Semi-Pensile, Pensile or Hanging Nests 
506. Orchard Oriole: Icterus spurius (Linn,) 
Adult § —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 3 —Head and back olive green; wings nearly black; breast 
and under parts dull greenish yellow. Length—7. 32. 
Immature 6—Much the same as adult ? 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, 3to5. 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 8 —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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