376 LlFE-:ttISTORlES OF BIRDS 



more pleasing, as well as lower. During the love- 

 period these resonant and peculiarly mellow notes 

 are heard in every orchard and lawn, front along 

 the highways, and in the pumic squares and 

 gardens. Nuttall describes the notes of his song 

 as equivalent to tshippe-tshayia-too-too-tshippe-too- 

 too, with several other not dissimilar modifications 

 and variations. These syllables give a very poor 

 idea of his song, which needs to be heard to be 

 appreciated. Each individual has variations which 

 are peculiar to himself. The female has her own 

 peculiar and beautiful notes which she continually 

 gives expression to while constructing her elabo- 

 rately-woven and pensile nest. The song of the 

 male ceases early in July, as family duties engross 

 his time and attention. 



At first the males are exceedingly agile and 

 restless, moving rapidly among the budding and 

 blossoming trees, in quest of insects which consti- 

 tute their principal diet. This Oriole deserves 

 our favor and esteem for the numerous insects of 

 an injurious character which it destroys, which 

 thus compensate for the trifling injuries which 

 it commits in the destruction of the succulent 

 pea, and the few blossoms of the cherry, and 

 apple which it rifles of their stamens and ovaries. 



This species is strictly insectivorous, and at first 

 subsists upon coleopterous and hymenopterpus 

 insects which it gladly exchanges for caterpillars 

 as the season progresses. Early in May we have 

 detected the remains of the followino- insects in 



