ICTERID^ — THE ORIOLES. 



153 



In some eggs, especially those found in more northern localities, the 

 ground-color is drab, with a strong tinge of purple. Over this is diffused a 

 series of obscure lavender-color, and then overlying these are larger and 

 bolder blotches of wine-colored brown. In a few eggs long and irregular 

 lines of dark purple, so deep as to be undistinguishable from black, are 

 added. These eggs are quite pointed at one end. 



ZZHAd 



Genus MOLOTHRUS, Swainson. 



Molothrus, Swainson, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 277 ; supposed by Cabanis to be meant for 

 Molobrus. (Type, Fringilla pecoris, Gm.) 



GteN. Char. Bill short, stout, about two thirds the length of head ; the commissure 

 straight, culmen and gonys slightly 

 curved, convex, the former broad, 

 rounded, convex, and running back on 

 the head in a point. Lateral toes nearly 

 equal, reaching the base of the middle 

 one, which is shorter than tarsus ; claws 

 rather small. Tail nearly even ; wings 

 long, pointed, the first quill longest. As 

 far as known, the species make no nest, 

 but deposit the eggs in the nests of 

 other, usually smaller, birds. 



The genus Molothrus has the bill 

 intermediate between Doliclionyx Moiothms pecons. 



and Agelaius. It has the culmen unusually broad between the nostrils, and 

 it extends back some distance into the forehead. The difference in tlie 

 structure of the feet from Doliclionyx is very great. 



Species of Molothrus resemble some of the FringillidcB more than any 



other of the Icteridoe. The bill is, 

 however, more straight, tlie tip with- 

 out notch ; the culmen running back 

 farther on the forehead, the nostrils 

 being situated fully one third or more 

 of the total length from its posterior 

 extremity. This is seldom the case 

 in the American families. The en- 

 tire absence of notch in the bill and 

 of bristles along the rictus are strong 

 features. The nostrils are perfectly 

 free from any overhanging feathers or bristles. The pointed wings, with 

 the first quill longest, or nearly equal to second, and the tail with its broad 

 rounded feathers, shorter than the wings, are additional features to be 

 specially noted. 



VOL. II. 20 



Molothrus pecoris. 



