THE GOLDEN" OEIOLE. 845 



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 

 eccentric and amusing creature. 



" The bird was exceedingly tame 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 place before it on 

 the ground, and pierce it with a violent downward stroke of the bill : a small snake, about 

 a foot long, it treated in like manner, transfixing the centre of the head ; it afterwards 

 devoured about half the snake, holding it by one foot while it picked it with the bill, as 

 was its common mode of feeding." 



The Laughing Ceow of India ( Oarruldx leucoJophus) 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. 



The Golden Oeiole is an extremely rare visitant of this country, having been but 

 seldom observed within our coasts, but is far from uncommon in many parts of the 

 Continent, especially the more southern portions of Europe, such as the shores of the 

 Mediterranean and Southern Italy. 



The Golden Oriole derives it name from the bright golden yellow with which the 

 feathers of the adult male bird are largely tinged ; but as the full glory of its plumage is 

 not displayed until the bird has entered its third year, it is j)ossible that many specimens 

 may have visited this country and again departed without having attracted particular 

 attention. Mr. Yarrell, in his well-known History of the British Birds, mentions several 

 instances where the Golden Oriole has been seen and even bred within the British Isles ; 

 and there is a note from a correspondent of the Field newspaper, whi^h records the 

 capture of a pair of Golden Orioles, four young ones, and their nest near Ipswich. 

 Whenever this bird does make its appearance in this country it always comes in the 

 summer months, generally between April and September. 



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 fruits have attained maturity. It is rather gregarious in its habits, 

 generally associating in little flocks, and frequenting lofty trees and orchards, where it can 

 obtain abundance of food. 



It is an exceedingly shy and timorous bird, keeping carefully from man and his home, 

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

 cases it is extremely cautious in its behaviour, 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 preferring the outskirts of forests, whence it can at once dive into the thick 

 foliage and escape from danger, it often baffles the skill even of the practised fowler, who 

 is forced to trust to the careful imitation of its note for his hope of getting within shot of 

 this cunning bird. Moreover, the imitation must be exceedingly exact, for tlie ear of the 

 Golden Oriole is wonderfully true and delicate, and if the bird detects the least error in 

 the intonation, it takes instant alarm, and seeks for refuge in the deepest recesses of the 

 forest. According to M. Bechstein, the Golden Oriole is so fearful of exposing itself, that 

 it never perches upon a naked branch, always preferring those boughs which are most 

 thickly covered with foliage, and which will consequently afford it the best shelter. 



The food of the Golden Oriole consists chiefly of insects ; and as the bird is rather a 

 voracious one, it is very serviceable in clearing away the caterpillars and other fruit- 



