484 ICTERIDA, 
markings are principally of a dark brown, and are distributed in the shape of drops or 
irregular patches and undulating lines; intermingled with these dark markings are 
others of purplish brown. 
Mr. Gaumer has recently sent us a series of specimens from Ruatan Island, and also 
from Mugeres Island, off the coast of Yucatan, and we note that females from these 
places are rather darker than is usual in individuals of the same sex from the mainland ; 
the males do not differ in colour, but they are perhaps a trifle smaller. It is said that 
these birds are polygamous, and the great difference in size between the sexes supports 
this view; but we have no direct evidence on this point. 
2. Quiscalus graysoni. 
Quiscalus graysont, Scl. Ibis, 1884, p.157*; Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xi. p. 397°. 
Quiscalus palustris, Cass. Pr. Ac. Phil. 1866, p. 411°. 
Quiscalus major, var. palustris, Lawr. Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. ii. p. 282+. 
Preecedenti persimilis quoad corporis colores, sed multo minor. Long. tota 14-0, alee 6-4, caude rect. med. 6-7, 
rect. lat. 4:4, rostri a rictu 1°5, tarsi 1°8. 
2. Long. tota 10-6, ale 5-3, caude rect. med. 4:8, rect. lat. 3-4, rostri a rictu 0-9, tarsi 1°5. (Descr. maris 
et feminez ex Mazatlan, Mexico. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Mexico, Mazatlan (Grayson? 4, Forrer 32), 
This is the bird considered by Cassin to be the species described by Swainson as 
Quiscalus palustris ; but this identification was questioned by Mr. Sclater, and we think 
rightly so. It is exceedingly closely allied to Q. macrurus, but its smaller size and 
much shorter tail perhaps sufficiently distinguish it. Grayson says of it, that it is very 
common in the coast-region of Mazatlan, where it is seen in flocks frequenting the 
marshes on the esteros or creeks in search of small crabs and water-insects. Many of 
them, however, take up their abode in towns and villages and become very docile; they 
are there attracted by the grains of waste maize and the refuse crumbs and meat thrown 
from the dwellings. In the town of San Blas they are so numerous and domestic as to 
be a nuisance, often entering the houses and carrying off whatever kind of provision 
they can find, meat as well as grain. At the hotel where he was stopping in that town 
it was necessary to keep a servant watching the table whilst the meals were being 
prepared to keep them from demolishing the tortillas and beans. In the city of 
Mazatlan about twenty congregated in front of his window to receive their daily bread, 
a few crumbs of which he used to throw to them every morning. | 
They always build their nests in communities, selecting a grove of ordinary sized 
trees, usually near some freshwater lagoon, and sometimes in the trees that ornament 
the dwellings of the natives. The nests are placed in the topmost branches, and are 
composed of coarse grass and roots externally and plastered inside with cowdung or 
mud. ‘The eggs are usually five, of a pale blue colour, with numerous zigzag marks 
of black 4. 
