Family ORIOLIDiE. 



THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



Oriolus galbula^ Linnaeus. 

 Plate 14. 



The Golden Oriole, one of the most beautiful of our birds, is a regular summer 

 visitor to the south-western portions of England, occurring more sparingly in 

 other parts. 



A fair number usually reach the Scilly Islands during the month of May. 



It is common in many parts of Europe, and winters in Africa. 



The Golden Oriole has been known to breed several times in England, and 

 would do so more frequently if left alone. 



Lord Lilford describes the nest {Birds of Northamptonshire and Neighbour- 

 hood, vol. i. p. 86) as " very unlike that of any other European 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 at or near the extremity of a long and slender 

 bough." The four or five glossy white eggs are marked with reddish-purple spots. 



The food consists of insects, grubs, and various fruits. 



The Golden Oriole has a loud flute-like call, with a much harsher note at times, 

 and haunts the open parts of shady woods and trees in gardens and shrubberies. 



In the female, the upper parts are olive-green, becoming yellower near the tail, 

 the throat and underparts whitish with dark streaks, and the wings of a dark 

 brown ; the flanks and under tail coverts being yellow. 



9Q 



