OEIOLUS 47 



Like the other Glossy Starlings, this species builds its nest 

 in the holes of trees, in the Transvaal in December, lining some 

 natural hollow, or the old nest-hole of a Barbet, with wool and 

 feathers, over which they place green leaves, which are renewed 

 from time to time. The eggs, usually four in number, are pale 

 blue, sparingly spotted with pale brown at the large end. They 

 measure 0-90 x 0-70. 



Family III. ORTOLID^]. 



The cutting edges of both mandibles smooth, the upper 

 mandible with a distinct notch. Nostrils well in advance of the 

 base of the bill, and nearer the commissure than the culmen, 

 not concealed by plumes or bristles. Tongue not tubular. Eictal 

 bristles present. Tarsi scutellated anteriorly, covered by two 

 longitudinal laminae posteriorly. Tail-feathers twelve. Primaries 

 ten. Sexes differ very slightly when fully adult ; the plumage of 

 the young streaked. One moult only, in autumn. 



The Orioles are distributed over a large portion of Europe, Asia 

 and Africa. 



About forty species and sub-species are described ; eight species 

 are found in the Ethiopian Eegion, and three of these occur to 

 the south of the Zambesi and Cunene Kivers. 



Genus I. ORIOLUS. 



Type. 

 Oriolus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 160 (1766) 0. galbula. 



Bill moderate, about as long as the head, conical, decurved to 

 the point, which is notched. Nostrils basal, lateral, bare and 

 pierced horizontally in an extended membrane. Lores feathered. 

 Kictal bristles fairly well developed. Wings long and sharp, the 

 first quill much shorter than the second, the third the longest. 

 Tail shorter than the wing, the end slightly rounded, Tarsi short, 

 scutellated anteriorly, covered by two entire plates posteriorly. 

 Toes scutellated. Claws curved, sharp, and grooved laterally. 

 Plumage yellow and black. 



The Orioles are essentially tree-birds, seldom descending to the 

 ground, but obtaining their food, consisting of insects, fruit, and 



