BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES 



(507) Icterus galbula (Linn.) 

 BALTIMORE ORIOLE; FIRE- 

 BIRD; GOLDEN ROBIN; HANG- 

 NEST. A handsome and common 

 species, the cf of which is shown in 

 the foreground and his mate in the 

 backgroimd. Notice that the whole 

 head and back are black, and that 

 the outer tail feathers are widely 

 tipped with orange. L., 7.75; W., 

 3.60; T., 3.00, nearly square-ended. 

 Nest — A pensile structure of fibres 

 and string suspended by the rim from 

 forks of limbs. 



Range — Breeds from southern 

 Canada, south to the Gulf; west to 

 the Rockies. With us May ist to 

 Sept. ist. 



(508) Icterus bullocki (Swains.) 



BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. A west- 

 ern species, casual east to Kan. 



nest. These nests, if placed in the cabinet, retain their 

 pea-green color for years. 



They are of great value to fruit growers, for, while in 

 season they eat a few berries, their food is very largely made 

 up of beetles, caterpillars, larvae, plant lice, etc., which they 

 glean chiefly from the foliage of trees. 



BALTIMORE ORIOLES are common throughout eastern 

 United States and southern Canada, where they are very 

 often locally known as Eire-birds because of their brilliant 

 plumage, and as Hang-nests from their habit of suspending 

 their nests from the long outer branches of tall trees. These 

 nests are familiar objects to nearly every one. A favorite 

 position is on the outer twigs of elms, whether in fields, 

 yards, or along roadsides. The nests are so well made and 

 so firmly attached that they remain in position for several 

 years. The same pair of birds often returns to the same 

 tree year after year, but, except in very rare instances, a 

 new nest is constructed each season. The nest is a long 

 purse-shaped affair, neatly and skilfully woven of gray 



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