AVES— ORIOLE. 487 



to build on, it is generally known ; and is as usual honored with a variety 

 of names, such as hang-nest, hanging-bird, golden robin, fire-bird, Sec, but 

 more generally the Baltimore bird. Few of the American orioles equal 

 this in the construction of their nests ; he gives them, in a superior degree, 

 warmth, convenience, and security. He generally fixes on the high bending 

 extremities of the branches, fastening strong strings of hemp or flax round 

 two forked twigs ; with the same materials he fabricates a strong, firm kind 

 of cloth, not unlike the substance of a hat in its raw state, forms it into a 

 pouch six or eight inches in depth, lining it substantially with soft sub- 

 stances well interwoven with the outward netting, and lastly finishes with 

 a layer of horse hair ; the whole being shaded from the sun and rain by a 

 natural pent-house, or canopy of leaves. 



The birds of this species have all a common form of building, but they do 

 not build in exactly the same manner. Great difference will be found in the 

 style, neatness, and finishing of the nest. Some are far superior work- 

 men to others. So solicitous is the Baltimore to procure proper mate- 

 rials for his nest, that the women in the country must narrowly watch the 

 thread that may be bleaching ; and the farmer must secure his young grafts, 

 as this bird will carry off the former, and the strings that tie the latter, to 

 serve his purposes in building. 



The principal food of the Baltimore consists of beetles, caterpillars, and 

 bugs, particularly one of a brilliant glossy green. His song is a clear 

 mellow whistle, repeated at short intervals, as he gleans among the branches. 

 There is in it a certain wild playfulness and naivet6 extremely interesting. 

 It is not uttered w^ith the rapidity of our eminent songsters, but with the 

 pleasing tranquillity of a careless ploughboy, whistling merely for his own 

 amusement. When alarmed by an approach to his nest, he makes a kind 

 of rapid chirruping very different from his usual note. He inhabits North 

 America, from Canada to Mexico, and is found as far south as Brazil. It is 

 seven inches long ; the head, throat, upper part of the back and wings are 

 black ; lower part of the back, and whole under parts are bright orange, 

 deepening into vermilion on the breast ; the back is also divided by a band 

 of orange, the tail is black and orange. The plumage of the female is 

 lighter and dt "er than that of the male. These birds are several years in 

 completing tijeir plumage. 



