ORIOLUS GALBULA 165 



Upper parts, with the exception of the lores, wings and tail, yellowibh- 

 green, becoming brighter on rump ; lores and wings grey-brown, but 

 otherwise marked as in the male ; the central pair of rectrices greenish, 

 lighter at the base, and darker at the tip, the remaining tail-feathers as 

 in male ; underparts greyish-white, striated with dark grey stripes, and 

 becoming yellow on the flanks, crissum and under tail-coverts. 

 Soft parts and measurements as in the male. 



Observations. — Young males in their first year's plumage resemble the 

 adult female. In very old females the breast and underparts are almost 

 as brightly coloured as in the male, but always slightly striated. 



This handsome bird is a common summer migrant in Tunisia, 

 arriving generally about the beginning or middle of April. The bulk 

 of the migrants pass on northwards, but a good many pairs remain 

 and breed in the north of the Kegency, ascending into the mountain 

 forests and cool, wooded spots for that purpose. Apparently the 

 species also breeds in Marocco, for I have a specimen obtained in the 

 Maroccan Atlas on May lath, and Mr. Meade- Waldo met with full- 

 grown young in July. 



As in the case of several other species in Tunisia, the autumnal 

 passage of the Golden Oriole is far less noticeable than the spring one. 

 Whether this is due to the majority of the migrants returning south- 

 wards by some different route, or to the fact that the autumn passage 

 takes place during the night, is unknown. It is possible that the 

 majority of the birds, when travelhng southwards in autumn, pass 

 onwards without halting to rest anywhere on the way. What is 

 certain, however, is that they duly reach their winter quarters, and 

 in the following spring follow their accustomed route northwards. 

 In Sicily and other Mediterranean islands the same marked disparity 

 is noticeable between the vernal and autumnal migrations of several 

 species, and the true explanation of this, and other important points 

 in the migration of birds, still remains to be discovered . 



When on passage the Golden Oriole is generally to be met with 

 in small parties, but occasionally it is to be found singly or in pairs. 

 Oak-forests are much frequented by these birds, particularly those 

 of ilex, and it is a striking and pretty sight to see a brightly-coloured 

 male Golden Oriole dart out of one of these trees and fly off in full 

 view, its gorgeous golden plumage contrasting well with the darli green 



