202 BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 



he allows himself to be driven ignominiously from his nest by the 

 smaller Blue Bird, as already mentioned. The skin of this species is 

 remarkably delicate, almost resembling tissue-paper. The rich vermilion 

 plumage soon fades when exposed to light. 



In proof of the migratory nature of this species Mr. Bartram writes 

 to me, on the 27th of April, 1878, as follows: "Captain Tupper, of the 

 barque Continental, belonging to the State of Maine, put in here in 

 distress on a voyage from Brunswick, Ga., on or about the 12th of this 

 month. He tells me that one of our Eed Birds came on board his ship 

 and was caught 350 miles to the westward of Bermuda; the wind had 

 been eastward for some days; they also caught a Sandpiper the same 

 day, and they were both confined together in a basket ; but, as they 

 could not live together without fighting, they were turned adrift and 

 allowed to go their way." 



Family ICTERIDiE. 

 Sub-family AGELAIN^. 

 Genus Dolichonyx, Sw. 

 64. Dolichonyx oryzivorus, (Linn.) Sw. Bobolink ; Rice-bird. 



Eraberiza oryzivora, Linn., Gm., Lath., Wila. 



Paaserina oryzivora, Vieil. 



Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Sw., Bp., And., Gould, Gir., and late authors. 



Icterus agripcnnis, Bp., Nutt., Aud. 



Dolichonyx agripennis, Rich. 



Length, 7.70 ; wing, 3.83 ; tail, 3.15. 



Hal). — Eastern North America, north to Saskatchewan, west to Rocky 

 Mountains and somewhat beyond ; Utah, Nevada, Wyoming ; south to 

 Bolivia, La Plata, &c., Galapagos, West Indies, Central and South 

 America. (Coues.) 



Mr. Hurdis says of this bird : " The Rice Bird is not known to visit 

 the Bermudas on its vernal flight, although in September and October 

 it seldom fails of being found there, generally in small flocks, and on 

 one occasion in considerable numbers. They frequent the marsbes^ 

 where the ripe panicles of seed from the reeds and sedge offer an ami)le 

 abundance of their favorite food." Aud Colonel Wedderburn remarks : 

 "During some years this bird is not uncommon, but always found in 

 winter plumage. They are so extremely fat that it is almost impossible 

 to preserve them." I have little to add to the above notes, except that 

 one of Mr. Bartram's specimens is a male in imperfect summer plumage. 



