-2 ORCHARD ORIOLE. 



Gardens of my worthy and scientific friends, the Messrs 

 Bartrams of Kingsess, which present an epitome of almost 

 everything that is rare, useful, and beautiful in the vegetable 

 kingdom of this western continent, and where the murderous 

 gun scarce ever intrudes, the orchard oriole revels without re- 

 straint through thickets of aromatic flowers and blossoms, and, 

 heedless of the busy gardener that labours below, hangs his 

 nest in perfect security on the branches over his head. 



The female sits fourteen days ; the young remain in the 

 nest ten days afterwards, before they venture abroad, which is 

 generally about the middle of June. Nests of this species, 

 with eggs, are sometimes found so late as the 20th of July, 

 which must either belong to birds that have lost their first 

 nest, or it is probable that many of them raise two broods in 

 the same season, though I am not positive of the fact. 



The orchard orioles arrive in Pennsylvania rather later than 

 the baltimores, commonly about the first week in May, and 

 extend as far as the province of Maine. They are also more 

 numerous towards the mountains than the latter species. In 

 traversing the country near the Blue Eidge, in the month of 

 August, I have seen at least five of this species for one of the 

 baltimore. Early in September, they take their departure for 

 the south ; their term of residence here being little more than 

 four months. Previous to their departure, the young birds be- 

 come gregarious, and frequent the rich extensive meadows of 

 the Schuylkill, below Philadelphia, in flocks of from thirty to 

 forty, or upwards. They are easily raised from the nest, and 

 soon become agreeable domestics. One which I reared and 

 kept through the winter, whistled with great clearness and 

 vivacity at two months old. It had an odd manner of moving 

 its head and neck, slowly and regularly, and in various direc- 

 tions, when intent on observing anything without stirring 

 its body. This motion was as slow and regular as that of a 

 snake. When at night a candle was brought into the room, 

 it became restless, and evidently dissatisfied, fluttering about 

 the cage, as if seeking to get out ; but when the cage was 



