o7 
of that seetion of them typified by the Oriolus galbula. The coun- 
tries they frequent are either hot or temperate, Africa, India, China, 
the Philippines, Java, Sumatra, and some of the islands of the 
Eastern Archipelago being tenanted by one or other of the species. 
Genus Orto.Lvs. 
Stee ORTOnUs TG ABUT eb4 4% S'S eee Oa Vel Te PI YOON: 
GoLDEN ORIOLE. 
Although common in many parts of Europe during the breeding- 
season, with us it is a rare bird, and must be included among our 
accidental spring visitants. In the Scilly Islands five or six are often 
seen together; but after remaining there quite unmolested for two 
or three weeks, they invariably betake themselves to the mainland, 
where persecution and death await them. The following note from 
my friend Mr. Rodd, respecting an unusual irruption of this species, 
will be read with interest ; it was received on the 24th of April, 
1870. “Iam sure you will be interested in hearing that a large 
immigration of Golden Orioles has taken place in the immediate 
neighbourhood of Penzance and at the Scilly Isles. They are mostly 
in superb adult plumage. Five were killed out of eight, and a fine 
male and a female besides, at Trevethoe, near Hayle. A flock of 
forty or fifty was risen in a thick plantation on the grounds after- 
wards.” Surely such beautiful birds, when they do arrive in this 
country, should receive protection instead of the destruction which 
now invariably awaits them. 
Family TURDIDA. 
A large number of medium-sized insessorial birds are included in 
this family—Thrushes, Blackbirds, Fieldfares, Redwings, &c. Their 
omnivorous appetite leads them to eat insects and their larve, snails, 
worms, fruits, and berries. Some are constantly resident, others are 
migratory ; some spend the summer, others the winter with us, 
Genus Turpvs. 
The Thrushes and the Blackbirds are seemingly very different ; 
and were it not for numerous intervening forms, the generic characters 
of Turdus and Merula would be more easily defined. The greater 
part inhabit the temperate portion of the earth, but are not found 
in Australia or New Zealand. 
Sime uRDUS MUSICUSHN ss) 4 60s). «). | Vol. Me eRieexexexenir 
THRUSH. 
Very generally distributed, and constantly residing and breeding 
here, as it does also in most parts of the European continent. 
