228 MERULID A. 
_ORroLus. Generic Characters.—The form of the beak is that of an elon- 
gated cone, but slightly depressed at the base ; upper mandible ridged above, 
notched at the point. Nostrils basal, lateral, naked, pierced horizontally in an 
extended membrane. Wings of moderate size, with the first feather short ; 
the second feather not so long as the third, which is the longest in the wing. 
Feet with three toes in front, one behind ; tarsi shorter or only as long as the 
middle toe ; the outer toe joined at its base to the middle toe. 
Lixe the Ring Ouzel, though much more rare, the 
Golden Oriole is also a summer visitor to Britain, an 
occasional straggler being now and then obtained, but al- 
ways between spring and autumn. This bird makes its 
annual visit to the European continent from the countries 
south of the Mediterranean in the month of April, and re- 
turns in September. It is in April that a specimen is some- 
times obtained on our southern coast; and from those that 
pass over France and Germany in a north-western direc- 
tion, an example is occasionally procured in the maritime 
counties of our eastern coast. 
Very little is known of the habits of the Golden Oriole 
in this country ; but greater facilities for observation occur 
on the Continent, and in Italy particularly these birds are 
common. 
Bechstein says, they generally frequent lonely groves, or 
the skirts of forests, always keeping among the most bushy 
trees, so that it is rarely seen on a naked branch. They 
always frequent orchards in the fruit season. M. Vieillot 
also says that they frequent wooded countries, are shy and 
difficult to approach. These birds, he says, are sometimes 
deceived by an expert sportsman, who advances towards 
them whistling their note; but the ear of the bird is so 
correct, that a single mistake, or false note, made in the 
imitation of his song, is a sufficient hint to the bird, 
and he takes wing instantly. Mr. Swainson, speaking 
of the habits of the Orioles generally, says, they live in 
