ICTEPJD^ — THE ORIOLES. 



153 



In some eggs, especially those found iu more uortherii localities, the 

 ground-color is drab, with a strong tinge of purple. Over this is diffused a 

 series of obscure lavender-color, and then overlying these are larger and 

 bolder blotches of wine-colored brown. In a few eggs long and irregular 

 lines of dark purj^le, so deep as to be undistinguishable from black, are 

 added. These eggs are quite pointed at one end. 



ri2^Jii6 



Genus MOLOTHRUS, Swainsox. 



Molothrus, SwAiNSOX, F. Bor.-Aui. II, 1831, 277 ; supposed by Cabauis to be meuut for 

 Molobrus. (Type, FrirujUla pccoris, Gm.) 



Gen. Char. Bill short, .«tout, about two thirds the length of head; the commissure 

 straight, culmen and gouys slightly 

 curved, convex, the former broad, 

 rounded, convex, and running back on 

 the head in a point. Lateral toes nearly 

 equal, reaching the base of the middle 

 one, which is shorter than tarsus ; claws 

 rather small. Tail nearly even ; wings 

 long, pointed, the first ciuill longest. As 

 far as known, the species make no nest, 

 but deposit the eggs in the nests of 

 other, usually smaller, birds. 



The genus Molothrus has the bill 



intermediate between DolkJwnijx Molothrus pnoris. 



and Agelaius. It has the culmen unusually broad between the nostrils, and 

 it extends back some distance into the forehead. The difference in the 

 structure of the feet from Bolklmmjx is very great. 



Species of Molothrus resemble some of the Frinyillidce more tluui any 



other of the Ictcridce. The bill is, 

 however, more straight, the tip with- 

 out notch ; the culmen running back 

 fartlier on the forehead, the nostrils 

 being situated fully one third or more 

 of the total length from its posterior 

 extremity. This is seldom the case 

 in the American families. The en- 

 tire absence of notch in the bill and 

 of bristles along the rictus are strong 

 features. The nostrils are perfectly 



Molothrus pecoTia. 



free from any overhanging feathers or bristles. The pointed wings, with 

 the first quill longest, or nearly equal to second, and the tail with its broad 

 rounded feathers, shorter than the wings, are additional features to be 

 specially noted. 



■zo 



