278 AVES : PASSERES, — XLVI. 
are as closely related to Sturnide (starlings), which in turn are 
allied to the Corvide. 
a. Outlines of bill nearly or quite straight, the tip not evidently decurved; 
the commissure not sinuated. (Jcterine.) 
b. Bill stout, conical; its depth at base at least 3 its length; sexes unlike; 
? smaller. 
c. Tail feathers acute ; middle toe with claw longer than tarsus; bill 
shorter than head, finch-like. . . . . . . DoLicnonyx, 463. 
cc. Tail feathers not acute; middle toe with claw not longer than tarsus. 
d.* Bill much shorter than head, finch-like. . . . Mo.orurus, 464. 
dd. Bill about as long as head. 
e. Lateral claws elongate, reaching beyond base of middle claw. 
XANTHOCEPHALUS, 465. 
ee. Lateral claws shortish, scarcely reaching base of middle claw. 
AGELAIUS, 466. 
bb. Bill slender, its depth at base scarcely } its length. 
J: Tail not 3 length of wing, its feathers acute; tertials lengthened ; 
bill longer than head; feathers of crown each tipped by the 
bristle-like shaft; sexes similar. . . . STURNELLA, 467. 
Jf. Tail nearly as long as wing, its feathers not pointed ; bill 
shorter than head ; feathers of crown not bristle-tipped; sexes 
unlike, a: a pte) bs -. » « « “LOTERUS; 46GB; 
aa. Outlines of bill distinctly ieee, the tip dedigcguea the commissure evi- 
dently sinuated. ( Quiscaline. ) 
g. Tail much shorter than ee nearly even; bill slender, shorter 
than head. ae - « + « +» SCOLECOPHAGUS, 469. 
gg. Tail longer than wing, Pieiiated: the middle feathers lower- 
most when the tail is folded; bill stout, not shorter than head. 
QuiscaALus, 470. 
463. DOLICHONYX Swainson. (dodrxds, long ; dvvE, claw.) 
880. D. oryzivorus (L.). Bosorink. ReEEep Birp. Rick 
Birp. ¢ in spring black, neck buffy, shoulders and rump ashy 
white, back streaky; 9, and fall @, yellowish brown, streaked 
above, — dull yellowish birds, resembling sparrows, but known by 
the acute tail feathers. L. 74. W.4. T. 3. E. N. Am., abun- 
dant in meadows northward, where, in the breeding season, it is 
our merriest and most delightful songster. Retiring southward in 
the fall, it fattens in the rice swamps and becomes a “ game bird,” 
slaughtered by the thousand for city markets. (Lat., oryza, rice; 
voro, I devour.) 
464. MOLOTHRUS Swainson. (podoOpos, vagabond.) 
881. M. ater (Boddaert). Cow Birp. ¢ iridescent black, head 
and neck glossy brown; 9 much smaller,dusky brown. L. ( ¢) 8. 
W.4. T.3. U.S., abundant; noted for its parasitic habits. It 
builds no nests, but lays its eggs in the nests of warblers and other 
small birds. (Lat., black.) 
