22 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



attraction, and the gunner or greedy collector soon put 

 an end to the naturalist's hope of seeing this handsome 

 species increase and multiply amongst us. 



BREEDING HABITS : Like most birds of conspicuous 

 and gaudy plumage, the Golden Oriole is fond of the 

 cover, and, although by no means a shy bird, is careful 

 to conceal itself amongst the leaves when menaced by 

 danger. In Europe the favourite breeding-grounds of 

 the Golden Oriole are groves, the borders of woods, 

 plantations, and well-timbered fields ; but in Algeria, 

 where I saw much of this species, the oases, public 

 gardens, and groves of evergreen oaks in the park-like 

 country of the Aures Mountains were the favourite 

 haunts. It is not improbable that this bird pairs for 

 life, although I do not think the same nest is used two 

 seasons in succession. The Golden Oriole very fre- 

 quently rears its young quite close to houses, and even 

 in towns, in avenues, and pleasure-grounds. The site 

 for the nest is usually in an oak, plane, or fir tree, at 

 distances varying from twenty to forty feet from the 

 ground. The nest, so far as British, or even European 

 birds are concerned, is unique, and cannot possibly be 

 mistaken for that of any other bird. It is invariably 

 suspended, cradle-wise, between a forked horizontal 

 branch, the external materials being deftly woven round 

 the supporting twigs. The outside is made of broad 

 grass, sedge, and strips of bark, amongst which a few 

 dead leaves or even scraps of paper are interwoven ; the 

 inside is lined with the fine round flower-stems of grass. 

 During the nesting period the old Orioles are careful not 

 to betray their secret, and are ever ready to drive off 

 any intruding birds. The very characteristic song of the 

 male often proves a guide to the whereabouts of the nest. 



RANGE OF EGG COLOURATION AND MEASUREMENT: 

 The eggs of the Golden Oriole are from four to six in 



