THE ENGLISH SPARROfV 



405 



(Fig. 372) are the commonest North American species of this 

 family. 



The blackbird family (Icteridae) includes nmnerous species 

 with different habits. These are also confined to America, and 



Fig. 37.3. 



■ Purple gracklc (Quiscalus quiscula). 



are especially abundant in the tropics. They feed, for the 

 most part, on seeds. The commonest representatives are the 

 crow blackbird,' of large size and iridescent plumage ; the 

 Baltimore oriole, which weaves a hanging nest ; the orchard 



1 Fig. 373. 



