BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 295 



seem to prefer orchards, shade trees, or a narrow growth of 

 trees along streams. 



Unlike the Baltimore, the orchard oriole uses grass 

 almost exclusively in constructing a nest. The grass con- 

 sists of long blades obtained while green. After the nest 

 is completed, the grass becomes cured into a beautiful yel- 

 lowish-green. The shape of the nest and the attachment to 

 the small twigs remind one of the nests built by our vireos, 

 but is somewhat larger and built of different material. 



Frequently the orchard oriole has the peculiar habit of 

 constructing two adjacent nests. Four to six eggs are 

 laid; the background is bluish-gray and the markings 

 appear in the form of dots, irregular blotches of dark brown 

 and black. They bear a general resemblance to the eggs 

 of the red-winged blackbird, being without the scrawls or 

 pen lines so frequently seen on the eggs of the Baltimore 

 oriole. 



BALTIMORE ORIOLE 



The "Fire Bird," "Hang Nest," or "Troupalo," is 

 named in honor of Lord Baltimore, who wore the black and 

 orange robe. In the eastern United States this is the most 

 striking of the starling family. It breeds from the Gulf 

 to Canada, wintering in ^lexico and Central America. The 

 orioles live principally on worms and their lai-v^. They are 

 among our most valuable birds, and should be encouraged 

 to nest about yards and orchards by putting out nesting 

 material. 



The notes of the male oriole are more musical than those 

 of the various blackbirds, and are perhaps slightly sug- 



