62 AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



When the young have left the nest, or even before, the old birds 

 are much given to scolding when any person passes by the loca- 

 tion of the birds. 



Wood Pewee. 

 Myiochanes virens. 



The nest of the Pewee is placed on a branch of some forest 

 tree, and is made largely of moss. The old birds may be seen 

 feeding their young in June. Frequently, a Pewee will sit on a 

 low branch and fly out from it repeatedly for passing insects. 

 Occasionally one of the birds will fly very near an observer, wholly 

 intent on catching an insect. 



Baltimore Oriole. 

 Icterus galhula. 



The nest of the Baltimore Oriole is the most ingeniously con- 

 structed of all our birds" nests. Made of string, strips of bark and 

 grasses, and hung from the slender branches of such trees as the 

 maple, elm and willow, the nest is a thing that commands the 

 admiration of every observer. Soon after the arrival of the species, 

 early in May, the building of the nest is begun. The eggs are as 

 beautiful, and similarly marked, as those of the Orchard Oriole. 

 About the middle of June, the first piping notes of the young 

 Baltimores may be heard in many places, for fortunately this 

 beautiful bird is numerous. Within a week of the beginning of 

 piping note, the young will essay an attempt to leave the nest. 

 Some may succeed, while others will get as far as the edge of the 

 nest, make sundry efforts to fly, and then return again to the 

 nest. The last of the young Baltimores are not fledged until 

 nearly the middle of July. 



I once saw a Baltimore's nest built in a weeping willow, 

 just over a cement walk. The branches to which the nest had 

 been hung were very slender and swayed greatly whenever the 

 wind was strong. To obviate this obstacle to the safety of the 

 eggs, the birds attached a piece of string to the nest and tied the 

 other end to a branch of a neighboring tree. This feat, which was 

 considered very remarkable to every passer-by, seemed almost 

 a human act. 



(To be continued.) 



Pages I to 32, Vol. III., pulilished January 6, 191 3. 



