In a certain neighborhood, where I spent some time in the nesting season, studying a bird of vastly different character, orchard orioles were numerous, and in their usual fashion made their presence known by persistent6 singing around the house. For it must be admitted, whatever their defects of temper or manners, that they are most cheerful in song, the female no less than the male. First of the early morning bird chorus comes their song, loud, rich, and oft-repeated,[Pg 132] though marred7 in the case of the male by the constant interpolation of harsh, scolding notes. Anywhere, everywhere, all day, in pouring rain, in high wind that silences nearly every bird voice, the orioles sing. One could not overlook them if he wished, so noisy, so restless, and so musical. Nor do they care to be unseen; they make no attempt at concealment8. No oriole ever steals into a neighborhood in the quiet way of the cat-bird, silently taking an observation of its inhabitants before making himself obvious; on the contrary, all his deeds are before the public, even his family quarrels. He comes to a tree with a bustle9, talking, scolding, making himself and his affairs the most conspicuous10 things in the neighborhood.
Many times he is most annoying. When following some shy bird to its nest, or moving down toward the grove11 where are the brooklet12 and the birds' bathing-place, no matter how quietly one may approach, footsteps deadened by thick sand and no rustling13 garments to betray, the orchard oriole is sure to know it. He is not the only bird to see a stranger, of course; the brown thrush is as quick as he, but he silently drops to the ground, if not already there, and disappears without a sound; the cardinal14 grosbeak slips down from his perch16 on the farther side and takes wing near the ground;[Pg 133] the cat-bird, in the center of a thick shrub17, noiseless as a shadow, flutters across the path and is gone; others do the same. The orchard oriole alone shouts the news to all whom it may concern in his loudest "chack! chack!" putting every one on his guard at once, and making the copse in a moment as empty as though no wing ever stirred its leaves.
On first noticing the ways of the birds about me on the occasion mentioned, I saw that there was some sort of a disturbance18 among them; scarcely ten minutes passed without a commotion19, followed by a chase through the branches of a tree, one bird pursuing another so hotly that twigs21 bent22 and leaves parted as they passed, the one in advance often uttering a complaining cry, and the pursuer, a loud, harsh scold. Something exciting was evidently going on; some tragedy or possibly comedy, in this extremely sensational23 family. I was at once interested to see what it might be and how it would end; and in fact, before I knew it, I was as much absorbed in oriole matters as though no other feathered life was to be seen.
There were in the party two males, one in his second year, and therefore immature24 in coloring, being olive-yellow on the breast, brown on wings and tail, with a black mask over eyes and chin; the other was older, and a model[Pg 134] of oriole beauty, being bright chestnut25 on the lower parts, with velvety27 black hood5 coming down on the breast. With them was one female, and though far from being friends, the three were never separated. The trouble seemed to be that both males were suitors, and notwithstanding the pretty little maid appeared to have a mind of her own and to prefer the younger of her wooers, the older plainly refused "to take no for an answer," and was determined29 to have his own way, bringing to bear on his courtship all the persistence30 of his race. In that particular quality of never giving up what he has set his heart on, the oriole cannot be excelled, if indeed he can be equaled in the bird world; for a time, and a long time, too, he is a bird of one idea, and by fair means or foul31 he will almost certainly accomplish his desire, whatever it may be.
Life never grew dull in the party mentioned; they were always talking, singing, or going for each other in the mad way already described. Sometimes the chase was between the males, but oftener the female flew for her life apparently32, while the rough wooer followed closely with great noise and confusion. The affair ended occasionally with a cry of distress33 as though somebody was pecked, but several times she stood at bay and defied him with mouth[Pg 135] open, feathers bristled34 up, wings fluttering, and every way quite ready to defend herself. Like other blusterers, on the first show of fight he calmed down, and the matter ended for the time. Peace lasted from ten to twenty minutes, during which they hopped35 about the tree, or hung head-downward on the Spanish moss36, talking in low tones, though the male never omitted delivering a scolding note with every two or three pleasant ones. Her voice was charming, in a tender call, a gentle chatter37, or a sweet song, unspoiled by the harsh tones of her partner. She was also a very pretty bird, bright yellow below, olive-yellow on the back, no black about the face, and legs and feet blue as the sky, and she was as graceful38 as she was beautiful.
Repose39 of manner was unknown to the orchard orioles. One was scarcely ever seen sitting or standing28 still. The song was given while moving, either flying or hopping40 about on the tree. If one did pause while it was uttered, the body jerked, and the head turned this way and that, as though he really was too restless to be perfectly41 quiet for a moment.
