According to Nuttall, the Oriole possesses a propensity to imitate other birds. He is particular in describing their natural notes. “The mellow-whistled notes which they are heard to trumpet from the high branches of our tallest trees and gigantic elms, resemble at times, _tshippe-tshayia too too_, and _’tshippee-’tshippee, too too_, (with the two last syllables loud and full.) These notes are also varied so as to resemble _’tsh, ’tsh ’tsheet shoo tshoo tshoo_,[2] also _tsh, ’tsheefa ’tsheefa tshoo_ and _’k’túfatúf a túf a téa kerry_.[3] Another bird I have occasionally heard to call for hours, with some little variation, _tu teo teo teo too_, in a loud, querulous, and yet almost ridiculously merry strain. At other intervals, the sensations of solitude seem to stimulate sometimes a loud interrogatory note, echoed forth at intervals, as _k’rry kerry?_ and terminating plaintively _k’rry k’rry tu_, the voice falling off very slenderly in the last long syllable, which is apparently an imitation from the Cardinal Grosbeak, and the rest is derived from the Crested Titmouse, whom they have heard already in concert as they passed through the warmer states. Another interrogatory strain which I heard in the spring of 1830, was precisely _’yip ’k’rry, ’yip ’yip k’rry_, very loud and oft repeated. Another male went in his ordinary key, _tsherry tsherry, tshipee_ _tsh’rry_, notes copied from the exhaustless stock of the Carolina Wren, (also heard on his passage,) but modulated to suit the fancy of our vocalist. The female likewise sings, but less agreeably than the male.” This particularity in describing sounds which are almost indescribable may seem frivolous to some of our readers, but those who have ever listened to the melting notes of the Baltimore Oriole will pardon this accurate observer of nature the attempt. The common food of the Oriole is insects, especially a species of small beetle. They are said to love the honey in the blossoms of trees. If domesticated, they must still be fed on animal food, principally minced meat, soaked in milk. When adult, they will also eat fruit-cakes and meal. They are not difficult to tame, and form a pleasant pet. Their eggs are four or five in number, white, with dark lines and spots. In the Southern States they sometimes raise two broods; but further northward only one. The Oriole extends over the continent as far south as Brazil, where hundreds of nests are found in every forest. ----- [2] The first three of these notes are derived from the summer Yellow Bird, though not its usual notes. [3] The last phrase loud and ascending, the _tea_ plaintive, and the last syllable tender and echoing. * * * * * THE PINE-TREE. BY CAROLINE MAY.