T H E B A L T I M O R E ORIOLE.
IC TER US BAL TIM ORE. D AU D.
P L A T E X I I . MALE IN DIFFERENT STATES OF PLUMAGE, AND NEST.
No traveller who is at all gifted with the faculty of observation, can
ascend that extraordinary river, the Mississippi, in the first days of
autumn, without feeling enchanted by the varied vegetation which
adorns its alluvial shores:—The tall Cotton-tree descending to the very
margin of the stream, the arrow-shaped Ash mixing its branches with
those of the Pecan and Black Walnut, immense Oaks and numerous species
of Hickory, covering with their foliage the densely tangled Canes, from
amongst which, at every step, Vines of various kinds shoot up, winding
round the stems and interlacing their twigs and tendrils, stretching from
one branch to another, until they have reached and overspread the whole,
like a verdant canopy, forming one solid mass of richest vegetation, in the
fore ground of the picture; whilst, wherever the hills are in view, the great
Magnolias, the Hollies, and the noble Pines, are seen gently waving their
lofty heads to the breeze.
The current becomes rapid, and ere long several of the windings of
the great stream have been met and passed, and with these new scenes
present themselves to the view. The forest at this place, as if in doleful
mourning at the sight of the havock made on its margin by the impetuous
and regardless waters, has thrown over her a ragged veil, produced by
the long dangling masses that spread from branch to branch over the cypress
trees. The dejected Indian's camp lies in your sight. He casts a
melancholy glance over the scene, and remembers that he is no longer the
peaceful and sole possessor of the land. Islands, one after another, come
in sight, and at every winding of the stream you see boats propelled by
steam ascending the river, and others, without such aid, silently gliding
with the current.
Much might the traveller find to occupy his mind, and lead him into
speculations regarding the past, the present, and the future, were he not
attracted by the clear mellow notes, that issue from the woods, and gratified
by the sight of the brilliant Oriole now before you. In solitudes
like these, the traveller might feel pleased with any sound, even the howl
of the wolf, or the still more dismal bellow of the alligator. Then how
delightful must it be to hear the melody resulting from thousands of musical
voices that come from some neighbouring tree, and which insensibly
leads the mind, with whatever it may previously have been occupied,
first to the contemplation of the wonders of nature, and then to that of
the Great Creator himself.
Now we have ascended the mighty river, have left it, and entered the
still more enchanting Ohio, and yet never for a day have we been without
the company of the Oriole. Here, amongst the pendulous branches
of the lofty Tulip-trees, it moves gracefully up and down, seeking in the
expanding leaves and opening blossoms the caterpillar and the green beetle,
which generally contribute to its food. Well, reader, it was one of these
pendulous twigs which I took when I made the drawing before you.
But instead of having cut it on the banks of the Ohio, I found it in the
State of Louisiana, to which we shall return.
The Baltimore Oriole arrives from the south, perhaps from Mexico, or
perhaps from a more distant region, and enters Louisiana as soon as spring
commences there. It approaches the planter's house, and searches amongst
the surrounding trees for a suitable place in which to settle for the season.
It prefers, I believe, the trees that grow on the sides of a gentle
declivity. The choice of a twig being made, the male Oriole becomes
extremely conspicuous. He flies to the ground, searches for the longest
and driest filaments of the moss, which in that State is known by the name
of Spanish Beard, and whenever he finds one fit for his purpose, ascends
to the favourite spot where the nest is to be, uttering all the while a continued
chirrup, which seems to imply that he knows no fear, but on the
contrary fancies himself the acknowledged king of the woods. This sort
of chirruping becomes louder, and is emitted in an angry tone, whenever
an enemy approaches, or the bird is accidentally surprised, the sight of a
cat or a dog being always likely to produce it. No sooner docs he reach
the branches, than with bill and claws, aided by an astonishing sagacity,
he fastens one end of the moss to a twig, with as much art as a sailor
might do, and takes up the other end, which he secures also, but to another
twig a few inches off, leaving the thread floating in the air like a swing,
the curve of which is perhaps seven or eight inches from the twigs. The
female comes to his assistance with another filament of moss, or perhaps
some cotton thread, or other fibrous substance, inspects the work which
her mate has done, and immediately commences her operations, placing