302 american midland naturalist 



Oriole, Orchard. 

 Icterus spurius. 



Oriole family. 



Length. 9 inches. 



Color. Head, wings and back black; under parts chestnut; 

 female olive above; greenish yellow beneath; two white bands 

 on wings. 



Song. Hurried and energetic; rapid, harmonious, sweet; 

 not so full and rich as the Baltimore's, although very agreeable. 



Food. Almost exclusively insects; no accusations of fruit 

 eating; general favorite. 



Nest. Like Baltimore oriole's; not so deep. 



Eggs. Pale bluish white, blotched with pale purple and brown. 



Habitat. U. S. from Atlantic to Missouri. 



Specific habitat. Generally orchards near dwellings. 



Migration. May 5 to August 15. 



* Bronzed Crackle. 



Ouiscalus aeneus. 



Oriole family. 



Syn. Crow blackbird. 



Length. 12.5 inches. 



Color. General glossy black ; violet; purple head; steel blue, 

 and green hues. 



Song. None; harsh grating note. 



Food. Mainly insects. 



Nest. Situation varies, sometimes in low bushes, more often 

 in evergreen trees. 



Eggs. Four in number; great variations in ground color, 

 vary from light green to deep brown; dashed with dark brown; 

 over an inch long. 



Habitat. Eastern U. S. 



Specific habitat. Near dwellings; often in cities. 



Migration. March 10 to October 20. 



Sparrow, Chipping. 

 Spizella socialis. 

 Finch family. 

 Length. 5.75 inches. 



Color. Back and sides of neck and head ashy ; crown criestnut ; 

 forehead black; under parts whitish tinged with ashy. 



