the next moment they were together on the 



same side agam. The male seemed to do, 



not as he was told, but exactly what he saw 



his mate do. Whenever she pulled at a 



thread, he hopped around, as close to her _^ '^rio/ei Nesf 



as he could get, and pulled too. 



Twice they had given up the attempt, only 

 to return after hunting diligently elsewhere. 

 Good material was scarce that season. I was 

 wondering how long their patience would 

 last, when the female suddenly seized the 

 cloth by a corner and flew along close to 

 the ground, dragging it after her, chirping 

 loudly the while. She disappeared into a 

 hawthorn tree in a corner of the garden, 

 whither the male followed her a moment 

 later. 



Curious as to what they were doing, yet 

 fearing to disturb them, I waited where I 

 was till I saw both birds fly to the nest, 

 each with some long threads. This was 

 repeated; and then curiosity got the better 

 of consideration. While the orioles were 

 weaving the last threads into their nest, I 

 ran round the house, crept a long way 



