322 THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 
shell of the nest is composed of roots and mosses, inside which is worked a 
rather thin but wonderfully compact layer of cow-dung and decayed wood, 
so strongly kneaded that when dry it will hold water almost as well as an 
earthenware vessel. There are usually five eggs, of a beautiful blue spotted 
with black, The spots are small, round, and well marked, and are extremely 
variable in size and number ; 
they are always gathered 
towards the larger end of 
the egg. 
THE GOLDEN ORIOLE is 
an extremely rare visitant of 
this country, having been 
but seldom observed within 
our coasts, but is far from 
uncommon in many parts of 
the Continent, especially the 
more southern portions of 
Europe, such as the shores 
of the Mediterranean and 
Southern Italy. 
It derives its name from 
the bright golden yellow 
with which the feathers of 
. the adult male bird are large- 
SONG THRUSH.—(Turdus musicus.) ly tinged; but as the full 
glory of its plumage is not 
displayed until the bird has entered its third year, it is possible that many 
specimens may have visited this country and again departed without having 
attracted particular atten- 
tion. 
It is rather gregarious in 
its habits, generally associat- 
ing in little flocks, and fre- 
quenting lofty trees and or- 
chards, where it can obtain 
abundance of food. 
The nest of this bird-is 
a very elegantly-formed and 
well-constructed edifice, of a 
shallow cup-like shape, and 
usually placed in a horizon- 
tal fork of a convenient 
branch. The materials of 
which it is made are mostly 
delicate grass-stems, inter- 
woven with wool so firmly 
3 that the whole structure is 
GOLDEN ORIOLE.—(Oriolus galbula.) strong and warm. The eggs 
are generally four or five in 
number, and their colour is purplish white, sparingly marked with blotches 
of a deep red and ashen grey. It is believed that there is but one brood 
in the year, so that the species does not multiply very rapidly. Sometimes 
the bird is said to build a deep and purse-like nest, which is suspended 
from a forked branch instead of being placed upon it. 
THE interesting family of FLYCATCHERS is composed of a large number of 
