188 VELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL. 
that principle, altogether rejected the name Jcterus, as being 
pre-occupied by a disease. ‘his may account for the intro- 
duction of new names for genera, one of which, at least, ought 
to have retained its first appellation. Vieillot, however, would 
have caused less confusion if he had adopted the name of 
Icterus (which, with Saaicola, and all other names of that 
class, we do not think objectionable) instead of Agelaius, Pen- 
dulinus, or Yphantes, three of his four genera corresponding to 
our Icterus. Butif the latter name was considered as utterly 
inadmissible, we see no reason why he did not accept that of 
Xanthornus, applied to this genus by Pallas. 
All the species of troopial are peculiar to America. We 
divide them into four subgenera, the present bird belonging 
to the second, to which we apply the name of Xanthornus. 
The species of this subgenus are peculiarly social in their dis- 
positions, and their associations are not liable to interruption 
from the influence of love itself. Not only do many indivi- 
duals of the same family combine and labour in concert, but 
they also unite with very different species. ‘Their aspect is 
animated, and their movements are quick, bold, and vigorous ; 
they fly rapidly, at a good height, and are much attached to 
the places of their birth. Their song is a kind of whistling ; 
they walk with the body nearly erect, with a slightly hurried 
step, and are seen sitting on the ground, or perched on the 
branches of trees. ‘They seek no concealment, and never 
enter the woods, though they are very careful to construct 
their nests in a safe situation, The troopials eat no fruits, but 
derive their subsistence from insects, worms, grains, and small 
seeds. They leave the teraperate climates at the approach of 
winter, and are amongst the first birds of passage that return 
with the spring. 


