224 USEFUL BIRDS. 
BLACKBIRDS, GRACKLES, ORIOLES, ETC. 
Only two (Orioles) of the eight Massachusetts members 
of this family are distinctly arboreal. Although all the 
Blackbirds feed from trees, and Grackles nest there, they 
ordinarily obtain most of their food from the ground, and 
so must be considered among the birds of garden, field, or 
swamp. While all the Blackbirds congregate in large flocks 
in their migrations, the Orioles are never seen in such flocks. 
The Orchard Oriole is so rare in Massachusetts as to be of 
no economic importance. This leaves but one species to be 
considered among the birds of woodland and orchard. 
Baltimore Oriole. Golden Robin. Fire Hang Bird. Hang Nest. 
Icterus galbula. 
Length. — Seven and one-half to eight inches. 
Adult Male.— Head and neck all round, upper back, wings, and tail black; 
wings marked with white; terminal portions of three outer tail feathers 
yellow; all other parts yellow to intense orange. 
Adult Female.—Much duller, the black largely replaced by brownish and the 
orange mainly by yellowish-olive ; throat sometimes marked with blackish. 
Immature Males. — Resemble the female. 
Nest.— A deep pouch (sometimes covered, with the entrance on the side), com- 
posed of tough fibers and long hairs interwoven; usually hung from the 
terminal twigs of elms, but often in small fruit trees. 
Eggs.— Bluish-white, with irregular or zigzag lines of brown or black. 
Season. — May to September. 
This abundant and familiar species may be found wherever 
tall elms rear their heads along the village street. Even in 
the smaller cities this bird manages still to dwell, despite 
the obtrusive Sparrow and prowling cat. Its brilliant plum- 
age and wild, free notes have always been characteristic 
sounds of the New England farmstead; for, although it 
prefers the elms, it frequents other shade and orchard trees, 
and even goes to the woods for food, though it seldom breeds 
there. Orioles increase in numbers with the advance of 
settlement and civilization. 
The clear, wild calls of this bird are as well known as its 
musical song. The song, however, varies so much in tone 
and rhythm that no pen can ever adequately describe its many 
variations. Nearly every male has a distinctive song of his 
