OUIt HOME BIEDS. 
117 
at two months old. ‘ It had an odd manner/ he 
says, ‘of moving its head and neck slowly and regu- 
larly and in various directions, when intent on ob- 
serving 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, flutter- 
ing 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, dressed, shook and arranged its plumage, 
sat as close to the light as possible, and sometimes 
chanted a few broken, irregular notes in that situ- 
ation as I sat writing or reading beside it.’ 
“ And now,” said Miss Harson, “ I think that with 
a pretty poem, which I have just seen, we shall have 
finished all that I am able to find in regard to these 
beautiful and very interesting birds. This poem is 
called 
THE LITTLE OEIOLES. 
Underneath a great elm tree 
Stepped I stealthily ; 
On the grass myself I laid ; 
An oriole’s nest hung over my head: 
The baby-birds were talking in their nest. 
Be quiet, dear, 
And you shall hear 
All that the little baby-orioles said. 
