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ORIOLUS GALBULA. 411 
Natal this species “appears to frequent more dense bush than is the 
case with Buchanga assimilis, and is never seen (like its congener) 
to frequent the grass fires. It is a less plentiful species than the 
above-mentioned Drongo, and its notes are neither so harsh nor so 
loud.” Captain Shelley found them 
always in the thickest parts of the bush, where their loud, harsh cry 
“not uncommon near Durban, 
may be frequently heard.” He adds that they were very active and 
restless in their movements, and rarely failed to show their curiosity 
by approaching quite close to an intruder, but they seldom remained 
long in view. 
Adult.—General colour above greenish black, somewhat greyer on 
the ramp; wing-coverts and quills black, the coverts and the secon- 
daries narrowly edged with the same glossy green as the back; tail 
black, the feathers washed on their outer webs with glossy greenish 
black; lores and frontal feathers, as well as the sides of the face 
black, the latter with a shght gloss; under surface of body greyish 
black, with a slight greenish gloss on the breast-feathers ; ‘ bill and 
legs black; iris deep orange.” Total length, 7 inches; culmen, 
0°8; wing, 39; tail, 3°7; tarsus, 0°7. 
Fig. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8. Afr. pl. 34. 
Fam. ORIOLIDA. 
894. ORIOLUS GALBULA. Golden Oriole. 
The Golden Oriole of Europe, when it leaves that continent, visits 
South Africa for its winter quarters, arriving probably by the east 
coast, as it has been shot at Mombas, but has never been seen on the 
west coast of Africa. The late Mr. Andersson met with it at the 
Knysna, whence a specimen of his collecting is in the British 
Museum. Mr. T. Ayres has procured it in Natal, and Mr. F. A. 
Barratt writes as follows :—‘“‘I observed several of these birds in the 
bush near Rustenberg ; and I think I saw them at Lydenburg Gold- 
fields. I also received a specimen from Marico. They are rather 
abundant, but at the same time so wary of approach that it was some 
time before I got a specimen.” A female was obtained by the late 
Mr. Frank Oates on the Marico River. Mr. Andersson also 
procured a specimen in Ovampo Land, and he observes :—“ The 
European Golden Oriole arrives in Damara Land with the return of 
the rainy season, but it is comparatively rare, and very few adult 
