ORIOLES. 119 



SOUTH AMERICAN, ASIATIC, AND 

 AFRICAN BIRDS. 



ORTOLES. 



OF this very numerous genus of birds, of which 

 the Baltimore is a species, by far the greater part 

 of them belong to the American Continent. They 

 are remarkable for their docility and sagacity, 

 and the great ingenuity they display in construct- 

 ing their nests. And there are many of them 

 domesticated by the inhabitants of South Ameri- 

 ca, for the purpose of destroying the large insects 

 and reptiles, with which the houses in those 

 countries are infested. 



ICTERUS ORIOLE, OR TROOPIAL. 



This beautiful species is of a very lively disposi- 

 tion, and possesses in an eminent degree the other 

 qualifications of his tribe. There is one of these 

 birds which has been kept in a family in this 

 city for six years. He is as completely domesti- 



