ICTERUS Cayanensis. 
Cayenne Hangnest. 
See 
Fam. Sturnide.—Sub-Fam. Icterina (Nobis). 
Bill lengthened, conic, acute, entire, the commissure not sinuated. 
Tarsi short, adapted for perching ; claws strong, fully curved. 
GENERIC CHARACTER. 
Bill black ; both mandibles slightly bent ; nostrils furnished with 
a membrane; tail lengthened, graduated; wings slightly 
rounded. Nob. 
Speciric CHARACTER. 
Black, not glossy ; lesser wing-covers above yellow, beneath black 
margined by yellow; legs bluish. 
Oriolus Cayanensis. Lin. 1. p. 163. 
Xanthornus Cayanensis. Brisson. Orn. 2. p. 123. pl. 9. f. 2. 
Carouge de St. Thomas. Pl. Enl. 535. f. 2. 
Yellow-winged Pye. Edwards, pl. 322? 
In Mus. Nost. 
EE 
Tue Starlings of the old continent, are represented in 
America by a tribe of birds formerly denominated Orioles, 
but which we shall distinguish by the name of Hangnests. 
They are gregarious and noisy; living both upon insects, 
fruits, and grain. Their nests are purse-shaped, woven 
with great dexterity, and generally suspended from the 
extreme branches of lofty trees. 
Much has been done to illustrate the affinities of these 
birds, and to define the species; but both are imperfectly 
known. Regarding their natural arrangement, our own 
views are quite at variance with the ingenious theory of 
Mr. Vigors; and as to the species, the bird before us is a 
curious example of error. 
The true O. caynensis, in the best modern systems, has 
been lost sight of; and, under the new name of chrysopterus 
(Vieil. Wagler.), has been confounded with three others, 
one of which is a Xanthornus, one an Icterus, and one an 
Agelaius ! The only authentic synonyms, which can there- 
fore be consulted for our bird, are those we have quoted. 
Cassicus, Cassiculus, Xanthornus, and Icterus are the 
only published genera which will come within our defini- 
tion of the Icterinz. 
Total length, 9 in.; bill, 1; wings, 4; tail 475; tarsi, 58. 
