BIRDS — ICTEEIDAE — QUISCALUS BAEITUS. 



557 



This species, now for the first time introduced into the fauna of the United States, from 

 specimens collected at Key Biscayne by Mr. Wurdemann, in of April 1857 and '58, is the smallest 

 oftlie genus within our limits. The wing and tail each are about an inch shorter than in Q. 

 versicolor. The bill, however, is much longer and more slender, and the tip considerably more 

 produced and decurved. The feet are stouter and much coarser, the pads of the toes very 

 scabrous as if to assist in holding slijjpery substances, a feature scarcely seen in versicolor. 



The second and third quills are longest ; the first a little shorter only than the fourth. 



The colors are quite dissimilar to those of versicolor, a purplish violet predominating on the 

 neck. The green of the back and belly is more decided as well as duller and darker than even 

 in western specimens of versicolor. The gloss on the tail and most of the wings is green, not 

 purplish violet. The general style of coloration is most like that of Quiscalus major, although 

 the bird is much smaller. 



This species does not appear to be the Quiscalus haritus of the earlier authors, which is stated 

 by Latham to be 13 inches long, the bill 1^ inches, consequently much larger. The colors, too, 

 are chiefly purple, not green. Q. luguhris is smaller, the bill especially ; the lustre purple, not 

 green. Q. minor of Cabanis is smaller still, with a violet blue lustre. The Quiscalus haritus of 

 Vieillot comes nearer to it in size of body and bill, but is also said to have the body purplish 

 instead of greenish, the wing coverts greenish instead of steel blue. 



It is possible that the species may really be the Q. crassirostris of Swainson, (2J cent. 355,) 

 but I cannot identify it from his description. The size is considerably smaller, while the bill is 

 larger than in the Florida bird. 



The female is smaller and rather duller in plumage. 



List of specimens. 



