250 THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



BABBLERS. 



Several species of Babblers possess a sweet ' song, others are admirable mimics, while 

 others are remarkable for the strange oddity of their cry. 



One of the best songsters iu this group is the Black-faced Thrush, a native of the 

 mountainous regions of India and China. This bird is very gregarious in its habits, assem- 

 bling in large flocks and preferring the thickest jungles and deepest ravines to the open 

 country. These flocks, although they are so deeply hidden, are easily discoverable by means 

 of the extraordinary sounds which tliey emit, and wliich are said to resemble a chorus of 

 wild laughter. The food of this bird, when at liberty, consists chiefly of fruit and insects ; 

 but when tamed, the Black -faced Thrush is rather carnivorous in its character, as will pres- 

 ently be seen. The nest of this bird is rather rudely constructed of little sticks and grasses, 

 worked into some convenient hole in the side of a gully, and generally contains four eggs. 



This species is easily tamed, and, as will be seen from the following notes, made by Mr. 

 Frith, of a Black-faced Thrush that had been for some time in his possession, is a very eccen- 

 tric and amusing creature : — 



' ' The bird was exceedingly tam.e and familiar, and delighted, like a cockatoo, in being 

 caressed and tickled by the hand, when it would spread out its wings and assume very singular 

 attitudes. It was naturally a fine songster, and a most universal imitator. Whenever 

 chopped meat or other food was put into its cage, it always evinced a propensity to deposit 

 the bits one by one between the wires ; and when a bee or wasp was offered, this bird would 

 seize it instantly, and invariably turn its tail round and make the insect sting this several 

 times successively before eating it. A large beetle it would j)lace before it on the ground, and 

 piei'ce it vdth a violent downward stroke of the bill ; a small snake, about a foot long, it 

 treated in a like manner, transfixing the centre of the head ; it aftewards devoured about half 

 the snake, holding it by one foot while it picked it with the bill, as was its common mode of 

 feeding." 



^o- 



The Lattghing Ckow of India {Garrnldx leucblophus) is another species of the same 

 genus, and is remarkable for the singular resemblance which its cry bears to the laughter of 

 human beings. Its name of "leucolophus," or white-crested, has been given to it on account 

 of the white feathers which are found on the crown of the head. 



ORIOLES. 



The Golden Oriole is well known in many parts of the European Continent, especially 

 the more southern portions of Europe, such as the shores of the Mediterranean and Southern 

 Italy. 



Tlie Golden Oriole derives its name from the bright golden yellow with which the feathers 

 of the adult male bird are largely tinged. The fuU glory of its plumage is not displayed until 

 the bird has entered its tliird year. 



In Italy, this bird is quite common, and by the peasantry is supposed to announce the 

 ripening of the fig, its peculiar cry being translated into a choice Italian sentence, signifying 

 that the fi^uits have attained maturity. It is rather gregarious in its habits, generally asso- 

 ciating in little flocks, and frequenting lofty trees and orchards, where it can obtain abun- 

 dance of food. 



It is an exceedingly shy and timorous bird, keeping cai'ef ully from man and his home, 

 and only venturing into cultivated grounds for the sake of obtaining food. Even in such cases 

 it is extremely cautioiis in its behavior, and as it always takes the trouble to set sentries on 

 guard, it cannot be approached without the greatest patience and wariness on the part of the 

 sportsman or observer. Being generally found in the loneliest spots, and especially prefening 

 the outskirts of forests, whence it can at once dive into the thick foliage and escape from 



