2i6 



CASSELL'S BOOK. OF BIRDS. 



with great artistic skill, and frequently hang in considerable numbers from the same tree or branch. 

 In their habits they are extremely social, and are much prized by the Americans, either when in 

 their favourite woods or confined in a cage, on account of their gay plumage and the beauty of their 

 song. The food of these birds consists principally of insects and fruit, but at some seasons of the year 

 they will also eat corn and devour large quantities of the softer kinds of maggots and larvae, for which 

 they search amidst the refuse scattered on die. roads. 



THE JAMAICA YELLOW BIRD. 



The Jamaica Yellow Bird, orSoFFRE {Icterus Jamacaii), is one of the most beautiful members of 

 this family, found, as its name implies, in the islands of the West Indies, but likewise abounding in 



THE red-winged troopial {Agelaius Phaniceus). 



Brazil and Guiana. In this species the head, throat, back, and neck are black, the nape and lower 

 portion of the body bright orange. A portion of the hinder secondary quills is edged with white under- 

 neath, and the small wing-covers are marked with orange at the shoulder ; the lower wing-covers are 

 of a paler yellow. The beak is brilliant black, with a lead-coloured spot upon the lower mandible ; 

 the feet are of a blueish flesh colour, the eyes light yellow ; the ophthalmic region is bare, and of a 

 greenish hue ; the coat of the female is lighter than that of her mate, and the young birds are of a still 

 paler tint ; the beak of the latter is brown, the feet pale yellowish brown, and the wings edged with 

 broad grey lines. The length of this bird is about ten inches, its breadth thirteen, and the wing and 

 tail four and a half inches. 



All observers who have seen this magnificent species in its wild state speak of it with enthusiasm. 

 The Prince von Wied describes it as looking like a flashing flame as it darts hither and thither amongst 

 the dark foliage ; its movements are lively and elegant, and its voice so flexible as to be capable of 



