The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-03-14
BIRD STUDY
A Series of Articles on the
Habits of Birds That
Visit Madison

1t will be recalled by early residents
of Madison that it is only IN the later
years that the Baltimore Oriole has
been a summer visitor here. A few
years ago he WAS rarely if ever seen,
but as trees and %shrubbery became
plentiful in the city he condescended
to honor us by his presence. The Bal
timore Oriole is one of the most bsauti-
full song birds. His head is black aud
portions of his back is of the same color
| while his breast is of a soft orange
red with scarlet feathers In his wings
and his tail fringed with orange red,
In flight he is very billiant, so much
so that he is sometimes called the
Fire Bird.
The Baltimore CIiole is only a
summer visitor in the northern st ties,
where it makes its appearance in
pairs, during the latter part Of April
or the beginning of May. 1t commenc-
es at once to build its nest. the materi-
81 and construction of which vary
according to climate and ciicumstanc-
es. la the southern states the nest
consists of Spanish moss, put together
so loosely that the air can pass through
it. 1t Is never lined and always placed
on the north side of a tree. In the
northern states. it is hum on such
twigs as are most exposed to the rays
of the sun, aud lined with the finest
aud warmest materi Is. 10 constr act
ing the nest, the bird ties the materials
-, tIa fufnu NTH III hill unH rlnul
weaving it strongly together, an
giving the Whole the shape of a hang
ing bag. 10 constructing his nest, ne
makes use of any material he deems
suitable. A lady while sitting at an
open window, engaged in sewing, was
called away for a few moments. A
T altimore Oriole, in tie meantime,
entered the window and carried of
her silk thread to the nest he was then
building. The lady suspected the mis-
chievous bird and going to his nest
near by, found him weaving in her
thread. So beautiful she imagined the
silk lined nest would be that she for
gave him the theft and c%heerfully al
lowed him to keep her skein of silk.
The female Baltimore Oriole lays four
and sometimes FIVE or elk eggs, of a
light gray color, marked with dark
spots, dots and lines. The young are
hatched in a fortnight, and in three
weeks mole are fully fsdged. Before
they fly out they often climb or hang
around the bag-like nest like young
W oodpeckers. They are fed by their
parents FOR a couple of weeks, and then
left to take care of themselves. The
food of the Baltimore Oiiole consists
of mulberries, cherries and similar
fruit In the spring they chiefly sub
sist on insects, which they pick up or
leaves and branches or catch flying
Toward fall they commence their re
turn southwark. flying high in TIT
air, and always in the daytime. They
generally fly singly with loud cries an6
apparently in great haste. AT sunse'
, they alight on a suitable tree, take
little rest. and, having quickly picked
up some food, go to sleep Next morn
! ing. after a slight breakfast, the jour
ney is resumed. The movement o
r these birds is pleasant and easy, thei
flight straight, and their walk on tn
ground quiet. They manifest grea
, skill in climbing the branches OF tree
in search of food.
q Contributions to this column are IN
vited, both by adults and children.