The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-10-17
The Oriole.

OIirer Thorne Miller IN the October atlantic.
This birds song consists of four notes,
and it is curious that, although there is a
peculiar, rich, fute-like quality by which
the oriole notes may be recognized, no two
sing alike Robins, song sparrows, and
perhaps all other birds sing differently from
each other, so far as [ have observed, but
none differ so greatly, in my opinion, as
orioles. The four that have been able to
study carefully enough to reduce this song
to the musical scale, though all having the
same compass, arranged the notes different
ly in every case The oriole is, of course,
not limited in expression to his song. l
have spoken of his cry of distress, or of
war, which was two tones slurred together.
The ordinary call, as he goes about tree,
especially fruit tree in bloom, seeking in
sects over and under each leaf or blossom,
is single note, loud and clear. If pair
are on the tree together, it is the same,
but much softer.
An oriole that | watched in the Catskill
Mountains regularly fed his mate while
she was sitting, and as he left the nest,
after giving her morsel, he uttered two
notes, which sounded exactly like GA
dieu," adding, after pause, two more
which irresistibly said, "Dear-y." There
was peculiar mournfulness in the birds
strain as he implied otis a sad world of
cats and crows and inquisitive people, and
we may never meet again" Perhaps it
was prophetic, for disaster did overtake the
little family; high wind rocked the cradle
which was on small maple tree-so
violently as to throw out the youngsters
before they could fly. The accident was
remedied as far as possible by returning
them to the nest, but whether they were
injured by the fall 1 never learned.
Scolding is quite ready to an orioles
tongue, and even squawks like robins
are not unknown. The female has similar
utterances, but in those | have listened to
her song was weaker, lacked the clear-cut
precision of her mates, and sounded like
the first efforts of young bird. In the
case of those now under consideration, the
female reproduced exactly her partner S
notes, only in this inferior style, which
seemed rather unusual. The sweetest
sound the oriole utters is very low one,
to his mate when near by, or flying away
with her, or to his nestlings before they
leave home. 1t is tender, yearning call,
that makes one feel like an intruder, and
as if she should beg pardon and retire. 1t
is impossible to describe or reduce to the
scale, but it is we'll worth waiting and listen.
ing for.
HWhen 1 was at Versailles" says Prince
Bismarck, II received letter. 1t con-
sisted of four pages in small and close
handwriting. 1t bothered me at the time
to have to read such long and closely
packed paper. However, when | had seen
the signature i set to work with some re
pugnauce, but not without curiosity. Il
began with these words: Yes, | wanted
war, and it was signed Emile Olivier
do not remember what was said in thu
letter it contained nothing striking, bu
I recollect, word for word, my reply to it
It was this; Sir: If | had the misfortune
= have brought on my country all the evil
which you have brought on yours woul'
pass the remainder of my life on my knee
asking pardon of God for the crime ha'
committed.