24- CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



THE riRUL. 



The Pirol, Golden Oriole, or Cherry Bird (Orioli/s ga/buhi), is about nine and three-quarter 

 inches long and eighteen broad ; the wing measures about six inches, and the tail four inches. The 

 female is a trifle smaller than her mate. The plumage of the male is principally of a splendid light 

 yellow, only the bridles, wings, and tail being black ; the roots of the quills and the tips of the tail- 

 feathers are ornamented with a yellow spot. The colour of the female, as well as that of die one-year 

 old male and young birds, is green above and white beneath ; the front of the throat is of a light ash 

 grey, marked with long greyish-black streaks ; the tail is tipped with yellow, and the wing-feathers 

 edged with a light border ; the eyes are bright carmine, the beak a dull red, that of the female and 

 young being greyish black, and their feet lead colour. 



In Germany this beautiful species has received the name of the AVhitsuntide Bird, from the fact that 

 in most parts of Europe, except the extreme north, it usually makes its appearance at that season of the 

 year. Central Asia, however, must be regarded as the actual habitat of the Pirol ; there, as elsewhere, 

 it frequents wooded districts, generally avoiding mountain tracts, and only tarrying for a short time 

 amongst the forests of fir or pine trees passed over in journeying to another locality. Birch or oak 

 trees afford it a favourite retreat, and upon these it will establish its head-quarters, only leaving them 

 to fly about the gardens or orchards in the immediate neighbourhood in search of food, and thus 

 becoming very troublesome to the inhabitants at the season when the cherries ripen. During the 

 course of its migrations, the Pirol visits the very centre of Africa ; we ourselves have seen it as far 

 south as eleven degrees north latitude, and it is constantly met with in the western parts of the 

 continent. In its habits this bird is distinguished by many peculiarities, although living in the 

 immediate vicinity of man ; it is extremely shy, and constantly endeavours to conceal itself from his 

 view. In disposition it is always mild and restless, flying and fluttering about incessantly from one 

 tree or branch to another, only coming down to perch upon a bush, or searching the ground when 

 desirous of procuring insect food. Its gait is so extremely awkward, that it may be said to progress 

 by means of a. series of short clumsy jumps, rather than by hopping in the usual manner. Its flight is 

 heavy, noisy, rapid, and, like that of the Starling, very undulating. Amongst themselves these birds 

 are extremely quarrelsome, often pecking and hunting each other about for a quarter of an hour at a 

 time upon the slightest provocation — indeed, they exhibit a most pugnacious disposition towards all 

 their feathered companions. Their voice is very loud, full, and agreeable, and they would seem 

 never to be weary of exhibiting their vocal powers ; a pair of them is sufficient to enliven the whole 

 wood in which they take up their abode. 



The nest, which is most artistically constructed, is usually suspended from a forked and slender 

 branch ; in shape it is like a deep basin. The walls are formed of blades of grass, vine-tendrils, wool, 

 cobwebs, and a great variety of similar materials, the interior being snugly lined with a thick bed of 

 wool, feathers, or fine grass ; this beautiful structure is most skilfully fastened in its place by means of 

 long threads or twigs, moistened with saliva from the beak of the bird, and then wound several times 

 round the branch, their ends being woven into the body of the nest. Both parents assist in the forma- 

 tion of the outer wall of this pretty fabric, but the female alone undertakes the preparation of the warm 

 bed upon which the brood are to be deposited. The eggs, five in number, are laid about June ; they 

 are smooth, white, and marked with dark grey or reddish spots. Passler tells us that the affection of 

 these birds for their young progeny is very great, and that they show considerable courage and 

 determination in defending their little family if any attempt is made to touch their nest. At noon the 

 female is relieved from her watch by her mate, who remains upon the nest whilst she flies away 

 hurriedly to snatch a hasty meal from the neighbouring fields. The young are hatched within a 



