14a 
POPULAR HISTORY OF BIRDS. 
fixes on the higli bending extremities of the branches, fas- 
tening strong strings of hemp or flax round two forked twigs^ 
corresponding to the intended width of the nest ; with the 
same materials, mixed with quantities of loose tow, he in- 
terweaves or fabricates a strong firm kind of cloth, not 
unlike the substance of a hat in its raw state, forming it 
into a pouch six or seven inches in depth, lining it sub- 
stantially with various soft substances, well interwoven with 
the outer netting, and lastly, finishes with a layer of horse- 
hair ; the whole being shaded from the sun and rain by a 
natural pent-house or canopy of leaves"^/^ Wilson found 
that these birds do not all build exactly in the same manner ; 
he tells us that as much dijfference may be found in the 
style, neatness, and finishing of the nest as in their voices, 
some appearing to be far superior workmen to others. The 
Baltimore oriole, during the season of building, is so soli- 
citous to procure proper materials for its nest, that ^^the 
women in the country are under the necessity of narrowly 
watching their thread that may chance to be out bleaching, 
and the farmer to secure his young grafts ; al the bird, find- 
ing the former, and the strings which tie the latter, ^o well 
adapted for his purpose, frequently carries off both. . . . 
* American Ornitliology, vol. i. p. 179. 
