THE ULACKCAP. • 187 



and suspended from a twig of one of the highest branches of a tree. Tho eggs are five 

 in number, of a piu-e white, with a few dark-brown spots. 



The general phmiage of tho male is of a rich golden yellow ; a spot intervenes between 

 the ej'e and the beak ; and the wings and tail are black, the latter being tipped with 

 j-ellow. The female and yoimg of tho year are of an olive green above, and of u pale 

 yellowish gray beneath, with, a streak of grajdsh brown along tho shaft of each feather. 

 Tho tail is a dark olive. 



The favourite abodes of this bird aro lonely groves and the skirts of forests, always 

 keeping among the most bushy trees, so that it is rarely seen on a naked branch. 

 Vieillot confirms tho statement thus made by Bechstein, describing tho golden oriole as 

 shy and diSicult to approach. Pie also states that these birds are sometimes deceived by 

 an expert sportsman, who, advancing towards them, whistles their note ; but so correct is 

 the e:u' of the bird, that a single mistake or false note, in any imitation of his song, is a 

 sufiicient hint to the oriole, which immediately takes wing. 



Tlie natm-al song of the golden oriole resembles that of the missel- thrush, but it is not 

 so musical ; in captiA^ity, however, it learns tunes very readily. Bechstein saw two of 

 these birds reared from the nest, one of which, besides pouring forth its natural song, 

 whistled a minuet, while the other imitated a flom'ish of trumpets. He alludes, also, to 

 two other birds of this species, kept at BerUn, both of which whistled ditferent airs. 



The golden oriole is no exception to the rule, that all migrating birds are far more 

 difBcidt to keep alive in captivity than such as do not migrate. .Bechstein saj'S, so great 

 is the difficulty, that, in spite of the utmost care and attention, none that he ever knew 

 sm-vived a longer time than three or foui* months. Tho work of that intelHgeut 

 naturalist on " Cage Birds" is highty deserving the attention of all who are interested 

 in the " Feathered Tribes" under such circumstances. As to this bird, he recommends, 

 if an old one be caught, that it be kept, at first, in a retired and quiet place, and 

 fed on fresh cherries ; then, by degrees, on ants' eggs and white bread soaked in milk. 



There are ether orioles, but a description of them is deferred for the pi'esent, as they 

 belong to another F.-vjitiy, hereafter to be considered. 



THE BLACKCAP.* 



The name given to this bird is derived from the hood with which it is provided. Of 

 recluse habits, it frequents the borders of woods, parks, orchards, and groves, concealing 

 itself amidst theii- foliage. With great alertness of manner, it searches for the cater- 

 pillars and insects on the leaves of the trees, and as they feast abundantly on the foliage 

 of the ivj', to this richly clustering plant it specially resorts, being extremely partial to 

 berries. Strawberries, currants, and cherries afterwards regale its appetite, and its last 

 repasts, prior to its departm'e for the south, is on the berries of the elder. In the island 

 of Madeira it is said to find a permanent abode. 



Bechstein says : " A yoimg male which I had put into the hot-house for the winter, 

 was accustomed to receive from my hand a meal-worm ; this took place so regularlj*, 

 that immediately on my arrival, he placed himself near the little jar where I kept the 

 meal-worms. If I pretended not to notice this signal, he would take flight, and passing 

 close imder my nose resume his post ; and this he repeated, sometimes even striking me 

 with his v^ang, till I satisfied his wishes and impatience." Spealdng of captive biixls of 

 this species, the same wiiter remarks, that at the time in which they woidd naturall)- 

 migrate they become so much agitated, especially dming the night by moonlight (the 

 hour at which they commence their journey), that they often tall ill and die. The same 



* Ciu'iiica AUicapilla. 



