THE PERCHING BIrRDs. 133 
unwonted animation and sing far beyond their usual 
score of half a dozen notes. 
According to Ridgway’s Manual, we have six 
Orioles. Two of these are well-known Eastern birds, 
the others Western and Southwestern. The habits of 
the group are much alike wherever the birds are 
found, the variations such as the immediate sur- 
roundings have necessitated or suggested. 
In the Eastern and Middle States everybody is 
familiar with the Baltimore Oriole. The bright 
orange-and-black plumage, the penetrating whistle, 
and pendent nests are of themselves sufficient to 
make the birds very conspicuous, but when we con- 
sider that they are fond of the proximity of man 
(strange taste) and often build their homes over- 
hanging busy village streets, it is no wonder that 
everybody knows the bird as he does our strevt spar- 
rows, and has given it along list of ridiculous names, 
as “ Fire-robin,’ “ Hang-nest,’ and ‘“ Golden-gab- 
bler.” The song naturally commands attention be- 
cause of its shrill notes, that are so fife-like as to 
produce an unpleasant sensation. Then, again, there 
is a long, varied series of pleasing notes that are really 
charming, but in constant danger of being spoiled by 
the introduction of discordant shrieks. 
Much has been written of the oriole’s nest, and 
certainly it is the most conspicuous of the nests 
found in our woods. It is a long, narrow bag, that 
is securely fastened to a pendent branch of an elm 
or willow usually, and made of such materials as can 
be readily woven into a coarse fabric. 
If you offer the birds bright-colored yarns they 
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