AJ-ES. ■ 57 



FAMILY, PYCNONOTID.E. 



90. Pycnonotns xanthopygns. Hemp, and Ehr. Symb. Ph)-s., fol. 

 bb. Palestine Bulbul. Arab Jj Jj, Bulbul. 



The Bulbul is one of the most characteristic birds of the warmer 

 regions of Palestine. Never found in the hills or upper country, it is 

 universally diffused through the Jordan valley and the lower parts of the 

 adjacent wadys, and throughout the whole of the maritime plain, from 

 Gaza to Sidon, wherever there are olive-yards, groves, or even dwarf 

 wood, and especially by the sides of streams. It is a permanent resident ; 

 never gregarious, but scattered throughout the year in pairs. It is the 

 finest songster of the country, and the fame of the Bulbul as a musician is 

 well deserved. It is inferior only to the Nightingale in power and variety 

 of song. The nest is a small neat structure in the fork or on the branch 

 of a tree, and the eggs are like those of the other species of the family : 

 white, thickly covered with rich crimson, chocolate, and pink blotches and 

 spots. It is by no means shy ; is easily tamed, and is a favourite cao-e- 

 bird with the natives. 



The range of the Palestine Bulbul is very limited. Out of Palestine 

 it is nowhere abundant, though I have found it occasionally in the warmer 

 nooks of the lower valleys of Northern Syria. It inhabits the date and 

 tamarisk groves of the Sinaitic Peninsula, and is stated to have occurred 

 in Cyprus and Rhodes. Thus It may be looked on as one of the peculiar 

 denizens of the Holy Land. 



FAMILY, ORIOLID^. 



91. Oriolus galbula. Linn. Syst. Nat. i , p. 160. Golden Oriole. 



The Golden Oriole passes through the country in May. Very few 

 remain to breed. 



The Golden Oriole passes the summer in the Mediterranean countries 

 and Southern Russia, wintering in Central Africa, and occasionally cross- 

 ing the line, migrating as far as Damara-land. It breeds commonly in 

 Northern Persia ; but its place is taken in India by the allied species, 

 O, kundoo. 



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