THE ORIOLE. 
( Oriolus galbicla, L.) 
'JpHE Oriole, or Golden Oriole, as it is sometimes called, 
^ is the only European species of its family. With us 
it is an occasional visitor, and being almost always shot on 
account of its gay plumage in the senseless manner which 
actuates so many people with regard to rare birds as soon 
as they are seen, its habits have for the most part to be 
studied on the Continent. Fortunately it is there common 
enough, breeding occasionally (though there is some doubt 
about this) even in Sweden, and being plentiful in South 
Russia, Germany, and the southern countries of Europe. 
It is also known in Egypt, and along the whole north 
coast of Africa, at Trebizond and Smyrna. It breeds, too, 
in Asia Minor and the Holy Land, while it has been 
observed in the Madeiras and Azores. Its colours are 
tropical in their brilliancy, and scarcely accord with our 
dull skies and sombre woodlands. First, however, let' the 
characteristics of its family be noted. The bill is long, 
conical, and moderately broad at the base, thence gradually 
curving downwards to a point, which is notched. The 
wings, too, are long, the first quill short, the third or 
fourth being the longest; the tail is of moderate length, and slightly rounded. 
The whole length of the bird is nine inches and a half—that is, nearly as large 
as our blackbird, and slightly larger than the thrush. The sexes differ greatly in 
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