THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
fruits, particularly the sraaU wild fig. I often observed it capturing insects 
on the wing and fiying very high, frequently above the tops of the loftiest 
trees.” 
Ramsay’s notes read : “ During the winter months these birds may be 
fomid m fiocks of from five to twenty m number, feeding upon various 
cultivated and wild fruits, and often hi company with the Fruit-eating Magpie, 
the note of which they often imitate. They frequent nearly all the orchards 
and gardens about Sydney, especially if they contain any of the native ohre- 
or Moreton Bay fig-trees hi fruit, to which they are very partial. I have 
known them, though seemingly with great reluctance, eat the berries of the 
white cedar. 
Towards the beghming of September those near Sydney pah and seek for 
breedhig-places, each couple selecting a disthict locafity, where they remain 
during the whole of the season ; even if the nest be taken, they will, like the 
Grallina australis, conthiue building near the same place until the season has 
expired. The note of this Oriole is very melodious and varied. It may often 
be seen perched on some shady tree, vith its head thrown back, showing 
to perfection its mottled breast, singing hi a low tone and imitating the notes 
of many birds, including the Zosterops, and particularly the Black or Fruit¬ 
eating Magpie. While feedmg, it frequently utters a harsh, guttural sort of 
squeak. Duiing the breeding-season, which commences at the end of September 
and ends m January, it confines itself to a very monotonous although melodious 
cry, the first part of which is quickly repeated, and ends in a lower note.” 
Mr. Thos. P. Austin has wTitten me from Cobbora, New South Wales: 
“ A species which appears to be comhig more numerous each year; a few years 
back it was rather a rare tlihig to see one, but now it is almost common, and 
its monotonous notes can be heard at any time of the year, but more so during 
the spring and summer months. Exceptmg m my orchard, when the grapes 
are ripe, I have never seen more than two of these birds together, and when 
not breeding, they go about singly and are usually heard calfing from the topmost 
branches of a large tree. I have ojily fomid tliree pairs breeding here. They 
are great marauders in orchards, especially w'hen the grapes are ripe.” 
Mr. F. E. Howe has mitten me: “During September this bird makes 
its appearance at Ringw^ood, and in October its large nest is fomid suspended 
in the saplings (on one occasion as low as about twelve feet). The clutch is 
tliree and often only two. Both help in mcubating the eggs, wluch takes 
about sixteen days, and the young are bom blind and featherless. This 
bird appears to spend a lot of its time perched high up on a dead stick 
and uttering its pecuhar gurgfing cry. Breeduig-season extends from 
September to December. 
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