GOLDEN ORIOLE 125 



" It is, perhaps, scarcely necessary to remark that, as 

 regards situation, form, and the materials of which it 

 was composed, the nest did not differ from those which 

 one is accustomed to see upon the Continent. Invariably 

 placed in, and suspended under, the fork of a horizontal 

 bough, the sides of the nest are firmly bound to each 

 branch of the fork with blades of dry grass and fibrous 

 roots. There is generally a good deal of sheep's wool in 

 the nest itself, which, taken in connection with its 

 peculiar shape, gives it a very singular and unique 

 appearance. 



" On July 12, as we approached the nest in question, 

 the hen bird was sitting, but left as we advanced and 

 perched in a neighbouring elm, whence at intervals she 

 uttered the peculiar noise to which I have referred. Not 

 wishing to keep her too long from her young we left the 

 spot in about ten minutes, after carefully inspecting the 

 nest with a binocular. Returning again in half an hour, 

 and a third time two or three hours later, we saw the 

 hen on each occasion quit the nest and take up her 

 position as before at a little distance. Once only did I 

 catch a glimpse of her more bright-coloured mate as he 

 darted between two trees. He was very shy, and silent 

 too, being seldom heard except very early in the morning, 

 or at twilight. This, however, is the case with most 

 song-birds after the young are hatched, for they are then 

 so busy providing food for the little mouths that they 

 have scarcely time to sit and sing. Mr. Tomlin, who 

 had other and better opportunities for observing him, 

 gave me to understand that he was not in the fully adult 

 plumage, so that it seems the males of this species breed 

 before they have assumed their beautiful black and yellow 

 colours. 



