18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



Icterus Emberizoides, Daud., Traite d'Orn., ii. p. 350, (1800.) 

 Buff., PI. Enl. 606. Wilton, Am. Urn., ii. pi. 18. Aud., B. of Am., pi. 99. 

 Oct. ed., iv. pi. 212. 



One of the most common birds of North America, migrating in the winter to 

 Mexico, Central America and probably into the northern countries of South 

 America. Specimens are in the Museum of the Philada. Acad, from Mexico, 

 and others labelled Central America and South America. The first name for 

 this species is that of Boddsert as cited, who applies it to the bird figured by 

 Buffou, as above. 



Total length 7 to 7 inches, wing 4J to 4, tail 2| to 3 inches. 



2. Molothrcs OBScuRrs, (Gmelin.) 



Sturnus obscurus, Gm., Syst. Nat , i. p. 804, (1788.) 



Sturnus junceti, Lath., Ind. Orn., i. p 326, (1790.) 



Sturnus Novae Hispaniae, Briss. Orn., ii. p. 448. 

 Numerous specimens in the Smithsonian Museum, to which I ascribe this 

 name, are from Mr. Xantus' collections at Colima and Manzanillo, Western 

 Mexico, and from Mira Flores, Lower California. This species is distinct from 

 the preceding, but much resembles it in colors and form also, having the same 

 long wings and proportionate lengths of quills, the first quill being usually 

 longest. It is smaller and has the bill much more slender ; the wing is shorter 

 and all other measurements less than those of the preceding well known spe- 

 cies, except the tail, which is comparatively longer. In colors it is very nearly 

 the same, but in form it is more slender and smaller, with the tail rather longer. 

 One specimen from Lower California has the first quill shorter than the second, 

 but otherwise is quite the same as those from Manzanillo. 



Total length about 6 to Of inches, wing 4, tail 2f to 3 inches. 



2. Callothrus. 



.3. Molothrus .sneus, (Wagler.) 



Psarocolius aeneus, Wagl., Isis, 1829, p. 728. 



Molothrus robustus, Cab., Mus. Hein, i. p. 193, (1851,) Jour. Ore, 1861, p. 

 81. 

 .Specimens in the Smithsonian Museum from Yucatan, Costa Rica, and vari- 

 ous parts of Mexico, and it is evidently an abundant species. Those from Ma- 

 zatlan and Manzanillo seem to have the bill larger than others, and in some 

 specimens this is so much the case as to suggest a doubt of specific identity. 



This bird presents such very considerable changes in the shades and lustres 

 of its plumage, that it might readily be mistaken for several species. The adult 

 has the entire plumage of the head and body of the rich silky metallic yellow- 

 ish-green, which characterizes the species, the upper and under tail coverts, 

 wings and tail being lustrous green and blue. Singularly enough, in younger 

 specimens the back and a large space on the abdomen are fine deep lustrous 

 blue and violet, having so much the appearance of adult plumage, that series 

 of specimens are necessary to determine their really intermediate character. 

 Nearly all specimens brought in collections are of this intermediate description, 

 and in a younger plumage there is a trace of blue, violet and purple lustre on 

 nearly the entire plumage. The youngest in the large collection now under 

 examination are dull brown, with a Taint trace of greenish lustre on the wings 

 and tail only, and of blue on the back. Forty-two specimens are now before 

 me, twenty-four of which are from the Smithsonian collections, others are from 

 the fine collection of my friend Mr. Lawrence, of New York, and in the Acad- 

 emy Museum. The Academy specimens are from Panama, (Mr. J. G. Bell's.) 

 Nicaragua, Xalapa, Mazatlan, (Dr. Gambel's,) and various specimens received 

 from Europe, labelled "Mexico." 



.4. Molothrus Armenti, Cabanis. 



Molothrus Armenti, Cab., Mus. Hein., i. p. 192, (1851,) Jour. Orn., 1861, 

 ,p. 82. 



[March, 



