44 THE ORIOLE. 



tacks them most voraciously, and often does as 

 much mischief in the cherry-orchards by devour- 

 ing the fruit, as it did good by freeing the trees 

 from insects. It has a singular cry, which has 

 been supposed to resemble the word oriole, or 

 loriot, from whence its name is derived. Some 

 persons in France have imagined that the notes 

 of its song sound like the words, " Louisat bonne 

 merises." Others have persuaded themselves 

 that it articulates 



" C'est le compere loriot, 

 Qui mange les cerises, et laisse le noyau." 



The nest of this beautiful bird is singularly 

 pretty : it is made of straw, flax, wool, and moss, 

 and lined with the softest materials, wool, spi- 

 ders' webs, the silky nest of caterpillars, and 

 feathers. This nest is fastened firmly to the 

 branch of a tree, from which it hangs suspend- 

 ed like pendent fruit. 



THE ORIOLE'S SONG. 



Where the Garonne pours its stream, 

 Where the Seine's broad waters gleam, 

 Where the Loire's sweet river flows, 

 Where the dark green olive grows, 

 There the golden oriole flies, 

 And " Louisat bonne merises," he cries. 



