PERCHING BIRDS 



S.E.->. 



506. Orchard Oriole. Icterus spurius. 



Range.— United States, east of the Plains, 

 breeding from tlie Gulf to southern New Eng- 

 land, and Canada in the interior. Winters be- 

 yond our borders. 



The adult male of this spe- 

 cies is a rich chocolate brown 

 and black, it requiring three 

 years to attain this plumage. 

 They nest commonly about 

 habitations in their range, 

 usually preferring orchard 

 trees for sites. Their nests 

 are skilltully woven baskets 

 of fresh grasses, about as high as wide; they 

 are generally placed in upright forks and well 

 concealed by drooping leaves. They lay from 

 four to six bluish white eggs, spotted and 

 blotched with brown and lavender. Size .80 x 

 .55. Data. — Avery's Island, La., May 10, 1896. 

 Nest of grass, lined with thistledown; semi- 

 pensile in drooping twigs of a willow. Collec- 

 tor, P. A. Mcllhenny. 



Bluish white 



Oriule 



507. Baltimore Oriole. Icterus' tralbula. 



Range. 



-North America, east of the Rockies, breeding from southern United 

 States north to New Brunswick and Saskatche- 

 wan. 



This beautiful and well known eastern Oriole 

 can readily be identified by" its orange flami' 

 color and entirely black head. Even bettei 

 known than tlie birds, are tlie pensile nests 

 which retain their positions on the swaying 

 drooping branches all 

 tlirougli the winter. Al- 

 though they build in 

 many other trees, elma 

 seem to be their t'avoi'- 

 ites. Their nests are 

 made -of plant fibres and 

 frequently string, and 

 Whitf often reach a length ol 



about 10 inches and 

 about half that in diameter;* they are usually 

 attached to drooping branches by the rim so 

 that they rock to and fro, but are sometimes 

 held more firmly in position by having their 

 side bound to a branch. Their eggs, which are 

 laid in May and June, are white, streaked and 

 lined with blackish brown and grayish. Size 

 .90X.60. 



321 



Baltimore Oriole 



21 



