The Hooded Oriole seldom builds its nest higher than from six to twelve feet above the ground, though in a few instances it has been found as high as thirty feet. Dr. James C. Merrill, in his Notes on the Ornithology of Texas, says, “The nests of this bird found here are perfectly characteristic, and cannot be confounded with those of any allied species. They are usually found in one of the two following situations: The first and most frequent is in a bunch of hanging moss, usually at no great height from the ground; when so placed the nests are formed almost entirely by hollowing out and matting the moss, with a few filaments of a dark, hairlike moss as a lining. The second situation is in a bush growing to a height of about six feet, a nearly bare stem, throwing out two or three irregular masses of leaves at the top. These bunches of dark green leaves conceal the nest admirably. It is constructed of filaments of the hair-like mass just referred to, with a little Spanish moss, wool, or a few feathers for the lining. They are rather wide and shallow for orioles’ nests, and though strong they appear thin and delicate.” Not infrequently the Hooded Oriole builds its nest in plants called the Spanish bayonet or yucca. In such a situation the walls are constructed almost entirely of the fibers of the plant torn from dried leaves. These fibers are tough and the nest walls are much more durable than when made with moss. Wool or vegetable down may be used as a lining, but it is not uncommon to find no lining. The Hooded Oriole is not free from the intrusion of feathered rascals. Major Bendire says that it “is considerably imposed upon by both the red-eyed and the dwarf cow-birds, and in a few instances parasitic eggs of both species are found in the same nest.” [Illustration: HOODED ORIOLE. (Icterus cucullatus). ⅔ Life-size. FROM COL. CHI. ACAD. SCIENCES.] THE ORIOLE’S MISSION. Sweet little bird on yonder tree, Fly to the town with song of glee And comfort there some lonely soul, Thou sweetest, dearest oriole! Perch on an open window sill, And then pour forth thy mellowest trill. What griefs thy carol will console, Thou sweetest, dearest oriole! A tale of hope to each sad heart Thy notes of love will soon impart; And in their memory will roll The sweet strain of the oriole. —Christine B. Moray. THE CLOTHES MOTH AND ITS METHODS.