OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 25'; 



ORIOLE 



(Olive-backed Oriole), 



Oriolns sagittatiis, Lath 



O'ri-o-lus saj-e-ta'tus. 

 Aureolus, golden ; sagitta, an arrow. 

 OmoLTJS viRiDis, Gould, *• Birds of Australia," fol., vol. iv., pi. 13. 

 Geographical Distribuion. — Areas 3, 4. 



Key to the Species. — Breast streaked ; abdomen white, broadly 

 streaked with black ; upper surface olive, sometimes green ; lores 

 feathered ; bill with a notch in the upper mandible ; nostrils placed 

 well in front of the base of the bill and quite bare ; iris scarlet. 

 Total length, 10 inches. 



The two certain species of Orioles are found only on the eastern 

 coast of our continent ; one, the northern species, keeps to the 

 upper half, and the other, the present form, stays in the 

 southern part. It is a fairly plentiful bird, and in size it is a 

 shade larger than the common Myna, or a little shorter than 

 the Rosella. I am not certain whether or not it leaves 

 southern Victoria during winter for the warmer parts, though 

 I have known it to arrive in this southern State in advance of 

 spring. Those inhabiting the upper part of New South Wales 

 appear also to winter there. 



The voice of the Oriole is sometimes imitative of the Cuckoo- 

 Shrike, though it pitches the first note in a higher key than 

 this bird. Mr. Gould observes : — " The note of this Oriole is 

 melodious and varied. It may often be seen perched on some 

 shady tree, with its head thrown back, thus showing to 

 perfection its mottled breast, and singing in a low tone 

 imitative of the notes of many birds, including tht Silver- eye, 

 and particularly the black or fruit-eating Magpie. While 

 feeding, it frequently utters a harsh, guttural sort of squeak. 



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