240 
COMMON- TKOUPIAL. 
of white ; the lower part of the neck and breast dark brown, the bacc 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.* — AGELAIN7E. M ARSH-BLACKBIRDS. 
Genus IV.f— ICTERUS, Brin. HANGNEST. 
COMMON TROUPIAL. 
Icterus vulgaris, Baud. 
PLATE CCCCLXCIX.— 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 tho 
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 xanlhornus, Scopoli. 
Common Troupial, Yellow and Black Bye, Catesby. (Appendix.) 
See voL iv. p. 9. 
f Ibid. p. 86. 
