28 



BALTIMORE ORIOLE 



few yards of an oysterman, who stands bellowing, with the lungs 

 of a Stentor under the shade of the same tree ; so much will habit 

 reconcile even birds to the roar of the city, and to sounds and 

 noises, that, in other circumstances, would put a whole grove of 

 them to flight. 



These birds are several years in receiving their complete 

 plumage. Sometimes the whole tail of a male individual, in spring, 

 is yellow, sometimes only the two middle feathers are black, and 

 frequently the black on the back is skirted with orange, and the 

 tail tipt with the same color. Three years, I have reason to be- 

 lieve, are necessary to fix the full tint of the plumage, and then the 

 male bird appears as already described. 



