RAVENS. 



24I 



hiding themselves in the thickest branches at the very tops of trees at the first approach of a stranger, 

 and thus rendering the observation of their habits a work of considerable difficulty ; those who are 

 desirous of obtaining a specimen are therefore compelled to watch the tree on which they peuh until 

 thirst compels them to come down in search of water. Gould informs us that the bowers built by the 

 Collar Birds are even more artistically constructed and elaborately decorated than those of the Satin 

 Bird, and though erected in similar situations, are more arched and of greater size, seme being as 

 much as three feet long ; like those we have described, the sides are formed of twigs woven together, 

 but these birds are not content with so rough a screen, and cover their ball-room with a layer of fine 

 and beautiful grass, large stones being employed by the clever little architects for the purpose of 



fXaityi* 



THE PIROL, OR GOLDEN ORIOLE (OriohlS galbula). 



keeping all the materials firmly in the proper place. The interior is decorated in the most elaborate 

 manner with various kinds of shells, gay scraps, bleached bones, or even the skulls of small animals ; 

 some of them being placed in such a manner as to form a sort of approach to the bower, whilst a 

 goodly number are heaped up by way of ornament upon each side of the entrance. Instances have 

 been known in which these energetic and persevering little creatures have collected as much as half a 

 bushel of materials, rejecting everything as unsuitable for their purpose that is not quite white or very 

 gay in colour, and actually going to search for shells upon the banks of rivers some miles distant from 

 the spot 0x1 which they build. Gould tells us that these tasteful bowers are so firmly constructed as to 

 serve as a pleasure apartment for several seasons in succession. 



The birds constituting the second group of this family are recognisable by their elongated beaks, 

 short feet, and rather long wings ; in the plumage of the male, black and yellow predominate ; but 

 the prevailing colour of the female is a greenish grey. 

 3i 



