296 BIRDS 



gestive of the whistle of the meadowlark, though less clear 

 and uttered more hastily. The call or alarm note used by 

 both sexes is a low rattle, suggestive of the kingfisher's note. 



Their nests are placed at the extremities of drooping 

 branches, preferably those of the elm, maple, and locust, 

 being wonderful examples of bird architecture. The mate- 

 rial used in construction varies greatly with the bird's 

 locality, but is largely of uniform material, so as to weave 

 the better. Some nests are constructed almost exclusively 

 of horse hair; others are made of grayish- white plant down 

 known as Indian hemp, or of string and ravehngs. The 

 inside of the nest is of finer material, and the whole struc- 

 ture is so fastened to the limbs or branches that it swings 

 in the breeze usually independent of the limbs to which it 

 is attached. The mother bird lays her eggs and hatches in 

 a cradle her young where they may be lulled to sleep by the 

 warm winds of May and June. 



The four to six eggs have a white background and are 

 remarkably colored with scrawls or pen lines of dark brown 

 or black, resembling Chinese writing. 



Year after year the birds return to the same tree to 

 nest. Roadsides, orchards, or a large shade tree close by 

 the water's edge are favorite sites. 



BULLOCK'S ORIOLE 



This handsome bird is probably the commonest of the 

 Western orioles. In size and shape it resembles our East- 

 ern variety, the Baltimore oriole. Inhabiting the territory 

 west of the Great Plains to the Pacific Ocean, it is common 



