254 . LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
birds that come so far to the northward as New England. 
They reach Massachusetts about the tenth of May, and are 
soon followed by the females. Though abundantly distributed 
through this State, they are not common beyond it. Wherever 
they go, they attract attention by their bright colors, their loud 
notes, and their peculiar nest. This latter structure requires 
the labor of a pair for a week or ten days. It is most interest- 
ing to watch its prdgress, but I have generally,found it unsat- 
isfactory to observe birds while building, so far as regards 
learning exactly the manner in which they work. The “ Fire- 
‘ birds” are exceedingly clever architects, and a most skilful 
knitter would be puzzled to construct a piece of work like 
theirs, or even to understand how the original manufacturers 
produce it. They do so by fastening at both ends a piece of 
string, or grass, to the twigs between which their nest is to 
hang, by winding and twisting it around them. Having fast- 
ened many other pieces like these, so as to cross one another, 
and to form a loose pouch, they interweave other materials with 
care and skill, finally adding the lining. As Nuttall says: 
“There is sometimes a considerable difference in the manufac- 
ture of these nests, as well as in the materials which enter 
into their composition. Both sexes seem to be equally adepts 
at this sort of labor; and I have seen the female alone perform 
the whole without any assistance, and the male also complete 
this laborious task nearly without the aid of his consort, who, 
however, in general, is the principal worker.” The young, 
soon after being hatched, clamber to the edge of the nest, and 
are there fed by their parents. They climb well, but some-- 
times tumble to the ground. 
The Baltimore Orioles frequent our orchards, gardens, and 
the woods. They have a marked fondness for elms, and among 
them may often be seen in villages, or even on Boston Com- 
mon. I do not doubt that they are beneficial to man, for, 
though they certainly destroy the blossoms of fruit-trees, they 
are chiefly dependent upon insects, and check the ravages of 
caterpillars more than any other of our birds. They feed also 
upon berries, and occasionally search for food upon the ground, 
