162 UNDER THE OPEN SKY 



songster, clad in raiment gorgeous even for 

 so renowned a singer, takes up a central 

 position in the scene and gives a note or two 

 to remind us of what he could do were the 

 concert season not already over. 



THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE 



Bright colors usually make a bird shy. 

 He cannot ordinarily afford to attract atten- 

 tion, except that of his mate, for it is un- 

 fortunately the case that almost any animal 

 that really notices the bird, except his mate, 

 is his enemy. Under such circumstances 

 it is most natural that a bird so brilliant in 

 his feathering and so melodious in his voice, 

 and yet so willing to live about the homes 

 of men, as is our Baltimore oriole, should 

 be a universal favorite. Popular admira- 

 tion has voiced itself by giving to him name 

 after name, all distinctive of some attractive 

 quality. Our English forefathers knew in 

 their old home an oriole which was orange 

 and black. So this bird, which reminded 

 them of their old friend, got the old name. 

 The Baltimore was added because he car- 



