PERCHING BIRDS 
50 6. Orchard Oriole. Icterus spurius. 
Range. — United States, east of the Plains, 
breeding from the Gulf to southern New Eng- 
land, and Canada in the interior. Winters be- 
yond our borders. 
Bluish white 
The adult male of this spe- 
cies is a rich chocolate brown 
and black, it requiring three 
years to attain this plumage. 
They nest commonly about 
habitations in their range, 
usually preferring orchard 
trees for sites. Their nests 
are skillfully woven baskets 
of fresh grasses, about as high as wide; they 
are generally placed in upright forks and well 
concealed by drooping leaves. They lay from 
four to six bluish white eggs, spotted and 
blotched with brown and lavender. Size .80 x 
.-55. Data. — Avery’s Island, La., May 10, 1896. 
Nest of grass, lined with thistledown; semi- 
pensile in drooping twigs of a willow. Collec- 
tor, F. A. Mcllhenny. 
Arizona Hooded Oriole 
Orchard Oriole 
507. Baltimore Oriole. Icterus salbula. 
© 
Range.- —North America, east 
Baltimore Oriole 
of the Rockies, breeding from southern United 
States north to New Brunswick and Saskatche- 
wan. 
This beautiful and well known eastern Oriole 
can readily be identified by its orange flame 
color and entirely black head. Even better 
known than the birds, are the pensile nests 
which retain their positions on the swaying 
drooping branches all 
through the winter. Al- 
though they build in 
many other trees, elms 
seem to be their favor- 
ites. Their nests are 
made of plant fibres and 
frequently string, and 
often reach a length of 
about 10 inches and 
about half that in diameter; they are usually 
attached to drooping branches by the rim so 
that they rock to and fro, but are sometimes 
held more firmly in position by having their 
side bound to a branch. Their eggs, which are 
laid in May and June, are white, streaked and 
lined with blackish brown and grayish. Size 
.90 x .60. 
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