One egg is dropped daily, until the complement is complete, and but one set is usually deposited 

 during the season. Incubation lasts about fourteen days; the female performs the task alone. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 



For differences between the nests and eggs of the Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, see Icterus S'lmrius. 



EEMARKS : 



No attempt has been made to describe this most ingenious nest, believing that an examination of 

 the plate will give a better idea of its construction than could possibly be had from words. 



The nest figui-ed was taken from the branches of an elm, which stands by the sidewalk of a village 

 street. It was commenced the second week in May, 1874, and occupied both birds about ten days. 

 It is composed principally of strings and fibres of flax, many of which are more than thirty inches in 

 length; a few horse hairs are woven in near the mouth. Oviposition was begun the day following its 

 completion. Only one of the eggs figured was taken from this set. The specimens represent the 

 extreme and average sizes. 



The statement has been made that in the South the nests, which are there constructed of "Spanish 

 moss," are built upon the north side of the trees; while farther North they are uniformly placed upon 

 the south side. A careful examination of a number of nests in this State has shown that the points of 

 the compass have no influence whatever upon position: they are here found indiscriminately upon the 

 north, south, east and west side of trees, and all j)oints between. 



It has also been asserted as probable that a marked change has taken place, since the States 

 have become thickly settled, in the size and shape of this nest. The plate in Mr. Audubon's work 

 shows a structure with the opening in the side, instead of at the toj), as they are now constructed in 

 this latitude. Accordingly, it is argued that this was formerly the usual sha2oe; that the covering has 

 been disj^ensed with since civilization has so reduced their enemies that it is no longer needed to conceal 

 their bright colors. The same writers state that at the present time, in cities and villages and near 

 farm houses, the nests are made much more shallow than in the woods, where there is greater danger 

 from the attacks of hawks and other birds, than in the neighborhood of man. 



Mr. Gentry, on the other hand, in remarking upon a nest "composed almost entirely of the hairs of 

 the horse and cow," and "so slight in texture that it can readily be seen through," says: "It is evident 

 that in days of primitive gloom, and even at the present time in thickly-wooded sections, a very dense 

 nest is not at all desirable, since the birds obtain the required protection from the w^eather in the beau- 

 tiful covering which nature throws over them. Now, in sections where the forests have disappeared by 

 the strokes of the pioneer's axe, such shelter would not afford the comfort and security which the 

 inmates demand. Birds not being slow to discei'n what best comports with their security, certainly 

 this oriole which displays so much good taste and ingenuity, would readily perceive that a more 

 compact and denser structure would be more desirable." Again, in speaking of a roofed nest composed 

 of strings, he says: "In this anomalous form of nest still further improvement is manifested in the 

 closely-woven roof. In open nests, protection is partially secured by the cluster of leaves that depend 

 from above; the site being, doubtless, selected with a view to this natural arrangement." 



Whatever of value there may be in these contradictory statements is not to be discussed here; 

 suffice it to say that a close observation, during a number of years, has clearly established the fact that, 

 at least in Ohio and Western New York, some of the deepest and best-concealed nests are built in vil- 

 lages, or near houses, where strings are abundant; and some of the most shallow — many measuring 

 barely three inches — are built in uncultivated and wild districts. 



The depth and beauty of a nest, therefore, seems to dej^end more upon the materials at hand, the 

 experience, genius and hurry of the workers, than upon any other circumstances, each pair of birds 

 shaping their home after their own ideas, as far as possible. DSl 



42 



