162 



VERTEBRATA : AVES OR BIRDS. 



oscines which agree in having the body relatively rather 

 long, and the bill rather long, and mostly very acute ; 

 and together they constitute the family of Icteridse. 



The well-known Bobolinks, or Reed-birds, or Rice-birds, 



Fio. 189. 



V\ 



Boboiiuk, Dolichonyxoryzivorus, Swainson. 

 FIG. 190. 



Meadow-Lark, Sturnella magna, Swainson. 



(Fig. 189), are less than eight inches long and are among 

 the most spirited of songsters. The Cow-birds are re- 

 markable for their parasitic habits. 



Like the European Cuckoo, the Cow-bird makes no nest, but stealth- 

 ily lays its eggs, only one iu a nest, in the nests of other birds, espe- 



