Icterus Ex Aureo Nigroque varius: The Baltimore-Bird. Is about
the Size of a Sparrow; Weighing a little above an Ounce. The
Bill is sharp and tapering; the Head and half way down the Back
of a shining Black. The Wings, except the Upper-Parts (which are
yellow) are black, with most of the Feathers edged on both Sides
with White. The rest of the Body is of a bright Colour, between
Red and Yellow. The two uppermost Feathers of the Tail are
Black; the Rest Yellow: The Legs and Feet of a Lead-Colour. It
disappears in Winter. This Gold-colour'd Bird I have only seen
in Virginia and Maryland; there being none of them in Carolina.
It is said to have its Name from the Lord Baltimore's Coat of
Arms, which are Paly of six Topaz and Diamond, a Bend,
counterchang'd ; his Lordship being a Proprietor in those
Countries. It breeds on the Branches of tall Trees, and usually
on the Poplar or Tulip Tree. Its Nest is built in a particular
Manner, supported only by two Twigs fix'd to the Verge of the
Nest, and hanging most common