35 



s 



GENUS VI. 



ORIOLUS. 



Bill straight, sharp pointed; tongue bifid; toes 

 three forward, one backward ; the middle one joined 

 near the base to the outmost. 



1. GALBULA. GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



O. Luleus, loris alls caudaque nigris, rectricibus apice 

 flams. Shaw. 



The bill is brownish red ; the irides red ; plumage 

 fine golden yellow ; between the bill and eye is a 

 streak of black ; the wings are black, marked here 

 and there with yellow, and a patch of the same in the 

 middle of the wing ; the two middle feathers of the 

 tail are black, inclining to olive at the base ; the tips 

 are yellow ; the base half of the others are black, the 

 rest yellow ; the legs are lead colour ; claws black. 



Length 9i inches. 



The female is of a dull greenish brown, where the 

 male is black. Montagu. 



The nest is of the shape of a purse, and is fastened 

 to the twigs of tall trees, it is composed of the fibres 

 of hemp and straw, lined with moss. 



The female lays 4 or 5 dirty white eggs, with 

 small dark spots. 



This bird rarely visits England, but it is common 

 in France during the summer. 



Its food is grapes, figs, and cherries. 



