Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-05-02

with :: bobbing motion OF the head and
neck.
During the first weeks in October.
the, OLD and young gather In large
by the 18th or 10th OF the month be-
GIN their journey southwark.
BALTIMORE oR,olE.
IN the study OF the Baltimore Oriole.
your interest will be divided between
the bird itself and the truly remark
able nest which 1T builds. And OF the
two, the nest is probably OF the greater
interest. We have other birds with as
bright plumage. but you will have to
nunt far to find a nest OF more striking
workmanship. They are basket shaped,
large at the bottom and from Ave to 10
inches deep. n are suspended from
the outermost tip of a branch, quite
nigh from the ground. They are COM
posed OF vegetable fbers. Irvine and
together and so firmly fastened to h
branch that only rarely are they in
1ured by the most evere storm and
frequently remain intact for several
years and are used in succeeding sea-
sons. 1t is as neat a cradle as there is
to be found in the bird world, in which
the baby orioles spend the first few
days of their lives.
The parent birds arrive from the
south at Sioux City about May Z. An
OUsSI Wei at armour, -. u, says Cnoy
do not reach that point until about
May IL to IA. so 1T would appear that
they travel leisurely. at the rate %
about 30 to IS miles per week. Nesting
begins In the early days of June. The
eggs number four to six and are pale
grayish or dfab cOlOr with a few
scroll like marks and blotches of dark
brown. They are somewhat social in
disposition, several pairs often building
in the same tree, and they are always
found near the haunts of man. Their
very name indicates this fact in a way.
Baltimore was not a naturalist who
sought out some shy bird in u distant
| part of the land and thus bestowed his
name on a new species. The Baltimore
was none other than Lord Baltimore.
the founder of Maryland. and for whom
the city was named When he first
came to America he saw these birds
near his dwelling and, because their
plumage in color his livery,
they were given his name.
They are among our very sweetest
singers. In the spring and early sum
mer they make the groves, orchard and
farm yards CHEEKY with their merry
| whistle or MARBLE. but in the late sum
mer they are very quiet.
They are largely in~sectivorous.
though 1t must be confessed that they
do take a little fruit occasionally. But
we would W. to be very stingy in
| deed II we would deny them Il little
food when they destroy so many in
sects and are . joy both to the eye and
the ear.
They leave us for their winter quar-
ters shortly after September IL.
pickcissEL.
The dtckcissel. like the Indigo bunt-
ing. with whom he is related. is ore
OF those birds that cheer the hot days
Of July and August for us with their
song. To be sure, the song is not very
musical. out then there are so few
birds singing at that season that al
"Chip-chip. chee-chee' is the usual
writing of his notes. though by q
stretch of imagination. it is possible to
believe that he is trying to tell you
his name, ..dic-dic-cis-sel.' He utters
his notes from the top of a tall weed,
post. fence, telephone or telegraph
wire.
Another name often given to this
bird Is 1.-The black-throated bunting
The patch of black on his throat re-
minds you somewhat of the meadow
lark. and children often say of o
OF then that they wear black neck
ties. But this is not the only re-
senlblance to the meadowlark. how
ever. for the favortte resort OF both
species Is b pasture lands and mead
ows. though the dickcissel is more
fond of brush and weed patches, and
of the dusty roadside han the mead
owlark. The diet Of both birds is made
up Of the tnsects that live in the
meadow and weed patches, beetles,
cankerworms. caterpillar rs and grass
hoppers. The nestlings seem to be
especially fond of the latter. SO that
In nesting time an unusual number OF
these insects are destroyed.
The nests are to be found in clumps
OF grass, In low bushes or small trees.
They are generally compactly built of
grass. weeds or corn husks. but occa-
s~ionally one will be found. stability
more than a mere platform.
The eggs are four or Ave in. number
n are a beautiful light blue color.
easily distinguished from those of any
other species in this section. except the
lark bunting, but in this case the par
ent birds are 80 easily distinguished
that there is not much danger of con-
fusion.
The nesting date for Sioux CITY liz
given by a local observer as June s to
10. but an observer at Armour. s. d..
afhrms that their nest has never beer
found In that locality before the first
of July. to his knowledge. after a
nalmhe OF years observation. Two
broods OF yonng are generally reared
each season.
May Z Will be the usual date for this
birds arrival at Sioux City. but the
first week in September he Will be pre-
pairing for his southern journey. and
after the second week In September II
will be a very unusual sight to see
Her Hero ana Her Candidate.
From the q Francisco Call.
Gertrude Atherton. the novelisA
whose hero among the American states-
,,,o- In. k-n-At "c-sstAE--3