ORIOLES 
In spring Baltimore orioles fly northward in high, continuous flight, first 
the males, and a few days later, the females. The period of courtship begins 
at once. The male sits on a limb near his chosen mate, raises himself to 
his full height, spreads his tail and partly raises his wings to display his 
orange breast and black front. Then he bows to let the black, white and 
orange of his upper plumage shine in the sun, uttering meanwhile his 
sweetest, most supplicating notes. His methods must be effective, for orioles 
are believed to mate for life. 
Orioles most often make their homes by the roadside, near houses, or 
at the edge of fields, seldom taking to the woods. They prefer elm trees for 
nesting. The female builds the nest while the male spends his time whistling. 
The nest is a neatly-woven purse-shaped structure of vegetable fibre, 
suspended from a bough at an elevation of from ten to ninety feet. Usually 
it is open at the top, but sometimes it is covered over with leaves, and then 
the opening is at one side. The inside is lined with moss, plant down or 
rags and other materials of human origin. In choosing the latter, the oriole 
rejects bright-colored objects, showing a preference for gray and white. 
While weaving the outer frame of her nest, the female often suspends her¬ 
self head downward. 
Orioles return year after year to the same nesting site, sometimes 
repairing their old nests or taking material from them for use in con¬ 
structing a new one. In the South they build on the north side of a tree; 
in the cooler regions on the sunny side. 
Baltimore orioles are highly effective insect destroyers, killing many 
more than they eat. Among their chief victims are moths, caterpillars of all 
sorts, beetles and their eggs. Their worst habit from the human point of 
view is puncturing grapes and drinking the juice, and for this reason they 
are mercilessly hunted in grape-growing regions. They also eat figs, straw¬ 
berries and cherries. 
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