C (iter Fe 
when amongst branches of the taller trees. The species differ from 
each other, either by a richer or more brilliant display of yellow, or 
a more liberal supply of black markings. The difference in colour, 
more so, are signified by the names of each species. Bills of Orioles 
are longish, strong and thrush-like, slightly curved and hooked at the 
tip also notched which, together with its structure, gives it a place 
amongst Dentirostres ; tail is fairly short ; farsus short, as we observed 
in the short-legged thrushes ; feet small ; claws curved. These birds 
have distinctly arboreal habits and display not a little partiality for 
well wooded parts of the district. All the species have not predo- 
minating yellow colour. Maroon Oriole differs in this respect. 
This Sub-family Orioline are divided into :— 
(i) Golden Orioles. 
(ii) —Black-naped Orioles. 
(iii) —Black-headed Orioles. 
(iv)—Maroon Orioles. 
These groups differ from each other, in structure, size and 
colour ; but are similar in habits generally. They have arboreal 
tendencies, perch and slip silently through, with much facility, the 
branches of trees. They never descend to the ground ; the accom- 
plishment of hopping about is beyond their scope, as their short 
tarsi bones are better adapted for perching. A number of species, 
frequent the forests, chiefly at foot of the hills, extending up the 
basins of bigger rivers with their tropical surroundings. 
Orioles are well distributed throughout the plains. 
GOLDEN ORIOLES, 
(470) ORIOLUS KUNDOO, Indian Oriole, you must already be 
familiar with, under the name of “mango-bird,” owing to its associa- 
tions with the mango season, and advent of a good crop it is sup- 
posed to herald, when these birds are seen in bigger numbers. 
Doubtless, they destroy effectually, destructive caterpillars and in- 
sects, which might have at its earlier stage, spoilt the crop. How- 
ever we have no scientific data, as to the merits of these prognos- 
tications. This Oriole is 93 inches long; irides rich ruby ; predo- 
minating colour yellow ; male, the wings black with a yellow bar on 
primary coverts, and a few of the quills ; tail showing a good deal 
of black with broad yellow tip ; it has a black stripe on the side of 
the head, from bill and past the eyes ; bill lake-ved ; legs /plumbeous. 
