ICTERIA. 157 
Subfam. JCTERONA *. 
ICTERIA. 
Icteria, Vieillot, Ois. Am. Sept. i. pp. iii, 85 (1807) (type Muscicapa viridis, Gm.) ; Coues, B. Col. 
Vall. i. p. 816. 
The position of this genus has long been a matter of doubt; and even now it cannot 
be said to have found a final resting-place, as much of its internal structure has yet to 
be examined and compared with that of the birds with which it has been associated. 
For a long time it was placed with the Vireonide, of which it was obviously a very 
abnormal member. Its relationship with the Tanagride has also been suggested. In 
placing it here, in the midst of the Mniotiltidz, we follow, in a great measure, Prof. 
Baird’s assignment of it, who dissents from its being placed in the Vireonide on account 
of its deeply clett inner toe, the partially feathered tarsi, the lengthened middle toe, the 
slightly curved claws, the entire absence of notch or hook in the bill, and the short, 
rounded, nine-primaried wings. The genus comprises but a single species, divisible 
into two ill-defined races. This ranges across the southern part of the North-American 
continent during the summer months, and passes the winter season in Mexico and 
Guatemala. 
1. Icteria viridis. 
Turdus virens, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, i. p. 171°. 
Icteria virens, Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 228°; Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. ix. p. 200°; Bull. U.S. Nat. 
Mus. no. 4, p. 17*; Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H.i. p. 547°; v. Frantz. Journ. f. 
Orn. 1869, p. 294°; Baird, Brew. & Ridgw. N. Am. B. i. p. 8077; Coues, B. Col. Vall. i. 
p. 320°. 
Muscicapa viridis, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 986’. 
Icteria viridis, Bp. P. Z. 8. 1837, p. 111"; Cab. Journ. f. Orn. 1860, p. 403"; Scl. P. Z. S. 1864, 
p. 173”; Scl. & Salv. P. Z. 8. 1870, p. 836; Dugés, La Natur. i. p. 140 “ 
Tanagra auricollis, Licht. Preis-Verz. mex. Vég. p. 2 (cf. J. f. Orn. 1863, p. 57). 
Icteria velasquezi, Bp. P. Z. 8. 1837, p. 117"; Scl. P.Z. 8S. 1856, p. 298"; 1859, pp. 363°, 375"; 
Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 12”; Salv. Ibis, 1866, p. 202° 
* The three subfamilies into which Dr. Coues (B. Col. Vall. i. p. 203) divides the Mniotiltide may be 
briefly characterized as follows :— 
Mytorritin& (anted, p. 109). Bill conical, slender; commissure but slightly curved; rictal bristles short or 
absent. 
Icreruna:. Bill compressed, high, very stout; commissure much curved; rictal bristles short. 
SrropHacina. Bill broad, flattened; commissure slightly curved ; rictal bristles long, reaching far beyond 
the nostril. 
