302 



BRANCH CHORDATA 



The orange and black Baltimore oriole (Fig. 247), one of the most beauti- 

 ful, as well as useful, of our summer birds, destroys many tent caterpillars 

 and other hairy larvae which few birds will eat. If one has ever known 

 his rich, clear whistle, one can never forget it or fail to recognize it when the 

 bird arrives about the first week of May. The delicate hanging nest, 

 which the female weaves of grass and hair and strings, is a marvelous ac- 

 complishment. It is suspended far out near the end of a small flexible 

 twig, where cats and boys cannot come. The elm is a favorite nesting tree. 



Fig. 247. — ^Baltimore oriole attackiiis in-st of American tent caterpillar. 

 (Bulletin 7.'), 1900, New Hampshire Coll. Exp. Station.) 



Grackles or blackbirds arc common summer residents. They arc said 

 to have the same bad habit as the jays and crows, of eating the eggs and 

 young of other birds, though they cat also many injurious insects. 



The cowbird lays if s eggs in the iiesl s of other birds. It should be killed 

 and its eggs di'slroyi'd. 



The largest family (FringUVidcc) of birds (about 500 species'), containing 

 the finches, sjiarrows, and gro.«beaks, is represented everywhere except in 

 the Australian region. They are chiefly seed-eating (Fig. 248) and so are 

 less migratory than inseet-eal ing binis. The sparrows are plain-inhabiting 

 and are protectively colored, while the more arboreal grosbeaks and 

 finches are rather brilliant. 



