OF NEW ENGLAND. 241 



developed primaries [also seiitellate tarsi, etc.], and tins dis- 

 tinguishes them from all our other families whatsoever ; but 

 the distinctions from the FringiUklce. are not easily expressed. 

 In fact, I know of no character that, for example, will relegate 

 the bobolink and cowbird to the Icteridce rather than to the 

 FringiUidce, in the current acceptation of these terms. In gen- 

 eral, however, the Icteridce are distinguished b}' the length, 

 acuteness and not strictly conical shape of the unnotched, 

 unbristled bill, that shows a peculiar extension of the culmen 

 on the forehead, dividing the prominent antiae of close-set, 

 velvety feathers that reach to or on the nasal scale." 



With the exception of the Sturnelkti (or meadow larks), 

 who show an affinity to the true larks, the sexes are unlike, 

 and the males are largely or wliolly black, often highly lus- 

 trous. 



The orioles are arboreal, but the other starlings are in a 

 great measure terrestrial, being walking birds. They are gen- 

 erally granivorous rather than insectivorous, and are migratory 

 and gregarious. The orioles, however, form a distinct group, 

 ranked as a subfamily, Icterince (Gen.V). Bill rather slender, 

 and acute, with upper and lower outlines both more or less 

 curved ; tail rounded. Birds non-gregarious, and scarcely gra- 

 nivorous ; fine musicians, and clever architects, building pen- 

 sile, woven nests. (Fig. 13.) The other subfamilies are: 



Agelceince (I-IV), (fig. 12). Bill generally stout; upper 

 and lower outlines both uncurved ; tail nearly even. I, II, 

 sweetly musical ; tail-feathers pointed. II, III, bill fringilline. 

 IV, bill as in pi. 1, fig. 18. I, bill similar, but elongated. 

 Quiscalinoi, or graJcIes (VI, VII), (fig. 14). Bill with the 

 edges noticeably turned inward, with upper outline much 

 curved, but lower nearly straight. Birds scarcely musical, but 

 eminently gregarious. Nests rather rude, and never on the 

 ground. 



I. STURNELLA 



(A) MAGNA. Meadow Lark. Old-field Lark. " Marsh 

 Quail:' 



17 



