70 
kind. In well-peopled and cultivated 
parts of the world, where the feathered 
race have more to fear from man, they 
generally avoid this formidable foe, by 
cautiously concealing their habitations 
from his sight. But, in those solitary and 
extensive forests of the New World, where 
man is seldom seen, the bird hangs its 
nest up to general view, and is only 
solicitous that it be beyond the reach of 
those voracious animals who live by rob- 
bery or surprise. With this view the nest 
is attached to the depending points of the 
large branches of the banana or plantain 
trees; where the monkey and serpent are 
set at defiance." 
Some species feed on fruits and others 
on grain. 
The Golden Oriole is the only species 
belonging to this genus, ever met with in 
the British Isles. 