The most tempestuous42 times were when the younger suitor put himself forward and persuaded the fair yellow damsel to show him some slight preference. The venerable lover was not[Pg 136] slow to resent this, and to fall like a hurricane upon the pretender, who disappeared like a dead leaf before the blast, and so quickly that he could not be followed—at least by anything less rapid than wings. Once, however, I saw a curious affair between the two suitors which was plainly a war-dance. It followed closely upon one of the usual flurries, conducted with perhaps louder cries and more vehemence43 than common, and began by both birds alighting on the grass about a foot apart, and so absorbed in each other as to be utterly44 oblivious45 of a spectator within ten feet of them on the balcony. No tiger out of the jungle could hold more rage and fury than animated46 those feathered atoms, bristled up even to the heads, which looked as if covered with velvet26 caps. They paused an instant, then crouched47, jerked their tails, "teetered" and posed in several attitudes, ending each new movement with a solemn bow, perhaps equivalent to a handshake among larger fighters. What one did the other exactly copied, and both seemed to be trying to get one side of the opponent, so as to secure some advantage. To prevent this, each kept his face to the foe48, and moved as he moved. Thus they passed down one side, then back, down the other and return, neither able to get the slightest superiority of position. It was[Pg 137] extremely grotesque49, and was continued several minutes, while I eagerly watched to see what would happen next. What did happen was entirely50 unexpected, a unique anti-climax, quite worthy51 of the undignified character of the bird. On a sudden, as by one consent, both flew opposite ways; both alighted in low trees about thirty feet apart, and each one sang a loud joyous52 song, as of victory!
In this turbulent way life went on for two or three weeks; I could not tell how long, for it was in full progress when I came. There was always a vulgar broil53, often a furious encounter, stopping just short of coming to blows, and it seemed really doubtful if the orioles would succeed in settling their matrimonial affairs before summer. The third member of the belligerent54 party, the demure55 little object of all this agitation56, was meekness58 and gentleness itself, never aggressive, but always flying before the furious onslaught of her would-be spouse59. Why then did she not select her mate and thus end the trouble, which, according to the books, it must do?
Turning away from the more conspicuous males with their endless contests, and watching her closely, I saw that she was trying her best to do so. She plainly preferred the younger and less quarrelsome suitor, and often followed[Pg 138] him off, bringing down upon herself in consequence the wrath60 of the elder, and instant pursuit, which ended in the disappearance61 of her chosen hero, and a forced endurance of the tyrant's presence, till it appeared that she would have to "marry him to get rid of him," as our plain-spoken grandmothers characterized a similar situation in human affairs.
When these birds could spare time from their own absorbing matters, they were very inquisitive62 in the affairs of their neighbors. After the mocking-bird babies were out, the orioles often visited them, while the parents were absent, for no reason that I could discover but to see what they were like, and how they got on, for nothing about them was disturbed. If, however, an oriole was found by one of the old mocking-birds perched on the edge of the nest, he was driven away with a piece of mocking-bird mind on the subject of meddlers. Likewise they frequently paid visits to a nuthatch colony at the top of a tall pine-tree. Whether more aggressive among these smaller birds, or not, could not be seen. But the facts were that upon an oriole's disappearing through those heavy pine branches, away above our heads, there instantly arose a great outcry in the querulous nuthatch voice, and the intruder returned to the lower world with some precipitation,[Pg 139] while gentle, complaining sounds came from the invaded territory for some time. So, too, in different degree the birds showed interest in me, peering down between the leaves of the tree in which they spent most of their time, and making remarks or expressing opinions, climbing—which they literally63 did—to the end of a twig20, stretching up tall to look over the top and stare at me, or when flying slowly past, hovering64 a moment just in front of me with perfect fearlessness and earnest attention to my pursuits.
At length the crisis in the oriole matters came, as come it must, and not long after the war-dance that has been described. The season was advanced and nesting time already begun. In fact, it was ended in several families; mocking-birds were about ready to fly, young chipping sparrows peeped from every tuft of grass, baby bluebirds were trying their wings at their doors, the yellow-throated warbler was stuffing her youngsters on the next tree, and the late kingbirds had nearly finished their nests. Whether a pitched battle at last settled the dispute, whether the modest little dame65 united with her chosen mate against the common enemy, or whether perchance—though this is not likely—the elder bird tired of his useless warfare66, will never be known, for the whole[Pg 140] matter was settled before we mortals were out of bed, in the magic morning hours when so many interesting things go on in bird and beast life. When I came out, I saw at once that a decision had been reached. The younger bird had won his bride, and with much talk and love-making the happy pair were busying themselves about a building spot. This first day of their honeymoon67 was not, however, very peaceful; old troubles are not so soon forgotten, and the discarded suitor found it hard to believe that the repulse68 was final and he really should not have his own way. He frequently made his appearance in the old scenes, making himself agreeable in the usual way; but the newly wedded69 were now a pair, and when both flung themselves upon him he recognized at last the inevitable70, no longer resented it, and left them in peace.
