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 A/jelaeus and 

 Quiscalus performing evolutions like Starlings ; while these 

 forms, Dolichonyx, Scolephagus, Xanthocephalus, 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 Icterinae 



Fig. 142. "Baltimore Oriole." Icterus baUimore. x ^. 



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 /. vulgaris and /. laltimore 

 being especially rich and varied ; they are therefore favourite cage- 

 birds. Dolichonyx, perhaps the finest of American songsters, 

 often sings in chorus ; Sturiiella 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 



