ORIOLUS. 
Ortotus, Linn., Gmel., Shaw, Lath., Cuv., Dum. 
XANTHORNUS, Brisson. 
CHARACTER GENERICUS. 
Rostrum conicum, convexum, acutissimum, rectum 
basi rotundato: mandibula superiore paulo longiore. 
Pedes ambulatorii ; digitis tribus anticis, uno postico. 
ORIOLE. 
GENERIC CHARACTER} 
Beak conic, convex, very sharp, and strait, with the base 
rounded ; the superior mandible rather longest. 
Feet formed for walking; three toes before, and one 
behind. 
The birds of this genus, for the most part, inhabit the 
Tropics; they are gregarious, and live on fruits, grains, 
and insects. Some of the species shew very great inge- 
nuity in the construction of their nests, which are com- 
posed of fibres most curiously interwoven, and suspended 
from the branches of trees, many being found on the same 
spot, and sometimes attached to one another. 
