224 



CONIROSTRES. 



SUB-FAMILY V. 



QUISCALIN^. 



The Boat-tails. 



Gen. Chaeac. — Bill lengthened, with the culmen straight and slightly curved 

 at the tip ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and placed in a triangular groove ; 

 wings moderate and pointed ; tail lengthened and graduated, with the sides 

 generally curved upwards ; the tarsi and toes strong and much scutellated, 

 the hind toe long, and armed with a strong curved claw. 



Fig. 93.— the black boat-tail. 



{Scaphidurus ater.) , 



These birds are migratory between tlie north and 

 the more temperate parts of the American continent, 

 according to the change of seasons. In the winter 

 they assemble in considerable numbers, and entirely 

 overrun the warmer south-eastern maritime regions, 

 and are very destructive. In the spring they are 

 usually seen flying about the swam^os and meadows, 

 or following in the furrows after the plough. At this 

 season they are very useful to the husbandman, as 



