72 
ORCHARD ORIOLE. 
every thing that is rare, useful, and beautiful in the vegetable 
kingdom of this western continent, and where the murderous 
gun scarce ever intrudes, the Orchard Oriole revels without j 
restraint through thickets of aromatic flowers and blossoms, ! 
and, heedless of the busy gardener that labours below, hangs 
his nest, in perfect security, on the branches over his head. 
The female sits fourteen days ; the young remain in the 
nest ten days afterwards, before they venture abroad, which is 
generally about the middle of June. Nests of this species, ! 
with eggs, are sometimes found so late as the 20th of July, 
which must either belong to birds that have lost their first nest, 
or, it is probable that many of them raise two broods in the same 
season, though I am not positive of the fact. 
The Orchard Orioles arrive in Pennsylvania rather later 
than the Baltimores, commonly about the first week in May, j 
and extend as far as the province of Maine. They are also | 
more numerous towards the mountains than the latter species. 
In traversing the country near the Blue ridge, in the month I 
of August, I have seen at least five of this species for one of 
the Baltimore. Early in September, they take their departure 
for the south ; their term of residence here being little more 
than four months. Previous to their departure, the young 
birds become gregarious, and frequent the rich extensive 
meadows of the Schuylkill, 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 through the winter, whistled with great clear- | 
ness and vivacity at two months old. It had an odd manner j 
of moving its head and neck, slowly and regularly, and in 
various directions, when intent on observing any thing, 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, 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 
