THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 
33 / 
therefore, at which the nest of the Golden Oriole is found will 
have an influence on its shape, as the nest which is taken in the 
early spring, before the eggs are laid, will probably be shallower 
than that which is found in autumn, after the eggs have been 
hatched and the young reared. 
The object for deepening the nest may probably be traced to 
the weather which happens to prevail. If the winds be light, 
the nest may remain in its flat and saucer-like form without 
endangering the safety of the eggs, but if the season should be 
inclement and tempestuous, a deeper nest is needed in order to 
prevent the eggs or young from being flung out of their home. 
The body of the nest is formed chiefly of vegetable substances, 
usually the stems of different grasses, which are interwoven with 
wool, and thus made into a tolerably strong fabric. The female 
bird is said to be very affectionate, and to sit so closely on her 
nest that she will almost suffer the hand to be laid upon her 
before she will leave her post. In the illustration, the female 
bird is standing upright on the branch, and looking upwards, 
while the male is bending over the bough, and peering down- 
wards, as if at some fancied foe. He can always be distinguished 
from his mate by the brighter gold of his plumage, the black 
spot between the eye and the beak, and the deeper black of his 
wings ; whereas in the female, a tinge of blue invades the yellow, 
changing it to yellowish green, the wings are brown, edged with 
grey, and the black spot in front of the eye is altogether absent. 
Moreover, the breast and belly are marked with many longitu- 
dinal dashes of greyish brown. 
One of the common American birds, the Yellow-breasted 
Chat ( Icteria viridis) is not only remarkable for its really pretty 
nest, but for the manner in which it defends its home. 
Although so chary of being seen that an experienced orni- 
thologist may follow it for an hour by its voice, and never catch 
a glimpse of the bird, it is full of talk, and as soon as a human 
being approaches, it begins to vociferate reproaches in an odd 
series of syllabic sounds, which can be easily imitated. Mocking 
the bird is an unfailing method of doubling its anger, and will 
