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edge greenish-yellow ; the tips of the quills, excepting the outer, and the primary 

 coverts, pale-yellow. The tail is dark brown, the terminal yellow spot on the 

 feathers of much less extent than in the male. 



Length to end of tail 9 and 2-12ths ; wing from flexure 6 ; tail 3 and 3-12ths; 

 bill 1 and l-12th. 



The young, in its first plumage, is of a dusky yellowish-grey tint above, each 

 feather having the central part greyish-brown ; the lower parts yellowish-white, 

 each feather with a central brown line ; the sides and lower tail-coverts bright 

 yellow ; the wings and tail brown, marked with yellow as in the adult. The male 

 is easily distinguished from the female by its lighter colour. 



The species most nearly allied to the Golden Oriole ( Oriolus galbula) are 

 the Yellow Oriole ( O. aureus J, the Chinese Oriole ( O. ChinensisJ, and the 

 Blackheaded Oriole ( O. melanocephalus ) . Whether the first of these be really 

 distinct I can scarcely venture to affirm. It is somewhat smaller, its wings are 

 proportionally shorter, its bill larger, but the colouring is precisely similar, only there 

 is a small black spot behind the eye, in addition to the black local space of the 

 Common or Golden Oriole. 



This latter — the only species of the genus that is ever seen in Europe — arrives 

 in France and Italy toward the end of April. It is not uncommon in many parts 

 of Germany, but is rare in the northern countries, and in England is not a regular 

 visitant, a few individuals only having been seen there at long intervals ; so that 

 with us it ranks merely as an accidental straggler. It is said to prefer low, 

 wooded districts, and to resort chiefly to the margins of forests, residing among 

 the lower branches of the large trees, or in the thickets. Its food consists chiefly 

 of insects and larvae, but as the season advances it feeds also on berries, and occa- 

 sionally visits the gardens and orchards, where it manifests a partiality to cherries. 



Its nest is described by authors as of an oblong form, shaped like a purse, hav- 

 ing its aperture above, and suspended from a forked branch, some say at the top, 

 others at the lower part of a tree. It is composed externally of long straws neatly 

 interwoven, internally of mosses and lichens, with a lining of grass, and sometimes 

 wool. The eggs are four or five, of a regular oval form, smooth, white, with a 

 few brownish-black spots, sometimes intermixed with paler markings. The young 

 continue writh their parents after they come abroad, and the families do not unite 

 at the period of their departure, which takes place about the end of August. 



The young are said to be difficult to rear, and not to thrive in captivity, other- 

 wise, creatures so beautiful would, no doubt, be great favourites as cage birds, 

 although their natural notes are loud and shrill, and their song deficient in melody. 



I have not met with any account of the digestive organs of this species, nor, 

 indeed, with any tolerable description of its manners. Judging from its external 

 appearance, its organization is probably similar to that of the Thrushes, which 

 have a narrow oesophagus, a rather powerful gizzard; lined with a horny rugous 



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