BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 
21 
The song of the baltimore is a clear mellow whistle, 
repeated at short intervals as he gleans among the branches. 
There is in it a certain wild plaintiveness and naivete extremely 
interesting. It is not uttered with the rapidity of the fer- 
ruginous thrush, (Turdus rufus ,) and some other eminent 
songsters ; but with the pleasing tranquillity of a careless 
ploughboy, whistling merely for his own amusement. When 
alarmed by an approach to his nest, or any such circumstance, 
he makes a kind of rapid chirupping, very different from liis 
usual note. This, however, is always succeeded by those 
mellow tones which seem so congenial to his nature. 
High on yon poplar, clad in glossiest green, 
The orange black-capp’d baltimore is seen ; 
The broad extended boughs still please him best, 
Beneath their bending skirts he hangs his nest ; 
There his sweet mate, secure from every harm, 
Broods o’er her spotted store, and wraps them warm ; 
Lists to the noontide hum of busy bees, 
Her partner’s mellow song, the brook, the breeze ; 
These day by day the lonely hours deceive, 
From dewy morn to slow descending eve. 
Two weeks elapsed, behold ! a helpless crew 
Claim all her care, and her affection too ; 
On wings of love the assiduous nurses fly, 
Flowers, leaves, and boughs, abundant food supply ; 
Glad chants their guardian, as abroad he goes, 
And waving breezes rock them to repose, 
The baltimore inhabits North America, from Canada to 
Mexico, and is even found as far south as Brazil. Since the 
streets of our cities have been planted with that beautiful and 
stately tree, the Lombardy poplar, these birds are our constant 
visitors during the early part of summer ; and, amid the noise 
and tumult of coaches, drays, wheelbarrows, and the din of 
the multitude, they are heard chanting “ their native wood 
notes wild';” sometimes, too, within a few yards of an oyster- 
man, who stands bellowing, with the lungs of a Stentor, under 
the shade of the same tree ; so much will habit reconcile even 
