The sexes are alike in plumage. The general colour above is olive brown with dark centres to the feathers; the under parts are greenish buff streaked with brown on the breast and flanks. The tail is brown, except the outer webs of the tail feathers, which are smoky grey, and this forms an easy characteristic by which this species may be distinguished from the Water Pipit, which it otherwise closely resembles. Length 6·25 in.; wing 3·5 in.
THE GOLDEN ORIOLE
Oriolus galbula, Linnæus
There is little doubt that this beautiful species, if unmolested, would become a regular summer visitor to this country. Every year during the spring migration several of these birds are seen and shot, chiefly in our southern and south-western counties, and there is no doubt that it has on several occasions successfully reared its young in this country. Its brilliant colouring unfortunately attracts the eye and the gun of those whose sole thought on seeing a rare bird is to kill it, and the large mass of nature lovers are thus deprived of the pleasure of a glimpse of this brilliant bird.
It breeds commonly over most of Europe, throughout France, Germany, and Russia, but is scarce along the countries bordering the North Sea.
The nest is suspended from the fork of a branch of some tree, usually in woods, and is a carefully woven structure of strips of bark and grass stems. The eggs are white with a few large black spots.
The male is golden yellow all over, except for the quills, wing coverts, and lores, which are black. The central pair of tail feathers are black, all the rest being black with yellow tips. Bill red. Legs lead grey. The female is greenish yellow and has the under parts striated with greyish. The young is still duller in colour than the female. Length 9·5 in.; wing 6 in.
THE GREAT GREY SHRIKE
Lanius excubitor, Linnæus
Every autumn towards the end of October a certain number of these birds regularly visit us, occurring more commonly on our eastern coasts, but having nevertheless been taken in most of our counties. In habits it resembles its small congener the Red-backed Shrike, and may be seen sitting on some point of vantage from which it may dash off to attack its unsuspecting victims.
This species, or various races of it, breed throughout Northern and Central Europe and Asia. It migrates on the approach of winter from the more northerly quarters, but its wanderings rarely extend to the shores of the Mediterranean.
The male is pearl grey in general colour, lighter on the scapulars; forehead and a line over each eye white; lores and ear coverts black. Wings black, with white tips and bases to the secondaries and inner primaries. Tail feathers black with white tips, except the outermost, which are pure white. Under parts white. Bill and legs black. Length 9·5 in.; wing 4·3 in. Female duller with faint greyish bars on the under parts.