THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



375 



the enclosed mollusc. When a Thrush has found a stone that suits 

 his purpose peculiarly well, he brings all his snails to the spot, and 

 leaves quite a large heap of empty snail-shells under the stone. One 

 of the best examples that I have ever seen was a large squared boulder- 

 stone, forming part of a rustic stile in Wiltshire. There was a large 

 pile of shells immediately under the stone, and the ground was strewed 

 for some distance with the crushed fragments, that had evidently been 

 trodden upon and carried away by the feet of passengers. 



The Thrush does not, however, confine itself wholly to this kind of 

 diet, but in the autumn months feeds largely on berries and different 

 fruits, being very fond of cherries, and often 

 working great havoc in an orchard or fruit- 

 garden. But, in spite of its occasional in- 

 roads upon the gardens, it deserves the grat- 

 itude of the agriculturist on account of its 

 service in destroying the snails and other 

 garden pests, and may well be allowed to 

 take its autumnal toll of a few of the fruits 

 of which it has been such an efficient pre- 

 server. 



The nest of the Thrush is rather large, 

 and is shaped like a basin. The shell of 

 the nest is composed of roots and mosses, 

 inside which is worked a rather thin but 

 wonderfully compact layer of cow-dung 

 and decayed wood, so strongly kneaded 

 that when dry it will hold water almost 

 as well as an earthenware vessel. There 

 are usually five eggs, of a beautiful blue 

 spotted with black. The spots are small, 

 round, and well marked, and are extremely variable in size and 

 number; they are always gathered toward the larger end of the 



egg. 



The Golden Oeiole is an extremely rare visitant of this country, 

 having been but seldom observed within our coasts, but is far from un- 

 common in many parts of the Continent, especially the more southern 

 portions of Europe, such as the shores of the Mediterranean and South- 

 ern Italy. 



It derives its name from the bright golden yellow with which the 

 feathers of the adult male bird are lai^gely tinged ; but as the full 

 glory of its plumage is not displayed until the bird has entered its 

 third year, it is possible that many specimens may have visited this 

 country and again departed without having attracted particular atten- 

 tion. 



The Song Thrush ( Tardus 

 musictts). 



