OiirOLES. 



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been classed bv some naturalists arnonn- Gallinaceous birds ; but 

 Temminck places it in bis Insectivorous order, among the Thrushes, 

 and between Cuculas and Pitta. Cuvier places it among the Pas- 

 serines. Vigors places it in the ov^ev Rasores, and in the family of the 

 Cracidce. This curious bird has a long compressed bill, triangular at 

 the base. It owes its name to the peculiar disposition of its tail, which 

 in the male has the exact form of a lyre. The singular develop- 

 ment of the feathers of the tail is its chief attraction, for the 

 plumage is dull and sombre in colour. In Australia it inhabits the 

 forests of Eucalyptus ; builds its nest in trees, a short distance from 

 the ground ; and feeds upon worms and insects, which it seeks 

 for under the dried leaves and the surface of the soil. Its song is 

 described as not unpleasant. 



The Okioles {Oriolns, Linn.) have the bill long, stout, nearly 



y / / 



Fig. 256.— The Golden Oriole (Oriolus galhula, Sw.). 



straight, rather broad at the base, the dorsal line arched, and the 

 tarsi very short. They are found in all the warmer parts of the 

 Old World, and in the islands of Oceania. Their plumage is 

 richly coloured, shades of yellow and black blending in great 

 variety. 



The Golden Oriole {Oriolus galhula, Wood), Fig. 256, is about 

 the size of the Blackbird, which it much resembles in form. The 



