The BALTIMORE GOLDEN STARLING (_Hyphantes Baltimore_), a North American
species, is the member of this group with which we are most familiar. In
the general construction of its body it closely resembles the Yellow Bird
last described, but the ridge of the beak is slightly curved; also the
wings are longer and the tail shorter than in that species. The plumage
of the male is black upon the head, throat, and upper wing-covers, as
are the quills and middle tail-feathers; the under parts of the body and
small wing-covers are bright orange, the back and breast a light scarlet:
the exterior tail-feathers are black from the root, but their lower half
is bright orange. The large upper wing-covers are tipped with white, and
the quills bordered with a white margin; the eye is orange, the beak and
feet light grey. In the young male all the colours are paler: the iris
is light brown, and the upper mandible brownish black. The size of this
species is about seven and three-quarter inches long, its breadth twelve
inches.
According to Audubon, the Baltimore Bird is met with throughout the
whole of North America as far as fifty-five degrees north latitude,
being very numerous in some parts, but only visiting others in the
course of its migrations. Its favourite haunts are in hilly districts,
to which it resorts as soon as spring appears, to discharge the duties
attendant on incubation. The nest is suspended from a slender twig,
and is most artistically woven, but its construction varies with the
climate. In the Southern States the birds prefer the northern side of
the tree, and form their little cradle of moss so loosely intertwined
as to allow the air to penetrate; while those that inhabit the Northern
States prefer such branches as are most exposed to the rays of the sun,
and render their home warm and snug by lining it with soft and fine
materials. The construction of these remarkable nests is very peculiar;
the builders begin by seeking for all kinds of threads or fibres about
the surrounding fields and villages, and frequently do very serious
damage by their depredations among the skeins of thread or cotton laid
out in the fields to bleach: all the odds and ends of cotton, silk, or
thread thus collected are woven into the nest, amongst other materials,
with a compactness and dexterity that is truly surprising. The female
lays from four to six eggs, of a pale green colour, marked with dark
spots or streaks. The young are hatched within a fortnight, and are fully
fledged in about three weeks after their birth, from which period they
begin to climb in and out of the nest, and hang from the outside after
the manner of Woodpeckers; they then accompany their parents, by whom
they are fed and tended for another fortnight, before they are capable
of supporting themselves. In the more southern parts of North America
these birds frequently produce two broods within the year; during the
spring they subsist principally upon various insects, usually caught
upon the wing; but in summer they prefer fruit of different kinds, and
do great damage to the orange and banana trees. This species commences
its migrations early in the autumn, flying generally alone, and high in
the air, uttering loud cries and hurrying along with great rapidity; when
evening approaches it seeks food and shelter upon a tree, where it passes
the night; it then takes a hasty meal and resumes its onward journey.
The movements of the Baltimore Bird are regular and graceful; its flight
is direct and continuous; its step, when upon the ground, easy; and its
adroitness in climbing amongst the branches such as to bear comparison
with the activity of the Titmouse. The song is simple, but pleasing.
* * * * *
We select the CASSICANS (_Cassici_) as taking rank next in order to
the _Icteri_, being, like them, of slender shape, with long, pointed,
conical beaks, long, tapering wings, long and graduated tails, rounded
at the extremity, and formed of broad feathers. The feet are strong, the
toes large and armed with sharp claws. The plumage is thick, smooth,
and glossy, principally black, heightened to greater richness by an
intermixture of yellow. In size they resemble our Jackdaw. (See Coloured
Plate VI.)
[Illustration: _Plate 6. Cassell's Book of Birds_