234 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



Moor Blackbird," says the Rev. N. Paterson, of Galashiels, in Selkirk- 

 shire, "has of late years become a most troublesome spoiler of the 

 garden. The daring thief comes before the windows and carries off 

 a plum nearly as large as itself, showing by its chatter more of 

 anger than fear when it is disturbed in the work of depredation. The 

 finest wall-fruits are its prey." In France, Buifon says it feeds 

 largely on grapes. 



The nest resembles that of the Blackbird, being composed of coarse 

 grass, plastered internally with clay, and lined with finer grass. It is 

 usually placed amid the heather, under the shelter of a furze or other 

 bush, or in some well concealed hollow in a rock. It has sometimes 

 been found in a tree at a height of five or six feet from the ground. 

 The eggs are from four to six in number, of a pale greenish blue 

 colour, spotted, most thickly at the larger end, with reddish brown 

 or pale purple. The young are fully fledged by about the middle of 

 June. 



The song of the Ring Ouzel is without much variety, but loud and 

 mellow. Its cry of alarm "consists of a repetition of strong clear 

 notes, like those of the Blackbird, but louder." Meyer likens its ordi- 

 nary note to the syllable 'tuk.' 



THE GOLDEN ORIOLE, 



(Oriolus galbula.} 

 LATE XV. FIGURE V. 



IN size and shape this species resembles the Blackbird. The plumage 

 of the male is exceedingly beautiful, being of u brilliant golden yellow, 

 except the wings and tail, which are black, edged and tipped with 

 yellow. The female is more soberly attired, the tip of the tail only 

 is yellow, while the general colour of the upper parts of the body is 

 greenish yellow, and of the lower yellowish white, streaked with dark 

 brown. 



The Golden Oriole is plentiful in Asia and Africa, and from thence 

 visits Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and Holland about April, re- 

 turning in September. It is not a regular visitor to the British 

 Isles, but a few accidental stragglers have beei. obtained in England, 

 chiefly in the southern counties, and a few in Ireland. 



