THE ORIOLES. 27 



brown wings and tail ; cheeks, chin, and upper throat white ; 

 under surface very pale brown, the flanks mottled with darker 

 brown. 



In winter the plumage of the old birds is not so brilliant, the 

 whole of the feathers being obscured by sandy-coloured edges 

 and tips, which wear off and become abraded as the spring 

 approaches. 



Range in Great Britain. An accidental visitor from the south- 

 east. 



Range outside the British Islands. Very common in winter in 

 the plains of India, staying in that country very late in the 

 season (we ourselves saw a flock of some ten individuals in 

 brilliant summer plumage near Futtehpur Sikri on the 3rd of 

 July), but they disappear suddenly, and are back again with 

 their young early in August. During their short absence from 

 their winter quarters they visit Central Asia, and come to 

 Asia Minor and South-eastern Europe to nest, as well as 

 Bulgaria, the Dobrudscha, and the vicinity of Smyrna at 

 irregular intervals, often following the locusts. They have 

 even been known to breed in large numbers as far west 

 as Verona. An interesting account of the nesting of this 

 species will be foind in Mr. Seebohm's " History of British 

 Birds " (l.c.). 



Habits. In most respects resembling our common Starling, 

 but differing in their mode of nesting, when they are gregarious, 

 and build their nests in holes of buildings or rocks. 



Eggs. Five to seven, nearly white or pale grey. Axis, 

 ri-i'2 inch; diam., 0-8-0-9. 



THE ORIOLES. FAMILY ORIOLID^E. 



The Orioles are birds generally of a bright black and yellow 

 plumage, or black and crimson. They are entirely confined to 

 the Old World, the so-called " Orioles " of America belonging 

 to a totally different family of birds, viz., the Icteridce. They 

 differ from the Crows not only in their brilliant coloration, but 

 in having a notch in the upper mandible, such as is found in 

 Thrushes and many other Passerine birds. Their mode of 



