6 



THE ORCHARD ORIOLE. ;jm;j 



" The Orchard Oriole, though partly a dependent on the industry of the farmer, is no 

 sneaking pilferer, but an open and truly beneficent friend. To all those countless multitudes 

 of destructive bugs and caterpillars that infest the fruit-trees in spring and summer, preying 

 on the leaves, blossoms, and embryo of the fruit, he is a deadly enemy ; devastating them 

 wherever he can find them, and destroying on an average some hundreds of them every day 

 without offering the slightest injury to the fruit, however much it may stand in his way. I 

 have witnessed instances where the entrance to his nest was more than half closed by a cluster 

 of apples, which he could easily have demolished in half a, minute ; but, as if holding the 

 property of his patron sacred, or considering it a natural bulwark to his own, he slid out and 

 in with the greatest gentleness and caution. 



" I am not sufficiently conversant with entomology to particularize the different species on 

 which he feeds, but I have good reason for believing that they are almost altogether such as 

 commit the greatest depredations on the fruits of the orchard ; and, as he visits us at a time 

 when his services are of the greatest value, and, like a faithful guardian, takes up his station 

 where the enemy is most to be expected, he ought to be held in respectful esteem, and pro- 

 tected by every considerate husbandman. Nor is the gaiety of his song one of his least 

 recommendations. Being an exceedingly active, sprightly, and restless bird, he is on the 

 ground — in the trees — flying and carolling in his hurried manner, in almost one and the same 

 instant. His notes are shrill and lively, but uttered with such rapidity and seeming confusion, 

 that the ear is unable to follow them distinctly. Between these he has a single note, which is 

 agreeable and interesting. 



" AVherever lie is protected, he shows his confidence and gratitude by his numbers and 

 familiarity. In the Botanic Gardens of my worthy and scientific friends, the Messrs. Bartrams, 

 of Kingsess, which present an epitome of everything that is rare, useful, and beautiful in the 

 vegetable kingdom of this western continent, and where the murderous gun scarce ever 

 intrudes, the Orchard Oriole revels without restraint through thickets of aromatic flowers and 

 blossoms, and, heedless of the busy gardener that labors below, hangs his nest in perfect 

 security on the branches over his head." 



Audubon, also, has taken great interest in this bird, and has devoted a considerable por- 

 tion of his work to the elucidation of its habits. 



"No sooner have they reached that portion of the country in which they intend to remain 

 during the time of raising their young, than the birds exhibit all the liveliness and vivacity 

 belonging to their nature. The male is seen rising in the air from ten to twenty yards in a 

 violent manner, jerking his tail and body, napping his "wings, and singing with remarkable 

 impetuosity, as if under the influence of haste, and anxious to return to the tree from which 

 he has departed. He accordingly descends with the same motions of the body and tail, repeat- 

 ing his pleasing song as he alights. 



"These gambols and warblings are performed frequently during the day, the intervals 

 being employed in ascending or descending alone the branches and twigs of different trees in 

 search of insects or larvse. In doing this they rise on their legs, seldom without jetting the 

 tail, stretch the neck, seize the prey, and emit a single note, which is sweet and mellow, 

 although in power much inferior to that of the Baltimore. At other times it is seen bending 

 its body downwards in a curved posture, with the head gently inclined upwards, to peep 

 at the outer part of the leaves, so as not to suffer any part to escape its vigilance. It 

 soon alights on the ground when it has espied a crawling insect, and again flies towards 

 the blossoms, in which are many lurking, and devours hundreds of them each day, thus 

 contributing to secure to the farmer the hopes which he has of the productiveness of his 

 orchard." 



One of these birds that was kept in a cage by Wilson proved to be a very interesting 

 creature, chanting its wild clear notes at an early age, and accommodating itself to its captivity 

 with perfect ease. It had a curious love for artificial light, fluttering about its cage, and 

 becoming uneasy at the sight of a lighted candle, and not being satisfied when its cage was 

 placed close to the object of attraction. In that case, it would sit close to the side of the cage, 

 dress its plumage, and occasionally break into snatches of song. 



