24 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 



parties are constantly to be met with on oar salt 

 marshes, seldom rising when disturbed, but flitting 

 up and down the narrower creeks, and looking very 

 dark at a little distance. 



Family ORIOLID^. 



Genus ORIOLUS. 



O. Galbula. Golden Oriole. 



The Golden Oriole is a rare casual visitant, but 

 from its peculiar call-note and rich flute-like song, 

 is hardly likely to have occurred without detection. 

 A female or immature male was shot at Irton in 

 1857 (ZooL, 1879, p. 488) ; another was obtained 

 near Penrith by T. Hope ; several others were seen 

 near Lorton in 1878. {H. P. Senhouse, MS.) 



Family LANIID^E. 



Genus LAN I US. 



L. Excuhitor. Great Grey Shrike. 



The Great Grey Shrike is a rare winter visitant, 

 but few seasons pass without one or more specimens 

 being obtained in the county, and others observed ; 

 for though easily approached at first, this Shrike is 

 naturally a shy bird, and its rapid flight renders it 

 difficult to shoot, if its suspicions are aroused. We 

 have notes of about twenty-five Cumbrian Grey 

 Shrikes, and have examined half the number, only 

 three of which can be referred to the sub-species 

 Lanius Major, characterised by the presence of a 



