Family ORIOLIDA. 
Genus ORIOLUS. 
Turdus apud Brisson, Orn. ii. p. 320 (1760). 
Oriolus, Linneeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 160 (1766). 
Coracias apud Scopoli, Ann. I. Hist. Nat. p. 41 (1769). 
Ir is rather difficult to decide where the Orioles should be placed; for in many respects they 
stand more isolated than most of the other genera. Macgillivray places Oriolus between Sturnus 
and Cinelus, Keyserling and Blasius between Motacilla and Monticola, Degland and Gerbe between 
Cinclus and Pycnonotus, G. R. Gray between the Artamide and the Pittide, Professor Sundevall 
between Pycnonotus and Muscicapa, Professor Newton between the Muscicapide and the Cinclide, 
and Mr. Sharpe amongst the Corvide, between the Paridiseidee and the Dicruride. I was at 
first somewhat doubtful whether I was correct in placing it where I have; but on referring to 
Professor Parker he has fully indorsed the view I have taken. Only two species belong to the 
genus, one of which (Oriolus galbula) inhabits the Western Palearctic Region, the western portion 
of the Eastern Palearctic Region, and the Ethiopian Region down to Natal, and the other (Oriolus 
kundoo) inhabits the Indian Region. 
The Orioles inhabit gardens and groves, more especially where non-evergreen trees prevail ; 
and with us they are migrants, leaving for the south at the approach of winter. They are 
excellent songsters, and have a clear, loud, flute-lke note. They feed on insects and fruits, more 
especially on the former. Their flight is rolling and heavy, but swift; and they affect the tops 
of the large green wood-trees. Their nests are suspended in the fork of a branch, are con- 
structed of grass-straws firmly twisted round the branch, and are open, cup-shaped. ‘Their eggs 
are glossy and white, spotted with deep brown. The young birds when in their first plumage 
somewhat resemble the adult female. 
Oriolus galbula, the type of the genus, has the bill moderately long, stout, nearly straight, 
the tip of the upper mandible distinctly notched ; nostrils basal, oblong; gape furnished with a 
few short bristles; wings long, the first quill short, the second shorter than the fourth, the 
third longest ; tail moderately long, nearly square or slightly rounded; tarsus short, covered in 
front with four plates and three inferior scutelle; toes moderate, covered with large scutelle ; 
claws moderate, arched, acute, laterally grooved. 
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