Baltimore Oriole 
147 
and black feathers like his could no more be 
concealed than the fiery little redstart’s; and 
as if they alone were not enough to advertise 
his welcome presence in the neighbourhood, 
he keeps up a rich, ringing, insistent whistle 
that you can quickly learn to imitate. You 
have often started all the roosters in your 
neighbourhood to crowing, no doubt ; even so you 
can “whistle up’’ the mystified orioles, who are 
always disposed to live near our homes. Al- 
though the Baltimore oriole has a Southern 
name, he is really more common at the North, 
whereas the orchard oriole is more at home 
south of New England. 
Lady Baltimore, who wears a yellowish-olive 
dress with dusky wings and tail, has the repu- 
tation of being one of the finest nest builders 
in the world. To the end of a branch of some 
tall shade tree, preferably an elm or willow, 
although almost any large tree on a lawn or 
roadside may suit her, she carries grasses, 
plant fibre, string, or bits of cloth. These 
she weaves and felts into a perfect bag six or 
seven inches deep and lines it with finer grasses, 
hair and wool — a safe, cozy, swinging cradle 
for her babies. 
But, as you may imagine, those babies have 
a rather hard time when they try to climb out 
of it into the world. Many a one tumbles to 
the ground, unable to hold on to the tip of a 
