26 



XATURAL mSTOIlV. 



One of the best accounts of tlie Golden Oriole is that given by Mr. Dresser in the " Birds of 

 Europe," as it is a bird with which he was personally well acquainted. He observes, " The Golden 

 Oriole is a shy and unobtrusive bird; "and, in spite of its gaudy coloration, it is by no means a 

 conspicuous or easily observed species. It affects evergreen groves and woods, where it keeps to the 

 dense foliage, and appears to be a restless, uneasy bird, continually moving from place to place. 

 When in Finland, now nearly twenty years ago, I had very ample opportunities of observing this 

 species, for a pair bred in a garden, and were generally to be found in the high trees of a fine old 

 avenue in front of the windows of the house in which I was living, and the clear bold whistle of the 

 male and his mewing call could generally be heard. In spite of their being unmolested, they were 

 shy. and used to hide amongst the dense foliage of the tree-tops, seldom descending into the bushes, 



GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



and were usually observed flying from one grove to another. I noticed that the flight was rolling and 

 heavy, but swift ; and they appeared to avoid taking long flights. I have since then seen the Golden 

 Oriole in many countries, and have always found it a shy bird, difficult to observe or to approach. 

 During the pairing season they may be observed chasing each other from grove to grove ; and at that 

 season especially it is a quarrelsome bird, not only as regards its own species, but it will chase away 

 other birds that approach its chosen haunts. For any one who can closely imitate its note, it is no 

 difficult matter to approach within a short distance of it, or rathei 1 , to entice it within range. Amongst 

 the German foresters I have found many who can immediately entice an Oriole ; but the bird has so 

 good an ear that, although it will at first answer the call, it soon discovers the trick played on it, 

 should a single note be false, and it is then hopeless to try and approach it. I can call this species 

 tolerably well ; but an old Oriole will generally find me out before he gets within range. Mr. Carl 

 Sachse, however, is an adept at calling an Oriole ; and I have been with him when he has enticed one 

 within a few yards of the place where we were concealed. On one occasion he got three Orioles within 

 range at the same time, which, considering the general wariness of this bird, is a tolerably good proof 

 of his powers of mimicry. The note of the Oriole is a clear loud whistle, varied somewhat so as to 

 resemble the syllables huidleo, kuitidleo, huidleo, so clearly is the tone given. From its note many 



