin that can rightfully be 

 brought against it, e.xce])t, perhaps, the acts of theft committed against other 

 birds, in seizing u]toii and ajjpropriating to it materials coUectecl by smaller 

 birds for their nests. 



Tiie Baltimore Orioles are devoted, faithful, and courageous parents, reso- 



