412 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



Vieillot's name for this group, Quiscalus, being already used in botany, I pro- 

 pose to call it Scaphidurus, as expressive of the singular boat-shaped tail com- 

 mon to most, if not all, of the species." 



The specimens now before me are probably very nearly full grown, but have 

 not entirely assumed the "glossy blue black," though that color is plainly su- 

 perceding the immature plumage. The brown of the tibise is to be seen in 

 both specimens. 



Both of Col. Grayson's specimens are males. About the size of Q. major ; 

 wing rather shorter ; tail long ; bill thick, nearly straight, slightly curved at 

 the point ; legs and feet strong. 



//nil. Mazatlau, Mexico. Spec, in Mus. Smiths. Inst., Washington. 



1G. Quiscalus peruvianus, Swainson. 



Quiscalus Peruvianus, Swains. Cab. Cy. p. 354 (1838). 

 " Bill one inch and a-half long. Plumage glossy purple on the head and 

 neck, changing to green on the body beneath ; back, wings and tail black, with 

 aa obscure greenish gloss. Total length about 13j inches ; bill from the gap 

 1 7 , front 1, wings 7, tail from the base 7f, tarsus nearly 2, middle toe and 

 claw I' hinder claws If. Commissure of the bill slightly sinuated in the 

 middle. The purple of the head and part of the neck gradually becomes steel 

 blue on the breast, and then assumes a greenish tinge on the interscapulars and 

 under part of the body. The greater wing coverts, quills, back, rump, and tail 

 are almost entirely glossy black." 



" Inhabits Peru. Mr. W. Hookers collection, Mus. Nost." 

 This is Mr. Swainson's description, as above cited. This species I have not 

 seen, though it is given in Mr. Jules Verreaux's Catalogue of the Baron Lafres- 

 naye's collection, recently presented to the Boston Natural History Society by 

 Dr. Henry Bryant, but which, I regret to say, I have not examined. 



4. Hypopyrrhus. 



(Genus Hypopyrrhus, Bonap. Consp. Av. p. 425.) 



17. Quiscalus pyrohypogaster, (De Tarragon). 



Cassicus pyrohypogaster, De Tarr., Rev. Zool. 1847, p. 252. 

 " Agelaius pyrrhogaster, (Tarrag.) " Gray Gen. iii. app. p. 15. 



General form robust, plumage of the head with acicular feathers, and some- 

 what rigid ; Ming moderate, third and fourth quills longest ; tail rather long, 

 rounded ; legs and feet rather short, strong ; bill about the length of the head, 

 thick at base, curved slightly at the point. Wide abdominal transverse band 

 and under tail coverts bright scarlet, all other parts of the plumage black. 

 Acicular feathers of the head and throat lustrous, but other parts plain black. 

 A few axillary feathers scarlet. Bill ard feet brownish-black. 



Total length about 11 inches, wing 5], tail 5^- inches. 



//,,/>. Northern South America; New Grenada. Spec, in Mus. Acad. Phila. 



This singular bird is easily recognized by its scarlet abdominal band and 

 under tail coverts, and plain black general plumage. It is evidently of this 

 group, but possibly entitled to generic distinction. 



II. Genus SCOLECOPHAGUS Swainson. 



(Genus Scolecophagus, Swains. Faun. Bor. Am. ii. p. 494.) 



1. Scolecophagus. 



1. Scolecophagus ferrugineus, (Gmelin). 



Oriolus ferrugineus, et nigcr, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 393 (1788). 

 Turdus hudsonius, et labradorius, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 818, 832 (1788). 

 Pendulinus ater, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. v. p. 320 (1816). 

 Wilson Am. Urn. iii. pi. 21. Aud. B. of Am. pi. 157 ; oct. ed. iv. pi. 222. 

 An abundant species of Eastern North America, specimens of which are 



[Dec 



