680 BULLOCK’S ORIOLE. 
warmer parts of America. It appears in Lower California in 
March, but does not complete its migration into the United States 
until some time in the following month, when the forests it loves 
to dwell in are clothed with verdure. In the pine clad mountains 
of Arizona and New Mexico, we never saw it until about the mid- 
dle of April; then, and until the cool weather of September, we 
were almost daily gratified with the sight of the gaily-hued birds 
gleaming through the sombre foliage like tiny meteors, and with 
the sound of their musical voices awakening echoes along the 
deepening aisles of the woodland. 
In the countries just mentioned, the belts of thick cotton-wood 
and willows that generally fringe the streams are favorite resorts, 
perhaps because the pliant twigs are best suited to their wants in 
constructing their nest. All the orioles are wonderful architects, 
weaving pensile nests of soft pliable fibrous substances with 2 
nicety and beauty of finish that human art would vainly attempt to 
rival. These elegant fabrics are hung at the end of slender twigs, 
out of reach of ordinary enemies; and though they may swing 
with every breath of wind, this is but cradle-rocking for the cal- 
low young, and it is a rude blast indeed that endangers the safety 
of their leafy home. 
Little time passes after their arrival before the modestly-attired 
females, rambling silently through the verdure, are singled out 
and attended each by her impetuous consort, who sings his choic- 
est songs, and displays the prowess she admires most. His song” 
is an elegant paraphrase of the Baltimore’s, with all its richness 
and variety, though an ear well skilled in distinguishing birds’ notes 
can readily detect a difference. Their courtship happily settled, 
the pair may be seen fluttering through the thicket they have cho- 
sen, in eager search for a building-place ; and when a suitable one 
is found, no time is lost in beginning to weave their future home. 
It is a great mistake to suppose that birds of the same species al- 
ways build in the same way. Though their nests have a general 
resemblance in style of architecture, they differ greatly according 
to their situation, to the time the birds have before the nest must 
be used for the reception of the eggs, and often, we are tempted 
to think, according to the taste and skill of the builders. In the” 
work of this sort, birds show a remarkable power of selection, 45 
well as of adapting themselves to circumstances ; in proof of which 
we have only to examine the three beautiful specimens how lying 
