XXVI1. 
KEY TO: THE SPECIES: 
OrpER I. PASSERES. Perching Birds. 
Family 1. Corvipar. Crows, Jays, Ravens. 
The members of this group are too well known to call for comment. 
I. Entirely black. 
A. Wing about 15.00. “1. Northern Raven. 
B. Wing about 13.00. 2. American Crow. 
II. With much blue in the plumage, crested. 3- Blue Jay. 
Family 2. Icreripar. Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. 
Certain members of this group are among the most familiar of our birds. Our shade trees are 
filled with Grackles and Orioles all summer long, and there is no pasture or meadow without its 
Meadowlarks. 
The Blackbirds, Bobolinks, and Grackles flock together in spring and fall, but the Orioles and 
Meadowlarks are seldom seen in large numbers together. 
I. Entire under parts black, with or without metallic re- 
flections. 
A. Tail distinctly rounded. 13. Bronzed Grackle. 
B. Tail square or only slightly rounded. 
1. Entire plumage bluish-black. 12. Rusty Blackbird. 
2. A red and buff shoulder-patch. 7 & 8. Red=winged Blackbird and 
Thick=billed Redwing. 
3. Head, neck and throat seal-brown. 5. Cowbird. 
4. Nape buffy, back with much white. 4- Bobolink. 
II. Under parts black and white, or black with buffy tips to 
feathers. 
A. Under parts streaked black and white. 7. Red=-winged Blackbird. 
B. Under parts black, nape buffy, back with white. 4- Bobolink. 
C. Whole body tipped with rusty. 12. Rusty Blackbird. 
Ill. Under parts slate-color, chestnut or buffy. 
A. Under parts slate-color. 
1. Wing over 4.25. 12. Rusty Blackbird. 
2. Wing less than 4.00. 5. Cowbird. 
B. Under parts buffy or chestnut. 
t. Under parts chestnut. 10. Orchard Oriole. 
2. Under parts buffy. 4- Bobolink. 
IV. Under parts with yellow or orange. 
A. Throat black. 
1. Back black. 11. Baltimore Oriole. 
2. Back greenish. 10. Orchard Oriole. 
B. Breast with a black crescent. 9. Meadowlark. 
C. Head, neck, throat and breast yellow or orange. 6. Yellow-headed Blackbird. 
D. Under parts entirely yellow or orange. 
1. Rump and tail orange. ro. Orchard Oriole. 
2. Upper parts greenish. 11. Baltimore Oriole. 
3. Upper parts brownish, streaked. 4. Bobolink. 
Family 3. FRINcILLIDAE. Sparrows, Finches, Buntings, etc. 
This is the largest and most varied family of North American Birds. In it are found some of 
the plainest as well as some of the most brilliantly colored of our birds. Here are grouped those 
with sweet and varied songs as well as those whose voices can scarceiy be distinguished from the 
shrilling of insects. Some are lowly in habits, nesting on the ground or even scooping out a hollow 
in which to nest, while some lash their cradles to the topmost twigs of tall trees. All members of 
the family eat seeds or grains, but all of them also eat some insects. In early spring many species 
eat the tender buds of trees. Several species eat more insects than vegetable matter. None (except 
the English Sparrow) seem to be injurious, while all do great service to agriculture in destroying 
vast quantities of weed seeds. 
I. With conspicuous red in the plumage. 
A. Mandibles crossed. 
t. With conspicuous white wing-bars. 19. White-winged Crossbill. 
2. Without white wing-bars. 18. American Crossbill. 
