VII ICTERIDAE 581 
Sub-families 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 sufficiently strong and swift, flocks of Agelaeus and 
Quiscalus performing evolutions like Starlings; while these 
forms, Dolichonyx, Scolephagus, Nanthocephalus, 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, 
Sturnella sailing or fluttering with jerky movements, the Icterimae 
eee 
p= 
RW2W!}yaX 
ty 
iy 
thy 
Fic, 142.—“ Baltimore Oriole.”  JIcterus baltimore. x 4. 
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 Z. vulgaris and I. baltimore 
being especially rich and varied ; they are therefore favourite cage- 
birds. Dolichonyx, perhaps the finest of American songsters, 
often sings in chorus; Stwrnella 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, their larvae, and small molluscs; but fruit is 
also eaten, and havoc wrought in maize- and corn-fields, Quiscalus 
even pulling up the shooting blades. The terrestrial species often 
