ICTERIDAE 



581 



Sub-fainilies occupy most of America, except the extreme north, 

 the Quiscalinae extending to Chili and Argentina, the Sturnellinae 

 to Patagonia. Several species are peculiar to the Antilles. The 

 flight is suflficiently strong and swift, flocks of Agelaeus and 

 Quiscaius performing evolutions like Starlings ; while these 

 forms, Bolichonyx, Scolephagus, JCanthocephalus, and others roost 

 in huge companies on migration. These lively, active, and fairly 

 tame birds differ considerably in habits, Dolichonyx sitting con- 

 tinually on fences, clinging to plant-stems, or hovering in the air, 

 SturncUa sailing or fluttering with jerky movements, the Icterinae 



Fig. 142. — " Baltimore Oriole." Icterus baltimore. x \. 



and Cassicinae being particularly accustomed to perch, and many 

 forms walking well or even gracefully. The members of the genus 

 Icterus have melodious voices, those of /. vulgaris and /. lalthnore 

 being especially rich and varied ; they are therefore favourite cage- 

 birds. Dolichonyx, perhaps the finest of American songsters, 

 often sings in chorus ; Sturnella produces tuneful, wild, but not 

 powerful notes ; the Cassicinae utter loud discordant cries or 

 sweeter strains; while many forms chatter, chuckle, squeak, scream, 

 or whistle more or less harshly, whether in the air, in the trees, or 

 on the ground. The food in the breeding season consists almost 

 entirely of insects, tlieir larvae, and small molluscs ; but fruit is 

 also eaten, and havoc wrought in maize- and corn-fields, Quiscaius 

 even pulling up the shooting Idades. The terrestrial species often 



