ade his appearance in the old scenes, making himself
agreeable in the usual way; but the newly wedded were now a pair, and
when both flung themselves upon him he recognized at last the
inevitable, 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 role 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 meek, madam had a mind of her own
and an orchard oriole's persistence in carrying out her plans. He
talked, it is true, blustered and strutted around, but she worked
quietly, steadily, 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 coax 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 broils. 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 grumbling. 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
decided 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. Hostilities began indeed on the first day.
Watching the oriole at her building, I caught the pretty
innocent-looking creature stealing material from the kingbird's nest,
while her virtuous 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 beak to the upper
branch. Twice afterward I saw that performance repeated,