86 THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



vineyards. Figs and cherries are also favourite food 

 of these birds. In Spain the Golden Oriole is 

 common almost everywhere in the summer, especially 

 so in the outskhts of Madrid. The nest is very 

 unlike that of any other Eiu'opean bird, being com- 

 posed entirely of wool and long sedge-grass, and 

 placed in the horizontal fork of a branch, generally, 

 but not always, at a considerable height from the 

 ground, and difficult of access, from being usually at 

 or near the extremity of a long and slender bough. 

 The eggs are generally live, of a glossy w^hite, with 

 very dark blue or black spots. I have found the 

 young very difficult to keep alive for more than a 

 week or two, though I know of instances in which 

 they have been reared with success. I must add 

 that I consider Northamptonshire as in most parts 

 eminently well suited to the habits of this beautiful 

 bird, and earnestly urge upon any of my fellow 

 countymen wdio may have the good fortune to see an 

 Oriole, to watch its habits as closely as possible, and 

 refrain from shooting at, or molesting it in any way. 

 There is no natiu'al reason why this bird should not 

 become a regular summer resident with us. 



28. DIPPER. 



Cinclus aqiiaticiis. 



This bird, though its favourite haunts are the 

 banks of rapid mountain- streams and swift rivers, 

 in which scattered fragments of rock and long 

 reaches of gravelly shallows are constantly met wdth, 

 has nevertheless occiu'red more than once to my 

 knowledge in our county, which cannot boast of the 



