of the United States. 51 



Female differing widely from the male, and often much 

 smaller. Young very like the female. Generally moult once 

 a year, but the colours more brilliant in spring ; in winter the 

 plumage of the male is somewhat like that of the female. 



Gregarious. Omnivorous. Build in trees. Walk rather 

 quick, with the body almost erect. Flight vigorous. Flesh 

 not esteemed. 



Numerous in species, and exclusively American: some 

 short, thick-billed species approaching the genus Fringilla, 

 (family Passerini) others with slender bills are allied to 

 Dacnis, subgenus of Sylvia, (family Canori) whilst others 

 again are related to Quiscalus, to Sturnus, &c. 



SUBGENUS II. ICTERUS. 



Xanthornus, Cuv. Genera Pendulinus, Yphantes, Vieill. 



Bill comparatively slender, slightly bent towards the tip ; 

 frontal sinus acute, not deep. 



Female about equal in size to the male. 



Not constantly gregarious : frequent the woods. Feed 

 chiefly on insects and berries. Solitary when breeding. 

 Build pensile nests, admirably constructed. Allied to the 

 subgenus Dacnis. 



49. Icterus Baltimore, Daud. Tail nearly even. 



Male orange ; head, neck above, back, wings and tail, 

 black ; lateral tail feathers widely orange at tip. 



Female and young, the orange pale ; the black dull and 

 pale, and mottled with dull orange ; tail orange. 



Baltimore Oriole, Oriolus oaltimore, Wils. Am. Orn. i% 

 p. 23. pi. l. Jig. 3. male ; and vi. p. 88. pi. 53. fig. 4. female. 



Inhabits all parts of the United States in summer : rather 

 common : winters in tropical America. 



50. Icterus spurius, Nob. Tail cuneiform. 



Male, chesnut ; head and neck, back, wings and tail, black. 

 Female and young of one year, olive-green, beneath yel- 

 low ; wings and tail dusky. 



