488 AVES—CROW BLACKBIRD. 
ORCHARD ORIOLE. 
Tuts bird has been described under a variety of names; as the spurious 
oriole, bastard oriole. It is a distinct species from the preceding, and differs 
from it in size, being less and more slender; in its colors, which are differ- 
ent; in the form of its bill and tail; in its notes, which are neither so fuli 
nor so mellow, and uttered with much more rapidity ; in its mode of build- 
ing, and the materials which it uses; and, lastly, in the shape and color of 
the eggs. Many mistakes have been occasioned by the change of color 
which these birds undergo, as they do not receive their full and perfect 
plumage till the fourth year. The young birds are easily raised from the 
nest, and soon become agreeable domestics. One which I reared and kept 
through the winter, whistled with great clearness and vivacity at two months 
old. It had an odd manner of moving its head and neck slowly, regularly, 
and in various directions, when intent on observing any thing, without stir- 
ring its body. This motion was as slow as that of asnake. When, at 
night, a candle was placed near its cage, it seemed extremely well pleased, 
fed and drank, drest, shook and arranged its plumage, sat as close to the 
light as possible, and sometimes chanted a few irregular notes, as I sat read- 
ing or writing beside it. : 
CROW BLACKBIRD 
Tus noted depredator is well known to every, farmer of the northern and 
middle states. In March, these birds come from the south; fly in loose 
flocks, frequent swamps and meadows, and follow in the furrows after the 
plough ; their food at this season consists of worms, grubs, and caterpillars, 
of which they destroy prodigious numbers as if to recompense the husband- 
man beforehand for the havoc they intend to make in his crops of Indian 
corn. They build on tall cedar and pine trees in company; sometimes ten 
or fifteen nests being on the same tree. These are five inches in diameter ; 
composed outwardly of mud, with long stalks and roots of grass, and lined 
with horse-hair. 
The trees in which they build are near the farmhouses and plantations, 
From them they issue over the neighboring fields, and make their depreda- 
1 Oriolus mentatus, Witson. 
2 Icterus versicolor, Aupuzon. The genus Icterus has the bill longer than the head, or 
as long, straight, like an elongated cone, pointed, sharp, a little compressed, without 
distinct ridge or notch, the base covered by feathers; margin of the mandibles more or 
less bent inwards; nostrils basal, lateral, and covered by a hairy rudiment; tarsus as long 
as, or longer than the middle toe; wings long; third and fourth feathers longest. 
