GOLDEN ORIOLE.
coverts, yellow. The tail, which is slightly rounded, has the two
middle feathers black, and the outer feathers yellow, from the tips
to the middle on the outer webs; underneath, the black feathers are
greyish black; upper tail coverts, bright yellow; under tail coverts,
also bright yellow. Legs and toes, bluish black grey; claws, light
broM nish red.
I t is to be observed that the male bird docs not attain the brilliant
yellow plumage until the third year: its beautiful colour! 'grow with
its growth.'
In the female the bill is also light brownish rod: the black streak
between it and the eye is wanting, being only indicated by grey.
Forehead, yellow, with a tinge of green; head, crown, and neck on
the back, yellowish green—in front the latter is pale yellowish grey,
and on the sides greenish yellow; nape, also yellowish green; chin
and throat, dull greyish white, marked with longitudinal pale brown
lines. Breast, dull greyish white, tinged more or less with yellow,
With larger longitudinal rather pah- brown lines, and blighter pale
yellow mi the side... which an1 also streaked in the same w a v ; back,
greenish yellow. Greater and lesser wing coverts, brownish black,
tinged and tipped with pale greenish yellow, and dull yellowish green
at the base; primaries, secondaries, and tcrtiaries, brownish black,
their edges grey or greenish yellow, and their tips, excepting those
of the two outer ones, pale yellowish white. Tail, brownish black,
or dull greenish black, with the tips of all the feathers, except the two
middle ones, yellowish white, y e l l o w i s h green at the base, and with
less \ e l l n u ai the end ami sides than in tin1 male; underneath, it is
yellowish grey; upper tail coverts, greenish yellow; under tail coverts,
bright yellow. Legs and toes, bluish grey; claws, light brownish red.
Young; bill, more brown than in the male; head, crown, neck on
the bark, and nape, dusky yellowish grey; chin, throat, and breast,
yellowish white, the latter with a central line of brown on each
feather, and the last-named yellow on the sides; back, dusky
yellowish grey. Primaries, secondaries, and tcrtiaries, brown; tail,
brownih olive-colour; upper tail coverts, tipped with yellow; under
tail coverts, yellow.