. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . superba, Swainson), Fig. 255, is abird of New Holland, about the size of a common Fowl, and has OiirOLES. 5J3 been classed bv some naturalists arnonn- Gallinaceous birds; butTemminck places it in bis Insectivorous order, among the Thrushes,and between Cuculas and Pitta. Cuvier places it among the Pas-serines. Vigors places it in the ov^ev Rasores, and in the family of theCracidce. This curious bird has a long compressed bill, triangular atthe base. It owes its
. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . superba, Swainson), Fig. 255, is abird of New Holland, about the size of a common Fowl, and has OiirOLES. 5J3 been classed bv some naturalists arnonn- Gallinaceous birds; butTemminck places it in bis Insectivorous order, among the Thrushes,and between Cuculas and Pitta. Cuvier places it among the Pas-serines. Vigors places it in the ov^ev Rasores, and in the family of theCracidce. This curious bird has a long compressed bill, triangular atthe base. It owes its name to the peculiar disposition of its tail, whichin the male has the exact form of a lyre. The singular develop-ment of the feathers of the tail is its chief attraction, for theplumage is dull and sombre in colour. In Australia it inhabits theforests of Eucalyptus; builds its nest in trees, a short distance fromthe ground ; and feeds upon worms and insects, which it seeksfor under the dried leaves and the surface of the soil. Its song isdescribed as not unpleasant. The Okioles {Oriolns, Linn.) have the bill long, stout, nearly. y / / Fig. 256.—The Golden Oriole (Oriolus galhula, Sw.). straight, rather broad at the base, the dorsal line arched, and thetarsi very short. They are found in all the warmer parts of theOld World, and in the islands of Oceania. Their plumage isrichly coloured, shades of yellow and black blending in greatvariety. The Golden Oriole {Oriolus galhula, Wood), Fig. 256, is aboutthe size of the Blackbird, which it much resembles in form. The 554 PASSERINES. plumage is of a bright yellow; the feathers are oblong, with dis-united barbs ; those on the fore part of the head very short. Thewings, when closed, reach to within an inch of the end of the tail;hence its flight is easy and sustained ; while the form of itsfeet is equally well adapted for hopping on the ground and glidingamong the branches. It is a shy, solitary bird, and is approachedwith great diff
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecad, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles
