BALTIMORE BALTIMORE BIRD 257 street, having been found inadequate to supply the wants of an increasing population, was su- perseded by three new ones: the centre or Marsh market, the Hanover, and the Fell's Point market. At the same time, 1784, the streets were lighted with oil lamps, and three constables and 14 watchmen were appointed for the security of the town. At the close of the revolutionary war the commerce and trade of the city rapidly increased, and a large num- ber of intelligent merchants settled here. Some of the most enterprising of these were from the north of Ireland, of Scotch descent, and by their exertions and wealth Baltimore became famed as a commercial port. Lines of packets and stage coaches were established for communica- tion with points on the shores of Chesapeake bay, as well as in the interior of the state ; in 1787 turnpikes were authorized to Washington, Frederick, and Reistertown, but were not fully completed till 1809. In 1789 the course of Jones's falls within the city, which ran along by the site of the present court house, was altered by cutting a new channel from Bath street to Gay street bridge, and the old bed of the stream was filled up. In 1792 a large num- ber of refugees from Santo Domingo came to the city, where many of their descendants still reside. In 1796, the population being about 20,000, and the town having attained a high degree of prosperity, it was erected into a city, the corporation being styled " the mayor and city council of Baltimore," and James Calhoon was elected as the first mayor. Since that date the city has rapidly increased in popula- tion. On April 19, 1861, a body of federal troops, comprising a portion of the Cth Massa- chusetts regiment .and the 7th Pennsylvania, while passing through Baltimore on their way to Washington, were attacked by a mob with missiles and firearms. In the conflict which ensued 9 citizens were killed and 3 wounded, and 2 soldiers were killed and 23 wounded. For several days great excitement prevailed in the city, which caused President Lincoln, at the instance of the mayor of Baltimore and the governor of Maryland, to issue an order that no more troops destined for Washington should be brought through Baltimore. Communica- tion with the city and the removal of stores therefrom were suspended by order of the mayor and board of police. On May 13 Gen. Butler, who had taken possession of the Relay House on the oth, with a body of federal troops, took military possession of Baltimore. He was succeeded by Gen. Banks, and on July 19 Gen. Dix assumed command of the troops stationed at Baltimore, and the city thenceforth remained peaceful and tranquil. BALTIMORE, Lord. See CALVERT. BALTIMORE BIRD, or Baltimore Oriole (ypkan- tes Baltimore, Vieill.), a bird belonging to the family of sturnidcn (starlings), and peculiar to the American continent, which it inhabits from Canada to Brazil. It is the most beautiful of our summer visitors, and is universally ad- mired, both for the richness of its plumage and the sweetness of its song. It is also called "golden robin," "hang bird," and "fire bird." The adult male has the head, neck all round, fore part of the back, wings, and tail, black ; quills, excepting the first, margined with white ; the whole under parts, the lesser wing coverts, and the posterior part of the back, bright orange, tinged with vermilion on the neck and breast ; the tips of the two mid- dle tail feathers, and the ends of the others, of a dull orange ; bill and feet, light blue ; iris, orange ; length, 7f inches ; extent of wings, 12 inches. This is the plumage of the third year, before which the colors are less bright, and more or less mixed with olive, brown, and white. The female is half an inch shorter, with the head, neck, and fore part of the back brownish black, mixed with dull yellow ; hind part of the back light brownish yellow, bright- est on the rump ; lower parts duller than in Baltimore Oriole. the male. The orioles enter Louisiana, proba- bly from Mexico, in early spring, and gradually make their way north, to return in autumn. Their motions are very lively and graceful. They are often seen clinging by the feet in search of insects, which form their principal food in the spring. Their song consists of from four to ten loud, full, and mellow notes, very agreeable to the ear. The nest is placed at the bottom of a very skilfully constructed net- work of strings and fibres, suspended, like a pouch, from the end of a branch, and shaded by overhanging loaves. The eggs are from four to six in number, about an inch long, of a pale brown color, spotted, dotted, and lined with dark brown. The period of incubation is 14 days. In Louisiana two broods are reared in a season. During migration their flight is high and straight, and mostly during the day. (See ORIOLE.)
