g WISCONSIN BIRD-STUDY BULLETIN. 



nest swings lightly from a swaying bough, and her young are rocked 

 in the cradle of the air. Their most appropriate lullaby would be : 

 "Rock-a-bye birdie in the tree-top, 



When the wind blows, the cradle will rock." 



The nest is usually fastened securely to three branches. The fibers, 

 grasses, strings and hairs are skillfully interwoven into a firm pouch 

 or sack about five inches deep. The birds work together in building 

 the nest, but only the female occupies it. 



The oriole takes kindly to civilization, probably because men take 

 kindly to him and protect him in return for his bright plumage, his 

 cheerful song and his great value as an insect destroyer. 



His friendliness and curiositj^ are prettily shown by an incident 

 that occurred in a Milwaukee home. Within a clematis covered 

 window which overlooked the garden, hung the cage of Lorenzo D., 

 the canary. 



One day an oriole was noticed clambering in the vines next to the 

 window. The bird was observed by the family, who were at dinnsr, 

 to be apparently attracted by something inside the window. After 

 investigating for a few minutes he flew away. The next day he came 

 again and again showed the same curiosity. After exchanging call 

 notes with the canary several times he again flew off. The lady of 

 the house, attracted by the calls, now placed the bird cage on a win- 

 dow-seat in front of the open window. In a few minutes Lord Bal- 

 timore returned. The lady, from an adjoining room, watched pro- 

 ceedings with great interest. The oriole entered the window, flew 

 upon the cage and the two birds touched bills in a friendly way. 

 The oriole then flew to the back of a chair from which point he 

 looked curiously about. While he was thus engaged, Lady Baltimore 

 appeared in the clematis and called. At her call Lord B. attempted 

 to fly out to the vine, but as usual mtli birds, he could not appreciate 

 glass, and struck against it. He fell below the sash, however, and 

 easily escaped. Either his curiosity was satisfied or Lady Baltimore 

 entered a protest against such conduct for the visit to the canary 

 was not repeated. 



"How falls it, Oriole, thou hast come to fly 



In tropic splendor through our northern sky? 



At some glad moment was it Nature's choice 



To dower a scrap of sunset with a voice? 



Or did some orange tulip flaked with black. 



In some forgotten garden, ages back, 



Yearning toward Heaven until its wish was heard, 



Desire unspeakably to be a bird?"* 



*"To an Oriole," by Edgar Fawcett, from With the Birds of Indi- 

 ana, compiled by The Public Library Commission. 



