94 S TORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



In the early clays of spring, when the leaves are budding forth, many of our 

 feathered friends pay us a visit from other countries. The golden oriole, a 

 beautiful relative of the thrush, comes now and then to spend a little time 

 with us. His visits are few and far between, and he goes away in the autumn 

 to a warmer climate. 



In this country he is very rare, and often several years pass without a 

 glimpse of him. But in the sunny land of Italy the orioles abound, and there 

 their domestic life can be better studied. 



The oriole is extremely handsome. His beak is an orange brown, and 

 there is a dark-coloured streak from the base of the beak to the eye. His 

 head and neck and body are a bright gamboge yellow, and his wings are 

 black. The mother bird has not the streak under the eye, and is much more 

 plainly dressed. 



The oriole has some foreign relations that make long purse-shaped nests ; 

 but he and his mate do not follow their example. The beautiful little nest in 

 the picture is, as you see, flat and saucer-shaped, and is fixed very safely in 

 the fork of a branch. It is made of wool and the stalks of grasses, woven 

 together in a most wonderful manner ; and four or five smooth white eggs, 

 spotted with brown, are laid in it. 



The birds choose a very retired spot for the nest. They fix upon some 

 lonely grove, and make it under the overhanging leaves and branches. They 

 are very brave in defending their young, and would do battle with almost 

 anybody. 



THE MOCKING-BIRD. 



It is not in England that you must expect to hear the mocking-bird. It is 

 true that in our woods and thickets one bird will mimic the note of another, 

 but this is in a very inferior way compared to that prince of mimics, the 

 mocking-bird. 



