THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



553 



of man, and it haunts the orchards in numbers, making no small 

 havoc among the fruit. Even under such circumstances it is not 

 easy of approach, and the gunner will seldom manage to secure 

 his prey except by imitating its peculiar and flute-like notes. He 

 must, however, be very careful in his mimicry, for the bird has a 

 critical ear, and if it detects the imitator, is sure to slip through 

 the foliage and fly off to its forest strong-hold. 



Golden Orioles and Nest. 



The nest of the Golden Oriole is always placed near the ex- 

 tremity of a branch, and in some cases is so constructed that it al- 

 most deserves to be ranked among the pensiles. It is always a 

 pretty nest, and the accompanying illustration conveys a good 

 idea of its general form. It is always more or less cup -like in 

 shape, but the comparative depth of the cup is very variable, as 



