STURNID.E. 



229 



Agelaix.e. 



SUB-FAMILY VI I. 



The Troojy-hirds. 



Gen. Chahac. — Bill the length of the head, or shorter, completely conical, 

 with the sides gradually compressed towards the tip ; the culmen straight, 

 flattened, and more or less broad; the tarsi usually the length of the middle 

 toe ; the toes lengthened, slender, the outer united at the base with the 

 middle one, the hind toe long, and all armed with long and rather curved 

 claws. 



Fig. 95. — the capped troop-bird, 

 ( Chrysomus frontalis.) 



These birds are peculiar to tlie continent of Ame- 

 rica. The North- American species are migratory, 

 and in winter visit the southern States in large 

 Hocks, especially frequenting the vicinity of the sea- 

 coast near large fields of rice and corn. Wilson 

 relates that he has frequently been amused by their 

 aerial evolutions. Sometimes they appear driving 

 about like an enormous black cloud carried before 



