. The popular natural history . Zoology. 322 THE GOLDEN SONG THRUSH.—{Twdus musicus.) shell of the nest is composed of roots and mosses, inside which is worked a rather thin but wonderfully compact layer of cow-dung and decayed wood, so strongly kneaded that when dry it will hold water almost as well as an earthenware vessel. There are usually five eggs, of a beautiful blue spotted with black. The spots are small, round, and well marked, and are extremely variable in size and number; they are always gathered towards the larger end of the egg. The Golden Oriole is an extremely rare vis
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 322 THE GOLDEN SONG THRUSH.—{Twdus musicus.) shell of the nest is composed of roots and mosses, inside which is worked a rather thin but wonderfully compact layer of cow-dung and decayed wood, so strongly kneaded that when dry it will hold water almost as well as an earthenware vessel. There are usually five eggs, of a beautiful blue spotted with black. The spots are small, round, and well marked, and are extremely variable in size and number; they are always gathered towards the larger end of the egg. The Golden Oriole is an extremely rare visitant of this country, having been but seldom observed within our coasts, but is far from uncommon in many parts of the Continent, especially the more southern portions of Europe, such as the shores of the Mediterranean and Southern Italy. It derives its name from the bright golden yellow with which the feathers of the adult male bird are large- ly tinged ; but as the full glory of its plumage is not displayed until the bird has entered its third year, it is possible that many specimens may have visited this country and again departed without having attracted particular atten- tion. It is rather gregarious in its habits, generally associat- ing in little flocks, and fre- quenting lofty trees and or- chards, where it can obtain abundance of food. The nest of this bird is a very elegantly-formed and well-constructed edifice, of a shallow cup-like shape, and usually placed in a horizon- tal fork of a convenient branch. The materials of which it is made are mostly delicate grass-stems, inter- woven with wool so firmly that the whole structure is strong and warm. The eggs are generally four or five in number, and their colour is purplish white, sparingly marked with blotches of a deep red and ashen grey. It is believed that there is but one brood in the year, so, that the species does not multiply very rapidly. Sometimes the bird is said to build a deep and purse-like nest, which
Size: 1818px × 1375px
Photo credit: © Central Historic Books / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
