254 



SIXGIXG BIRDS — OSCINKS. 



ing, longer than the head. Claws not much curved. Tail moderate, shorter 

 than the wings, nearly e^■en. 



Genus DOLICHONYX, Swainson. 



DoUcliomjx, Swainson, ZooI. Jour. IV. 1837, .351. (Type, Embcnza orij:ii-ora, Lixn.eus.) 



Gen. Char. Bill short, stout, conical, little more tlian half the head ; the coiniiiissure 

 slightly siiiuatefl ; the cuhnen nearly strai;;ht. JMiildle toe considerably longer than the 

 tarsus (which is about as long as the head) ; the inner lateral toe longest, but not reaching 



D. oryzivfirus. 



the base of the middle claw. Wings long, first quill longest. Tail feathers acurainatelv 

 pointed at the tip, with the shafts stiffened and rigid, as in the woodpeckers. 



Tlie jiecuhar characteristic of this genus is found in the rigid scansorial 

 tail, and the very long middle toe, by means of which it is enaliled to grasp 

 the vertical stems of reeds or other slender plants. The color of tlio Iviiuwu 

 species is black, varied witli whitish patches on the upper parts. 



D. ortjzivonts. 



