THE GOLDEN OKIOLE. 55 



which seem to be its favourite fruit. Its singular 

 nest is generally hung in a fork of a bough, being 

 usually attached firmly to both branches. It 

 contains four or five white eggs, tinged with 

 purple. The French have a saying that it is an 

 ill omen to find an oriole's nest. 



These birds display great attachment to their 

 young, and great courage in defending them, 

 Montbeillard says, that the parent birds will dart 

 courageously at those who cany off their nest- 

 lings, and that the persevering mother has been 

 known, when caged with her nest, to continue 

 hatching in confinement, and to die while sitting 

 on her eggs. 



The epicures of the Greek isles consider the 

 flesh of the oriole a great delicacy, and this is 

 with other small birds often exposed there for 

 sale. 



