162 



BIRDS. 



ii. THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



The male of the rare and beautiful Golden Oriole that 

 visits us from the Continent is conspicuous by reason of 

 his bright yellow plumage and black wings and tail. The 

 oriole's food consists of insects, and it makes occasional 

 raids on the orchard. It has bred in Surrey, Kent, and 



the Fen Country, and occurs annually in the south-west, 

 but appears not to breed there. It might probably do so 

 if less molested by the collector and his emissaries. The 

 deep cup-shaped nest, cunningly made of fine grass and 

 strips of bark, is suspended in trees. Ef/gs, 4 or 5, rather 

 over i inch ; white, with reddish blotches. 



12. THE SHRIKES. 



[Carnivorous and insectivorous birds. Two regular and 

 two irregular visitors.] 



