GOLDEN ORIOLE. 213 



notched at the point. Nostrils basal, lateral, nakerl, pierced hoiizontaily in an 

 extended membrane. Wings of moderate size, with the first feather short; 

 the second feather not so long as the third, which is the longest in the wing. 

 Feet with three toes in front, one behind ; tarsi shorter or only as long as the 

 middle toe ; the outer toe joined at its base to the middle toe. 



Like the species last described, though much more rare, 

 the Golden Oriole is also a summer visiter to Britain, an 

 occasional straggler being now and then obtained, but al- 

 ways between spring and autumn. This bird makes its 

 annual visit to the European continent from the countries 

 south of the Mediterranean in the month of April, and re- 

 turns in September. It is in April that a specimen is some- 

 times obtained on our southern coast ; and from those that 

 pass over France and Germany in a north-western direction, 

 an example is occasionally procured in the maritime counties 

 of our eastern coast. 



Very little is known of the habits of the Golden Oriole in 

 this country ; but greater facilities for observation occur on 

 the Continent, and in Italy particularly these birds are 

 common. 



Bechstein says, they generally frequent lonely groves, or 

 the skirts of forests, always keeping among the most bushy 

 trees, so that it is rarely seen on a naked branch. They 

 always frequent orchards in the fruit season. M. Vieillot 

 also says that they frequent Avooded countries, arc shy and 

 difficult to approach. These birds, he says, are sometimes 

 deceived by an expert sportsman, who advances towards them 

 whistling their note ; but the ear of the bird is so correct, 

 that a single mistake, or false note, made in the imitation of 

 his song, is a sufficient hint to the bird, and he takes wing 

 instantly. Mr. Swainson, speaking of the habits of the 

 Orioles generally, says, they live in small flocks, fly well, and 

 frequent high trees, among the foliage of which they seek 

 for caterpillars, soft insects, and fruits. 



