BALTIMORE ORIOLE 



Male — Head, neck, throat and upper back black; breast, 

 belly and lower back deep reddish-orange; wings black, with 

 a patch of orange on shoulders; feet and bill black. Length, 

 seven and one-half inches. The female is a yellowish, olive- 

 colored bird with dark brown wings ; and if not seen near her 

 mate, she might not be recognized as an Oriole. 



The Baltimore Orioles winter in Mexico, Cuba and Cen- 

 tral America and come as far north as Maine in summer, 

 rarely entering Canada. Like many other birds, the males 

 precede the females which travel slowly in flocks about ten 

 days behind. They arrive early in May and leave in September. 



This is one of the gayest birds that ever leave the tropics, 

 and his coming gives a glimpse of the bright plumage of birds 

 that live in the warm countries. Natufally everyone loves 

 this beautiful bird, not only for his bright colors but for his 

 happy song. Abundant everywhere in the country, he is often 

 seen in the cities in the fruit trees and the parks. Perched on 

 the topmost branch of a tall elm, apple or pear tree, he whistles 

 merrily what sounds like hero, hero, hero; cheery, cheery, 

 cheery; cheer-up, cheer-up, cheer-up. 



Many names have been given to the Oriole. The Indians 

 called it the Firebird, some people know it as the Golden 

 Robin, and others call it the Hang-nest. It is said to have 

 received the name "Baltimore Oriole" in the following manner. 

 The first Lord Baltimore was so delighted with the colors of 

 this bird when he came to plant his colony in Maryland, that 

 he adopted yellow and black for his coat-of-arms and thus the 

 bird was named for him. 



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