NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 409 



also show a green lustre in some lights, but are tinged also with purple ; bill 

 and feet black. 



Hub. Mexico. Spec, in Mus. Acad., Philada. 



10. QlTISCALUS RECTIROSTRIS, nobis. 



This is a small species, of which one specimen is in Acad. Mus. without label 

 stating locality. It is quite distinct from any other, though of the same gen- 

 eral colors or lustres of plumage and is stronglj r characterized by its straight, 

 slender and sharp bill. It is smaller than either of the preceding, though the 

 present specimen may be a female. 



Bill straight or very slightly curved at the tip, slender, gradually tapering., 

 pointed, under mandible rather the thicker, commissure straight, edges in- 

 flexed ; wing moderate, third and fourth quills longest and nearly equal; tail 

 rather long, graduated ; legs and feet moderate ; claws curved, sharp. The 

 tail is scarcely as long, proportionately, as in other species of this sub-group, 

 and the legs, toes and claws rather more slender. Total length about 9i 

 inches, wing 4o, tail 4 inches. Female? 



Adult ? Black, entire plumage with a dark purple lustre very slightly 

 changing to greenish on the wings and tail. Bill and feet black. In the spe- 

 cimen now described the shorter quills and wing coverts have the same purple 

 lustre as the body, while the edges of the primaries have a faint green lustre 

 scarcely preceptible, in which character this bird is peculiar in this sub-group. 

 Iu this specimen the under mandible is pale at the base, and the quills on their 

 under surface have a brownish tinge. 



Ilab. Unknown. Spec, in Mus. Acad., Philada. 



This is a quite peculiar species, easily recognized amongst the birds de- 

 scribed in this memoir, by its straight slender bill. It seems also to have more 

 slender legs and feet and perhaps rather shorter tail than usual, though these 

 characters are scarcely to be relied on in prepared and dried specimens. The 

 entire plumage in mature age, has, I suspect, an entirely uniform dark purple 

 lustre, including wings and tail, or perhaps slightly greenish on those parts 

 only. 



The seven species last above given (Nos. 3. to 10 of this memoir) are all that 

 I consider myself justified in regarding as entitled to be established and be- 

 longing to this sub-group, which I have designated Holoqaiscalus. In the 

 Academy Museum, however, there are several specimens in plumage not 

 mature, but probably of this sub-group, which I cannot refer to either of 

 these species and my present opinion is that there are other species yet 

 unknown. 



3. Megaquiscalus. 



The species of this sub-group are the largest of the genus Quiscalus. They 

 are easily recognized by their size, robust organization and long and graduated 

 tails.. 



11. Quiscalus major, Vieillot. 



Quiscalus major, Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xxviii., p. 487, (1819.) 

 Gracula quiscula, Bartr. Trav. p. 290. 

 Gracnla barita, Wils. Am. Orn. vi., p. viii. 

 Quiscalus corvinus, Swains. Cab. Cy. p. 300, (1838.) 

 Bonap. Am. Orn. i. pi. 4. And. B. of Am. pi. 187, Oct. ed. iv., pi. 220. 

 Numerous specimens from Georgia, South Carolina and other States and 

 localities in southern North America are in the the Acad. Mus. and also in the 

 Mus. Smiths. Specimens in Mr. Xantus' collection from Colima, Western 

 Mexico, seem to be this species, though not in mature plumage and may be 

 nearly allied only. 



Form rather lengthened but robust ; bill strong, about the length of the 

 head ; wing rather long, second and third quills usually longest, though the 



1866.] 



