Hangbird: The oriole, so called from its hanging nest; one of by James Russell Lowell

It’s located right on the border. The entry serves as a prose gloss — a note Lowell wrote to clarify the term "hangbird" for readers — but it includes one authentic line of verse from his longer poem Under the Willows. You can think of it as a gateway into a broader collection of work rather than a standalone poem.

It’s an old folk name for the Baltimore oriole, given because the bird creates a deep, sock-shaped nest that dangles from the end of a branch. New England farmers also referred to it as the "fire hang-bird" due to its orange feathers that shine like a flame in the sunlight.

Elmwood is the family home of Lowell in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he was born and lived for much of his life. The garden there served as his personal lab for observing nature, and it frequently appears in his poetry and essays as a symbol of home and belonging.

Under the Willows and Other Poems (1868) is a significant collection by Lowell. The title poem is a lengthy, reflective work that takes place in his garden, where the oriole stands out as a vibrant splash of color and vitality. This glossary entry serves as a footnote, directing readers back to that poem.

"Glance" refers to a brief flash of light—like how the bird zips through the trees, catching the sun for just a moment. "Summer fire" describes not only the warmth and brightness of the season but also the bird's vibrant orange-and-black feathers. Together, the phrase evokes something dazzling that disappears almost as quickly as you notice it.

Lowell was a keen and patient observer of nature from a young age, and birds provided him with a way to express beauty, time, and the rhythms of the seasons in a tangible way. The oriole, in particular, represented the height of summer for him — vibrant, fleeting, and deserving of careful observation.

Yes. My Garden Acquaintance, published in 1870 as part of My Study Windows, is a delightful essay where Lowell shares his observations of the birds that visited Elmwood. The oriole receives some of the warmest praise throughout the entire piece.