The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-06-01
BIRD
STUDIES
GSABEL LARSEN)
ARTICLE b.

The Baltimore Oriole. called alst
Hangnest, Golden Oriole, Firebird ant
Golden Robin, is to 8 inches il
length. The male has brilliant plum
age; the head throat upper back, and
middle tail feathers are black: the
wings are black with feathers edged
with whistle; elsewhere deep orange
The female is olive brown and pale. vel
low
The oriole at once becomes a favorite
with one who has seen its beautiful
plumage and heard its melodious calls
i The brightly colored males are the frs,
to return and until the arrival of the
females the calls are long, plaintive
whistles. Soon after, the varied love
notes may be heard and very beautiful
they ale. The males often engage in
fierce combats for their mates, and in
these struggles one may become &C
quainted with the temper and obstinacy
of these birds
Although rather shy bird the nests
are frequently found near dwellings.
The oriole chooses Ill tree with wide
spreading branches and then far out on
an upper limb builds its hanging nest
Both birds may busy themselves in the
stiuction of the nest or either bird
may work entirely alone. Strings,
moses, grasses and other fbrous sub
stances are favorite building materials.
The compact nest suspended by fibers
from the brancn varies in depth from 5
to inches and may be purse or bottle
shaped. The orioles are devoted par
ents and the death of nestlings causes
them to grieve for many weeks. Two
broods may be reared in season.
These active birds are useful in the
garden for they destroy great quanti-
ties of giubs, caterpillars and insects
and eat but small amount of fruit.
Many of the notes of the orioles are
sharp, quick whistles one of which
may be translated into Peter Bird
notes pleasing to the oriole. are added
to his own, and 40 well does he mimic
that not only the human ear is de-
ceived, but birds themselves fail TO de
tect the difference.
The American Goldfnch. Length,
5 inches. Male has black crown
black wings and tail marked with
white; other parts bright yellow. The
female is brownish olive above and pale
yellow below.
This finch is perhaps better known
as the Wild Canary or Thistle bird so
named either from ITS song which is a
wild sweet warble, or from its fondness
for thistle seeds A few sun flowers
planted near the scnool or home assures
a fall visit from the goldfnch. for the
sunfower seed is favortie food. and a
flock will linger many days to enjoy
IT,
The Cedar Waxwing Head with
crest grayisn brown in color; black
chin and line through eye; tail tipped
with yellow band; secondary wing
feathers tipped with red, These birds
are found in iocks except during the
breeding season. The Bohemian Wax
wing may be distinguished from the
Cedar bird, by its size and darker color.
The waxwings live on berries.
The cedarbirds are not usually found
at this time of the year, but flock has
been seen this week in the park.
A pair of humming birds has also
been seen recently. These tiny birds,
ess than four inches in length, ale
emerald green above and white below.
The male has a ruby throat. They
nay be seen darting among the flowers
seeking honey, and plant lice. They |
seldom perch but hover over the flower
while they take their food. The nests
ire dainty moss-covered baskets and
lie found among vines. shrubs, or hign