GOLDEN ORIOLE. 21 



seven in number, five being an average clutch. They 

 are pale greenish-blue, somewhat elongated, rather rough 

 in texture, but with considerable gloss, and are spotless. 

 The shade of colour varies a good deal, some eggs being 

 almost white, others much more intense. Exposure to 

 the light soon robs them of much of their colour. 

 Average measurement, V2 inch in length, by '85 inch in 

 breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by the female, 

 lasts fourteen days. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of no other 

 species breeding in the British Islands can easily be 

 confused with those of the Starling. Their large size 

 and uniform greenish-blue tinge readily distinguish them 

 from the eggs of all our smaller species. 



Family ORIOLID.E. Genus Oriolus. 



GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



Oriolus galbula, Lijincpus. 



Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June. 



British breeding area : The Golden Oriole is 

 another melancholy instance of the senseless persecution 

 of rare birds in the British Islands. There is nothing, 

 so far as we can determine, to prevent this handsome 

 and melodious songster from becoming as common on 

 this side of the Channel as it is on the other, if the 

 individuals of this species that almost yearly visit our 

 southern and south-western counties were allowed to 

 live and rear their broods -in peace. There can be 

 little or no doubt that the Golden Oriole has bred in 

 Kent, Surrey, Essex, Northamptonshire, and Norfolk, 

 ut, alas ! the gaudy dress of the male bird is a fatal 