With much talk and discussion the tree that had been the scene of the stormy wooing was selected for the homestead, and the young wife at once set to work upon the foundation, while her spouse in his new r?le of lord and master stood on a higher twig and gave his opinions; much advice, no doubt, and plenty of instruction. I doubt his mastery, however, for I noticed that, though meek57, madam had a mind of her own and an orchard oriole's persistence[Pg 141] in carrying out her plans. He talked, it is true, blustered71 and strutted72 around, but she worked quietly, steadily73, and in a business-like way, utterly oblivious of him.
During this day, too, even this first day, not five hours after he had tried to coax74 the bride away, the elderly suitor came back from some unknown quarter, with a brand-new wife of his own; precipitation worthy of the vulgar house-sparrow of our city streets, which these birds also resemble in their constant broils75. That naturally put a complete end to further dispute over sweethearts; but they could not change their nature, and I observed that each young husband had a vast amount of fault to find, much scolding and grumbling76. Happily it did not seem to disconcert the little wives; they sang as sweetly, and worked as steadily as though they were used to it, and expected nothing better, which was well for them.
The elder oriole and his mate soon settled in another place, and I saw them no more, but I was sorry to see upon what tree the young pair decided77 to build, for a kingbird had an unfinished nest in one of the lower branches, and two families so aggressive would make a lively neighborhood no doubt. Hostilities78 began indeed on the first day. Watching the oriole at her building, I caught the pretty innocent-looking[Pg 142] creature stealing material from the kingbird's nest, while her virtuous79 spouse perched himself on the upper branch of the tree, exactly as if on the watch for returning owners. In a low tone he talked to her as she entered the uncompleted nest, worked busily a moment, then appeared on the edge with a soft white feather, gathered it into a convenient shape, and flew with it in her beak15 to the upper branch. Twice afterward80 I saw that performance repeated, and each time it was a white feather taken. On one occasion the kingbird was at home. There was a sharp cry of distress, a bustle, and in a moment Madam Oriole flew off with a feather, while the outraged81 owner stood on a neighboring branch and uttered two or three plaintive82 cries. Considering the size and the belligerent nature of the kingbird, I was astonished, but exactly thus it happened.
I greatly wished to stay and see the result, for I had confidence enough in the bravery of the kingbirds to be sure that the end was not yet. Also, I longed to watch the restless pair whose ups and downs I had found so interesting. I should like to see the orchard oriole in the r?le of a father; a terribly fussy83 one he would be without doubt. Above all, I most desired to see the infant orioles, to know if they begin their quarrels in their narrow cradle, and if[Pg 143] their first note is a scold. But the troubles of this courtship had, like the wars of Augustus and Arabella in a three-volume novel, consumed so much time that there was none left for post-nuptial chronicles, and I was obliged to leave them with a neighborhood quarrel on hand which promised full employment for the head of the family while his little mate was sitting.
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1
orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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tornado
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| n.飓风，龙卷风 | |
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3
blustering
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| adj.狂风大作的，狂暴的v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的现在分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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brooklet
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| n. 细流, 小河 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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22
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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sensational
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| adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的 | |
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immature
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| adj.未成熟的，发育未全的，未充分发展的 | |
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chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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26
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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velvety
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| adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的 | |
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28
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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persistence
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| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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32
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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41
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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42
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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43
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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44
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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45
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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47
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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49
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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50
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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51
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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52
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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53
broil
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| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
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54
belligerent
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| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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56
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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57
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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meekness
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| n.温顺，柔和 | |
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spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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66
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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honeymoon
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| n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月 | |
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repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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69
wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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71
blustered
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| v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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strutted
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| 趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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74
coax
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| v.哄诱，劝诱，用诱哄得到，诱取 | |
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broils
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| v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的第三人称单数 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
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76
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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78
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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80
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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81
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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82
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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fussy
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| adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的 | |
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