The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-28

extreme end of a bough on very high
tree, where they will not be able to in
trude. The song of the Baltimore ORR
ole is a clear mellow whistle, repeated
at short intervals. There is in it
wild plaintiveness which is always
! pleasing to the ear. 1t is said there is
as much difference in the skill and neat
ness and fashioning of their nests, as
in the song of this bird, doing away
with the idea that the same species
must build in exactly the same manner.
| should have told you that the outside
of this nest is sewed firmly through
and through with long horse-hairs,
sometimes measuring two feet in length.
So watchful is the Oriole bird in the
season of building, that in the olden
times, when the women in the country
were preparing their thread, by bleach
ing, for the loom, preparatory to spin
ming the cloth, they were obliged to be
constantly on the watch, it was so use
full to these birds in building. Skeins
of silk and thread have often in the
autumn of the year been found around
an Orioles nest, but, of course, in no
condition to be used.
And here let me mention singular
circumstance given by writer, in con-
nectiOn with the habits of this bird:
IAN Oriole by chance having got bit
of sewing silk, was seen to weave it
among the wires of the cage where it
was confined; more being given it, the
bird interlaced the whole together so
thickly as to entirely cover one side of
the cage; and in trying dilferent oolored
silks it was found to have q decided
preference for green and yellowrn
DOsen't it seem strange that bird
can do such work with no other
material than his bill-for the feet seem
never to be brought into use? An old
lady once innocently inquired if this
bird might not be taught to darn
stockings, so neatly did it do its
weaving!
There are many other birds that are
weaver" -the Linnet, the Chaflinch,
the Yellow-hammer, and others. But
want to tell you of bird which comes
under the head of Weaver, although its
real species | cannot name. India is its
home. After its nest is completed, it
lights it up at night with tire-hies!
What a progress in civilization is this!
The construction of the nest is wonder
full enough, but to illuminate it by col
Letting these flies and fastening them
inside the nest, like hanging lights,
with kind of clay of a glutinous nat
ure. Doesn't it seem too much to be-
lieve? And yet we have the testimony
of a gentleman who was long resident
in India to cOrroborate this statement
Having heard this report in regard to
the Illuminating of this birds nest, he
was determined to investigate it. TAX
ing the opportunity when the birds
were away, he directed servant to
prevent their return while he should
examine the nest. He found fastened
inside with this peculiar sort of clay
glOw-worm. He removed is, and on
the next evening examined it again and
found that another had been placed
very near the former spot; the third
time the clay was prepared, but he
looked in vain for the light which had
made the nest so cheerful on the pre-
ceding nights. They probably had be-
come discouraged and abandoned the
attempt
The most celebrated bird of this di-
vision is the " tailor-bird." 1t resem-
bles some of the humming- birds in
shape and color and size. 1t is called
"tailOr" because of its wonderful inge-
nuity in forming its nest 1t will not
trust it on tender twig. but fixes it to
the leaf itself, making the selection of
a plant with large leaves. Gathering
cotton from it, it spins it to a thread by
means of its long bill and slender feet,
and in this way sews the leaves to-
gether, as if with a needle, to conceal
its nest Often it is said to pick up a
dead leaf and sew it to the side of a liv-
ing one. The nest is very slight one,
for you must remember that the bird is
very small and the material very light,
so that, even slightly suspended as it is,
it is not likely to be broken down. How
marvellous is this workmanship. With
all our boosted mechanical skill we
could not compete with these little birds
in their ingenuity, and we may always
take example from their industry and
perseverance; and, my young readers,
should you ever have an opportunity to
examine the tailor birds nest, beg of
you
Mark it well, within, without; and remem-
Der,
No tool had he that wrought no knife to cut;
No nail to fix; no bodkin to insert;
No glue to join his little beak was all;
And yet how nicely tiuished What nice hand,
With every implement and means of art,
Could compass such another"
Mrs. G. Hall, in ~ Y Observer.