The Baltimore Oriole Detours from Fenway to the State Library!

Our 250th road trip continues this month as we head to another colonial state; we're going south to Maryland, with the Baltimore Oriole! Just like the city, this bird is named after Lord Baltimore, Maryland's first proprietor, since its plumage was reminiscent of the colors in Lord Baltimore's coat-of-arms. And as you likely know, the city of Baltimore's baseball team has also adopted it as their name and mascot.

In the print, the male is shown with bright orange and black feathers, while the female is a more subdued brown. But the female is perched on another interesting feature in this print, the inclusion of the nest. Oriole nests are distinctive and impressive! They are hanging pouches, woven by female orioles and designed to hold seven to eight eggs. You can read more about them on the Audubon Society website. Also note the flowering blooms of the tulip tree. 

The Baltimore Oriole was on display last year during Women's History Month, with an interesting connection to a female artist and ornithologist sometimes referred to as "the other Audubon." Check that post out here, and visit us through August 11 to see the oriole on display! Since it has already been on display, after this exhibition, it will return to storage for the foreseeable future.

Elizabeth Roscio

Preservation Librarian