Semi-Pensile, Pensile or Hanging Nests 



506. Orchard Oriole : Icterus spurlus (Linn.) 



Adult f, — Head and upper part of back black; lower part of back 

 and under parts rich chestnut brown; wings and tail nearly 

 black, with light edges to the longer feathers. 



Adult ^ — Head and back olive green; wings nearly black; breast 

 and under parts dull greenish yellow. Length — 7.32. 



Immature i, — Much the same as adult S during first year; the 

 throat becomes black, and the chestnut shows during the 

 second year. 



Breeding Range — From the Gulf States northward to the south- 

 ern parts of New England. 



The nest is a wonderful basket-like structure of fresh 

 grass, carefully and delicately woven, the upper edge being 

 securely laced to small branches and leaves. Though usually 

 placed in fruit trees, it may be found in almost any kind 

 of tree, and at almost any distance from the ground up 

 to about twenty-five feet. The eggs are pearly or bluish 

 white with irregular deep brown and lilac gray lines and 

 blotches. Number of eggs, 3 to 5. Size — .80X.58. See Fig. 5, 

 Plate C. 



To find an Orchard Oriole's nest requires more than or- 

 dinarily keen eyes, especially when newly built, as the fresh 

 grass so nearly matches the surrounding leaves; when the 

 grass dies and becomes yellow, it is far more easily seen, but 

 by that time the young are probably hatched. The sides of 

 the nest are so thin that in some cases the contents may 

 readily be seen from below. An apple or pear orchard is by 

 far the most likely place in which to find the nest, but it may 

 be found in a cedar or almost any kind of tree, frequently with- 

 in a short distance of a house. 



The nesting season begins towards the end of May. 



507. Baltimore Oriole: Icterus galbula (Linn.) 



Adult $, — Head, throat, and upper part of back black; breast, belly, 

 and rump brilliant orange, sometimes reddish orange; wings 

 black with white bar; outer tail feathers orange with black 

 base; middle tail feathers black to the tips. 



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