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, &c., but 
more generally the Baltimore bird. Few of the American orioles equa) 
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 rount 
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 4 
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 sclicitous 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 playfuiness and naiveté extremely interesting. 
It is not uttered with 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 tailis black and orange. The plumage of the female is 
lighter and du’‘er than that of the male. These birds are several years in 
completing their plumage. 
