BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 89 



looking sometimes almost like real hair, and occasionally lined 

 only, and without the spots. The period of incubation is four- 

 teen days. In Louisiana, according to Audubon, they fre- 

 quently raise two broods in the season, arriving in that country 

 with the opening of the early spring. Here they raise but a 

 single brood, whose long and tedious support in their lofty 

 cradle absorbs their whole attention; and at this interesting 

 period they seem, as it were, to live only to protect, cherish, 

 and educate their young. The first and general cry which the 

 infant brood utter while yet in the nest, and nearly able to 

 take wing, as well as for some days after, is a kind of te-did te- 

 did, te-did, kai-fe-ie-did, or 'ie 'te'ie 'ie 'ft 't-did, which becomes 

 clamorous as the parents approach them with food. They soon 

 also acquire the scolding rattle and short notes which they 

 probably hear around them, such as peet-weet, the cry of the 

 spotted Sandpiper, and others, and long continue to be assidu- 

 ously fed and guarded by their very affectionate and devoted 

 parents. Unfortunately, this contrivance of instinct to secure 

 the airy nest from the depredations of rapacious monkeys, and 

 other animals which frequent trees in warm or mild climates, 

 is also occasionally attended with serious accidents, when the 

 young escape before obtaining the perfect use of their wings. 

 They cling, however, with great tenacity either to the nest or 

 neighboring twigs ; yet sometimes they fall to the ground, and, 

 if not killed on the spot, soon become a prey to numerous 

 enemies. On such occasions it is painful to hear the plaints 

 and wailing cries of the parents. And when real danger offers, 

 the generous and brilliant male, though much the less queru- 

 lous of the two, steps in to save his brood at every hazard ; and 

 I have known one so bold in this hopeless defence as to suffer 

 himself to be killed, by a near approach with a stick, rather 

 than desert his offspring. Sometimes, after this misfortune, or 

 when the fell cat has devoured the helpless brood, day after 

 day the disconsolate parents continue to bewail their loss. 

 They almost forget to eat amidst their distress, and after leav- 

 ing the unhappy neighborhood of their bereavement, they still 

 come, at intervals, to visit and lament over the fatal spot, as if 



