Or1o.e. OMNIVORI. ORIOLUS. 89 
laginous appendages (similar in appearance to sealing- 
wax) attached to the ends of seven or eight of them. 
Lower part of the back and rump smoke-grey, with a 
purplish tinge. Tail black, tipped with king’s yellow. 
Breast and belly pale-brownish purple-red. Vent and 
under tail-coverts orange-brown, inclining to reddish- 
orange. ‘Tarsi, toes, and claws black. 
The female is similar to the male bird, with the exception 
of the wax-like appendages not being either so large or 
numerous; and the yellow upon the wings and ends of 
the tail-feathers not being so bright. 
Genus VIII. ORIOLE. ORIOLUS, Temm. 
GENERIC CHARACTERS. 
Bill subconic, flattened at its base, strait, and sharp-point- 
ed; the tomia cultrated, and bending a little inwards; the 
upper mandible slightly emarginated, and longer than the 
lower one. Nostrils basal, lateral, and naked ; pierced in a 
large membrane. Wings having the first quill very short, 
and the third the longest. ‘Tarsus shorter, or, at most, not 
longer than the middle toe. Feet with three toes before and 
one behind; and having the outer toe joined to the middle 
one. 
The genus oriole, as established by Mons. Temminck, 
comprehends those species only of the extensive genus Orio- 
lus of former authors, that inhabit the Old Continent. 
The natives of the New World are now judiciously sepa- 
rated, as possessing distinct generic characters ; and form ano- 
ther numerous genus, named Icterws. 
Yellow is the prevailing colour of most of the species. 
They inhabit wooded districts, and usually live in pairs; but 
assemble in small flocks previous to migration. 
They evince great art in building their nests, most of them 
selecting the fork of some small branch, from which the nest 
