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I noticed that the flight was rolling and heavy, but swift; and it appeared to avoid taking long 
flights. I have since then seen the Golden Oriole in many countries, and have always found it a 
shy bird, difficult to observe or approach. During the pairing-season they may be seen chasing 
each other from grove to grove; and at that season especially it is a quarrelsome bird, not only 
as regards its own species, but it will chase away other birds that approach its chosen haunts. 
For any one who can closely imitate its note it is no difficult matter to approach within 
a short distance of it, or rather to entice it within range. Amongst the German foresters 
I have found many who can immediately entice an Oriole within range; but the bird has so 
good an ear that, although it will at first answer the call, it soon discovers the trick played on it, 
should a single note be false, and it is then hopeless to try and approach it. I can call this 
species tolerably well; but an old Oriole will generally find me out before he gets within range. 
Mr. Carl Sachse, however, is an adept in calling an Oriole; and I have been with him when he 
has enticed one within a few yards of the place where we were concealed. On one occasion he 
got three Orioles within range at the same time, which, considering the general wariness of this 
bird, is a tolerably good proof of his power of mimicry. The note of the Oriole is a clear loud 
whistle, varied somewhat so as to resemble the syllables huidleo, huitidleo, huidleo ; so clearly is 
the tone given. From its note many of its local names, such as Vogel Biilow, Schulz von Biilow 
in Germany, and Kuhankeittdjd, as it is usually called by the Finnish peasants, are derived. 
Besides its clear whistle, it has a peculiar harsh mewing call-note; and its note of alarm is 
a harsh chrrr. During the pairing-season it utters what is apparently a note of affection, 
resembling the syllable iio, by mimicking which, together with its whistle, it can generally be 
enticed within range. Mr. Carl Sachse sends me the following note on its habits as observed 
by him in Rhenish Prussia, viz.:—‘“ With us it inhabits the groves where there are small 
ravines through which water flows, especially beech- and oak-groves, and where the under- 
growth is dense, It arrives at rather irregular times, according to the season. It arrived 
earliest in 1863 and 1865, in both of which years it was seen as early as the 18th April; 
whereas in 1875 the first was seen on the 5th May. About the middle of August, or from 
then to the early part of September, it leaves us again; and, as may be almost taken for granted, 
it raises only one brood in the season. It is a wild, restless, quarrelsome bird; in the pairing- 
season bitter encounters take place, and I have seen four or five together fighting in the air. 
Long before sunrise its clear flute-like note may be heard; but during the day-time it whistles 
less frequently. It ranges over a considerable tract; and hence its nest is hard to find, except 
when it breeds in the gardens. It may be enticed, by imitating its note, to within a few yards’ 
distance, but is hard to shoot; for it hops from twig to twig in the dense foliage, uttering its 
song in a low tone. Usually a male and a female arrive together, sometimes, however, three or 
four individuals; and then they immediately commence quarrelling.” 
The food of the present species is varied according to the season of the year, but it is chiefly 
insectivorous when insect food is to be had, and more especially so in the spring, before any fruit 
is ripe. It devours all sorts of insects that inhabit the woodlands, but is especially fond of the 
large green caterpillars which are found on the leaves of the trees. It also feeds largely on 
berries and fruit when in season, but is not more destructive in a garden than many other birds, 
and amply repays any mischief it may do by the number of noxious insects it kills. It is most 
