68 BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 



each thread in a contrary direction to those arranged by her lordly mate, 

 and making the whole cross and recross, so as to form an irregular net- 

 work. Their love increases daily as they see the graceful fabric ap- 

 proaching perfection, until their conjugal affection and faith become as 

 complete as in any species of birds with which I am acquainted. 



The nest has now been woven from the bottom to the top, and so se- 

 cured that no tempest can carry it off without breaking the branch to 

 which it is suspended. Remark what follows. This nest contains no 

 warming substance, such as wool, cotton, or cloth, but is almost entirely 

 composed of the Spanish moss, interwoven in such a manner that the air 

 can easily pass through it. The parents no doubt are aware of the in- 

 tense heat which will exist ere long in this part of the world, and more- 

 over take especial care to place their nest on the north-east side of the 

 trees. On the contrary, had they gone as far as Pennsylvania or New 

 York, they would have formed it of the warmest and softest mate- 

 rials, and have placed it in a position which would have left it exposed 

 to the sun''s rays, the changes in the weather during the early period 

 of incubation being sometimes so great there, that the bird looks on these 

 precautions as necessary to ensure the life of its brood against intense cold, 

 should it come, while it knows that the heat in these northern latitudes 

 will not be so great as to incommode them. I have observed these 

 sensible differences in the formation and position of the nests of the 

 Baltimore Oriole, a great many times, as no doubt have other persons. 

 The female lays from four to six eggs, and in Louisiana frequently rears 

 two broods in a season. The period of incubation is fourteen days. The 

 eggs are about an inch in length, rather broadly ovate, pale brown, 

 dotted, spotted, and tortuously lined with dark brown. 



The movements of these birds as they run among the branches of trees 

 differ materially from those of almost all others. They cling frequently 

 by the feet in order to reach an insect at such a distance from them as to 

 require the full extension of their neck, body, and legs, without letting 

 go their hold. They sometimes glide, as it were, along a small twig, and 

 at other times move sidewise for a few steps. Their motions are elegant 

 and stately. Their song consists of three or four, or at most eight or ten, 

 loud, full, and mellow notes, extremely agreeable to the ear. 



A day or two before the young are quite able to leave the nest, they 

 often cling to the outside, and creep in and out of it like young Wood- 

 peckers. After leaving the nest, they follow the parents for nearly a 



