THE ORCHARD ORIOLE, OR HANG-NEST. 47 



are indicative of different species. But, since the habits of these birds under 

 all these singular changes of plumage are ascertained to be precisely the 

 same, the argument no longer holds good. I shall now endeavour to describe 

 these habits with all the accuracy supplied by long observation. 



The migration of the Orchard Oriole from south to north is performed by 

 day, and singly, as is that of its relative the Baltimore Oriole, the males 

 appearing a week or ten days sooner than the females. Their flight is lower 

 than that of the Baltimore, and considerably shorter in its continuance, the 

 Orchard Oriole alighting more frequently on the tops of the trees, to rest or 

 to feed. They exhibit a greater repetition of motions of the wings, although 

 sliding through the air for a few yards only at a time, and whilst about to 

 alight, as well as afterwards, perform strong and well marked jettings of the 

 tail. This the Baltimore seldom does. No sooner have they reached the 

 portion of the country in which they intend to remain during the time of 

 raising their young, than these birds exhibit all the liveliness and vivacity 

 belonging to their nature. The male is seen rising in the air for ten or 

 twenty yards in an indirect manner, jerking his tail and body, flapping his 

 wings, and singing with remarkable impetuosity, as if under the influence of 

 haste, and anxious to return to the tree from which he has departed. He 

 accordingly descends with the same motions of the body and tail, repeating 

 his pleasant song as he alights. These gambols and carollings are performed 

 frequently during the day, the intervals being employed in ascending or 

 descending along the branches and twigs of different trees, in search of 

 insects or larvae. In doing this, they rise on their legs, seldom without 

 jetting the tail, stretch their neck, seize the prey, and emit a single note, 

 which is sweet and mellow, although in power much inferior to that of the 

 Baltimore. At other times, it is seen bending its body downwards, in a 

 curved posture, with the head greatly inclined upwards, to peep at the under 

 parts of the leaves, so as not to suffer any grub to escape its vigilance. It 

 now alights on the ground, where it has espied a crawling insect, and again 

 flies towards the blossoms, in which many are lurking, and devours hundreds 

 of them each day, thus contributing to secure to the farmer the hopes which 

 he has of the productiveness of his orchard. 



The arrival of the females is marked with all due regard, and the males 

 immediately use every effort in their power to procure from them a return 

 of attention. Their singings and tricks are performed with redoubled ardour, 

 until they are paired, when nidification is attended to with the utmost 

 activity. They resort to the meadows, or search along the fences for the 

 finest, longest, and toughest grasses they can find, and having previously 

 fixed on a spot either on an apple tree, or amidst the drooping branches of 

 the weeping willow, they begin by attaching the grass firmly and neatly to 



