THE OECHABD OEIOLE. 481 



fork of a horizontal limb, like the nest of an Acadian Flycatcher or a Vireo, 

 both sides of the nest being- fastened to the fork in which it is placed; again it 

 may be fastened to some suitable twigs by the rim only, in the manner of a 

 hammock. Comparatively few, excepting those of the last style and those built 

 in moss, can really be called pensile or even semipensile nests. They also vary 

 greatly in bulk and depth. 



A well-preserved nest from the Ralph collection, No. 25347, taken on Shelter 

 Island, Suffolk County, New York, on June 3, 1880, contained six eggs when 

 found. It was placed in an upright fork of a small branch in a thorn pear tree, 

 about 10 feet from the ground, and is conrposed of wiry grass used while green, 

 and is only slightly lined with plant down. The outer diameter at the widest 

 part, a little below the middle of the nest, is 4£ inches; the outside depth is 4 

 inches. The upper rim of the nest is somewhat contracted; the inner cup is 

 3 inches deep by 2£ inches in diameter. The sides are thick and securely 

 fastened to several branches, but the bottom does not come within 2 inches 

 of the fork of the crotch in which it is placed. Another nest, No. 26294, taken 

 by Mr. H. P. Attwater, on the St. Charles Peninsula, near Rockport, Aransas 

 County, Texas, on May 16, 1893, contained six eggs, and was placed in an upright 

 crotch of a mesquite tree, 8 feet from the ground, and only 25 yards from salt 

 water. This is much slighter built, and measures only 3 by 3 inches in outer 

 diameter; the inner cup is 2 J inches deep and 2 inches wide; the upper rim 

 of the nest is also somewhat contracted. This is likewise constructed of fine, 

 wiry grass, and is apparently lined with a little thistle down. The nests taken 

 in the South appear to be much less bulky than those from the northern parts 

 of its breeding range. 



Many of these nests retain their bright pea-green color for years. Mr. D. 

 B. Burrows writes me that some nests of this species, which he found in Starr 

 County, Texas, were so well lined with cotton that the interior had a beautiful, 

 smooth, pure white appearance. In the northern parts of its range the Orchard 

 Oriole is more or less imposed upon by the Cowbird; and Mr. Burrows informs 

 me that on the lower Rio Grande, in Texas, its nests oftener contain parasitic 

 eggs of both the Red-eyed and Dwarf Cowbirds than any other species noticed 

 by him. The Orchard Oriole is a very social bird and does not object to other 

 species nesting in the same tree with it; it seems to be on especially good 

 terms with the Kingbird. Most of its time is spent in trees, and it is rarely seen 

 on the ground. Its flight is swift, easy, and graceful. 



From four to six eggs are usually laid to a set (mostly five) and one is 

 deposited daily. Incubation lasts about twelve days, and I am of the opinion 

 that this duty is exclusively performed by the female. I have never seen the 

 male on the nest, but have seen him feed his mate while incubating. I believe 

 as a rule only one brood is raised in a season. Both parents show equal solici- 

 tude and devotion in the care and defense of their young from prowling enemies, 

 and will boldly and furiously attack any intruder. In the northern parts of its 

 range the fall migration begins sometimes in the latter part of July, usually in 



16896— No. 3 31 



