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THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 
BABBLERS. 
Several species of Babblers possess a sweet song, others are admirable mimics, while 
others are remarkable for the strange oddity of their cry. » 
One of the best songsters in this group is the Black-eaced Thresh, a native of the 
monntainons regions of India and China. This bird is very gregarious in its habits, assem- 
bling in large flocks and preferring the thickest jungles and deepest ravines to the open 
country. These flocks, although they are so deeply hidden, are easily discoverable by means 
of the extraordinary sounds which they emit, and which are said to resemble a chorus of 
wild laughter. The food of this bird, when at liberty, consists chiefly of fruit and insects ; 
but when tamed, the Black-faced Thrush is rather carnivorous in its character, as will pres- 
ently be seen. The nest of this bird is rather rudely constructed of little sticks and grasses, 
worked into some convenient hole in the side of a gully, and generally contains four eggs. 
This species is easily tamed, and, as will be seen from the following notes, made by Mr. 
Frith, of a Black-faced Thrush that had been for some time in his possession, is a very eccen- 
tric and amusing creature : — 
‘‘The bird was exceedingly tame and familiar, and delighted, like a cockatoo, in being- 
caressed and tickled by the hand, when it would spread out its wings and assume very singular 
attitudes. It was naturally a fine songster, and a most universal imitator. Whenever 
chopped meat or other food was put into its cage, it always evinced a propensity to deposit 
the bits one by one between the wires ; and when a bee or wasp was offered, this bird would 
seize it instantly, and invariably turn its tail round and make the insect sting this several 
times successively before eating it. A large beetle it would place before it on the ground, and 
pierce it with a violent downward stroke of the bill ; a small snake, about a foot long, it 
treated in a like manner, transfixing the centre of the head ; it aftewards devoured about half 
the snake, holding it by one foot while it picked it with the bill, as was its common mode of 
feeding.” 
The Laughing Crow of India ( Garrulax leucolopTius ) is another species of the same 
genus, and is remarkable for the singular resemblance which its cry bears to the laughter of 
human beings. Its name of “leucolophus,” or white-crested, has been given to it on account 
of the white feathers which are found on the crown of the head. 
ORIOLES. 
The Golden Oriole is well known in many parts of the European Continent, especially 
the more southern portions of Europe, such as the shores of the Mediterranean and Southern 
Italy. 
The Golden Oriole derives its name from the bright golden yellow with which the feathers 
of the adult male bird are largely tinged. The full glory of its plumage is not displayed until 
the bird has entered its third year. 
In Italy, this bird is quite common, and by the peasantry is supposed to announce the 
ripening of the fig, its peculiar cry being translated into a choice Italian sentence, signifying 
that the fruits have attained maturity. It is rather gregarious in its habits, generally asso- 
ciating in little flocks, and frequenting lofty trees and orchards, where it can obtain abun- 
dance of food. 
It is an exceedingly shy and timorous bird, keeping carefully from man and his home, 
and only venturing into cultivated grounds for the sake of obtaining food. Even in such cases 
it is extremely cautious in its behavior, and as it always takes the trouble to set sentries on 
guard, it cannot be approached without the greatest patience and wariness on the part of the 
sportsman or observer. Being generally found in the loneliest spots, and especially preferring 
the outskirts of forests, whence it can at once dive into the thick foliage and escape from 
