ORCHARD ORIOLE. 



73 



i4cli extensive meadows of the Sehuylkill 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 thro 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 directions, when 

 intent on observing any thing, without stirring its body. This mo- 

 tion 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 placed on the same table with the candle, it 

 seemed extremely well pleased, fed and drank, drest, shook, and 

 arranged its plumage, sat as close to the light as possible, and 

 sometimes chanted a few broken irregular notes in that situation, 

 as I sat writing or reading beside it. I also kept a young female 

 of the same nest, during the greatest part of winter, but could not 

 observe, in that time, any change in its plumage. 



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