COMMON TROUPIAL. 357 



of white; the lower part of the neck and breast dark brown, the back and 

 scapulars light grey, transversely barred with irregular dusky lines; the 

 primaries dark brown; the secondaries white, tipped with brown; legs and 

 feet as in the male. 



FAMILY XVI.*— AGELAINtE. MARSH-BLACKBIRDS. 

 Genus IV.f— ICTERUS, Briss. HANGNEST. 



COMMON TROUPIAL. 



Icterus vulgaris, Daud. 



PLATE CCCCLXLIX.— Male. 



This handsome bird was first observed at Charleston, South Carolina, by 

 my son John Woodhouse, who shot and figured a male the size of nature; 

 the bird when first seen was perched on the point of a lightning-rod close 

 by the house of my friend the Reverend John Bachman, D. D. A few 

 days afterwards others were seen, but although a female was shot, it fell in 

 the river and was lost. I am informed that since that period, small groups 

 of four or half a dozen make their appearance in the same city, and on the 

 neighbouring islands. It is a common species in almost every portion of 

 South America, where, according to Daudin, they associate in large flocks, 

 and build a large pensile nest. This bird is very easily tamed, and becomes 

 so gentle as to suffer itself to be handled by its master. The sharpness of 

 their bill, however, renders them somewhat disagreeable as pets, for in many 

 instances they have been known to inflict severe wounds, especially on 

 children. 



Common Troupial, Icterus vulgaris, Daudin. 



Common Troupial, Coracias xanthornus, Scopoli. 



Common Trodpial, Yellow and black Pye, Catesby. (Appendix.) 



* See vol. iv. p. 9. t Ibid. p. 36. 



